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And there we go. To reduce nitrogen emissions, the Dutch Agriculture Minister Henk Staghouwer will present a "regional strategy" on Friday. Leaked plans about this, in the hands of newspaper NRC, show that in some areas even one hundred percent of nitrogen emissions must be reduced. Farmers association Agractie therefore announces a large, national protest.
So this Friday will be the day the farmers in The Netherlands will decide if they actually start. It all depends on a letter they will receive today, that will either tell them if their demands are being met, or if they will have to go to war over it. During the last few months the government has made it clear that they want the farmers to be gone, even though the food prices are going up.
Over the last decade over 20.000 Dutch farmers lost their business, and it still goes on. The reason now? CO2, and it needs to be reduced, according to the Dutch government and those who own those politicians. The empty farm land is then filled with new houses, and farmers are either "bought out", or intimidated to leave their life work behind.
The Agractie association is shocked by the plans. "A great injustice is being done to the farmer. You cannot treat and clamp farmers' families in such a way. We are not engaged in a hobby here, but we are engaged in food production," says Bart Klem, the chairman. Moreover, the plans are hypocritical. "The farmers are being cleaned up, while a low-level flight route for Lelystad is being developed in the same area."
Farmers organization LTO Nederland, with 35000 business owners in their network, informed the television program Hart van Nederland that they have had a conversation with the cabinet. They will discuss this further after the debate in parliament has been done on Friday and they will receive the letter with the conclusion.
Last month farmers also already had a huge protest, and decided to keep their cows indoors. The typical spring picture was crossed out, as a signal from farmers to citizens and the government: this could well be the future picture if, due to nitrogen regulations, a permit requirement is introduced to leave cows in the meadow.
Sources:
https://www.hartvannederland.nl/nieuws/politiek/boeren-zinnen-op-groot-protest-na-uitgelekte-stikstofmaatregelen-dit-is
https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/boerenprotest-tegen-stikstofbeleid-vandaag-blijven-de-koeien-op-stal~ac859841/
Green Deal in action ;)