# Cabinet holds last-minute nitrogen talks with BBB and farmers

> The cabinet is negotiating with farming groups and the BBB party on the agriculture minister's nitrogen package, while JA21, BBB and SGP want to back its tax plans in return for, among other things, substantial nitrogen changes.

Politics · published 2026-10-30 10:38 · https://nlnow.nl/a/van-essen-s-nitrogen-plans-face-last-minute-talks-with-farmers/

Talks on agriculture minister Van Essen's nitrogen plans went down to the wire. This morning the cabinet is meeting the BBB, which has extra demands, and talks with farmers' organisations LTO and NAJK are resuming. LTO and NAJK were still not satisfied yesterday afternoon.

The cabinet leaders met yesterday to discuss, among other things, a package of demands from JA21, BBB and SGP. These parties want to back the cabinet's tax plans in exchange for, among other things, substantial changes to the nitrogen plans.

Van Essen wants a 1-kilometre zone around nitrogen-sensitive Natura 2000 areas in which less may be emitted.

The minister was due to present the first step in working out his nitrogen package today. Because of the talks, it is uncertain whether he will.

## Background

- **Natura 2000**: The network of protected nature areas across the European Union. In the Netherlands, protecting these areas from nitrogen deposition affects permits for building, farming and infrastructure.
- **BBB (BoerBurgerBeweging)**: The BoerBurgerBeweging is a Dutch political party that focuses on farmers, rural areas and the countryside. It takes part in national elections and in parliament, where it puts forward its positions on agriculture, nitrogen and rural policy. In this context, it is one of the parties the cabinet consults on nitrogen plans that affect farming.
- **LTO (Land- en Tuinbouw Organisatie)**: LTO is the Dutch umbrella organisation for agricultural and horticultural entrepreneurs, meaning farmers and growers. It represents their interests towards the government and negotiates with ministries on policy that affects their businesses, such as nitrogen rules.

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