Nitrogen deputy Erik Ronnes is happy with the first seven farms to be bought out. Together they receive 13.5 million euros, which is divided among themselves based on the size of the company. Despite the initial success, Ronnes is critical of The Hague’s ‘mop policy’. “Not all arrangements and rules are clear yet, which is why several farmers have dropped out or are waiting.”
There are 150 farms in Brabant near protected nature areas that have high nitrogen emissions and fall under the peak loader category. They could make use of the voluntary buy-out scheme. Of all these companies, 29 farmers have entered into talks with the province, seven of whom have now decided to stop. “It has been an intensive and difficult time, but it also has a major impact on the life of a farmer and his family.”
According to Ronnes, more farmers could have been bought out. “Not all the rules and regulations surrounding the new buy-out schemes are clear and that makes it difficult for farmers to make choices for the future. That is why the talks with the other 22 farms have stopped. That’s a shame, because they were very interested.”
Two new schemes are expected this autumn: the national livestock farming termination scheme (LBV) and a second round of the peak loader purchase scheme.
41,000 square meters of stable disappears
The coming time 41,000 square meters of stables were demolished in the vicinity of the Groote Peel, Deurnese and Mariapeel, Loonse and Drunense Duinen, Kampina and Oisterwijkse Vennen and Kempenland-West. As a result, about 37,300 kilograms of nitrogen disappears. In some cases, the new destination of this land is not yet clear.
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