Climate activists from Greenpeace have won a victory over farmers and the government in the Netherlands: Now, according to a court ruling, much stricter measures must be taken to protect nature. Farmers in the country are threatened with stricter environmental regulations.
The government must now ensure that harmful emissions of nitrogen compounds in nature reserves are reduced by at least 50 percent by the end of 2030. The ruling could have major consequences for intensive livestock farming and is a blow to the right-wing coalition that rejects such interventions.
Court reprimands government
The court considered the previous measures inadequate. In addition, a previously decided nitrogen reduction program was cancelled. To date, no new measures have been taken, the judges complained.
The judges did not agree with the government’s objections that the required measures would be impossible and would have major economic consequences. The condition of nature reserves in the Netherlands has been deteriorating for years due to harmful nitrogen compounds. The main cause of this is livestock farming using ammonia.
Massive resistance from farmers
But so far interventions have failed due to strong resistance from farmers. Farmers have staged massive and violent protests against environmental regulations several times in recent years, including by blocking highways.
Source: Krone
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