Court bars Brabant from enforcing part of stable rules

The district court in Den Bosch has ruled that the province of Noord-Brabant may not enforce two parts of its provincial rules on cutting ammonia emissions from stables until 1 February 2027. The farmers' organisation ZLTO and the pig farmers' organisation Producenten Organisatie Varkenshouderij (POV) brought the case.

Livestock farmers in Brabant with older stables get more time. For now, they do not have to fear enforcement by the province on those two parts.

The court found it still unclear which national nitrogen rules will come and what financial support farmers can get. The cabinet presented new plans earlier this year, but it is still uncertain how they will be worked out. That carries financial risks: farmers could spend a lot on stable changes, then find early next year that other measures suit their farm better or that national support schemes apply.

The court did not strike down the Brabant stable policy. The province remains responsible for meeting nitrogen targets and may make policy for it.

Last year the province changed its approach and gave farmers more freedom to choose their own measures, as long as they cut nitrogen emissions. ZLTO considered the requirements unachievable. ZLTO and POV say it is unreasonable that farmers must consider large investments while national nitrogen policy is uncertain.

The province stresses that its policy stands and that the goal remains lower nitrogen emissions, to make room for nature recovery and permits. It says it stands by its approach.