Overview
- A majority in Noord-Brabant’s Provincial Council approved a new nitrogen plan, with coalition parties holding 31 of 55 seats backing measures intended to cut livestock emissions and unlock stalled permits.
- Council members reported pressure after Farmers Defence Force sent letters via bailiffs, which officials condemned as intimidation, while leaders stressed they would not be swayed.
- Roughly 250 farmers, some with dozens of tractors, demonstrated at the Den Bosch province house as FDF labeled the measures a ‘death blow’ and many protesters departed before the vote.
- Demissionary ministers Femke Wiersma and Robert Tieman publicly disagreed over easing manure rules, with no decision on Friday, as Rob Jetten urged a quick new cabinet and reports pointed to resistance from VVD state secretary Thierry Aartsen.
- Separately, Minister Tieman said Haringvlietbrug welds require short‑term reinforcement to prevent cracking ahead of a 2032 replacement, and ProRail reported no track subsidence on the Amsterdam–Utrecht line after inspections; police logged multiple local arrests and traffic collisions including a three‑car A16 crash.