Damaging nitrogen deposits in Natura 2000 areas are still far too high and if no systemic measures are taken, targets for reducing pollution will not be met, environmental planning bureau PBL, public health institute RIVM and Wageningen University have said in a new report.
Between 2005 and 2023, nitrogen deposits fell by just 32%, with a prognosis of 33% by 2030 instead of the target of 50%, the researchers say.
The worst polluter is agriculture which is responsible for 50%, followed by traffic with 12% and industry with 2%. The remaining 36% comes from sources abroad.
The investigation, the second on behalf of the agriculture and nature ministry, showed that simple measures to lower nitrogen, such as mowing and removing the upper soil layer, do not have enough impact.
Farm buy-outs, which are highly controversial, have had the biggest effect on nitrogen deposits, the researchers found. Other measures and innovations within the farming industry “have, five years on, not been sufficiently worked out or are having less effect than thought,’ they said.
The Netherlands has 162 designated Natura 2000 areas, which must help guarantee European biodiversity.
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