Farmers’ fury over green regulations triggers Dutch government’s downfall.

Nitrogen Emissions Reduction Targets Spark Political Turmoil in the Netherlands

The Dutch population finds itself divided over nitrogen emissions reduction targets, leading to the emergence of a new political party and the recent ousting of Prime Minister Mark Rutte following the collapse of his coalition government. This political upheaval has left Rutte without an immediate successor.

Implications for the Future

The vacancy left by Rutte and the declining popularity of his People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy could pave the way for a far-right replacement. The ongoing controversies surrounding migration, farming, and nitrogen emissions reduction targets continue to deepen divisions among voters in the Netherlands.

The Dutch government agreed last summer to comply with the European Union’s nitrate directive, which mandates a 50% reduction in nitrogen emissions by 2030. The government plans to achieve this primarily by reducing nitrogen-heavy fertilizer deposits on livestock farms, a decision that sparked massive protests by tens of thousands of Dutch farmers.

“This is not going to work,” said LTO Nederland Chairman Sjaak van der Tak, representing 35,000 farmers, in response to the government targets.

The demonstrations involved approximately 40,000 people who gathered outside government buildings, set fire to bales of hay, and used their tractors to block Dutch highways, canals, and warehouses. These protests not only brought the country’s economy to a standstill but also played a role in reshaping the political landscape.

Following the summer protests, the Farmers Citizens Movement, known as BBB, a populist and pro-farmer party, gained significant power in the country’s provincial elections. BBB campaigned on the promise of fighting the EU’s mandated nitrogen emissions targets, appealing to the anger of farmers and others in the Dutch agriculture sector.

The recent news of Rutte’s departure, coupled with the rise of BBB, is expected to further exacerbate divisions over the future of agriculture and farming in the Netherlands. This makes it less likely for the fragmented parties to reach a compromise on politically contentious issues, including nitrate emissions.

Current Standstill and Future Challenges

In the near term, the Dutch government will be in a state of standstill as Rutte remains in his position until November, leading a caretaker government. This means that no new and important policy decisions can be approved until a new government is formed later this year.

During this period, key issues such as migration, climate, and the EU’s nitrate directive will be put on hold for months. In May, the European Commission approved the Dutch government’s plan to buy out heavily polluting farms to meet nitrogen emissions reduction commitments. However, if farmers do not comply, the buyouts could become compulsory.

“There is no better offer coming,” said Dutch Nitrogen Minister Christianne van der Wal.

Why It Matters

The Netherlands is the largest emitter of nitrogen oxide and ammonia in the EU and was ordered by the European Court of Justice in 2018 to address the problem. With a nitrogen balance nearly twice the European average, the majority of which comes from farming, the Dutch government must act swiftly to achieve its 50% reduction target by 2030.

However, disagreements over nitrogen pollution reductions have sparked bitter protests and disagreements in the Netherlands. Despite its small size, the country is home to a significant number of livestock and agricultural businesses, making it the most intensively farmed country in Europe and the second-largest exporter of agricultural goods globally.

Farm and agriculture groups in the Netherlands argue that the government’s plans are unrealistic and unfairly target farmers compared to other industries. They highlight the substantial revenue generated by agriculture exports, totaling approximately 105 billion euros in 2021 alone.

These divisions in the Netherlands may foreshadow a larger trend in Europe and the Western world as environmental targets become more ambitious. Environmental politics often align the Left with the “knowledge economy” and the Right with working-class, non-college educated, and rural populations.

As the Netherlands navigates its political and environmental challenges, the future of agriculture and farming in the country remains uncertain.

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