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Wiersma Faces New No‑Confidence Bid as Utrecht Farmers Mass Over Nitrogen Rules

Provincial enforcement blocking manure spreading is fueling farmer unrest that renews scrutiny of the agriculture minister.

Overview

  • GroenLinks‑PvdA and the Party for the Animals lodged a renewed motion of no confidence against Agriculture Minister Femke Wiersma following the manure debate, noting earlier pre‑election motions failed.
  • Hundreds rallied at Utrecht’s province house with roughly 200 tractors and about 300 farmers, as provincial leaders met protesters and urged formal objections while planning broader talks in January.
  • Individual farmers report orders barring manure spreading near vulnerable nature; Westbroek dairy farmer Elbert Hennipman says such limits could end his business, with nine farms in or near these areas flagged by the province.
  • In Nijmegen, a city bus struck a large traffic sign around midday; of 15 aboard, 11 were injured and 8 taken to hospital, and investigators are reviewing accounts and camera footage.
  • Transport and safety strains continue with the Eelwerderbrug on the N33 closed to road traffic pending a replacement barrier component now en route, new load and speed limits on the A6 Kamperhoekweg viaduct, and police confirming a fatal hit‑and‑run between Veenendaal and Ede.