Far-reaching measures for water quality

Yesterday (Monday 6 September) outgoing Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Carola Schouten announced far-reaching proposals to improve water quality. Among other things, consideration is given to intervening in the construction plan and adjusting the nitrogen application standards.

The standard of a maximum of 50 mg/l nitrate in the upper groundwater is not achieved in many places. To meet the goals of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the 7^e action program for the Nitrates Directive (7^e AP), the minister has put together 5 pillars with measures and obligations. Pillars A (building plan) and C (other measures) are the most drastic for the farmer.

Mandatory rest crops
The minister wants a dormant crop to be grown at least once every 2023 years from 1 and once every 4 years from 2027. There will also be rules for a mandatory area of ​​rest crops for grazing livestock companies. Which crops are classified as dormant crops has yet to be determined, but in the 1^e AP is mainly thought of grains and grasses and, for example, alfalfa, clover and fiber crops.

On sand and loess soils, where the problems with leaching are greatest, it will also be mandatory from 2023 to grow a catch crop after the main crop on 60% of the acreage by 1 October at the latest. From 2027, a catch crop must be sown on all plots by 1 October at the latest.

buffer strips
Other measures include making wider buffer strips mandatory along waterways. The new CAP already includes 3 meter wide strips along waterways. According to the minister, this not only reduces the leaching of nutrients, but also has a positive effect on the load from plant protection products and on biodiversity. Due to major regional differences and effects, the minister wants to give the water boards the power to deviate from this if necessary.

The minister also wants to evaluate the current system of nitrogen application standards and nitrogen efficiency coefficients. The effects of catch crops will also be assessed. The usage standards will be adjusted where necessary. However, the minister is committed to broadening the options for the application of straw-rich farmyard manure and organically-rich fertilizers, both in terms of quantity and spreading period. This is in line with the need to increase the organic matter content in the soil and is good for meadow birds and for carbon storage.

Distribute costs across the chain
The economic impact of the proposed measures is currently being examined. The ministry is looking at how any costs can be absorbed throughout the chain and the farmer can maintain a good revenue model. In addition, the possibilities in the new CAP to support the transition to more sustainable agriculture are also being examined.

Jurphaas Lugtenburg

He is a market specialist in grains and other agricultural commodities at DCA Market Intelligence. He also focuses on onions, potatoes, and roughage. Jurphaas also runs an arable farm in Voorne-Putten (South Holland).

j.lugtenburg @boerenbusiness. Nl

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