As a newcomer, Van der Plas won the provincial elections last week, in part because of her opposition to the government’s nitrogen plans. Lei’s BBB has become the largest in all provinces that need to implement nitrogen policy, and so she has a strong voice there. After consulting with Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Van der Plas also suggested a visit to the committee, which monitors EU rules that apply, for example, to farmer takeovers.
With pleasure
Timmermans is happy to explain the European rules to the BBB leader, he says. But he insists that the Netherlands then has to make choices, such as whether farmers should be able to choose whether to be bought in or whether they can be forced to. “This is not up to us.”
Reports from NOS and Follow the Money on Brussels’ takeover advice sparked outrage earlier in the day. But Timmermans doesn’t care. According to him, the committee does not express preferences, but would only explain the advantages and disadvantages of the various options.