Kamp: 'Don't let livestock grow too fast'

Phosphate production from livestock farming fell by 2017 million kilos in 9,2. This is evident from the third quarterly report of Statistics Netherlands. According to Minister Henk Kamp (Economic Affairs), it is important to maintain these results for the rest of the year. This is in order not to lose the derogation. Kamp announced in a letter to Parliament on Wednesday 18 October.

The aim of the measures is to reduce the phosphate production of the livestock by 8,2 million kilos of phosphate. The size of the livestock has fallen sharply in recent months, but in the last month an increase of 10.000 LU has been noted.

Minister Kamp warns that this increase should not continue in the coming months, as this could endanger the derogation. "I call on the sector to maintain the results achieved and not to allow the size of the dairy herd to increase further towards the end of the year."

What has been achieved so far?
So far, the volunteer feed track has resulted in a reduction of 2,9 million kilos of phosphate. This means that the target of 1,7 million kilos of phosphate has been more than met. As a result of the stoppage scheme, almost 31.000 LUs have been removed, as a result of which production has fallen by 1,2 million kilos. 

The target reduction of 5 million kilos of phosphate has also been achieved in the controversial phosphate reduction plan. On October 1, 2017, 5,1 million kilos of phosphate were reduced. In total, the production of the livestock has decreased by 9,2 million kilos of phosphate.

Pig farming counts
When updating the data, the phosphate reduction in pig farming has also been taken into account. This concerns 1,8 million kilos of phosphate. The forecast also takes into account less poultry. This is due to vacancy, caused by the fipronil crisis.

This brings the total decrease in phosphate production to 10,8 million kilos, compared to the starting position. If phosphate production were to remain the same as on 1 October 2017, the annual production would amount to 168,7 million kilos.

Roughage is the biggest uncertainty
The biggest uncertainty is the phosphorus content in roughage. The development of milk production per cow is also unknown. At the end of the year, phosphate production should fall below the ceiling of 172,9 million kilos.

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