Europe's Green Vision Finds Latest Foe in Dutch Farmers

"Trienke Elshof's family has milked cows in the northern Netherlands for more than three decades, but a policy recently proposed by the Dutch government to slash greenhouse-gas emissions threatens to shut their dairy farm.

Dairy cows are as much a hallmark of the Dutch countryside as windmills and canals. But soon thousands of farms may have to cut their herds.

"We don't know how we can work on our farm in the future," said Ms. Elshof, 54, who has 250 milking cows.

Dairy farmers have been protesting since June, when the government presented plans to halve ammonia and nitrogen emissions by 2030. Livestock release the chemicals through their urine and feces.

Farmers say the proposal threatens nearly all agriculture in the Netherlands -- the world's second-largest exporter of agricultural goods by value after the U.S.

It is the latest example in Europe of environmental policies that have pitted rural citizens against city dwellers, roiling national politics.

According to leaked government estimates published by local media, roughly 11,200 livestock farms would have to close and 17,600 farmers would have to reduce their herds to meet emissions targets. A finance ministry spokesman said the targets are still being adjusted.

Farmers have demonstrate by driving tractors plastered with signs along country roads and chanting in town squares. Some protesters have dumped manure on highways and set hay bales on fire.

The proposed policy would slash nitrogen and ammonia emissions to protect an European Union network of nature areas called Natura 2000. The nature zone, covers 18% of the EU's land roughly 7% of the Netherlands.

Farmers, the government said, have three options: "Becoming more sustainable, relocating or ending [their businesses]." The government is offering buyouts, but advocates say few have taken them.

Proposed nitrogen cuts range from 12% to 95% by region. Ms. Elshof's farm, less than a mile from a Natura 2000 area, will have to reduce its nitrogen output by 70%.

"There is no way you can be a farmer with this policy," said Sieta van Keimpema of the Farmers Defence Force, a leading farming organization.” [1]

1.  World News: Europe's Green Vision Finds Latest Foe in Dutch Farmers
Papachristou, Lucy. 
Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 06 Aug 2022: A.11.