Dutch farmers restart tractor protests over nitrogen cuts
© ANP/Alamy Stock Photo Dutch farmers have revived tractor protests over government plans to cut agricultural nitrogen emissions, with more demonstrations set to follow.
Dozens of tractors gathered at roads and bridges across the Netherlands on Monday 27 July, including at the A27, A16 and A2, while about 150 farmers assembled outside Borculo town hall to deliver a letter opposing the plans.
See also: Dutch farmers protest against government emissions targets
The protests have been organised by groups including Agractie and the Farmers Defence Force (FDF), with demonstrators calling on agriculture minister Jaimi van Essen to withdraw the package and allow farms to keep operating at their current approved levels.
“This is the beginning of the actions. We want to keep it friendly to the public because we need the public very much,” an Agractie spokesman said.
— Farmers Defence Force (@FDF_Nederland) July 28, 2026
The row centres on the Netherlands’ long-running nitrogen crisis, a dispute that has put successive governments under pressure to curb emissions, particularly ammonia from intensive livestock farming.
The Dutch government’s nitrogen package aims to cut agricultural nitrogen emissions by 42-46% by 2035, alongside reductions from other sectors including transport and industry.
Backed by €20bn (£17.3bn) in funding, the package includes measures to reduce emissions, support innovation and help farmers adapt to new requirements.
Ministers say the plan is needed to restore nature, meet legal obligations and provide greater certainty over future permits.
Farmers’ groups, however, argue that years of tightening environmental rules are placing a disproportionate burden on agriculture and could force significant reductions in livestock numbers.
Agractie chairman Erik Luiten warned that farmers were facing a “stacking of measures” that would make it increasingly difficult to operate profitably.
“Economically, it is impossible for a business,” he said, arguing that farmers could meet one requirement only to immediately face another.
A national demonstration has been announced for 14 August in Den Bosch, with further protests planned for Prinsjesdag on 15 September.