The House of Representatives has many important questions about the government’s nitrogen plans. In preparation for a subsequent discussion, dozens of questions were asked about the proposals that should lead to a 50% reduction in national nitrogen emissions by 2030.

The questions also show that three of the four coalition factions want the Cabinet to better explain or reconsider their options.

Members of Parliament criticize RIVM’s calculations on ammonia emissions from agriculture, among other things. According to RIVM, this should be reduced by 39 kilotons, but the ruling parties VVD, CDA and ChristenUnie are skeptical.

The target for ammonia reduction will likely be higher than what is necessary to meet the legal nitrogen reduction target. The VVD wants to know from its minister van der Waal how she sees this. The largest government faction questions whether the legal goal should not be the starting point and believes that the result of a more favorable reduction of the industry may provide some relief to the agricultural sector.

The CDA also wants to know why 30 kilotons of ammonia reduction was not chosen instead of 39. According to the Christian Democrats, a clear answer has not yet been given and the nitrogen minister must first explain it clearly.

Alliance partner ChristenUnie asks this question in similar terms. This party wants to know why the Cabinet chose to reduce ammonia emissions by 39 kilotons, “while there were many good arguments for approaching 30 kilotons”.

Minister van der Waal previously stated that this 39 kilotons reduction in ammonia is above the minimum required. It has chosen this, among other things, because it does not want to focus on targeted purchases of particular companies besides nature reserves. 39 kt could also be adjusted downward if, for example, the climate approach results in additional nitrogen reduction.

MPs also have many critical comments about the government’s communications about the plans, which has led to much social unrest.

According to the CDA, it is necessary to prevent plans and accounts from being interpreted in different ways on these kinds of complex topics, but the Cabinet has not been successful in doing so. “The large amount of information shared with the House of Representatives creates more ambiguity and noise than clarity,” the party says.

ChristenUnie wants to remove the controversial nitrogen map, which details for each region how much nitrogen reduction is needed, to be removed from the table. There is a lot to be said about that map and Prime Minister Rutte gave his advice in consultations with farmers’ organizations led by Mediator Remix last week. apologies To communicate about the relevant card. ChristenUnie even asked the Cabinet to withdraw this “overly sector-oriented and highly detailed map with questionable principles”.

Part of the opposition asserts that the government should not be subject to great pressure to change plans, but rather it should continue.