Dryade, Bond Beter Leefmilieu and Natuurpunt are going to the Constitutional Court against the decree on emission-reducing measures. Low-emission barns and air scrubbers do not deliver what they promise. The decree is detrimental to both nature and farmers, and therefore the associations are calling for its annulment.
The Nitrogen Decree strongly focuses on so-called "low-emission" technology to solve the nitrogen problem. This was included in the decree on emission-reducing measures. However, numerous studies show that low-emission barns and air scrubbers do not achieve the promised emission reductions on paper.
The nitrogen problem will not be solved with the technology on which this decree relies. Consequently, Flanders will continue to absorb too much nitrogen for years to come. This harms our nature and our health. Therefore, Dryade, BBL and Natuurpunt are also calling for the annulment of the decree on emission-reducing measures.
"Farmers are also not helped by such expensive false solutions. They too need a structural approach at the source. Only when nitrogen emissions effectively decrease can the state of our nature improve, with legal certainty for the farmer as a result", says Stijn Leestmans, agricultural policy advisor at Natuurpunt.
“The solution to the nitrogen problem lies in a smaller livestock population that is in balance with its environment through a more agro-ecological approach. We ask the Flemish government to prioritise these measures over air scrubbers and barn technologies.”, says Ineke Maes, agricultural expert at BBL.
Previously, Dryade and BBL, together with Greenpeace Belgium, also challenged the Nitrogen Decree at the Constitutional Court. Both decrees are closely intertwined.