The Dutch government is forcing the country’s farmers to change farming methods. Farmers who fail to adapt may have their land expropriated.
The onslaught comes against the backdrop of containing climate change.
According to The Guardian, the Dutch government is implementing measures on farmers and industries to reduce ammonia oxide emissions.
The aim is to comply with European Union legislation that bans such waste.
In the middle of 2022, a wave of protests against the intensification of these environmental policies engulfed the country.
According to official estimates, the group involves between 2,000 and 3,000 “major polluters” and mainly comprises farmers.
Christianne van der Wal, Nitrogen Minister, said that farmers would receive more than 100% of the value of the farms.
Through a spokesman, the Ministry of Agriculture said that farmers would be offered choices.
On the list, innovate by reducing emissions, transition to another type of business, or stop voluntarily.
“For agricultural entrepreneurs, there will be a cessation scheme that will be as attractive as possible,” Christianne said.
“For the biggest industrial polluters, we will start working with a tailored approach and stricter permits. After a year, we will see if that was enough.”
The major industrial polluters include the likes of Tata Steel, refineries owned by Shell, BP, and Esso, and companies such as Cargill Cacoa.
“The reduction will happen,” said Tjeerd de Groot, agriculture spokesman for the D66 party.
The politician believes the country should halve the number of pigs and chickens and raise cows on pasture. He celebrated the fact that the measure is now compulsory.
“I’m very hopeful now because it’s no longer just voluntary,” he declared.
With information from Revista Oeste