Netherlands restricts public access to European probe details on black grouse

The Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Security, Jaimi van Essen, has kept information regarding a European Commission infringement procedure concerning the black grouse (grutto) confidential from the public. A recent letter to Parliament, titled ‘Confidential information regarding black grouse infringement procedure’, along with an accompanying decision note, was withheld from public view.

The European Commission initiated an official procedure against the Netherlands in July 2024, alleging that the country has failed to sufficiently prevent the decline of the black grouse population. Brussels has criticized Dutch policies that rely heavily on voluntary measures and subsidies for farmers, stating these approaches have not halted the population's decline.

Under current restrictions, members of Parliament may study the confidential information at the House of Representatives' Central Information Point but are prohibited from disseminating the contents or citing them in public debates. The government cites the confidentiality required for ongoing European infringement procedures to justify this stance. This follows a precedent set by previous administration officials regarding the handling of European legal proceedings.