November 1, 2019

Netherlands' farmers protest emissions regulations measures

The is in response to the Netherlands' government complying to a court order to cut down nitrogen pollution, with farmers forced to bear most of the costs, reported Politico.

Tjeerd de Groot, MP from the D66 party suggested lowering nitrogen emissions by reducing the Netherlands' livestock herds by half – cutting down 50 million chicken and six million swine in the country.

This resulted in a protest by farmers, who caused a rush hour traffic crawl by driving their tractors towards at The Hague.

The Netherlands' is the second biggest agricultural exporter in the world, behind the US.

Many farms in the Netherlands are situated close to protected natural areas called the Natura 2000 network. The country has over 160 of these areas, which comprises 18% of the European Union land area.

70% of the Netherlands' surface area exceeded nitrogen critical limits, according to government data.

Previously in 2015, the government tried to reduce pollution through a nitrogen emissions allowance, provided it was compensated in the future. But the Council of State's ruling in May this year put to a complete stop all projects that may lead to nitrogen emissions.

Close to 18,000 development projects have been halted. This includes poultry sheds, future residential developments and the opening of Lelystad Airport in 2020.

An advisory commission in end October 2019 advised the government to implement several measures to curb emissions, such as buying out and shutting down old farms.

-    Politico