# Farmers' talks with cabinet on nitrogen plans go badly

> Farming organisations LTO and NAJK remain unhappy with the cabinet's nitrogen plans, which would change how farms near sensitive natural areas operate. The first bill is due on Friday.

Politics · published 2026-10-29 16:20 · https://nlnow.nl/a/farmers-groups-say-nitrogen-talks-with-cabinet-are-going-badly/

LTO and NAJK, the farming organisations, said after a meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture in The Hague that talks with the cabinet on its nitrogen plans are going extremely difficultly. They want to meet the cabinet again this evening. NAJK chair Gerben Boom said: "We are going to reflect."

Agriculture minister Jaimi van Essen (D66) presented the outline of his nitrogen package before the summer. It is meant to restart permitting after seven years and restore nature. The plans weigh heavily on farms, especially those close to sensitive natural areas.

LTO and NAJK wanted to secure nine points. They are unhappy with the proposed maximum of 2.6 cows per hectare and do not want farms to face an unrealistic pile of targets. They are also worried about zones around sensitive natural areas, in which farms would have to change, relocate or disappear.

The plans will be worked out in separate bills over the coming months. The first is expected this Friday.

Opposition party PRO pledged its support this summer. That gives the plans a majority in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of parliament, for now. It said it will withdraw that support if the plans are watered down.

## Background

- **LTO (Land- en Tuinbouw Organisatie) and NAJK**: LTO (Land- en Tuinbouw Organisatie) is the Dutch federation that represents farmers and horticultural growers in talks with government and other parties. NAJK is a Dutch farming organisation that also represents farmers' interests in policy discussions. Together, they act as the sector's voice in negotiations with the cabinet on rules that affect agriculture, such as nitrogen policy.
- **PRO**: PRO is a political party represented in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament. Its votes can decide whether a bill has a majority, so its support is often decisive for government plans that need parliamentary approval.

From NLnow, news from the Netherlands in English. How stories are made: https://nlnow.nl/about/