The CDA in the municipality of Westerveld is surprised that the municipality of Hoogeveen has bought nitrogen rights from a livestock farm in Darp. The college of mayor and aldermen also thinks the course of events is ‘not desirable’.
The party sees a repeat of moves, because earlier this year the purchase of nitrogen rights by gas producer Vermilion already led to commotion in the municipality. “We expressed our surprise at that with the entire city council.” The party and the council believe that PAS reporters should be helped first, i.e. livestock farmers who previously did not need a permit, but now have to do so due to changing regulations.
Westerveld was not informed of Hoogeveen’s actions. “Purchasing takes place on the free market, which is why we are not included”, alderman Roel Vedder (VVD) answers when asked whether he was aware of the deal in advance. He would have preferred things differently, so he contacted alderman Zwiers van Hoogeveen. “They didn’t think to inform us at the time. I said that I don’t think that’s a good thing. If things like this happen, advance notification is desirable.”
In any case, Vedder doesn’t like the trade. “Just like previous cases, we as a board have indicated to the province on several occasions that external netting, whereby others buy rights from our municipality that go beyond the municipal boundaries, is not desirable,” says Vedder. “We should not compete with each other with emission rights.”