Button: livestock farming saw a phosphate problem coming

'The interest of the individual farmer sometimes crosses over with the overall interest of the sector, and as a result the retention of the derogation for fertilizer standards is endangered,' said Yoram Knoop, CEO ForFarmers, on Tuesday morning in the 'Zaken Doen' program on BNR Nieuwsradio.

According to Knoop, it is important that the derogation is maintained for Dutch livestock farming, because otherwise the current production levels will be endangered. It is therefore necessary that all parties involved fully endorse the three-track policy of the phosphate reduction plan and take responsibility for this. 'Although the measures are sometimes difficult for individual farmers, they are essential for the sector's interests. Given the rapid growth after 2014, dairy farming could have foreseen the phosphate problem coming', says Knoop. Incidentally, the CEO is full of confidence in the implementation of the phosphate production plan.

Knoop is hopeful about the financial position of Dutch livestock farmers. 'Fortunately, there was a huge turnaround in pig farming in 2016, due to the increased export to China. As a result, the returns are even above the long-term average again.' Prices have also picked up in dairy farming. 'Fortunately, there is air in livestock farming again', says Knoop.

Read here more about the impact of the phosphate reduction plan for ForFarmers. 

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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