nitrogen protestAngry farmers sawed down pollard willows in the Krimpenerwaard on Monday afternoon in protest against the nitrogen policy. Hundreds of trees on the Benedenberg in Bergambacht had to pay the price, said cattle farmer and councilor for the SGP in Krimpenerwaard Floor de Jong.
De Jong believes that clear-cutting is the ultimate means of action. “The pollard willows have been sawn off just below the pollard, a sign of the government’s clear-cutting policy. The trees are now doomed. They will not survive this.”
For the livestock farmer, who has campaigned several times with the tractor, cutting down the hundred pollard willows is a statement that is close to his heart. “There are trees planted by my father and mother’s great-grandfathers.”
Why then does he cut them off, when it matters to his heart? “Thousands of farms are being killed. I hope this action leads to something. If not, I can later tell my boys that I did everything I could. It’s a shame for the trees, but much worse for all companies.”
‘Hanged cow’
Along the N11, a wooden cow, suspended by a string around its neck, shocked passing motorists. The life-size fake animal hung on a blue tractor near the Goudse Rijpad in Alphen on Monday. It is not known who is responsible for the protest.
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Tags: Angry farmers cut trees frustration hang wooden cow tractor Gouda
