Rabbits to help reduce nitrogen enough for Rotterdam port to grow again

Rabbit on green grass - Credit: - License: DepositPhotos Business Tech Nature Thursday, 8 October 2026 - 12:00

The government has allocated €50 million to a nature restoration plan that should allow the Port of Rotterdam to grow again. Bunnies are set to play an important role in this plan to restore nature around the port area enough to take on some nitrogen deposition again without deteriorating, allowing companies with expansion plans to get construction and nature permits as early as next year, Rijnmond reported.

This is one of the “area-specific plans” with which Minister Jaimi van Essen of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature wants to address the nitrogen issue. It includes measures like introducing rabbits, controlling invasive plant and insect species, and limiting the number of cyclists and hikers along the coast. The plan was drawn up in consultation with the municipality of Rotterdam and the Port Authority.

The plans focus on four protected dune areas around the port, all Natura 2000 reserves. A big part of the plan is to introduce more rabbits in the area and improve their habitat. Through their burrowing and grazing, they keep the dunes open, which benefits the local ecosystem.

Before the plans can be put into action, they must first be adopted, and agreements regarding funding and implementation must be signed. The parties involved aim to complete this process by the end of 2026.

If all goes according to plan, there will be space to start issuing nature-related permits as early as next year, both for projects within the port and potentially for housing development as well.

"Taken together, these measures will enable us to start issuing permits again," said Zuid-Holland provincial executive Arne Weverling (VVD). "There are companies with plans that don't even dare to apply for a permit anymore. We are saying: submit your plans again. Come to Rotterdam."