Nature, biodiversity and rural areas
Nature in the Netherlands is diverse and unique. Nature reserves and their wealth of plant and animal species are under a government protection regime.
The Netherlands is situated at the mouth of major European rivers and borders the North Sea. This explains its rich variety of nature, with woodlands, rivers, marshland and sea all in close proximity. The government not only protects the nature reserves themselves but also the animal and plant species they support. It is committed to the international agreements that must halt the decline in biodiversity.
Most of the country’s inhabitants live in towns or cities. The rural area covers 80% of the country’s territory. The government wants rural areas to provide space not only for growing crops and livestock production but also for outdoor recreation and nature.
News
Definitive proposal nature restoration measures Westerscheldt
Henk Bleker, Minister for Agriculture and Foreign Trade, has sent a proposal to the European Commission for nature restoration in ...
Orca Morgan to be moved from Dolfinarium Harderwijk to Loro Parque on Tenerife
The orca at the Dolfinarium in Harderwijk, rescued from from the Wadden Sea in July 2010, starving and weak, may be moved to Loro ...
Strengthening the Dutch economy
The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I) promotes the Netherlands as a country of enterprise with a ...
Dutch support for world’s crop gene banks
The Netherlands has contributed 2.5 million USD to the Global Crop Diversity Trust, which is responsible for safeguarding unique ...
Documents and publications
Dutch support for world’s crop gene banks
The Netherlands has contributed 2.5 million USD to the Global Crop Diversity Trust, which is responsible for safeguarding unique ...
Policy Agenda for Sustainable Food Systems
Letter by ministers Verburg (LNV), Cramer (VROM) and Koenders (BUZA) about the Policy Agenda Sustainable Food Systems.
Policy Memorandum on Invasive Exotic Species
Letter by minister Verburg (LNV) describing the intentions for policy on invasive exotic species.
Public Summary of Policy Document on Sustainable Food
Public Summary of the Policy Document on Sustainable Food. In this Document the Minister sets out her vision on how food ...