Greenpeace is one of the organizations that will talk to Remkes. But the environmental organization refuses to negotiate the goal of halving nitrogen emissions by 2030. “If this is tampered with, for example by postponing it to 2035 or by lowering the target to 40 percent, the conversation will immediately end and we will go to court. The 2030 target is sacred, natural species in the Netherlands are already on the verge of falling. “says director Andy Palmen.
‘Get the grumpy’
Greenpeace emphasizes that it has understanding for farmers. Palmen: “I understand the chagrin. The individual farmer who runs a business on his individual farm, what can you blame him for?”
–
–
“I completely understand that you take an angry tractor and go to The Hague. Farmers are right about that. But we have been talking about nitrogen since the 1980s. The government, the banks, LTO Nederland, supermarkets, Europe, everyone knew we had a problem and they’ve always postponed it.”
In addition, other polluters also need to be tackled, says Palmen. “When will Schiphol participate? When must Tata Steel deliver? I understand that farmers say: why us and they not? That is not fair.”
‘Nature is not an interest, but a condition’
LandscapesNL, to which landscape managers are affiliated, is also involved in consultations with Remkes. Director Hank Bartelink says: “Anarchy should never be a reason to weaken government policy. Nature is not an interest, but a condition. Working together with agriculture is the only way to sustainable food production and a healthy landscape.”
–
–
Natuur en Milieu is also invited, but the association cannot attend the meeting due to holidays. Another organization is therefore also speaking on behalf of Natuur en Milieu. The association wants nitrogen emissions to be halved by 2030. It is out of the question for the organization to postpone this goal until 2035, as farmers want. “Action is needed now,” said a spokeswoman.
Other conversations
Remkes will talk to individual farmers next Wednesday. The next day he consults with banks and so-called chain organizations. One of these is the Central Food Trade Agency, the umbrella organization of supermarkets. FrieslandCampina, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the world, declined Remkes’ invitation. The company reports: “We have informed Mr Remkes that we will not accept this invitation and that these discussions will primarily be left to the advocacy in agriculture.”
On Monday, August 22, Remkes will talk to representatives of provinces and municipalities. Later that week, he will probably have a second meeting with agricultural organizations, including LTO Nederland, but that meeting has not yet been scheduled.
–
–
