Adema will no longer be going to Brussels for broader manure rules in the short term | Stal-en-Akker.nl

The minister had contact with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on Wednesday, a day before the manure debate. “I have noticed that the road to Brussels is closed. MPs and farmers’ organizations who ask me to go after all are asking me too much.”

Cover on the nose

The proposals made by MPs and farmers, such as a crop derogation, a grassland derogation for land-based farms, a lower derogation of 220 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare as used in Ireland or a slower phasing out path for the current derogation; the minister brought it all up to discussions in Brussels. “Time and time again I was criticized. I have submitted every argument and every signal to the Commissioner. There is no opening whatsoever.” As long as the water quality in our country does not improve, Sinkevičius will not offer any space, Adema has indicated several times.

André Flach (SGP) wanted to know whether Herman de Boer’s report, which shows that water quality is better on derogation farms, had also been discussed. The media suggested that this is not the case. Adema says that this has had no influence on the Commission’s current decision. “The report was already sent to the European Commission in February 2023 and is therefore known there.”

Brussels show result

According to the minister, the only way to go to Brussels to obtain space within the European rules is to implement his own fertilizer package, supplemented with measures from the agricultural parties’ plan. “Then we show the Commission that we are serious. Is there a chance of a new derogation? I do not know. There is never a guarantee. It could be a moment without me wanting to anticipate those conversations.”

In response to the minister’s answer, Harm Holman (NSC) wants to know how long he thinks he will need to develop a representative plan that can be taken in the bag to Brussels.

Adema sums up: “I spoke to the Commission about skimming in all sectors, a purchase scheme and a grassland standard and the feeding measure,” after which he concludes: “The whole package was not enough to get the Commission moving. His expectation is that The door will open again at the earliest at the beginning of next year. We have to get to work on implementing the measures. I am motivated down to my core to be able to supply Europe.”

The minister also holds a mirror up to the House: “Today I am not hearing any new solutions that I have not already brought to the attention of the European Commission. The hard conclusion is that the Netherlands is not granted a new derogation in any form at this time.”

Also read: Broad support in Parliament for drastic fertilizer plans by the minister and sector parties

Speed ​​up

Adema emphasizes that he wants to speed up the introduction of the measures, because the sector cannot wait. The minister’s proposal is therefore to request the green light from Parliament for each measure, instead of waiting until the entire package has been fully developed.

Within four weeks, the House will receive a letter explaining how the minister intends to implement certain measures and an associated timetable. For example, the broad purchase scheme cannot be opened until 2025, because it must first be subject to a state aid test. Other measures, such as efficient feeding, could be introduced in the short term.

The minister also wants to discuss the implementation of the measures with the four parties from the dairy sector that have drawn up a plan themselves.

Support base

Pierik is concerned about the support for the measures. “The parties that have now taken a step forward only represent part of the agricultural sector. Isn’t it worrying that the support base will soon be too limited?”

Adema: “Even if the proposals had not come from the agricultural parties, I would still have continued with my fertilizer package. Precisely because of the conversations I have with groups and individual farmers. There are so many farmers who tell me to continue, regardless of what the agricultural organizations think. I do it for the individual farmers who are in trouble.”

Toleration policy

The BBB’er continues to have difficulty with the fact that the minister only wants to talk to the applicants of the plan, LTO, NAJK and Natuurweide, and not with other agricultural parties.

The minister is aware of the plan of other agricultural organizations to introduce a tolerance policy. He finds that plan irresponsible, because European and national legal proceedings could follow with major adverse consequences. “That proposal has no sense of reality whatsoever and that is why I cannot do anything with it. Furthermore, I have not seen any constructive plans from the other parties.”

Adema emphasizes that these are still welcome: “Everyone is free to submit an interesting proposal, but I will not discuss it, otherwise we will go to a second round of the agricultural agreement. “I get into an argument with the House because I don’t have the time to talk for months.”

Video

Cor Pierik asked Minister Adema how hard the Netherlands has fought to maintain the derogation based on recently made public information. View the minister’s response below.