The European Commission has approved a €700 million Dutch State scheme to compensate farmers who voluntarily close livestock farming sites in some regions of the Netherlands. The Dutch government is looking to improve the quality of the environment and promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly production in the livestock sector with this initiative. The scheme will apply to priority areas, including peatlands, sandy soils, stream valleys, and areas in and adjacent to Natura 2000. It will be open to small and medium-sized livestock farmers operating in any eligible areas until the 1st of October, 2029. The aid provided under the scheme will consist of direct grants and subsidized advisory services. It will cover up to 100% of eligible expenses, including compensation for the loss of production …
Further to last week’s release of the European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy, various individuals and companies are speaking out about their disappointment in this policy. Dr. Jeanette Fielding from Upfield, the largest plant-based consumer product company in the world, here gives her views.
As we reported last week, the European Commission released its Farm to Fork Strategy under the new European Green Deal, stating an investment of €100 billion for the green transition. ProVeg says that this is a u-turn which omits previous proposals on meat and dairy reduction targets and ignores the “elephant in the room”.
