Nature Conservation Act
If a business activity causes nitrogen deposition on a Natura 2000 area, the owner of the business must investigate whether the activity requires a permit under the terms of the Nature Conservation Act (Dutch: Wnb). Whether you need this permit depends entirely on your location, the type of business, the number of animals kept, how the animals are kept and the distance to a Natura 2000 area. Don’t confuse the Nature Conservation Act permit with the environmental permit: these are two separate permits.
Most equestrian businesses don’t have a Nature Conservation Act permit
Incidentally, many businesses in the equestrian sector do not yet have this permit. If you do not already have one but need one, you risk a large fine. All horse owners really ought to investigate whether they need this permit, and whether they can apply for one. Some horse owners cannot apply for a permit as they have already reached the ‘nitrogen ceiling’. In that case, you have to undergo a completely different and expensive process. To discover whether you require a Nature Conservation Act permit, you need to make an Aerius calculation. This will reveal the impact your nitrogen emissions have on different Natura 2000 areas. Mount Consultancy can support you through this entire process.
Tip: Keep an eye on our news page, where we update you on the latest developments.
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