A broad coalition from the dairy farming and dairy sector will present a calculated package of management measures aimed at nitrogen reduction before the agricultural budget is discussed in the House of Representatives. At the same time, LTO calls on the Netherlands to reserve €1,7 billion annually for the nitrogen acceleration approach.
The above call is made in consultation with entrepreneurs and nature organizations. Not involved are the more critical agricultural organizations, such as the Dutch Dairy Farmers' Union (NMV), Agractie and Farmers Defense Force (FDF), which, according to recent research have a lot of confidence in the agricultural sector. According to Wil Meulenbroeks, chairman of LTO Melkveehouderij, the first two parties themselves dropped out, and it was also not possible to reach an agreement with FDF.
Rabobank, the Dutch Dairy Organization (NZO), the Dutch Agricultural Youth Contact (NAJK), partners in the Coalition for Future-Proof Dairy Farming (CTM) plus the Biohuis/Natuurweide and Netwerk GRONDIG are involved in the plans.
Practical measures
The calculated package consists of a series of practical measures on the farm. These measures relate to feed management, manure application and grazing. A fourth track has to do with organic system agriculture. €80 million is needed annually for the aforementioned measures. This has been discussed with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
According to the partners, the freedom of choice for the dairy farmer and the development of knowledge are central to the approach at farm level. The dairy farmer can take the measures that suit the specific situation on his/her farm and thus strengthen business operations. The organizations of livestock feed companies, contractors and others support and advise dairy farmers in making these choices. Pilots are being set up for this purpose. The government contributes financially.
In an appeal to the House of Representatives, LTO Netherlands asks for more to be done. In recent years, the House of Representatives has regularly referred to earning capacity in the agricultural sector as one of the most important challenges, the organization recalls. At the same time, agricultural entrepreneurs are confronted with thousands of euros in cost-increasing regulations in, among other things, the seventh Nitrate Directive Action Program or the National Strategic Plan (part of the Common Agricultural Policy). That is why LTO Netherlands advocates a business economic impact analysis of political plans, so that 'fair choices' are made.
Additional value creation
New initiatives to improve earning capacity are necessary, according to the trade association. That is one of the reasons why representatives of the agricultural sector sat down with supermarkets and other parties. Additional value creation is being worked on: distinctive products for which consumers are willing to pay a premium. But additional help from the government is certainly necessary, says LTO Netherlands.
The 1,7 billion that will be requested each time over the next four years is mainly needed for major adjustments in rural areas. This includes business relocation, purchase and the like.