The Netherlands has barely any nature left, almost everything here is artificial. Rivers have been relayed, dykes have been raised. Nearly all our forests have been planted. In other places all trees were cut, and a desert-esque ecosystem was the result: the Loonse/Drunense dunes.

Even the "typical" Dutch heather fields are a product of our destruction. Because when we drained the swamp (haha) and removed its top layer to use as fuel, we left a very mineral deficient soil, which is very suitable for growing heather.

Now some biologists have decided that some areas (nature2000) should remain exactly as artificial as they are now, forever. And that some plants, insects and birds were more valuable than others. Thats why the farms surrounding these areas suddenly need to go. Even builders are having a hard time getting permits, because this also produces nitrogen oxide.

The political parties who support these farm closures funnily enough are the same parties who don't want immigration to the Netherlands to be restricted... Like we can just keep on growing in population forever and our "nature" won't suffer from it. Ok.

Personally I think we shouldn't sacrifice our economy / home building capabilities for protecting our "nature", which in my opinion is nothing more than a poorly maintained park. I feel like we are becoming victim to some biologists pet project. Maybe the proponents of this policy should raise money and purchase the farmlands themselves. Costs about 6 euro per m2 here.