The Netherlands are aiming for a halving in seven years of nitrogen emissions, which requires a very significant reduction in livestock. Unacceptable for breeders.
In front of Richard Veeraaf’s farm sits a brand new tractor bought for his 26-year-old daughter who wants to take over the farm. “But the government doesn’t want us anymore!” plague this breeder of cows and pigs. A Dutch government plan provides for a halving in seven years of nitrogen emissions. It imposes a drastic reduction in the Dutch herd, for example in the province of North Brabant. A blow for Dutch breeders. “For me, says Richard Veeraaf, the impact of this plan is to have to part with at least 35% of my cattle. In some areas, some will have to part with 94% of their livestock. How can we support this with our income? How are we going to make a living?”
Slowly killed oak trees
In the Netherlands, between farms and some 160 Natura 2000 parks protected by European legislation, cohabitation is no longer possible. The air becomes unbreathable and the soils are full of nitrogen, a gas resulting in particular from animal waste. “Nitrogen kills the fungi that are around the roots of the oak trees. And the oak trees die slowly. Instead of living between 400 and 600 years, they can’t live more than 80 years”alert Lex Querelle, Ione of the managers of the Oisterwijk nature reserve.
With a simple flick, Lex Quarrel pulls off a large piece of bark with his finger. Around, the trees are like peeled. Many species are threatened. 70% of birds are born with bones that are too fragile, explains the naturalist. The efforts made by the agricultural world to reduce pollution, according to him, are no longer enough. “There are times when you have to make up your mind to admit that growth is no longer the main objective. Enough is enough”.
“We pay the price of inaction for decades”
For Philippe Lamberts, head of the Greens in the European Parliament, these radical but necessary changes must be accompanied, as we did in another era, with the end of coal. “This means a change of profession. We have to see what provisions the state can put in place to make the pill go away. Politics must assume their responsibilities. Today we are paying the price for inaction for decades. decades. These changes will affect everyone’s lifestyles, but it’s a question of survival. And when it’s a question of survival, we do the right thing.”
To support the transition, 24 billion euros have been provisioned by the Dutch government. Without convincing. In March, the Citizen Farmers’ Movement (Boer Burger Beweging, or BBB), a hitherto unknown party that federates widespread social anger against the government, won a surprise victory in the provincial elections. Beyond the demonstrations against the nitrogen plan, the BBB capitalized on the anger of the rural world, but also on the rejection of the ruling urban elite. And he became the first party in the Senate