As farmers decried attempts to clean up agricultural practices, Flemish Agriculture Minister Hilde Crevits has said that farms forced to close due to high emissions can dispute their case with the Flemish authorities.
The Nitrogen Agreement, first passed in 2021 to combat nitrogen emissions from large agricultural and rearing sites, classified 58 Flemish companies as “red”, obliging them to cease operations by 2025. 18 have since reached buyout arrangements.
These so-called “peak loaders” emit higher than acceptable levels of nitrogen. However, some Flemish judges and business owners have ruled the agreement to be unfair and arbitrary.
In 2020, a goat farm near Antwerp received a permit to rear up to 5,595 goats. The government annulled the farm's permits this year. The farmer argued that the impact of his operation had been negligible, less than 5% of the critical nitrogen load for the area.
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Many of the companies affected by the ruling have since reduced their environmental footprint, leading many to question the Flemish government’s decision.
In a softening of tone, Crevits expressed more sympathy to companies who have improved their emissions: “We will reassess whether or not adjustments need to be made.”
This appears to be an acknowledgement that the government's previous stance was heavy-handed. From now on, the minister said, “the intention is to examine each file thoroughly. We must treat people correctly.”
