Belgium has decided to suspend or close some pig farms in order to reduce nitrogen emissions from the agricultural sector. However, fewer people than expected have come forward to take advantage of the compensation.
Only 236 of the 980 pig farms eligible to benefit from the compensation scheme offered by the government turned out to have applied. As a result, the entire budget of €200 million approved by the European Commission could not be used.
The exceptional financial package for Belgium was granted after it emerged that nitrous oxide levels in the air and water exceeded EU regulations due to the relatively high number of animals and the intensive use of fertilizers.
The Belgian authorities decided to relax the selection conditions after failing to obtain volunteers. The threshold for emissions – the environmental impact score – has been lowered from 0.5% to 0.025%. Around 80% of the country’s pig farmers – up to 3,000 operators – are now entitled to compensation.
Under the scheme, the aid is to take the form of direct grants of up to 120 % of the value of the loss of assets, in particular pigs and farm equipment, resulting from the reduction or cessation of activities. The scheme will remain in force until 30 June 2025.
Belgian farmers were not keen on the planned changes from the outset. In March this year, a wave of protests erupted when the government announced its plans to reduce nitrogen emissions and 2700 tractors blocked the streets of Brussels.