After almost a year of talks, agreement has been reached between the environment ministry and provincial authorities about the transfer of responsibility for nature management.

From 2014, the 12 provinces are to take responsibility for the establishment of a nationwide grid of national parks and protected areas, known as the EHS.
Minister Henk Bleker and provinces have now agreed that the EHS should be completed by 2021, rather than 2018. They will also be given a budget of €100m a year to manage the project.
By shifting control to the provinces, national government has been able to shave €600m from its accounts, Trouw reports on Wednesday afternoon. The deal still needs formal approval from the cabinet.