Agricultural activities consist of greenhouse horticulture, open-field horticulture, arable farming and cattle breeding. Greenhouse horticulture involves vegetables, fruit and flowers being cultivated in greenhouses. The main environmental and health impact of greenhouse horticulture is caused by the high energy consumption and nighttime illumination. In the case of open-field horticulture, vegetables such as cauliflower and carrots are grown directly in the open field. Arable farming involves working the soil and crops with machines.

In the case of these types of agriculture, fertilisers and the use of pesticides can be harmful for the biodiversity and the quality of the ground and surface water.

RIVM is currently investigating whether people who live close to agricultural plots are also exposed to pesticides via the air. It is known that, in the context of cattle breeding, substances are released into the air such as ammonia, methane, nitrous oxide and particulate matter. These substances have a detrimental effect on air quality, cause odour nuisance and contribute to climate change. Farm animals can also transfer infectious diseases (zoonosis) and constitute a risk for public health.

Air quality

Recent research by RIVM has revealed that COPD patients who live in the vicinity of livestock farms experience more complications related to their illness. The researchers also observed that pneumonia occurs more frequently in the vicinity of poultry and goat farms. On average 1,650 people suffer from pneumonia for every 100,000 residents. Of these, more than 200 cases of pneumonia are caused due to people living close to a poultry farm or goat farm. In the case of poultry, this is probably caused by increased concentrations of particulate matter and endotoxins (small elements of bacteria and viruses), because poultry farms emit relatively large quantities of particulate matter and endotoxins.

In addition, researchers in the research field observed that people who live close to 15 or more livestock farms can suffer from reduced pulmonary function. The pulmonary function is also reduced as a result of a high concentration of ammonia in the air. Ammonia usually comes from manure. This is not affected by the distance to the livestock farm. In contrast, people who live close to a livestock farm suffer less from asthma and nasal allergies.

In the Netherlands approximately 90,000 people live within 50 metres of a bulb or fruit plot. It is unclear to what extent local residents are exposed to pesticides used on those plots. Research is being carried out to establish this.

Zoonoses and bacteria

Farm animals can transmit infectious diseases. If these infectious diseases are contagious for people, we tend to use the term zoonoses. Previous outbreaks of zoonoses, such as Q fever and the bird flu are well known. Another danger comes in the form of bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics (for example MRSA which is primarily a risk for people who work intensively with pigs and veal calves).

Positive health effects

Agriculture can, however, influence the living environment in a positive way. For example, urban farming can benefit local food production, the image of the town or city, water storage and social cohesion between town or city dwellers. Nature-inclusive agriculture can help to improve the nature and landscape values in the countryside (Nature-inclusive agriculture measures 2017). This is a form of agriculture whereby food production has no or minimal detrimental effects on soil, water and air quality, biodiversity, landscape elements and the climate. In addition maximum use is made of services provided by nature itself, such as natural pest control, pollination and soil fertility.

Legislation and guidelines

The government targets for the quality of water, nature, soil and air are largely determined by agreements and guidelines within the European Union and in other international contexts. These guidelines have been, or are going to be, translated into national laws.

The legislation and regulations for agricultural companies are dependent on the agricultural activity and the type of company. The environmental legislation which is applicable to Dutch agriculture contains regulations about ammonia, odour, dust, health, manure, nature and spatial developments. The Infomil website contains more information about legislation which is applicable to agricultural companies.

As an agricultural entrepreneur, you can offer all kinds of services which may generate income services in addition to the production of food and ornamental plants. One example is a small-scale campsite or care farm. Agricultural nature also enables recreation. If you want to start a farm accommodation business, you can consult the rules here.

Nature-inclusive Agriculture

Currently, no legislation is available which contains guidelines and rules for nature-inclusive agriculture. The central government's vision of nature for 2014 entitled 'Natural progress' includes nature-inclusive agriculture as a spearhead when it comes to making food production sustainable and contributing to a robust and diverse natural environment. This was followed in 2015 by the adoption of the Food agenda for safe, healthy and sustainable food which advocates a change of direction as regards the relationship between food and nature.

Subsidies and tax benefits

In the Netherlands, there are numerous agricultural areas and nature reserves which are valuable for nature and landscape. The provincial governments want to protect and continue developing the natural values in these areas. Collectives of agricultural nature management organisations which manage Dutch agricultural land may be eligible for subsidies for agricultural nature and landscape management. Such land has to be defined in a provincial nature management plan.It is possible to apply for a subsidy for agricultural nature management. Under the EU's common agricultural policy (CAP) the concept of 'greening’ was devised to counteract loss of biodiversity and the deterioration of ecosystems. Greening is an obligation for anyone who wishes to receive the basic payment. The basic payment and the greening payment are connected.

For citizens

You can experience nature or the countryside yourself by taking a walk through an agricultural area, by camping on a farm or by taking part in the many leisure activities offered on a variety of farms. Agriculture is combined with tourism and recreation in all kinds of ways, for example farm restaurants, farmer's golf, rural museums and accommodation/bed-and-breakfast facilities. Most municipalities also have petting zoos. Their visitors can learn about farming life and the animals that are kept there.

Lots of cheese and dairy farms sell products to consumers via their own farm shop which varies from a corner in the cheese store to a tastefully decorated country shop. A map of farm shops can be found on this website.

For the agricultural entrepreneur

If you work in the agricultural sector and are considering switching to nature-inclusive agriculture, please visit the site of the Natural farmers foundation. This is an association of organic farmers who are working to improve nature and landscape values. Attention is also paid to recreational activities such as farm campsites and meadow bird safaris.

Dairy farmers will be interested in the Vereniging tot Behoud van Boer en Milieu (VVBM). They operate in accordance with the natural recycling system with their aim being to optimise the soil-plant-animal-manure-cycle.

The Nature Inclusive Agricultural Network dossier was compiled at the request of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. This dossier contains up-to-date knowledge of nature-inclusive agriculture.

At Atlas Natural Capital you will find success stories about the use of flower-rich arable field margins as part of the Hoeksche Randen project to encourage natural pest control, the meadow bird management in Amstelland and the closing of fertile cycles in agriculture.