Dutch farmers are in for a shock as their government has announced it will shut down between 2,000 and 3,000 farms across the country to cut on nitrogen levels as required under EU climate rules. According to an early draft of the plan, farmers will receive 120 percent of their farms’ value.
Christianne van der Wal, nitrogen minister, told MPs on Friday: “There is no better offer coming.”
But the move is set to infuriate farmers across the country amid already-strained relations between industry leaders and Mark Rutte’s government.
Dutch farmers are the world’s second-biggest exporters by value after the United States.
In order to adhere to climate change policies, dictated by the EU’s Habitats Directive, by the European Court of Justice in 2019 and enhanced by the EU’s Green Deal, Dutch farmers are facing hard decisions.
Emissions of phosphates and nitrogen from packed herds mean the country is almost surpassing the margins permitted by the EU regulations.
Ukraine has received a huge boost after NATO and its allies reaffirmed their commitment to the war-torn country one day becoming a member of the world’s largest defence alliance.
A document leaked in September revealed that the Dutch government was thinking of buying out farmers in a compulsory manner.
The plans were dismissed by the government as a “last resort scenario” but they sparked controversy among the industry and now seem to be confirmed.
Dutch farmers blamed the government over the conundrum, arguing it is on the lookout to buy cheap land.
But Nexit enthusiasts are also increasingly pointing the finger at the EU.
Read More: Brussels set for revolt as Netherland’s Rutte plans to shut down farms over EU laws
