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Circus Remkes’ tour of various provincial houses follows a fixed pattern. After the often hour-long nitrogen consultation, ‘discussion leader’ Johan Remkes is the first to report to the assembled press. He gives a short introduction with what he thinks are the most important outcomes of that day and answers a limited number of questions.
Then, if Prime Minister Rutte is not present, Minister Christianne van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen, VVD) follows. She takes the time to speak to the media extensively. This does not apply to all her fellow ministers, who take part in the talks in varying compositions. Hugo de Jonge (Public Housing, CDA) and Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs, VVD) immediately left after the round of talks on Wednesday for their cars with driver on the sidewalk of the Gelderse provincial house in Arnhem.
Present at all calls
Van der Wal is clearly the main character in this crisis file. The nitrogen minister is the only one in the cabinet to be present at all talks – four so far, one more next Monday. She has to endure the most criticism from all the interlocutors. First of all, about the great uncertainty that has arisen about the nitrogen map that she published in June. Prime Minister Rutte had apologized for this during the first, so difficult, conversation with farmers’ organizations on 5 August in Utrecht. “We care about the misunderstandings,” he said about her messy way of working. “Communication will improve.” While Rutte explained this in front of the cameras, Van der Wal stood behind him, nodding affably.
Also read: Minister Christianne van der Wal: a steadfast administrator on an all-or-nothing mission
Other recurring questions that are mainly asked to Van der Wal are about the early 2030 deadline that the cabinet is holding to achieve the nitrogen targets, while 2035 has been legally agreed. Or why the government is making so much of a fuss about technical innovations that could potentially also reduce nitrogen emissions. And why can it not spare benevolent (organic) farmers who are already doing a lot to reduce nitrogen? Like a schoolmaster, Remkes gave these issues to the cabinet as ‘homework’.
Van der Wal patiently answers all questions that are also asked by the media. Seemingly tireless and cheerful, even if she is often repetitive. She insists that there can be no question of weakening the nitrogen targets. “Nature cannot wait. The nitrogen tap must be closed.”
Between the lines of her endlessly repeated message, something else stands out. Van der Wal is slowly but surely trying to shift the immense assignment on her plate to other sectors. And to other government officials. When she says that the nitrogen dossier ‘is not just a problem for farmers’, she also means: don’t let me solve this problem on my own.
After the talks with nature organizations and area managers on Monday afternoon in Den Bosch, she urged a number of colleagues from the cabinet to ‘get to work’. Henk Staghouwer (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, ChristenUnie) has to ‘work’ on a new future perspective for the agricultural sector. “That’s really crucial.” Rob Jetten (Klimaat, D66) and Adriaansens must ‘determine the climate and nitrogen targets for industry’. And without mentioning him by name, she also addressed De Jonge: “We also have to build houses.” And in the same way to fellow party member Mark Harbers (Infrastructure and Water Management): „Mind you! We will also have to improve our water quality.”
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Also read: Minister Van der Wal about nitrogen problem: ‘Soon we will no longer be able to drink clean water from the tap’
Despite her wish to broaden the approach to the problem, Van der Wal acknowledges that this is not so easy. While it already managed to get through the indicative nitrogen targets per province in June – with the color map so controversial for agriculture – the necessary information about climate and water is still pending. For example, in order to be able to determine the reduction targets for the industry and transport sector, the so-called KEV must first be published, the Climate and Energy Outlook of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. It will come at the end of the year.
“Unfortunately, we cannot take all the steps at once,” Van der Wal responds. It’s just part of management, she sighs after the consultation with the business community in Arnhem on Wednesday. “That you sometimes have to make sub-optimal choices.”
And yes, she adds on Thursday – again from the capital of Gelderland where she has been deputy for the past three years – she cannot do it all alone. Above all, she wants to do it together: together with other sectors, together with the farmers and together with other ministers. She points again to Staghouwer, who is standing a little further and “is really working hard on the perspective for agriculture”.
Nevertheless, Van der Wal considers it necessary to conduct all discussions with all parties involved. “If we want to achieve all the goals with the agricultural sector, also for water and climate, then I just want to sit at the table myself. I think I should be there.”
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