A group of farmers, angry with the new nitrates action plan presented by the Flemish Government, protested in front of the building of the Flemish Land Agency (VLM) in the municipalities of Herentals and Hasselt on Wednesday, Het Belang van Limburg reports. While the VLM understands their frustrations, the protesters have been called to enter into consultations with Minister of Agriculture, Zuhal Demir.
The disgruntled farmers reportedly arrived at the Hasselt offices on the VLM on Wednesday afternoon. The farmers, employees of a large Limburg firm, placed a wooden cross on the door of the VLM building. “Hopefully they’ll remember us tomorrow then,” one of the protestors told the local newspaper.
After the protests, the farmers immediately returned home. “It is not our intention to inconvenience people. We each have our hands full at our company.”
Protestors specified that the strike action was an individual initiative. Agricultural associations Algemeen Boeren Syndicate (ABS) and Boerenbond announced that they were not involved in the demonstrations.
“Unfortunately, decisive measures are needed to achieve water quality objectives in Flanders and a start has been made in regard,” said VLm spokesperson Leen Van den Bergh.
Under Flanders’ nitrate plan, the region is seeking to significantly reduce the amount of harmful chemicals and nitrates used in Flemish agriculture, in a bid to bring groundwater contamination within agreed European levels. The reductions demanded by the plan have previously been described by Boerenbond as “a sledgehammer blow for our agriculture and horticulture.”
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In coming weeks, there will be a fresh round of consultations with leading companies and agricultural, environmental, and nature organisations to discuss if alternative measures are feasible.
“We are ready to further support this entire process and bring it to a successful conclusion, and we are counting on the constructive cooperation of all parties involved,” the VLM said.
