Netherlands Agricultural and Horticulture Association (LTO) hopes new plans will break deadlock on nitrogen emissions
image: Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
In response to recent decisions by the Council of State and in the civil courts, LTO has presented proposals. Rogier Kegge, Assistant Professor in Administrative Law and Environmental and Planning Law, commented on the plans on the NOS news site.
A ministerial committee set up by Prime Minister Dick Schoof will come up with a nitrogen plan in April. This plan is intended to break the deadlock on nitrogen emissions. Recent court rulings have also shown that the government needs to come up with measures soon. So the search is on for feasible and legally tenable measures that both protect nature but also, for instance, enable housing development. That will be no easy task, and it is particularly important to first introduce measures to reduce nitrogen deposition.
Nevertheless, Rogier Kegge does acknowledge the added value of some parts of the LTO plan. 'I do have reservations, but in itself it's a well thought-out package that offers directions for legal solutions. Still, you can only fully assess it when viewed in conjunction with future plans to reduce nitrogen emissions.'
The issue will be debated further this week in the House of Representatives.
More information?
Read the full NOS article (in Dutch)