October 17, 2019

Andrew Campbell 

The Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is a Dutch research institute under the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport dedicated to performing tasks to promote public health and a safe living environment. RIVM reported the agricultural sector as the country’s largest producer of nitrogen. The Institute blamed the agricultural sector produced more than 106 million kilograms of nitrogen in 2017 in which 93 million kilograms from livestock breeding.

The Netherlands has nearly 54,000 farms. Agriculture has been one of the leading sectors of the Dutch economy. It is estimated worth over €90.3 billion ($98.3 billion) in agricultural exports in 2018. But a court adhered to RIVM's figures in May and ruled the government to take legal measures on pushing farmers to cut nitrogen emission in accordance with the climate change policies under EU law.

Farmers argue government measures on reducing nitrogen emissions are unfair and started protest campaigns causing disruption across the Netherlands. On October 1, farmers with frustration had held a strike along highways causing the Netherlands’ biggest traffic jam ever. Then a protest by farmers in Groningen on October 14 when a tractor drove forcefully to the doors of the provincial administration building.

It was the 3rd national demonstration in three weeks causing more than 375km of roadways jammed on October 16. In particular, the convoys of 3 thousand or more tractors were rolling into Utrecht, honking their horns and heading to the parliament at Hague. The 70-kilometer journey took more than 3 hours; meanwhile farmers listened to speeches and music. They were calling on the Dutch government to change its policy. Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke out and was willing to listen to farmers’ concerns and planned to ease the burden on farmers.

Photo:Webshot.