The main union of Flemish farmers, Boerenbond, has initiated proceedings against the Flemish decree on nitrogen emissions, the organisation revealed in a statement.
Three separate applications to annul the decree have been submitted. The decree, which imposes tight limits on the amount of nitrogen that can be emitted by the agricultural sector, has been hotly contested by farmers in Flanders. In late January, the Flemish Parliament approved a revised version of the decree to significantly lower emissions by 2030.
The farmers' union, which had previously announced the proceedings, is challenging several “crucial” sections of this document.
Criticism includes reduction targets that "lack sufficient scientific basis" and perceived discrimination between the agricultural sector and industry and mobility. The union also takes issue with the decree’s imposed maximum level of ammonia emissions. These will come into effect after 2030 and will be calculated for each pig, cattle, or poultry farm.
“The decree restricts the entrepreneurship of our members and offers neither a future nor legal security. We demand that the government quickly adopt a new emission reduction policy that provides opportunities for all entrepreneurs in Flanders,” concludes Boerenbond CEO Lode Ceyssens.
