adSep 4, 2026, 13:21

Cabinet promises: no cuts to livestock if nitrogen targets are not met

Agriculture Minister Jaimi van Essen has ruled out forced livestock reductions as a means to meet national nitrogen targets. The government plans to achieve environmental goals through alternative strategies, despite warnings from the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency that current efforts may fall short.

Agriculture Minister Jaimi van Essen has declared that the government will not force farmers to reduce their livestock herds even if current nitrogen reduction goals are not met. The statement follows a report from the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), which concluded that existing government plans are insufficient to meet nature restoration targets by 2035. Minister Van Essen intends to refine current strategies, emphasizing improvements in manure spreading regulations rather than mandated herd culling.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten clarified that while a forced reduction remains a potential measure, it is intended only as a final resort for farmers who refuse to adopt cleaner, sustainable practices. Meanwhile, environmental organizations argue that the government's current proposals are too lenient and fail to protect biodiversity in vulnerable areas. These organizations continue to block construction permits through legal challenges, disputing the government's optimistic outlook regarding the resumption of permit issuance.

Politics Economy Netherlands

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Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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