Bioboer may use conventional roughage

Organic livestock farmers in the German state of Lower Saxony are allowed to use 'normal' roughage because of the drought. An inventory is currently being made in the Netherlands to determine whether a comparable measure is necessary.

This has been announced by LAVES, an organization that deals with food safety. The body appoints the weather conditions of recent months as exceptionally dry. This has led to a shortage of organic roughage in Lower Saxony.

According to LAVES, the fact that an exception is made for organic livestock farmers can therefore be justified. The decision is seen as an emergency measure and will be in effect until May 30, 2019.

Also shortages in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands there is a shortage of organic roughage emerging. A spokesman for regulator Skal says that in some places the winter stocks are already being used. However, an exemption for feeding 'normal' roughage is not yet on the agenda. According to the spokesman, Bionext (the interest group for organic farmers) is making an inventory of the situation. An exemption can be granted on that basis.

Marian Blom, project leader Knowledge and Innovation at Bionext, says that research is underway into the availability of organic roughage. Blom estimates that the chance that an exemption will be requested is less than 50%. "We keep our finger on the pulse." According to Blom, the decision-making authority for this lies with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.

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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