BBB is well done with the interference of Brussels. Diederik Samsom, chief of staff of European Commissioner Frans Timmermans, is said to have advised the Netherlands to take over the farmers. BBB frontwoman Caroline van der Plas wants some explanation on this: “Samsom is not a rep at all, so he has no business at the ministry.”
The mandatory takeover of farmers to create a nitrogen space has been a major campaign point for the BBB, which it strongly opposes. And he will stay, if it’s Van der Plas’ turn. “He IS and remains unspeakable to us,” he says vehemently.
However, European Commissioner Timmermans also announced today that it is up to countries themselves how to implement European directives and invited Van der Plas to speak about the approach to nitrogen. Van der Plas: ‘I just want to hear one-on-one what spaces are available in Europe, what exactly was required from the Netherlands and how much space was offered to them. I also want to talk to him about the Green Deal and climate measures, which will result in many more measures for both citizens and farmers.’
The plans are not feasible
Van der Plas also believes that plans are being made in the EU that are not feasible and would like to discuss this with Timmermans. “We keep hearing here that something is not possible or allowed according to Brussels, while Timmermans now also says that it is up to the Netherlands itself to determine how to follow the European guidelines,” says Van der Plas. “While we continue to hear that Brussels is angry and therefore we are no longer allowed anything”.
It is backed by constitutional law scholars, as political journalist Leendert Beekman knows. “As long as the Netherlands stays within the framework of the guidelines, they can basically do whatever they want,” he says. “The core of the guideline is that nature restoration needs to start.”
Nature conservation
Van der Plas points out that it is really about nature conservation, rather than simple restoration. “Where needed, nature must be restored, but it’s about preserving the state of nature,” he says. “We included it in the critical deposition value (kdw), even though it’s not really necessary. But we legislated it. Instead, we want it to be an indicator: if it’s happening somewhere, we should look at the state of nature.’
But Brussels doesn’t impose anything in the area of the kdws, says Beekman. “And it’s not even about nitrogen, it’s really just about nature,” he continues. “Eventually there has to be a plan where it can be shown that there is no deterioration of nature.”
Right
According to Beekman, it is now up to the BBB to come up with proposals that will also hold up in court. He points out that the judges in the PAS and building exemption regime, by the way, did not refer so much to the years, but mainly said that many plans and policies have been made that are not being implemented. “And until that happens or until the irreversible recovery has started, they can’t issue permits,” says Beekman. This is the crux of the legal impasse, he thinks.
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
