Still 2,3 million kilos too much phosphate in 2016

In 2016, Dutch livestock farming still produced 2,3 million kilos of phosphate per year more than is allowed in Europe. This is apparent from calculations by Statistics Netherlands. The figures are no reason for the Ministry of Economic Affairs to change the 2017 phosphate reduction plan. 

In 2016, livestock farming produced 175,2 million kilos of phosphate from animal manure. This is 4,9 million less than in 2015. According to the European standard, however, Dutch agriculture is not allowed to produce more than 172,9 million kilos of phosphate from animal manure. In 2016, the Netherlands was still 2,3 million kilos above that. 
 

more cows
The decrease is striking because the number of dairy cows did increase in 2016 compared to the previous year. In 2016, the Netherlands had 1,7 million dairy cows. That is 120.000 dairy cows more than in 2015, or 8%. The data is based on the agricultural census on April 1, 2016. Despite the increase in the number of cows, the amount of dairy cattle phosphate decreased by 3,1 million kilos to 110,5 million kilos.

Feed track does its job
The decrease in dairy cattle phosphate is caused by a lower phosphorus content in silage and fresh grass in 2016 compared to 2015. The phosphorus content of compound feed also contributed to a decrease in phosphate production in 2016 by 1,5 to 2 million kilos. 

Fewer pigs, more chickens
Another reason that the phosphate production decreased in 2016 is fewer fattening pigs and sows. The number of finishers decreased by 1,3% to 5,7 million animals. The number of sows fell faster, 4%. As a result, the pig phosphate production decreased by 0,9 million kilos (-2,3%). The share of phosphate in poultry increased by 0,6 million kilos, despite the fact that the total poultry stock decreased by 2016% in 1,1 to 107,3 million.

More manure
In 2016, manure production in the Netherlands rose to 78.072 million kilos. In 2015, it was 76.326 million kilograms. The increase is reflected in all regions. The amount of nitrogen from animal manure also increased slightly. The share of phosphate therefore decreased. 

Shrinkage in 2017
From the preliminary figures of the agricultural census of 1 April 2017, the dairy herd has continued to shrink with more than 50.000 dairy cows and approximately 120.000 female young stock. This decrease is the result of the measures in the context of the phosphate reduction plan 2017.

Policy will not change
The figures are no reason for the Ministry of Economic Affairs to adjust the measures of the 2017 phosphate reduction plan. A spokesperson said that the statement for 2017 will remain unchanged. EZ is positive about the reduction. But exceeding the European ceiling underlines the importance of the 2017 phosphate reduction plan, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. 

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