The nitrogen measures proposed by the cabinet offer a realistic route towards granting planning permits again, paving the way out of the national nitrogen crisis. That is the verdict of State Advocate Pels Rijcken in an advisory report published on Friday by Agriculture Minister Jaimi van Essen. Once permit issuance reopens, applications will be handled on a region-by-region basis.
The State Advocate noted that if nitrogen emissions drop while authorities actively work to restore habitats, nature will undoubtedly benefit. However, the exact extent of that recovery will hinge on how effectively the measures are rolled out and assessed by ecologists. Meanwhile, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency has warned that the current strategy still leaves many unanswered questions for both farmers and local authorities.
Minister Van Essen welcomed the report following the cabinet meeting, describing it as backing for the commitments he made earlier this year. His plans feature a range of nature restoration measures, including individual emission targets for farmers and lower livestock density zones surrounding protected nature reserves. The minister reiterated his pledge that the country is finally breaking free from the “nitrogen deadlock”.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
