“A dramatic decision.” This is how farmers’ interest organization ZLTO calls the news that Brabant will not grant permits for the time being to projects that lead to extra nitrogen emissions in Natura 2000 areas. “This is how the whole of Brabant will be locked.”
The province’s decision follows the results of the new nature target analysis. This shows that the Brabant Natura 2000 areas have only deteriorated further since the last report in 2015. And so projects that cause extra nitrogen emissions will now be stopped with immediate effect.
Incomprehensible, thinks Hendrik Hoeksema of the Southern Agriculture and Horticulture Organization (ZLTO). In doing so, he first of all points to the development of that all-determining nature target analysis. “That process took place completely in-house. As a result, it is unclear exactly how those figures were arrived at. While openness is crucial, especially if you link such dramatic decisions to it.”
To gain more insight into the research, the ZLTO recently submitted a WOO request. “That date for this will expire soon, so we hope to have more clarity. The bottom stone must be raised.”
“We jumped into a ravine, but did not put up a safety net.”
Nevertheless, according to Hoeksema, we should not expect a solution for the time being. “Even if all farmers stopped, there will still be areas that do not meet the standard. But will we never grant permits again? We must all decide together when we are satisfied. We have now jumped into a ravine, without putting up a safety net.”
And then Brabant is just the beginning, Hoeksema thinks. “The other provinces will soon also come with their nature target analysis. Most likely, the areas there have also deteriorated. What will they do then? They cannot lag behind Brabant. The entire country will be locked down.”
Funest, at a time when, for example, people are hammering on the construction of new houses. For example, Brabant aims for an average of 13,000 new homes per year. That seems unfeasible, with the announced stop. “It’s an impossible situation. We insist on getting different things that just don’t go together.”
READ ALSO: Stop on permits now that nature in Brabant has deteriorated even further