The Party for the Animals (PvdD) believes that Prime Minister Rutte should do much more in the current nitrogen crisis. “Our prime minister is invisible,” party leader Ouwehand said at the party congress.
And that, she believes, is a big difference with VVD minister Van der Wal for Nature and Nitrogen, who after thirty years of “push and wet” has made plans to restore Dutch nature. “The Prime Minister of the Netherlands has the task to play his part in the social discussion about the change for farmers. He should not leave it to Van der Wal alone. Although I must say that she is doing very well.”
Over two weeks presented the minister her plans: in 131 areas with vulnerable nature areas, nitrogen emissions must be reduced by 70 percent. This means that part of the livestock has to disappear. The plan led to a lot of unrest among farmers and some political parties. On Thursday, Van der Wal said in a parliamentary debate that the percentages mentioned are “guiding” and “indicative”.
Old man wants an apology
Ouwehand understands the unrest among the farmers, because they have been told for years that they could continue with their approach. However, scientists had been warning for years that Dutch farmers were emitting too much nitrogen and that installing air filters in their stables and other technical measures would not be enough. The PvdD says that previous cabinets with VVD and CDA have ignored this scientific knowledge and are therefore guilty of the current problems.
“The Prime Minister must explain to farmers that mistakes have been made and that he is now going to do better,” said Ouwehand. She believes that apologies are appropriate. “Apologies and be honest that you put the short-term profits of BV Netherlands ahead of you.”
–
