Fierce criticism of the Rutte government’s decision to suspend the implementation of nitrogen policies, pending the formation of provincial councils, says NOS. According to the portal, in fact, other interest groups, such as Bouwend Nederland, Natuurmonumenten, LTO and VNO-NCW, i.e. environmentalists but also builders and non-agricultural entrepreneurs have protested strongly: in 2021, these parties have agreed to accelerate the reduction, to allow to other productive sectors to restart.
The Dutch court, in fact, has put a stop to all “polluting” sectors until emissions are significantly reduced. This means a stop to building licenses and above all irreparable damage to many ecosystems. The political decision to stop the implementation of an already approved plan has unleashed a revolt: why is the executive bending in this way to the dictates of a sector?
If environmentalists are concerned about the ecosystem, entrepreneurs do not understand the balance that now leans totally in favor of the agricultural sector. According to Bouwend Nederland. “It seems to us a rather spasmodic reaction”, the executive’s decision, a spokesman told NOS. “Now there is nothing stopping the government from continuing with what there is also widespread support for.” According to Johan Vollenbroek of the environmental organization MOB, the fear remains for “another months of delay”. “This prime minister shows complete incompetence, he only knows how to postpone,” Vollenbroek told ANP who called the cabinet’s decision “amateurish”.