Agriculture Minister is considering having 1,800 farmers stop, move, scale or innovate in ‘buffer zones’

Agriculture minister Femke Wiersma (BBB) ​​is considering serious measures for stricter nitrogen standards in so-called ‘buffer zones’ directly around Natura-2000 areas. 1,800 farms near vulnerable nature should lower the number of animals, move, stop or innovate. The BBB minister wants to take four to seven billion euros for this. That will be on NRC confirmed after reporting from De Telegraaf.

These are measures that are seriously considered by the ministerial nitrogen committee led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Companies or farmers who are within ‘buffer zones’, 250 meters from nitrogen -sensitive nature reserves, should emit less to get the permit to get back on track. Wiersma would like to compensate them financially for that. Around 1,800 farmers and companies around the Veluwe and De Peel would be eligible for this.

The ministry does not want to « anticipate any measures, because decision -making about this still has to take place ». Wiersma emphasizes that all the perspective possibly affected must be faced with farmers, « also in the form of financial support. »

Striking message

Money to stop farmers, move, extensify or innovate would be a striking message for a BBB minister. Innovation has since become a BBB straw horse to get out of the nitrogen crisis, although the proceeds are very uncertain. Various studies have already shown that innovation alone is not enough to achieve the nitrogen reduction goals. Even if all farmers participate, the livestock is needed, it turned out in January Research at Wageningen University.

Everything that, on the other hand, also looks a bit like forced buy -out of farmers – of which there would be no question of the BBB, is particularly sensitive. The stitching funds of the previous cabinet were still called a « farmers -oprot fund » by the party.

During the formation it was decided that Fund of 24.3 billion to be canceled,,  » Without clear alternative policy. For the longer term, there is therefore talk of an additional package of measures that could cost more than 15 billion.

Spring memorandum

Wiersma is not the only minister who needs money. In The Hague, the Spring Memorandum, an update of the current budget and an important pass for next year’s budget is negotiated. Prime Minister Schoof actually wanted to be out today, but the wishes of different ministries and coalition parties appear to be difficult to reconcile.

The In recent months, the cabinet has shifted many problems for itselfwith the promise to find a solution for that in the spring. From money for the nitrogen and climate goals to financing for prisons and defense. That is why negotiations will also be taken next week.

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