Besides all the tax plans, which make it clear where the outgoing cabinet wants to get money from, there will also be money available for horticulture. This is evident from the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality's budget statement published in the Staatscourant on Prinsjesdag. In passing, it also shows what additional requirements and policies are also on the way.
It does not take long before the term 'sustainability' is dropped when looking through the budget statement. Other modern terms, such as 'circular agriculture,' also pop up. Below is a brief overview.
Subsidies
The government wants to change, and in doing so, it is committed, among other things, to the development of a digital crop protection monitor and a database to compare the average environmental impact of food products, in addition to tax measures and the elaboration in 2024 of the individual sector system for CO2 pricing. This should take effect on January 1, 2025, to meet climate targets by 2030.
Besides coming to take money from horticulture, the cabinet is also coming to bring money. The budget statement includes items for 'horticulture distribution networks' and the EC scheme.
From 2024, EUR 15.1 million will be available for heat distribution networks for horticulture. These should help the sector make the transition to a 'more sustainable energy supply.' In total, the government is making 300 million available, subject to conditions, over the next few years.
With the opening of the Energie-efficiëntie glastuinbouw (EG / Energy Efficiency Grant for Horticulture), greenhouse horticulturists and cooperatives can take energy-saving measures. An additional 200 million has been made available from 2023 to 2030. In 2024, this amounts to about €36.7 million.
Other subsidies are for the market introduction of energy innovations (MEI): 5.5 million euros for investments in the early market introduction of energy innovations in horticulture and 28.3 million euros for the 'innovation agenda energy.' The Kas als Energiebron plays a crucial role in this.
Besides the digital crop protection monitor (to which the government will contribute 6.3 million euros), there will also be a 'low-threshold subsidy scheme' for integrated crop protection (4 million).
Furthermore, the government continues to believe in 15% of agricultural land being organic by 2030. To achieve this, the sales market for organic products must be increased. The government will make €50 million available for the years 2025 to 2029 to increase the sales market for organic products.
Source: Staatscourant (NL)