Nature and Environment Federation Drenthe (NFMD) understands the government’s approach to nitrogen. Yesterday it was announced that nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands must be drastically reduced. At the edges of Natura 2000 areas such as the Dwingelderveld with 70 percent, in other Drenthe areas it is 47 percent, for example.
“On average, the nitrogen load should be approximately halved throughout the Netherlands. That is no surprise,” says Reinder Hoekstra of NFMD. “I think it’s good that there is now a long-term perspective. There has often been commentary on ‘incident policy’. An attempt is now being made to summarize everything in one.”
Hoekstra realizes that it is ‘a tough task’. “This is also the outcome of policy that has been postponed for years. For years the cabinet has pushed this ahead of itself. But it is very clear: this is necessary for nature,” he says.
Other nature organizations also support the approach. The World Wildlife Fund, Environmental Federations and Bird Protection Netherlands, among others, call on Minister Christianne van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen) to “make quick work” on the implementation of her plans. Natuur & Milieu and Natuurmonumenten also support the plans.
According to the organizations, the choices now made are “painful, but necessary to restore nature and offer agriculture a sustainable perspective”. Nature and Environment Federation Drenthe does think that farmers should be helped. “I think the story you want to take with agriculture is still a bit thin. The entrepreneur also has to find his own way, but it does feel very heavy for those companies,” says Hoekstra.
Hoeksta therefore understands the disappointment of farmers. “Because of such a percentage of 70 percent you can become discouraged. We should just not focus on that map with percentages. The emphasis is always on the Dwingelderveld, for example. There is then a lot of unrest. But yes, this inevitably leads to extensification and also to fewer farms.”
It will soon be the turn of the provinces to further elaborate the plans regionally and locally. They have a year to do that. “The pressure is on the provinces,” Hoekstra knows. “As I read the plans, provinces can also deviate somewhat here and there. On average 43 percent less nitrogen must be emitted across Drenthe, in Groningen that is 25 percent. My plea would be to adopt a Northern approach from such frameworks. come.”
Nature organizations are afraid that due to an excess of nitrogen, the survival of many species of plants and animals, such as the wheatear and the lesser moth, is ‘hanging by a thread’. In their view, the cabinet is now taking a ‘clear step towards a structural solution’.