The European Commission said it had approved two Dutch plans worth a total of 1.47 billion euros to buy out livestock farmers to reduce nitrogen pollution, saying they were permissible under state aid rules. The Dutch need to reduce excessive nitrogen levels, partly caused by decades of intensive farming, a problem that has led to courts blocking major construction projects until the problem is resolved. Dissatisfaction with the government’s plans to tackle the problem has so far led to a major defeat for Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s coalition government in regional elections in March. The farm buyouts are seen as an important step towards a comprehensive plan to tackle the problem. In the schemes approved by the European Union’s executive, the Netherlands has set aside money to compensate farmers who voluntarily close farms located near nature reserves. The plans will have "positive effects that outweigh any potential distortions of competition and trade in the EU," the Commission said in a statement approving the aid. Last month, a political party supporting farmers' protests against the buyout plan won a massive victory in a key provincial election, casting doubt on the government's environmental policies. Following farmers' protests, the Farmers and Citizens' Movement (BoerBurgerBeweging), which was formed four years ago, won a majority of seats in the Dutch Senate. The Dutch protests have gained global attention and garnered international support, including from former US President Donald Trump and many far-right figures. (RTE News Europe)