Interview Gerard Ros (WUR)
Innovations can take a big bite out of nitrogen cloud
Politicians are wary of innovation when it comes to its use in solving the nitrogen problem, among other things. Yet a great deal is possible with the help of innovation and at much lower costs than is often claimed. For example, a proposed 50% reduction in livestock could be limited to 25%, with the same reduction in emissions.
Scientists from Wageningen Environmental Research and Wageningen University have calculated this using the Initiator model. It contains all current farm data from Dutch farms, as they are also provided for the agricultural census, among other things, says researcher Gerard Ros. On the basis of current knowledge, it has been mapped out what maximum agriculture can achieve through the use of innovations and Good Agricultural Practice. This includes measures such as feed adjustments, proper fertilization and technical innovations, such as the Lely Sphere and better housing systems.
You make it clear that a lot can be achieved with innovation. Yet a reduction of the livestock is also necessary, you say.
"True, we cannot make it with innovation alone, but we can get very far with it, that is clearly stated in this study. We show that through innovation 50% of ammonia emissions can be prevented, provided all farmers use the best If we assume a more realistic scenario, where some of the measures are less effective, or where not all farmers participate, the ammonia emissions fall by only 36%. This means that the innovations must be properly implemented; the results of the past 10 years show that they are less successful otherwise."
In which areas will innovation alone not help?
"Among other things, with regard to lower losses to surface water and climate. In order to achieve the goals, adjustments are needed in land use. Also, shrinkage of the livestock is necessary to achieve the proposed climate goals until 2050."
Is that it then?
"No, an integrated approach remains crucial. Measures must be deployed in such a way that they reinforce each other where possible. There is more than just ammonia. Also consider water quality, soil quality, and climate."
Are all environmental goals achievable in any case?
"Not everything is possible everywhere, the Remkes report said. For example, you can want to raise the level in the west of the country to prevent the settlement of peat meadows, but you will not achieve the phosphate targets by raising the level. There will then be far too much. phosphate free from the soil."
Perhaps not everyone has thought of that. Are there more of these more or less surprising insights that you encountered?
"It is very easy to say: we are going to reduce the livestock and thus achieve the goals for nature, water and climate, but that has not been calculated, for example, from the manure export. The amount of manure that is applied does not change either.
You are not only looking at livestock farming, but at the emissions from and the tasks for agriculture as a whole. Is there anything to say about that?
"Both the tasking and the perspective to manage emissions vary greatly within the Netherlands. Generic rules therefore do not work either. Think, for example, of open-field vegetable cultivation on dry sandy soils. Additional measures are certainly needed to limit nitrate leaching. We must therefore more towards tailor-made solutions that match the area.”
Have you also taken into account emissions from outside agriculture in the Initiator model?
"The present study focuses on the task and the possible solutions for agriculture. Other actors must also contribute to the task.
The Initiator model looks a bit like Aerius from a distance. What are the differences?
"Initiator calculates the losses of carbon and nutrients per company and does not make any statements about the distribution of nitrogen through the air and the subsequent deposition. Aerius does map this distribution and nitrogen deposition. Several studies have shown that these models can be used to the effect of measures at area level; the results cannot be used to calculate emissions for an individual company. As such, they are also used to calculate measures in the NPLG (National Program for Rural Areas). that the same conclusions cannot be drawn for every area.The tasks and the perspective for action are different for each area and action must be taken accordingly.
Klaas van der Horst
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