When setting targets to drastically reduce nitrogen emissions, Minister Henk Staghouwer (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) outlined perspectives for agricultural entrepreneurs. But a large part of the House of Representatives finds the sketched future picture below par.
GroenLinks leader Jesse Klaver drew a clear conclusion after reading the 49 pages: “Broddelwerk.”
SGP MP Roelof Bisschop: “With all due appreciation for the effort, if I look closely, it is little more than a staple due to all kinds of existing subsidy schemes.”
“There is nothing in it about perspective”, says BBB MP Caroline van der Plas. “There are no concrete measures or plans in it.”
Staghouwer emphasized two weeks ago that the entire chain must contribute to a good perspective for farmers. “After all, the real perspective for farmers is determined by the demand for more sustainable products from the market and the right price that the farmer receives for this,” wrote Staghouwer.
The minister will instruct the parties involved to come up with plans this summer. “If this does not get off the ground sufficiently, legal obligations will follow,” says Staghouwer.
Also criticism from coalition
But there was also considerable criticism from the coalition. “The perspective letter from Minister Staghouwer contains 49 pages of rumbling principles that should outline the future vision for the agricultural sector,” said Thom van Campen on Thursday during the debate about the nitrogen plans. “But despite the many words, the VVD is missing nails with heads.”
Tjeerd de Groot (D66) does not see the agreements as made in the coalition agreement in Staghouwer’s letter. “You can’t derive perspective from this.”
CDA MP Derk Boswijk called it “a missed opportunity that there is not a much clearer perspective”. According to him, the sector yearns for that. “I blame the ministers for not coming up with that enough.”
The cabinet will respond to questions and criticism later today.
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