Farmers in Noord-Holland who voluntarily stop all or part of their business can receive a provincial subsidy. A total of €8 million in national funding is available under a scheme linked to the province’s nitrogen policy and approved by the European Commission. Businesses referred to as PAS detectors, which do not have a nature permit, are also eligible.

The scheme is intended for small and medium-sized farms keeping pigs, cattle or poultry within 500 metres of a Natura 2000 site. Farms outside that zone are not eligible. Provincial deputy Jelle Beemsterboer said the subsidy was intended to give farmers who are considering ending part or all of their business more room to do so, taking their personal circumstances into account.