The deterioration of nature in Drenthe may have major consequences for Fage. It is uncertain whether the Greek dairy manufacturer will be allowed to build a large factory on the Riegmeer business park in Hoogeveen.
Fage wants to use the location for the production of Greek yogurt. But due to the deteriorated state of nature in Drenthe, the permit application in its current form is uncertain, says alderman Jan Zwiers of the municipality of Hoogeveen.
“It is very complex and if you don’t know the ins and outs, an opinion or judgment is a blow in the air. But, we are disappointed,” said Zwiers.
The fact that Drenthe’s nature reserves are in a bad state became clear from the province’s first eight nature target analyses. Moreover, the deterioration continues. Nitrogen is the main culprit. From now on, the results of the nature target analyzes must be included in the granting of permits.
And that’s where the shoe pinches for Fage. Because nitrogen is released during the construction of the factory, for example due to pile driving and the supply of materials. Even when the factory is in use, this produces nitrogen emissions through, for example, heating the building and boilers.
Prior to the arrival of the dairy, Hoogeveen purchased nitrogen rights from livestock farms in Hollandscheveld and Darp. The municipality paid almost 100,000 euros for this and states that these costs are passed on to the dairy giant in the land price. But external netting, i.e. taking over nitrogen space, is no longer allowed.
“We don’t yet know whether the purchased space is wasted money,” says alderman Zwiers. “For now, we as council and executive are seriously disappointed. In the near future we will see what it will actually mean.”
In addition to Fage, the permits for dozens of other projects in Drenthe have also become uncertain.