Difficult parquet for rare breeds
Commission for pressure cases is in sight
To cut it with the blunt ax is a fitting proverb for the Phosphate Reduction Regulation 2017. After the beef farmers and exporters of livestock, the owners of rare breeds of cows are now sounding the alarm. The regulation may have major consequences for the conservation of these varieties. In the meantime, Martijn van Dam indicates that he is putting the finishing touches to the hardship committee.
The Phosphate Reduction Regulation has major consequences for the owners of rare breeds of cows. This is because the herds are relatively small, which were even smaller on 2 July 2015. Looking at that reference date, relatively many animals would have to leave within the current scheme. This is an attack on precious genetics.
No solution in the short term
On March 10, 2017, outgoing State Secretary Martijn van Dam received a letter from the Rare Pet Breeds Foundation asking for help. The foundation was given the opportunity to voice their concerns on Tuesday, March 21. 'I share the importance of preserving endangered cattle breeds,' said Van Dam in a letter to the House of Representatives.'
However, Van Dam will not be able to come up with a solution in the short term. 'I am investigating the scope of the problems outlined and possible solutions.' The difficulty of this subject is that Van Dam does not wish to detract from the Phosphate Production Regulation and the introduction of the system of phosphate rights. In addition, the registration of the cattle must be considered. He will come up with a solution within 1 to 2 weeks.
Register as a bottleneck until April 1
In the meantime, the date of 1 April 2017 is approaching. Farmers can register until that date as a possible bottleneck. It will be exciting whether information will come from Van Dam before that date. As a result, it might be wise to make a preventive appeal to this option. Elbert Dijkgraaf has requested an exemption for this group until there is more clarity. Van Dam returns to that.
Until week 17 treatment of stopper requests
Behind the scenes, the stopper arrangement is also being implemented. From week 11 to week 17 RVO will process the applications. There is also an open question there. For example, the export of pregnant heifers from companies that participate in the stopper scheme is not possible. Unlike the exchange with cattle from other companies. A situation that Vee & Logistiek finds undesirable and for which they would like to see a solution.
The collection of fines will start from April. It remains to be seen whether all the pain points are finally exposed. It will also be exciting whether all companies will have access to the correct data before April 1. As a result, it remains necessary for entrepreneurs with cattle to remain vigilant.
Compression Committee
During the Agricultural Council, Van Dam indicated that the last persons for the hardship committee are being selected. An important factor here is that the persons may not represent a specific part of the sector. They must also have experience with complex issues.
During the debate, it appeared that both Jaco Geurts (CDA) and Elbert Dijkgraaf (SGP) do not agree with the time frame for the bottlenecks. Especially because the bottleneck scheme will only now offer a solution for 2018, while animals may have to be cleaned up in 2017. As a result, the bottleneck arrangement is actually too late. In addition, the MPs thought that the phosphate reduction schemes and phosphate rights would overlap.
Herman van den Pol
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