There must be an agricultural agreement before Ascension Day. This is what the Minister for Nature and Nitrogen Christianne van der Wal wishes. “For the Netherlands, I hope it will be possible to conclude the agricultural agreement,” the minister told BNR reporter Sophie van Leeuwen.
While the agriculture deal is in the hands of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Minister Piet Adema, Van der Wal currently has nitrogen fund concerns on his mind. The fund, which contains over 24 billion euros to reduce nitrogen emissions, can count on a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, thanks to the coalition. But the story is different in the Senate. There the government needs the support of the BoerBurgerBeweging or the combination GroenLinks/PvdA.
But those parties still want to adjust points to the nitrogen fund. For example, they want additional oversight of the fund’s expenditure by another minister. Furthermore, the BBB wants ten billion euros to be set aside specifically for innovation and sustainability. The left bloc wants the money to be used only for measures that are also good for the climate and water quality.
“The agricultural agreement is not an end in itself, but a means of giving farmers perspective”
Tuesday we will vote on the adjustments that the parties want to make. But then they await the debate in the Senate and the search for consensus. ‘That opposition wants to add some ingredients and ask for clarity on some issues. But I also see a lot of availability.’ Van der Wal will therefore enter talks in the near future to clear things up. “Eventually, of course, I want a large majority.”
Prospect
In addition, other negotiations are underway within his ministry, where Minister Adema is trying to conclude an agricultural agreement with the sector. ‘The Farm Agreement is not an end in itself, but a means of giving farmers perspective. Every Monday I’m in the countryside and I talk to the farmers. They say they think everything is clear about goals, but they want to know what the prospect looks like. This is highly desirable and starts with the revenue model.’
It’s not true that there is a fuss about money between Minister Van der Wal and Adema, says the nitrogen minister. «The agricultural sector, on the other hand, would like a little more money. But there is already a lot of it, because there are 24.3 billion euros. But for that we first need good plans that we will test.’
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.
