Farmers face livestock cuts as nitrogen plan falls short

Dutch farmers face a potential reduction in the number of animals they can keep as the government's nitrogen plan falls short of its 2035 target. The environment assessment agency PBL found that the €20 billion nitrogen plan, while an important step, leaves a gap in reaching the target for ammonia emissions reduction. The coalition, however, has ruled out a blanket cut in livestock permits, considering it as a last resort.

Agriculture minister Jaimi van Essen referred to it as an "emergency brake" and a "no-go for the cabinet." To comply with the package agreed in June, farmers must reduce ammonia emissions by 42% to 46% by 2035, compared to 2019 levels. The agency predicts a further decrease in livestock numbers due to adaptation to the new rules, with some businesses potentially closing.

Nature groups view the plans as the minimum needed to begin repairing the damage done over decades, while farmers' party BBB and the farm lobby LTO reject the additional cut, though LTO remains open to negotiating the remaining aspects of the package.