KIVI cancels nitrogen policy symposium amid interference concerns

The Royal Netherlands Institute of Engineers (KIVI) cancelled a symposium regarding nitrogen and nature policy scheduled for October 13. The cancellation followed concerns expressed by Sjoukje Heimovaara, the chair of the board at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), in her capacity as a KIVI member.

KIVI stated the decision to cancel was made independently to ensure a robust scientific debate, claiming the original setup would have presented a complex discussion in a one-sided manner. While a WUR spokesperson confirmed Heimovaara expressed reservations regarding the reliability of the event, they emphasized she did not act as a WUR official and did not demand the cancellation.

Following the decision, Dutch Members of Parliament Mona Keijzer and Peter van Duijvenvoorde submitted parliamentary questions regarding potential interference by the WUR board chair in the symposium.