Farmers Support New Nitrogen Plan, But Don’t Trust Government to Implement It
Members of the agricultural lobby group LTO Nederland new approach It gave a score of 5.8 out of 10 to addressing nitrogen-based pollution, made by cabinet mediator Johan Remkes, but said he did not trust the government to implement his recommendations.
“Lemkes is correct in saying that there is a real crisis of trust between the Cabinet and the agricultural sector,” said Schaak van der Tak. “His advice offers a prudent way to restore trust, but we understand farmers have questions.”
Farmers are also divided on Remkes’ recommendation that 500 to 600 highly polluting businesses (farms as well as other industries) should be shut down immediately if they are located in environmentally sensitive areas.
According to LTO, the main problem for members is the one-year deadline, which farmers say is not possible. Remkes said the closure should be voluntary, but did not rule out the possibility of a forced order if necessary.
The LTO surveyed the views of a representative group of 2,500 members.
Lemkes, who was drafted for arbitration following farmers’ protests this summer, said closing down a major nitrogen producer was the “lesser of two evils” and that it would be required to meet legal requirements. “Action is too late and there is no other way out,” Lemkes said in the report’s presentation.
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https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2022/10/farmers-back-new-nitrogen-plan-but-dont-trust-government-to-carry-it-out/ Farmers Support New Nitrogen Plan, But Don’t Trust Government to Implement It