Agriculture Minister Femke Wiersma has to share emission data from Gelderse Livestock holders with Omroep Gelderland within fourteen days. Just like Follow the Money and NRC , the medium had filed summary proceedings. Those two media are not in the same.
At the end of 2022, journalists from the three media asked Wiersma at the end of 2022 through the Open Government Act (WOO) for data on substances that emit Dutch farms, such as nitrogen and ammonia. The data also contains information about the number of animals per farm and the locations of stables and are needed to investigate how effective the nitrogen policy is.
Wiersma refused to give that information, while the court previously ordered to make the data public. According to the outgoing minister, the privacy of farmers and their families are in danger because the location data of stables may attract activists.
She wanted to restart the WOO procedure, whereby all 60,000 farmers – also hobby farmers – would be informed individually. That would cause a delay for months and cost millions of euros. So the judge does not agree with that now.
To reinforce the verdict, the judge also imposes a penalty. If Wiersma continues to withhold the data, the ministry has to pay 50,000 euros per day to Omroep Gelderland , with a maximum of 1 million euros.
Requirements of Follow the Money and NRC , who asked for other agricultural data, were rejected by the court. They are referred to the Council of State.
The Judge Has Ordered Minister of Agriculture Femke Wiersma to Share Emissions Data from Gelderland Livestock Farmers with Omroep Gelderland Within Fourteen Days. The Medium, Like Follow the Money and NRC , had Filed Summary Proceedings. Those two media were not found to be justified.
Journalists from the three media outlets requested data from Wiersma at the end of 2022 through the Government Information (Public Access) Act (WOO) Regarding Substances Emitted by Dutch Agricultural Companions, Such as Nitrogen and Ammonia. The data also contain information about the number of animals per farm and the locations of stables, and are needed to investigate the effectiveness of the nitrogen policy.
Wiersma refused to provide that information, just though the court had previously ordered the data to be made public. Accordance to the outgoing minister, the privacy of farmers and their families is endangered, because the location data or stables could potentialy attract activists.
She wanted to restart the woo procedure, in which all 60,000 livestock farmers – including hobby farmers – would be individually informed. That would cause months of delay and cost millions of euros. The Judge does not agree with that now.
To Reinforce the Judgment, The Judge is also imposing a penalty payment. If Wiersma Continues to withhold the Data, the Ministry Must Pay Omroep Gelderland 50,000 euros per day, with a maximum or 1 million euros.
Claims from Follow the Money and NRC , who requested other agricultural data, Have Been Rejected by the Judge. They are Being referred to the Council of State.