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Netherlands·Europe·Climate·Trade & Economy

Netherlands unveils sweeping nitrogen plans with buffer zones around major nature areas

Wednesday, 17 June 2026, 06:51 · 1 min read

The Dutch cabinet has finalised a wide-ranging nitrogen package that would establish 1-kilometre buffer zones around twenty major nature areas, including the Peel in Brabant and the Veluwe in Gelderland (large protected heathland and forest regions), within which nitrogen emissions must be significantly reduced. Farms inside these zones would be required to relocate, shut down, or adopt cleaner technologies, while the plans also introduce sector-specific emission caps — starting with dairy cattle — and stricter limits on the number of livestock permitted per hectare, with tougher rules for farms on nitrogen-sensitive sandy soils. The measures, agreed in outline by three coalition parties, aim to break years of legal and political deadlock over nitrogen pollution that has repeatedly blocked permits for construction and farming projects across the country; Agriculture Minister Van Essen has said the full package will be presented on 26 June.

Sources
NOS BinnenlandKabinet komt met ingrijpende stikstofplannen, onder meer zones rond natuurgebieden ↗︎
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