Dutch scheme to rewild livestock farms in sensitive areas approved

The European Commission has approved a €700 million scheme aimed at making the Netherlands’ livestock sector more sustainable.

Under the five-year programme, livestock farmers in environmentally sensitive areas will be compensated if they voluntarily shut their operations. It will apply to farms operating in and around peatlands, sandy soils, stream valleys, and conservation areas.

The scheme is open to small- and medium-sized livestock farms that operate in eligible areas and whose closure will meaningfully reduce nitrogen levels.

Successful applicants will receive grants and subsidised advisory services to compensate for the loss of production rights and capacity, the costs of dismantling and disposing of assets, and other costs directly linked to site closures.

The new rewilding scheme complements two similar Dutch programmes focused specifically on nature conservation areas.