News manure policy
LTO fears loss of derogation for 'wrong reasons'
There is a danger that the Netherlands will lose the derogation from the manure rules for dairy farming for reasons other than substantive. This says chairman Wil Meulenbroeks of the LTO dairy farming department. From an environmental point of view, he believes there are no reasons to refuse the Netherlands a new derogation.
Meulenbroeks and also LTO chairman Sjaak van der Tak warn Minister Henk Staghouwer of LNV to recognize this danger and to act on it. Loss of derogation, according to calculations by LTO, would cost about twenty thousand entrepreneurs at least €10.000 to €20.000 per year. That is what it costs the farmers, but according to Meulenbroeks, the loss of the derogation will also damage the environment. "Since 2006, we have always applied for and obtained a derogation for dairy farming. This has also benefited the environment. We see that both the quality of the surface water and the groundwater at derogation farms is better than at non-derogation farms. rewarding therefore makes sense. Failure to grant a derogation threatens to lose that profit."
Socio-economic benefit disputed
Until now, Brussels doesn't seem to pay much attention to this, believes Meulenbroeks. The requirements under the 7th Action Program are being increased, but no clarity about derogation is given. It seems that other considerations come into play. Meulenbroeks fears that this has to do with things like gun factor. "It seems that people in Brussels are more against the socio-economic advantage that the Netherlands can enjoy from such a derogation than they are in favor of further environmental gains." According to him, it would be tragic if such a thing were to be the deciding factor.
The extra costs for dairy farms in the event of a loss of derogation will arise, among other things, from major problems in the manure market and further pressure on the land market, which in turn affects other sectors.
LTO would like to continue to encourage companies to work in an environmentally friendly way, with an eye for closing cycles. In addition, more fertilizer can be replaced by animal manure. The hope is that Brussels will also give permission for this.
Klaas van der Horst
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