Two cows in a field limit the incense of Dutch farmers

The government is working to reduce the large amount of polluting methane produced by cow dung and fertilizers. Photo: Marcel ter Becke/Moment RF

The Dutch government is considering plans to limit the number of cattle to two cows in a field the size of a football field, putting them in a collision course with the country's farmers.

Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, has yet to approve a proposed cap of «0.35 hectares of pasture per livestock», which is part of a series of measures to help the Netherlands meet the European Union's climate change goals.

The goal is to reduce the large amount of polluting methane produced by manure and fertilizers in areas with poor pastures, while other fields will be converted to pastures, which is good for biodiversity and water quality.

Farmers. outraged by plans to limit the number of livestock, especially in the south of the Netherlands, where about 3.5 cows per football field.

Tensions

Relations between farmers in the world's second largest exporter of agricultural products and Mr Rutte already tense.

In March, the Movement of Citizen Farmers (BBB) ​​won regional elections, dominated by tractor workers' protests against forced farm buyouts aimed at meeting EU climate change goals.

Protests against measures to reduce nitrogen emissions have attracted worldwide attention and support. from the likes of Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

The BBB emerged from nowhere to become the largest party in all 12 provinces of the Netherlands in what became the de facto leadership referendum for Mr Rutte, the longest in The Netherlands is acting prime minister.

The party is now aiming for power in The Hague if the Rutte coalition collapses and a general election is called.

Dutch farmers. protest against government nitrogen policy in The Hague, July 7, 2021 Photo: ROBIN VAN LONHUYSEN/AFP

The cow limit appeared in a leaked government document prepared for negotiations with farmers and received by NOS. broadcaster.

He cites a study by Wageningen University & A study that showed that the Dutch livestock sector must be reduced by 30 percent, and all the measures discussed must be implemented to achieve nitrogen, climate and water targets.

Officials and farmers' organizations are locked in negotiations on an agricultural agreement to reduce pollution in the sector by 2040.

The talks are especially difficult because they involve changes to halve nitrogen emissions to meet EU targets by 2030, which has sparked protests from farmers' tractor drivers.

Pete Adema, Minister of Agriculture reacted angrily to the leak, which showed that the government is also considering reducing emissions, reducing pesticides and improving manure handling.

“I am incredibly disappointed with the leak. I don't know where it came from, but it's bad because it doesn't help the process,” he told the deputies.

“We are still negotiating. Still in progress,” said the minister, who wanted to close the deal this month when talks began last December.

Cost £5.8bn

The leak showed Mr Adema believes in the Agricultural Agreement. will cost the government £5.8bn plus another £521m for 'ecosystem services'.

The money will be paid to farmers to restore their wild land, manage ditches and ponds and create an environment habitat for insects and birds, but this has not been approved by the government.

Another area of ​​contention is whether the right to keep animals can be transferred to people other than family members if the farm is closed.

< p>Mr Rutte has already earmarked £22bn by 2035 for measures such as farm buyouts and livestock reductions.
Nitrogen is also fueled by construction.

Construction projects to alleviate the housing crisis have been halted by court order for environmental reasons and cannot be resumed unless measures are taken to reduce emissions elsewhere, the government said.