"Manure fraud is not as big as NRC reports"

This weekend the manure sector was startled by the NRC article 'The Manure Conspiracy'. Manure traders partly recognize themselves in the picture that is being sketched.

Co-authors are Bart-Jan van Zandwijk and Wouter Baan

The NRC published Saturday 11 November an article stating that 65% of the fertilizer traders in East Brabant and North Limburg did not adhere to the rules; or suspected of doing so. Manure tampering is said to be systematic and part of the culture in these regions. Not only farmers and fertilizer intermediaries are involved in the fraud, but also fertilizer accountants, lawyers and financiers.

Rotten apples
Manure dealer Edwin Salomons in Hardenberg (Overijssel) believes that there are certainly bad apples in the world of manure. "They need to be addressed. They should be monitored more and better." Nevertheless, he thinks that the world of manure is highlighted too heavily and negatively. Salomons calls this "absurd". He does not want to comment on the behavior of others. He does want to elaborate on the percentage mentioned by NRC: 65% of the fertilizer traders have allegedly committed an offense or are suspected of doing so.

"It is unclear which violations are included. Do minor violations also fall under this, such as forgetting a signature or making a minor administrative error? That gives the wrong picture. It is not only the intermediaries, but it is also the government The way the rules are set is confusing and contact with the government is frustrating. The blame is quickly shifted to intermediaries, but there is also much to gain from the government side. The government makes it difficult for us to become a workable situation."

Line upon line
Gerard Oude Lenferink is a manure processor and transporter in Fleringen (Overijssel) and says he does not recognize himself in the picture that NRC has painted. "I notice that processors are having a hard time, because farmers can sell their manure via alternative, cheaper and sometimes illegal routes." He believes that the government makes it impossible for the fertilizer sector to do their job properly. "The government piles up line upon line and makes it very difficult for everyone. The government should take a look at itself."

Fertilizer keeper Bergs
Jan Scherf of manure processing Friesland in Walterswald criticizes the role of trade association Cumela Nederland. He is not a member himself. "Cumela destroys a lot in the manure world. It is typical that the board members are also suspected of manure fraud." Scherf also says he is a customer of fertilizer book advisor Frank Bergs. Bergs is mentioned by NRC as a pivot in the world of manure fraud.

Wout Houbraken is a manure processor in Bergeijk (North Brabant) says that if the province allows more manure processing, there need be no manure fraud. "The farmers are obliged to process manure, but the provincial government forbids that more capacity is being built. If the farmers are given the opportunity to solve the manure problem, then it doesn't have to be like this."

NVWA must act harder
A manure transporter from above the rivers, who prefers to remain anonymous, believes that fraud mainly takes place below the rivers. It has been known within the sector for much longer that samples and cargo are being cheated here and there, despite Cumela's warnings. The government is also aware of this, but it ignores the signals. According to this transporter, the problem can only be solved if the bad apples are cleared up and the NVWA takes firm action.

According to the carrier, a fine as a punishment does not always work. A fine is sometimes lower than the earnings. According to him, it is better to revoke the fertilizer license of a fertilizer processor for a year. "Perhaps even during the investigation, when there are clear indications. Motorists who have been caught too often with alcohol will also be banned from driving." According to the transporter, the well-intentioned in the fertilizer sector will benefit from a strict enforcement policy.

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