D66 and PvdD want to limit maize cultivation

If it is up to D66 and the Party for the Animals (PvdD), the cultivation of maize in North Brabant and Limburg will be curtailed. According to both parties, this should have a positive effect on the manure problem and reduce the leaching of nutrients into the groundwater.

Tjeerd de Groot (D66) proposed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday evening 23 January to limit maize cultivation in the Netherlands. Which writes Broadcasting Brabant. "Manure policy has come to a complete standstill," says De Groot. "It is time for other crops to be grown that can bind fertilizers better."

Esther Ouwehand (PvdD) agrees with De Groot. She wants the €200 million, which will become available for stopping pig farmers in North Brabant, will also be opened up to limit maize cultivation.

Schouten opinion
Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) does not see anything in the plan for the time being. It currently does not want to ban crops. "This is an option for the future", Schouten informed the House on Tuesday 23 January.

The reason for the measure is the pollution of drinking water with fertilizers. The leaching of fertilizers pollutes drinking water sources. This would be because corn doesn't hold the fertilizers well, causing them to leach out quickly. According to the CBS, Brabant is the largest maize producer in the Netherlands.

Niels van der Boom

Niels van der Boom is a senior market specialist for arable crops at DCA Market Intelligence. He mainly makes analyses and market updates about the potato market. In columns he shares his sharp view on the arable sector and technology.

n.vanderboom@boerenbusiness. Nl

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