Premier Dick Schoof said on Thursday during a House of Representatives debate that he had underestimated the nitrogen problem. He found it “complicated” to reach a plan with the ministerial committee on which there is agreement and is not proud of the result.
“I initially underestimated the nitrogen problem,” Schoof said. He thought there was good advice that could serve as a basis for a good decision. “But it is a really stubborn reality. Am I proud of what is there now? No, I would have much preferred a different result. But this was where we could come together.”
The ministerial committee is looking for a solution to the nitrogen crisis. Due to a surplus of nitrogen in nature, hardly any building permits can be granted. The amount of nitrogen must therefore be reduced and goals have been set for this.
But during the debate, Schoof came to the conclusion that it will take years before the required reduction in nitrogen is achieved. “We’re really not there yet. That is perfectly clear.” However, he emphasized that the current plan is “a first step” to be able to issue permits again.
Shifts to create support for nitrogen plan
CDA Member of Parliament Eline Vedder told Schoof that it is not possible to “satisfy everyone with conflicting interests.” The Prime Minister acknowledged that “it is also possible that not all ministers were happy with the starter package.” He understands that painful choices are unavoidable in further nitrogen plans that will be made. “It is my job to ensure that that pain is also accepted.”
Vedder has no confidence that Schoof will succeed. According to the Prime Minister, the cabinet is working “extremely hard” on further elaborating the plans. To this end, he wants to create both political and social support. But so far, criticism has mainly been heard from both the House and society.
Minister of Agriculture Femke Wiersma emphasized again in the debate that the proposals still need to be worked out and that she is “busy working on it.” For example, she reported that the Council of State will look at easing the regulations regarding permits on Monday.
What are the current nitrogen plans?
The law currently states that by 2030 half of the nitrogen-sensitive nature must be below the so-called critical deposition value (kdw). This is the maximum amount of nitrogen that a nature area can handle without further deterioration.
Minister of Agriculture Femke Wiersma wants to get rid of the kdw, because it is difficult to manage. The limit value is not fixed and can be revised. This happened, for example, in the summer of 2023. Research then showed that nature was in a worse state than previously thought.
In her new plans, the minister wants to focus on nitrogen emissions, and no longer on nitrogen deposition.
The intention is that all sectors will receive targets that they must achieve by 2035. This roughly corresponds to the goal that must be achieved in 2030 on the basis of current law.