WUR manure research not untouchable

On behalf of the Mesdag Fund, Jan Cees Vogelaar could be found in The Hague on Wednesday to talk about ammonia. He took a seat at the Roundtable where the agricultural spokespersons were informed about this subject. 

How did you feel about the Roundtable on ammonia?

'That the House in any case takes the discussion seriously and sees that there is more between heaven and earth. What you also noticed is that there is very strong collaboration between Wageningen University (WUR), RIVM and Economic Affairs (EZ) to keep the current model going. You are also warned that you open Pandora's box. But what you see is that the studies show huge inaccuracies. As the Mesdag Fund, we are still conducting a study, the results of which we hope to present around April. This also addresses the measurement uncertainties.'

How will it affect the reputation of Wageningen UR?

'What you see is that Wageningen plays a very dominant role. name the new one standard standard for stable builders† The Ammonia and Livestock Farming Regulation (Rav). This concerns the Wageningen measurement protocol. Questions, comments and additional information, everything goes through Wageningen. When a stable builder goes outside of that, it takes much more time. WUR determines the price. Which doesn't mean they're untouchable. It is not for nothing that Mesdag received 20 reports from researchers who were not given space. Paid research takes precedence, but there is no budget for independent research. It is a world of recognition. Wageningen plays a special role not only in the ammonia debate, but also in other matters concerning the nitrogen cycle. You can see that the model has taken on a life of its own and researchers are dedicating their lives to the model. †

The most important question that arises is how to proceed, are tightening measures still legally tenable?

'I dare not say anything about that. However, I think there is insufficient ground for it. I doubt the claims that the fragile nature is so affected by ammonia. An important indicator of this was the lichen research. That investigation has been scrapped. What you see is that vulnerable species are being added again. In Dwingelderveld, research was carried out among dairy farmers and it turned out that vulnerable species were more common there. However, the study could not be completed due to lack of funding. The problem is that we don't know enough yet. When do you think the concentration of ammonia is highest? Not as we expect during the day or while driving out, but at night. What then has the effect: sunlight, wind? At least something is happening, but we don't know what. Take the measuring station at The Hague. A high concentration of ammonia is regularly seen there. It is then said that this comes from De Peel, but based on the dominant wind direction in the Netherlands, this is not correct. Is it the algae? We do not know. But there are more gaps. There is, for example, the research from 1998 which was not carried out correctly and which had major omissions. Things have been omitted from the research report and when it was reported it was the person who was previously chairman in Wageningen: Cees Veerman.'   

What are the next steps that the Mesdag Fund will take in this case?

'No. We don't do anything anymore. Our work is done. It's up to others now. The ball is placed on the spot. It is now up to politicians, advocates and processors to take it further. There is another study, the results of which will come out around March or April. I am surprised about the way things are going and I have concerns about the basis of current science and the things that have come about. Agreements made between the government and LTO. There is no overview and direction. Name the derogation, name ammonia, name phosphate. The overall picture is not in the picture.' 

What is the advice to agricultural entrepreneurs, also with nature-inclusive agriculture in mind?

'I agree with this Erisman on† Look at the files. You talk about climate, surface water, ammonia and more. Rules are made for each particle, creating a maze of rules that no farmer can handle and which does not properly address all issues. The best thing an entrepreneur can do is choose a farm system that is most future-proof, but I don't think this is 6 cows per hectare, but an entrepreneur has to decide for himself. It's about staying within the law and regulations.'

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