The National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen is starting an investigation into the consequences of government policy for farmers. The research focuses on the past ten years and, among other things, the experiences of Drenthe farmers will be central.
According to Van Zutphen, the government’s ever-changing nitrogen regulations cause a lot of uncertainty, frustration and stress among farming families.
Last week Van Zutphen was in Drenthe to visit victims of gas extraction near Ekehaar. Apart from the agreements for that visit, he also spoke with farmers who are affected by the government’s nitrogen regulations.
Based on these conversations, among other things, the ombudsman has decided to investigate the consequences of the government’s nitrogen policy. “Farmers have been dealing with changing rules for years,” Van Zutphen told ANP.
The ombudsman has already conducted preliminary research and, in addition to Drenthe farmers, also spoke to farmers from Twente, Zeeland and North Brabant. “Farmers told me the same thing every time: there is simply no perspective.”
Van Zutphen emphasizes that he is not a nitrogen expert. With the stories of farmers that he will collect, the ombudsman mainly wants to provide insight into what government policy is doing to them and what the consequences are for their business and daily life.
Van Zutphen wants to share the results in the first half of next year.