Not the entire equivalence package manure makes it to the finish

One of the three measures will not be implemented, but the Ministry of Economic Affairs has now dealt a final blow to the rest of the package of equivalent measures for fertilization. The plan will be published in the Government Gazette at the end of March.

End February It was already announced that State Secretary Van Dam wanted to implement the equivalence package for broader application standards for fertilization at company level, but details were still lacking. On Friday, LTO chairman arable farming Jaap van Wenum, who together with the NAV up, know that he is confident that it will really work now. 'The fertilizer season has already started, so it has to be done.' That means that after three years the plan is finally through.

The measure that has been dropped concerns slurry replacement at company level, which would give you extra nitrogen space. The disadvantage of this is that only fertilizer or mineral concentrate may be used and no soil improver. Then the soil fertility is at risk and the measure is only attractive for companies that are already with a usage standard below the fertilization advice (for example in the southeastern sandy area).

There are costs associated with the use of the manure measures for entrepreneurs. For example, water quality must be monitored. 'We are still in conclave about the costs. Of course we try to keep this as low as possible.'

The NAV is pleased that EZ has now formalized the package. 'A step has finally been taken towards customization within arable farming. The measure will take effect immediately, but from 2018 this must also be continued in the new nitrate program. It is possible that some adjustments will be made here and there', responds Geert Dubben, portfolio holder for minerals and soil management.

© 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.