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The European Commission has approved a €715 million Dutch State aid scheme designed to permanently reduce ammonia emissions from livestock farming and support the restoration of environmentally sensitive Natura 2000 areas. The programme aims to address nitrogen deposition caused by livestock operations, which has placed significant ecological pressure on protected habitats across the Netherlands.
The scheme provides financial support for the voluntary, definitive and irreversible closure of livestock farms responsible for these emissions. It builds on the framework of previous Dutch closure programmes (LBV, LBV-plus and LBV smaller sectors), which were approved by the European Commission in 2023 and 2024.
The measure is open to micro, small and medium-sized livestock farms raising dairy cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, veal calves, dairy goats, rabbits, meat ducks and other cattle. Priority will be given to farms located either wholly or partly within overburdened Natura 2000 areas or within a radius of 1,000 metres from those protected sites, where reductions in nitrogen emissions are considered most urgent.
Eligible participants will receive direct grants covering between 100% and 110% of eligible costs, providing a strong financial incentive for producers who decide to cease operations permanently. The programme will remain in force for five years.
July 23, 2026/ EC/ European Union.
https://ec.europa.eu
