Mercosur: What France and Italy want to get for EU farmers
The European ministers of France and Italy have adopted a joint declaration on the Mercosur agreement. They are calling for more protection against market distortions for EU farmers.
H2> Dutch Minister of Agriculture Femke Wiersma Sticks to Nitrogen Policy
The Dutch Minister of Agriculture Femke Wiersma is sticking to her nitrogen policy. This includes the announcement of another buy-up program and new buffer zones for nature reserves.
H2> New Buffer Zone around Nature Reserves
New is the plan to establish buffer zones of 250 meters around the nature reserves De Peel and De Veluwe. The approximately 1,800 agricultural businesses there must significantly reduce their emissions or stop altogether.
H2> Extension of Deadline for Nitrogen Reduction
The coalition agreed to extend the deadline for nitrogen reduction. According to current environmental law, emission reduction targets must be met by 2030. Now the plan is for agriculture to emit 42 to 46% less nitrogen by 2035 compared to 2019.
H2> Billion-Dollar Budget
To implement the necessary measures, billions of euros will need to be spent from the state coffers. Experts estimate the compensation needed for farmers alone to be up to €7 billion. The coalition has now agreed to allocate €2.2 billion initially. This amount must be provided during the coalition's budget deliberations in the summer, where concrete measures will also be decided.
H2> Government to Challenge Court Ruling
Finally, Wiersma announced that the government will appeal against the ruling of the Hague District Court on nitrogen policy. This was repeatedly demanded by the Dutch Farmers Union (LTO). The court, following a lawsuit by Greenpeace, had ordered the government earlier this year to ensure that nitrogen emissions in at least 50% of nature reserves are reduced by the end of 2030 so that the permitted limit is no longer exceeded. The judges found that nature is in a poor state.