Dairy farmers in the Netherlands say they face being driven out of business after being told to slash greenhouse gas emissions.
It follows calls by the Hague government for a 50% cut in nitrogen emissions by 2030 – a target that has seen farmers take to the streets in protest.
One of the world's most densely populated countries, the Netherlands is home to some 16,000 dairy farmers milking some 1.57 million cows.
Dairy farmer Herman Miedema milks 175 cows across some 100ha of grass and maize silage in Friesland province – the Dutch dairy capital.
Mr Miedema is one of the lucky ones. Under the Dutch system, he still has his licence to farm. But the permits of 3000 other farmers have been declared invalid.
Those 3000 farmers find themselves in a “nitrogen crisis”.
The banks won't lend them money to invest in their businesses. But they can't sell-up either – because no-one want to buy a farm with an invalid permit.
In this episode, we find out what is happening, some possible solutions, and what lessons farmers and consumers can learn from the Dutch experience.
Written, recorded and produced by Johann Tasker for Farmers Weekly. Contact: johann.tasker@markallengroup.com or WhatsApp +44 (0)7967 634971.