Demissionair minister Femke Wiersma (Landbouw) asks the European Commission whether the Netherlands can again be granted an exemption to the Brussels manure rules. This so-called derogation allows Dutch farmers to spread more manure than their European colleagues.
In 2023, it became clear that the Netherlands would lose this derogation in 2026. Until then, manure standards are becoming stricter every year, resulting in an increasing manure surplus for farmers.
Wiersma has now submitted a request to the European Commission to grant the Netherlands derogation again. In a letter to the House of Representatives on Friday, she emphasizes that this does not mean that the derogation will be granted; discussions with the European Commission still need to take place.
The relevant European Commissioner for the Environment, Jessika Roswall, told ANP earlier this year that the Netherlands needs to get to work to obtain an exemption again. The Swedish European Commissioner said at the time that she believes “it is not sustainable to have agriculture that relies on derogation.”
According to Roswall, the Netherlands had to work on water quality. “We have been flexible for a long time, but now the Netherlands must show results.”
The Netherlands does not meet the Brussels standards for water quality. This is not only due to pollution from manure but also to industrial harmful substances that are allowed to be discharged into waterways and rivers.
It is therefore very questionable whether the European Commission will agree to this request. Wiersma said on Friday after the Council of Ministers that as far as she is concerned, it is not yet a “done deal”. Earlier this year, there was already a pessimistic reaction in the House to the plan of BBB minister Wiersma, including from coalition partners VVD and NSC.