With the recent return of the nitrogen ghost, I had to go back in time to figure out where we left the discussion. Well, some problems are not complicated, but difficult. This is one of them. Internally, 70% of nitrogen deposition in the Netherlands is caused by agriculture (2021 figures). So if we need to find the solution somewhere, it’s there. We have too much (polluting) agriculture.
On the positive side, the total nitrogen deposition is less than half that of the reference year 1990. Agriculture now does 80% compared to then, but other sectors, especially traffic, have become 3 to 10 times cleaner. Agriculture is lagging behind, partly due to the lifting of the milk quota in 2015.
In any case, our nitrogen deposition is still 4x above the European average, we are a major deposition exporter (our export is 4x the import) and we are the largest meat exporter in Europe. And no, the Netherlands does not have a disproportionate number of nature reserves (we are below the European average).
In addition, we have concluded European agreements (Convention on European Biodiversity and the European Biodiversity Strategy) to set up at least 30% of our territory as a Natura 2000 area by 2030. That means another province of Utrecht of nature reserves. So let’s get started. Scaling down current agricultural practices and embracing biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. Preparing the Netherlands for the future. Difficult perhaps, but it is not complicated.
Henk Hartzema, Linkedin 19 January 2025
