Nitrogen plan deadline is approaching, but many steps still to be taken

With relatively few farmers and two hefty nitrogen emitters, Tata Steel and Schiphol, it is a complicated task for the province of North Holland to draw up a workable plan to reduce nitrogen. And then there are the provincial elections in between.

It is not ideal, explains deputy Esther Rommel (VVD) during a ‘catching up session’ about the progress of the plans to reduce nitrogen emissions in the province. “It’s such a huge strategic plan, six months before the elections.”

But the July 1 deadline is harsh. Then a draft version from each province must be on the table. In The Hague, all twelve plans are put together and it is examined whether it is sufficient to meet the European standards. If not, the thumbscrews are tightened harder. How will North Holland fill it in? Rommel gives an interim update.

Tata Steel

Last Friday it became clear that the province will allocate another twenty million euros to buy out farmers. A total of sixty million euros is now available for this, which is enough to buy out just over thirty farmers. About twenty farmers have indicated that they are interested in being bought up.

North Holland has a relatively small agricultural sector. That seems like a solution, but it also means that there are fewer buttons to turn. “So we have to be more creative to make a profit.”

According to the deputy, the industry, such as Schiphol and Tata Steel, is a much bigger button to turn. But the lack of guidelines from the government makes it difficult for the province to make concrete plans now. Those guidelines are expected in mid-February, four and a half months before the deadline.

Elections

Rommel acknowledges that the nitrogen plans could become a major topic in the upcoming Provincial Council elections on March 15. “The goals of the government are fixed,” she explains. “But the road to that can differ, depending on which parties are at the table.”

The voter can therefore influence the implementation of the plans. If the distribution of the provincial councils is completely different after March 15, this could mean that the implementation of the plans will be taken in a completely different direction.

Or showing off feathers that were not self-earned. “The new board will eventually cut the ribbons,” admits Rommel. “But of course we do it for the province, not for showing off.”

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