Dutch farmers vs greens: why it matters

It’s not often that regional ballots in the Netherlands capture the attention of the international media. But last month that is exactly what happened. On 15 March, the so-called ‘provincial elections’ were held. Although technically these are regional, they also indirectly determine the composition of the Dutch senate – and, if the ruling parties lose their majority there, the chances of being able to pass legislation become very slim.

This time, however, the stakes were higher than ever – because, as incredible as it may sound, the Dutch government has turned against one of the most lucrative, efficient and remarkable groups in our society: the farmers.

The government, a four-party coalition led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), has decided that 30 per cent of all cattle farms need to be closed by 2030 in order to halve nitrogen emissions – which it says pose a threat to the Dutch environment, as protected under the European Union’s ‘Natura 2000’ regulations.