THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An independent expert appointed to mediate the bitter dispute between the Dutch government and the country’s farmers over plans to drastically reduce nitrogen and ammonia emissions released a report Wednesday that included a suggestion that the government buy cargoes from the biggest polluters.
The report may reignite protests from farmers who say their way of life is in jeopardy and cause tensions within Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s ruling four-party coalition over how to move forward. Two tractors parked in a non-violent outdoor protest at the temporary seat of the Dutch parliament the publication of the report.
Johan Remkes said in his 58-page report that he called “a line of thought, not a plan,” which “is very short-term to emit much less nitrogen. “
If this does not happen, “The Netherlands will be locked down because legally it will be almost to factor permits. Not for houses, not for farms, not for roads.
He added: “I write this with great regret, but I see no other way. “
Remkes advised that within a year the government should buy between 500 and 600 of the biggest polluters, from agriculture and businesses.
He said that by focusing on the largest farms, only 1% of the agricultural network would be affected.
“I don’t expect the agricultural sector to be satisfied with this report,” Remkes wrote, but added that he believes it is vital to provide an “honest story. “
Bart Kemp, head of the farmers’ organization Agractie, said the report contained “positive things but also very worrying points. “He said the mandatory purchase of farms is outside the consultation of his organization.
Remkes held a series of meetings over the summer with farmers, government ministers, environmentalists and sectors in a bid to ease emerging tensions over the government’s plans to halve nitrogen emissions by 2030.
The government’s announcement in June that farmers and the regional government had a year to draw up aid plans sparked a wave of protests among farmers who blocked roads with tractors, dumped garbage, in some cases added asbestos, on roads and set fire to bales of hay. Across the country, farmers and their supporters hung Dutch flags upside down in anger.
Remkes presented his report to the new Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Piet Adema, and the minister guilty of nitrogen policy, Christianne van der Wal. She said the government would submit the report and give an official reaction on Oct. 14.
Adema said he sought out rural spaces to discuss the contents of the report with farmers.
Rutte tweeted his thanks to Remkes for the report, saying the government would look into it “and I hope that we, in combination with all parties – farmers, nature organisations, companies and governments – can move forward because the urgency remains great. “
The government says nitrogen and ammonia emissions from livestock, as well as from the heavy industry and shipping sector, will have to be reduced in a component way in the immediate vicinity of herbariums that are part of a network of habitats for endangered plants and wildlife that spans the 27-nation European Union.
He has earmarked billions of euros (dollars) to finance the transition.
Farmers say their own livelihoods are in jeopardy and say they are unfairly targeted, while other polluters face less drastic rules.