News Drought 2019
Schouten presents crisis plan for drought
The crisis organization of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality is ready to scale up in the event of an imminent or actual water shortage in 2019. A special consultation has been set up for the agriculture and nature sectors, Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) reports on Wednesday 3 July. a letter to parliament.
In Letter to Parliament informs Schouten about the state of affairs regarding the preparation for drought in the agricultural sector. According to the minister, it cannot be ruled out that drought will occur again. "I am committed to being able to act quickly in that case." One of the actions is the organization of the sector consultation. An important point for attention in this regard is how good information lines are established between the sector and water managers, both at national and regional level.
agricultural interests
If the drought lasts longer and there is a water shortage, the displacement sequence in effect. This determines who gets water first and who gets it later. "In order to better apply the national displacement series at national and regional level, it has been provided with a clarifying explanation this year. This series will be further developed regionally in 2019 and 2020. The interests in agriculture, such as those of capital-intensive crops, are discussed in this transparently included."
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) is developing a so-called 'water needs viewer' using the crop data from the Combined Data Collection to support decision-making about water distribution by water managers. The first version of the viewer will be operational in July.
Spreading period slurry
As previously reported, the spreading period for slurry on arable land has been extended as of 1 January 2019 from 31 August to 15 September. Last year this was a temporary extension. In anticipation of a request from the sector to further extend this period or other requests (tearing up grassland), the Experts Committee on the Fertilizers Act (CDM) has been asked for advice. "These kinds of requests are at odds with the obligations that the Netherlands has under the Nitrates Directive and therefore restraint is advised," writes Schouten.
Irrigation ban brown rot
Finally, Schouten mentions the irrigation bans around brown rot. "The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has updated the map with the prohibition zones. These prohibition zones are no larger than strictly necessary." Outside those areas, potatoes may be irrigated as usual, unless it concerns seed potatoes (for which an irrigation ban applies throughout the Netherlands).
If necessary, RVO.nl can offer support to entrepreneurs who find themselves in financial difficulties due to drought (by means of a statement for a bridging loan). This allows them to obtain credit from their bank for the financial consequences of drought on their land. Farmers who have a Broad Weather Insurance can also claim this. "In 2019 I made €15 million available for this," said Schouten.
Current drought status
The current (average) precipitation deficit is currently somewhat higher than in an average summer, but more favorable than in the previous year. There are regional differences, however. The water levels are very low on the high sandy soils, as a result of the drought in 2018 and April and May 2019. According to the National Water Distribution Coordination Committee (LCW), however, there is more than enough water available to meet the water demand from the regions.
Jeanette Pennings
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