'Plan of approach for manure fraud is a good first step'

Carola Schouten, Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), thinks the action plan to combat manure fraud is a good first step. In addition, the government is also coming up with a number of measures. Schouten made this known in a letter she sent to the House of Representatives on Wednesday 20 December.

"I have previously made it clear to the parties that the responsibility for a culture change and the prevention of fraud lies emphatically with the sector. I am pleased to see that they have taken this responsibility. It is a good first step," said Schouten.

Schouten has also called for as many parties in the chain as possible to sign the quality mark. It must also be clear which rules the companies must comply with in order to obtain the quality mark and who will subsequently check this. "In order to follow the process closely, I have asked all parties involved to meet with me every 3 months."

Reinforced supervision
In addition to the action plan, the government will also come up with additional measures. For example, the government wants enhanced supervision in risk areas. In addition, more will be done on targeted supervision and enforcement in areas where manure fraud is more common. To this end, there will be intensive collaboration with provinces, municipalities and water boards.

The amount of manure transported is currently passed on on paper to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl). This is possible up to 30 days after the transport. The regulations must be adapted in such a way that in the future the manure transport can be passed on directly (for example via an app).

In addition, fraudulent companies must be punished. This is possible, for example, because they can no longer receive a subsidy. RVO.nl is currently investigating whether companies that have committed fraud have actually received subsidies and whether it is possible to withdraw them. 

Finally, Schouten wants to delete exceptions to existing rules, because it is precisely these exceptions that encourage fraud and make enforcement very difficult. She wants a more robust and simpler policy.

Quality mark
The sector has indicated that a culture change is necessary and they therefore want to draw up a code of conduct in the short term. These must be signed by all parties in the fertilizer chain. In this way, farmers can show that they do not want to engage in fraud and they can collaborate with parties that have also signed the code of conduct. Failure to sign this code of conduct can have serious consequences, for example for entering into financing.

In addition, the sector itself will set up a certification system. The system will be privately secured. This should lead to a more transparent fertilizer market. Only certified parties can then still work together.

Direct responsibility for manure transport
The fertilizer sector indicates that it wants to make unrealistic inputs in mineral responsibility impossible by making changes to the technology. The sector wants to work towards direct accountability for the transport of manure. Opportunities for fraud can be reduced if entrepreneurs report this digitally in advance.

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