EU Approves Netherlands' $1.6 Billion Plan to Reduce Farm Pollution

The Dutch government plans to cut nitrogen emissions by buying and shutting down polluting farms.
The plan involves spending nearly 1.5 billion euros to purchase 3,000 farms responsible for nitrogen pollution.
The European Union approved the plan, which aims to reduce nitrogen emissions by 50% within the next decade.
Excess nitrogen from farms has threatened infrastructure projects, spurring the government to act.
The program will pay farmers to voluntarily close farms near nature reserves where nitrogen levels are highest.