EU approves €615.7m Dutch plan to cut dairy farm emissions
22 April 2026
The European Commission has approved a state aid scheme of 615.7 million euros for a period of three years to cut emissions from dairy farming in the Netherlands, by encouraging farmers to voluntarily reduce the size of their herds.
The scheme was evaluated under EU state aid rules, including the 2023 guidelines for agriculture, forestry and rural areas. The Commission concluded that the aid is necessary and meets EU environmental and climate objectives, such as biodiversity protection.
The approval follows an earlier approved aid scheme by the Commission in the Netherlands of 700 million euros. That programme compensates farmers who voluntarily close livestock farming sites in environmentally sensitive areas, such as peatlands, sandy soils or river valleys.
SAFE welcomes this measure as a step towards less intensive and more sustainable farming in the Netherlands. It is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, which will help support climate change mitigation efforts.
