Van Dam about manure processing
'Phosphate production 2017 will exceed ceiling'
Can the processing percentages for manure be reduced again? Elbert Dijkgraaf, SGP, asked this question via a motion to State Secretary Martijn van Dam. The motion received support and Van Dam responds. Although the other arguments are valid, it is remarkable that the third argument mentions exceeding the phosphate ceiling. This despite the phosphate reduction plan.
A smaller pig herd, a phosphate reduction plan for dairy farming and work on the feed track have been used to curb phosphate production in the Netherlands and dairy farming again in 2017. Much needed to smooth out the talks with Brussels about a new derogation for the application standards of manure, part of the nitrate water directive. Although the first quarter is not yet over, Van Dam indicates that he does not count on the Netherlands falling below the ceiling of 172,9 million kilograms.
He says that in answer to the question whether the processing percentages of manure cannot be lowered. Especially now that Brussels needs to be convinced that the Netherlands can indeed keep to the agreements. Because the phosphate ceiling is not achieved, it is not a good basis for calculating the processing percentages.
Manure processing must remove environmental risk
The second argument is that manure processing is used to convince Brussels that the phosphate ceiling can be removed. Processing ensures that extra phosphate does not pose an environmental risk. In itself a good argument, but then the export of unprocessed manure is not taken into account. This flow is growing steadily and means that less and less manure remains in the Netherlands. On top of that, the products come from processing.
The third argument is that Van Dam would like clarity for companies with regard to the percentages before the start of a calendar year. 'Companies must at some point be able to assume that the rules will no longer change.' Both increasing and decreasing in the course of the year are therefore not an option. This is partly because agreements have already been made between various parties in advance.
Considering the challenges that manure processing has to deal with, this is still the strongest argument. Apart from that, the mandatory processing percentage decreases when the manure production moves more towards the reference data. The other two arguments indicate that there is still work to be done for the sector to convince those who are talking to Brussels of the fact that the sector does not further pollute the groundwater.
Test with e-CMR
In the meantime, Van Dam has allowed a trial with e-CMR, but an obligation on the use of AGR/GPS equipment will still apply from 1 March. Also because since March 1, only warnings have been issued and no fines.
Learn more about the collection fees for manure and the prices of a VVO, take a look at this subscription. Don't be surprised anymore.
Herman van den Pol
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.