Broader fertilizer standards for arable farming in sight

How and when is not exactly clear on Thursday morning, but it is certain that the equivalent manure measures are really coming. This can be deduced from a statement by State Secretary Van Dam during the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on Wednesday.

"Van Dam said he had good news and that it will be published shortly," CDA Member of Parliament Jaco Geurts told IPS. Boerenbusiness† "He hasn't mentioned details, but the fact that it's coming is already a win."

The measures should have started in 2016. The Dutch Arable Farming Union is happy that the time has finally come. 'Agricultural farmers have had to wait a long time for this. The measures are urgently needed to maintain chemical and physiological soil fertility. This is a step in the right direction', says chairman Teun de Jong.

However, details are still unclear. 'Something would still be changed and the costs for monitoring were also still under consideration,' says Geert Dubben of the NAV, who has been working on the project for years.' Dubben wants to wait for that first.

With the measures, arable farmers can achieve equal or better environmental results, which are also better suited to their business operations. By applying such a measure to arable land, a higher application standard could be applied.

Harry Kager, minerals specialist, who acted on behalf of LTO sitting on top acknowledges that it is important what the scheme looks like at a detailed level, but is positive that Van Dam has now announced its arrival. 'We are curious whether minor matters are being adjusted and whether costs are being levied, for example. We want a practical arrangement.'

By this, Kager means an arrangement that shifts from generic to specialist standards. 'That gives farmers with a higher yield the opportunity to apply more manure.' However, he also points out that if the standards had been a little higher, the equivalence would have been needed a little less. 'The crop yields used for the action program no longer correspond to current practice.

Harry Kager, specialist in minerals, who is on top of it on behalf of LTO, acknowledges that it is important how the scheme looks at a detailed level, but is positive that Van Dam has now announced its arrival. 'We are curious whether minor matters are being adjusted and whether costs are being levied, for example. We want a practical arrangement.'

By this, Kager means an arrangement that shifts from generic to specialist standards. 'That gives farmers with a higher yield the opportunity to apply more manure.' However, he also points out that if the standards had been a little higher, the equivalence would have been needed a little less. 'The crop yields used for the action program no longer correspond to current practice.'

'When it was drawn up in 2013, crop yields of 2006 were used for calculations. Since then, for example, considerable increases in yield have been achieved in sugar beet. Dutch arable farming has also experienced strong yield growth in other crops. This has led to low phosphate and low usage standards at the generic level. This can now be repaired in custom work, but it is a pity that it happened this way.'

It is going to happen! Equivalent manure measures are on the way. Good news for arable farming, among other things. #AOLV Council

— Jaco Geurts (@JacoGeurts) February 22 2017

State Secretary Van Dam will introduce equivalent measures for plant-based sectors. Good for growers and the environment. Brussels agreement. #AOLVcouncil

— Harry Kager(@harrykager) February 22 2017

Good news: stas announces to start implementing the equivalent measures! Finally! Coming soon #AOLV Council

— Adinda Lodders (@AdindaLodders) February 22 2017

© 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.