Dutch farmer forced to 'pull the plug' on 90-year-old farm due to EU's harsh eco measures
World
Farmer forced to 'pull the plug' on business of 90 years due to EU's harsh eco measures
A devastated farmer is set to demolish his premises in June after a three year dispute with the Dutch government
By
14:03, Mon, Mar 6, 2023
| UPDATED:
14:40, Mon, Mar 6, 2023
Link copied
Fryskehiem Allardsoog farm has had to close its dairy branch because of EU regulations
(Image: Facebook / Hans van Wijk)
The EUhas forced a farmer to "pull the plug" on his familys 90-year-old dairy farm after he was deemed a "peak polluter". Following a three-year battle with the Dutch government to protect his business, Hans van Wijk will have to demolish his barn to stop him from keeping cattle. The order is part of the governments attempts to hit EU pollution targets.
Related articles
Kremlin in crisis as Wagner Group chief threatens Putin with ultimatum
What is the EU's Natura 2000?
The Natura 2000 is a network of land where rare and threatened species live. It spans 27 EU countries, including land and sea.
EU member states are expected to ensure Natura 2000 sites are "managed in a sustainable manner". That means not going over nitrogen emissions targets set by the EU.
Behind the Dutch government's strict measures
In 2016, environmental activists filed a lawsuit to the EU Court of Justice. They claimed the government had failed to protect the area from nitrogen runoff.
Since then, the Dutch government has set a target of reducing livestock numbers by more than 35 million by 2030.
Mr van Wijk, whose farm is within the EUs Natura 2000 protected region, shared the devastating moment he closed the old farm on Facebook.
On Friday, he said: "Tonight was the last time we milked our cows. After 90 years, this is it for the organic dairy sector. We arent allowed to continue because we were labelled a 'peak polluter. We fought for 3 years."
He added that his company in Friesland, including a new four-year-old barn, will be demolished in June.
The Dutch authorities recently warned it will buy out 3,000 farms polluting the most ammonia and nitrogen oxide unless changes are made. These measures include either cutting livestock numbers, quitting the industry completely, or relocating.
READ MORE:
Lavrov sparks hysterical laughter with claim his country is victim
It comes days after thousands of farmers from Flanders in Belgium blocked the roads of Brussels to protest similar measures by their own regional government.
Farmers in the Netherlands are also planning to stage a mass tractor protest outside the Hague in Brussels.
The Dutch Farmers Defence Force and Together For The Netherlands are currently organising a protest in front of the Hague on March 11 between 12.00 pm and 16.00 pm local time.
On a promotional Instagrampost, Together For The Netherlands wrote: "This will be one of those days, when your children or grandchildren will ask later, where were you on March 11?"
Hans van Wijk's farm is set to be demolished in June
(Image: Hans van Wijk / FACEBOOK)
Don't miss...
Monday, March 6, 2023 at 2:03 pm