Cabinet plans mainly affect medium-sized farmers, food security not at risk

Research led by Petra Berkhout indicates that not all farmers can or want to invest in necessary adjustments due to financial constraints. The nitrogen plans primarily affect medium-sized livestock farmers, who must decide whether to invest in sustainability, expand, or diversify their activities. Larger farms have the financial means for adaptations, while smaller farms often rely on multiple income sources. The Dutch government has allocated around 20 billion euros for subsidies to assist farmers in transitioning or exiting. Despite significant changes expected for farmers, the overall economic impact on the agricultural sector is projected to be limited, with a potential decline of up to 4%. The plans are not expected to jeopardize food security, as the Netherlands produces significantly more animal products than it consumes. However, the complexity of the measures makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about their effects.