The Netherlands is looking into reducing a livestock numbers as part of its new €25 billion environmentally friendly strategy.
With more than 100 million cattle, sheep and pigs, the Netherlands has one of the largest livestock sectors in Europe. This has resulted in a major pollution problem due to the high levels of nitrogen produced.
The coalition Government’s plan to reduce livestock numbers has faced strong opposition from farmers.
However, in 2019, the Council of State ruled that the Netherlands was in breach of EU law regarding its plans for reducing excess nitrogen in vulnerable areas.
Part of the plan may involve paying Dutch farmers to leave the industry and help others move to a more environmentally friendly way of farming.
Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue and the Taoiseach Micheal Martin have so far, indicated that a national herd cull is not part of the Government’s response to the climate crisis.
LSL News.