Dutch cabinet unveils nitrogen plan: buffer zones, cow-per-hectare limit and €20bn fund

The plan after deadlocked years

After seven years without comprehensive action, the cabinet under Prime Minister Rob Jetten agreed on a nitrogen emissions package overnight and formally presented it on Friday. The plan aims to end the "stikstofslot" (nitrogen lock) that has frozen construction and infrastructure permits since a 2019 Council of State ruling forced nature restoration to take priority.

Buffer zones and a national cow limit

The plan designates 15 large nature areas (including the Veluwe and Peel regions) with a 1-kilometre buffer zone where farms must cut nitrogen by an extra 20 percent on top of national measures. Another 85 Natura 2000 sites get 500-metre zones. For dairy farms nationwide, a maximum of 2.6 cows per hectare will apply, hitting intensive farms in the east and south hardest.

Farmers face tough choices

“It will not be an easy road. We ask a lot.”

Farmers near vulnerable nature will have to drastically reduce stock, move, or quit. The cabinet set a 42–46 percent reduction target for agriculture by 2035 compared to 2019, while industry and mobility must cut 50 percent. Van Essen says the package is "legally solid" and hopes permits will start flowing from 2027.

A €20 billion carrot and the forced-reduction stick

To soften the blow, €20 billion is allocated: €9 billion for farm transformation, €2.2 billion for nature restoration, €2 billion for innovation and €2.7 billion for a voluntary exit scheme.

“We are not leaving farmers alone.”

But the plan includes an "ultimate remedy": if emissions targets are missed, the government can impose a generic reduction (effectively forced livestock cuts) from 2035. Van Essen insists forced expropriation is off the table.

Farm transformation9

Nature restoration2.2

Innovation support2

Voluntary exit scheme2.7

Farm transformation

9 € billion

Nature restoration

2.2 € billion

Innovation support

2 € billion

Voluntary exit scheme

2.7 € billion

Data from the article text

Who gets priority and when permits resume

The first freed-up nitrogen space goes to PAS-melders, farmers who expanded without permits because of earlier government policy. After that, farmers who reduce emissions fastest get priority. Emergency legislation later this year is meant to give them legal certainty. By late 2027, a "rekenkundige ondergrens" will be raised, allowing small-emitting projects to proceed without waiting. The government wants to avoid restoring 130 km/h motorway speeds until the permit logjam is cleared, Infrastructure Minister Vincent Karremans said.

Political hurdles and anger on the horizon

The cabinet holds no majority in either chamber and will need support from both left and right. Details still need refinement. Farmer organisations, remembering the 2019 tractor blockades and torch-lit protests, have warned fresh actions are possible.

“When I read what the possible measures are, I get worried. The sum of zoning and stricter measures will have a big impact in Overijssel.”