The plans to reduce the amount of nitrogen in Drenthe are stalled, while the province has barely started exporting it. The big problem? A fund containing 24 billion euros from Minister Van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen) is taking a long time. And that causes concerns for the province.
Other provinces also feel a lot of uncertainty. That is why the province of Overijssel threw the ball into the woods this week. She threatens to stop implementing the nitrogen policy if Van der Wal does not come up with the money.
Drenthe does not want to go as far as Overijssel, but spokesperson Alies Klomp does share the concerns. “Due to the unrest and uncertainty about whether financing will be available, it is very difficult to start the area processes. Now we can only implement short-term plans if money is available from the ministry. In addition, we have package of measures in preparation, but also We don’t know whether we will get money for it. As a result, processes are stuck.”
However, the province’s nitrogen plans must be implemented. “But in this way there is no perspective for the agricultural sector and that is very annoying. We do want to get started on the assignment, but there must be something in return from The Hague.”
Drenthe wants a total of 4.5 billion euros from The Hague to implement the nitrogen plans. In doing so, it wants to focus on innovations, on buying up farmers who voluntarily quit and on less intensive farming. This should ensure that ammonia emissions are reduced by 2,450 tons.
That money must come from the nitrogen fund. Previously, outgoing Minister Van der Wal warned that this amount must be reduced. The twelve Dutch provinces jointly demand much more than 24 billion. And whether that 24 billion will come is also uncertain. Because the cabinet fell before a final decision was made. As a result, the outgoing cabinet is no longer in charge of the budget.
Nevertheless, Van der Wal is optimistic that some of the money can be released in the short term. Van der Wal does not know what will happen next. “I don’t have a crystal ball.”