Environmental pressure in the agricultural sector has not increased for 25 years

The environmental pressure of agriculture has not increased for a quarter of a century, concludes Statistics Netherlands. Although the production of milk, meat and crops has grown by 1995% since 20, the fertilizer and energy consumption of the agricultural sector has remained the same throughout.

Both plant and animal production within the Dutch agricultural sector has increased significantly over the past 25 years. No additional inputs in the form of fertilizers and natural gas were used for this. The use of animal manure decreased by 2012% until 41, although this has increased again in recent years. The use of fertilizers decreased in the same order of magnitude, according to Statistics Netherlands.

The fact that the nitrogen application on agricultural land is increasing again through the use of animal manure is because cows have been given more concentrates over the past 10 years. As a result, the average milk production increased by 38% to 8.700 kilos per cow per year.  

Also, since 1995, the agricultural sector has not shown an increase in the use of non-renewable energy. This mainly concerns natural gas in greenhouse horticulture. Since 2006, horticulturists increasingly generate their own energy and heat via cogeneration.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is Head of Meat & Dairy at BoerenbusinessAt DCA Market Intelligence, he focuses on dairy, pork, and meat markets. He also monitors (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.