The government’s leaked nitrogen plans do not reassure Merel Straathof. As a leader of the young farmers, she longs for future prospects: “We believe that all buffer zones above 500 meters cannot be explained.”
Next Friday, Agriculture Minister Jaimi van Essen (D66) will present his new nitrogen approach to unlock the Netherlands. Some of those plans were leaked on Tuesday evening: the government is aiming to establish zones of 1 kilometer around approximately twenty large nature reserves, in which much less nitrogen may be emitted. In practice, this means that many farms will have to downsize or even disappear.
Merel Straathof, the vice-chairman of the Dutch Agricultural Youth Contact (NAJK), is far from happy with this. In an initial response to the leaked plans, she states that it is important for young farmers that the zone can be ‘explained’: “We believe that everything above 500 meters is inexplicable, because you cannot scientifically prove that it has an effect.”
The leader of the young farmers explains that the precipitation of nitrogen emissions can no longer be traced after 500 meters: “It is therefore not logical for us to further widen that zone.”
Is that 1 kilometer zone a red line for you?
“It’s about the whole package. It has to be in balance. We don’t think zones of 1 kilometer are in balance. And that is a red line.”
Name one thing that should be included in next Friday’s letter to Parliament?
“That the cabinet will ensure that the licensing process gets underway. I understand that this has to be done step by step, but without permits we cannot do anything. Not even sustainable. If we invest 20 billion euros in an approach that ensures so much less nitrogen emissions, then it cannot be true that permits still cannot be granted? Then you come to the question: does the package make sense? Once is enough.”
As young farmers, you are in close contact with the minister. Are you confident that a good approach will be taken?
“We genuinely find it very exciting. As young farmers, we know that steps need to be taken. We also want to take responsibility for this. But we can only be held responsible for our emissions, not for the emissions of our neighbors or abroad. We say: work towards a strong sector in 2035. If you want a strong sector, you will have to think carefully about what measures you take and what support you offer.”
What do you think should be done?
“You must be clear about the objective at company level and make entrepreneurs responsible for their own emissions. At the same time, the government must stand next to the entrepreneur and support them.”
The young farmers and gardeners need help. They are all either just before a takeover, or in the middle of it, or just after a takeover. And in all cases the following applies: their disposable income is very low. These companies are the future, but they do not have the deepest pockets. If you want them to survive this game, you have to help them.”
What do you think of Agriculture Minister Van Essen?
“He is a nice, enthusiastic young man, who has big words about how he is going to solve the problem. The conversations with him are good, but I find his tactics exciting: he decides what is included in the package and does not want to negotiate with interest groups. I wonder whether he will be able to gain support with this.”
Do you miss the BBB in the cabinet?
Straathof remains silent for a very long time… “What can I say to that now? The parties in the Schoof cabinet were mainly busy arguing. You may think the nitrogen problem is stupid, but we are so legally stuck… we have to do something. That makes it really feel like: now or never for us with this new minister.
Is the government making a good package – one that hurts – but which also contains potential for action? Or is The Hague making the mistake again of presenting a package that solves the problem in theory, but cannot count on support, because a farmer can only opt for a stopper scheme instead of, for example, a good relocation scheme? I want to give Jaimi a chance.”
Do you expect farmers’ protests again?
“I honestly find that a difficult question. We will see whether there is a willingness to take action. Not because the package is not serious enough, but because people are sick of the commotion in The Hague. Every time a plan is presented that is then thrown in the trash. That makes farmers despondent.”
Will Van Essen succeed in getting the farmers on board?
“My concern is mainly about the speed of the process. We are now actually trying to sort out seven years of failed agricultural policy in six months. In some ways that is good, because it simply has to be solved. But you must have had the time to include people in your plan. If necessary, we would prefer a three-month delay. If you look at everything that is coming our way… People in the region have not yet reached that point.”
WATCH ALSO to these videos about politics: