Flanders shortens 'red list’ of peak nitrogen polluters as it eases rules
The Flemish government has reduced the number of livestock farms labelled as peak nitrogen polluters from 41 to 11. Unlike before, they will no longer be forced to close, Environment minister Jo Brouns confirmed on Wednesday.
The original list of 41 agriculture companies, drawn up by the previous government, targeted farms with the greatest impact on nearby protected nature. Their closure was mandated by 2025, with a buyout scheme in place.
Brouns has scaled back that approach. Of the 41 farms on the list, 30 were removed. The 11 remaining farms will no longer be forced to close. They will have time until their permits expire – and no later than 2030 – to cut emissions through measures such as new technology, herd reductions or a switch to other farming methods.
“This is still a very difficult message for these companies,” Brouns said. “The effort will be enormous, but we are giving them a chance. We are not shutting them down in advance.”
The government did not disclose the farms’ names, citing sensitivities, but said they include four in East Flanders, three in Antwerp, three in Limburg and one in Flemish Brabant. All are livestock operations, breeding dairy cattle, pigs and poultry.
"This is still a very difficult message for these companies"
Officials stressed the farms are not necessarily the largest polluters, but their location near local nature reserves makes their impact especially damaging.
The revision follows new calculations by the Flemish Land Agency using more recent data. The previous list had faced heavy criticism by the sector because it was based on figures from 2015. Further details on the methodology will be published next week.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY
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