They asked for permits, they got permits. These permits were based on calculations of other measures the government was going to take to reduce nitrogen emissio

They asked for permits, they got permits. These permits were based on calculations of other measures the government was going to take to reduce nitrogen emissions. Now those permits turn out to be wrong, and whilst farmers with permits can keep them, they cannot sell, expand, or modify their business. Moreover, there is a chance they will be forced to sell their farms to the government. The government caused this problem, the only mistake farmers made was trusting the word of the government.