Dutch farmers are demonstrating again against government plans to reduce nitrogen emissions

The agricultural workers have been protesting for several weeks, with smaller or larger interruptions, that according to the recently adopted emission reduction government strategy - according to the calculations of the Ministry of Finance - 11,200 livestock farms should close, and another 17,600 should reduce the number of animals they keep. The government wants to reduce nitrogen oxide and ammonia emissions from agriculture by an average of 40 percent, and requires a 100 percent emission reduction near nature conservation areas.

According to Dutchnews, several highways had to be completely or partially closed due to the protests. The Ministry of Transport drew attention to the fact that the farmers' actions can create dangerous situations on the roads, and that the waste removal works will last for several hours. Several Dutch news portals reported that on one of the highways, protesters placed a sign that read: "We apologize for the inconvenience, Mark Rutte's government is driving us to despair."

A few weeks ago, the government appointed Johan Remkes, a representative of the ruling party, as the head of negotiations between the cabinet and agricultural unions. In an official invitation on Wednesday, Remkes invited a wide range of groups involved in the conflict to start negotiations. But the largest farmers' organization, LTO Nederland, has said it will not take part in any talks as long as the government remains committed to plans for nitrogen emissions that threaten livestock farmers.

(Source: autokalauz.co.hu; MTI | Image: pixabay.com)