Schouten takes a new step in practical manure policy

After the publication of the agricultural vision by Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality), the sector announced that it had to be more concrete. In a letter to Parliament she takes the first steps towards realizing her vision.

The minister intends to take 'strong direction' in the transition to circular agriculture, as requested by the House of Representatives. She wants to work on steering by setting goals, instead of punishing. "Not finches, but sparks," Schouten writes in the letter to parliament. This is to ensure that agricultural entrepreneurs are challenged to take steps in the desired direction themselves.

Consultations with farmers show that they mainly want a stable perspective, also for the periphery. In doing so, the implementation of the agricultural vision must be coherent, rather than disintegrating into separate parts and conflicting incentives. Schouten does not want to ignore what is already being done. "There are many livestock farmers, arable farmers and horticulturists who are already putting 'circular thinking' into practice. They can serve as an example of economically sustainable forms of circular agriculture."

Right conditions
Schouten believes that the government should create the right conditions. She therefore wants the government to respond adequately when there are innovations; even with major legislative changes. The minister explicitly mentions the manure policy as an example, in which she wants to create positive incentives in the legislation.

The realization plan, which the minister wants to publish in May 2019, focuses on two points: the innovations that a farmer must support in his own development and a good income for farmers who strive to farm according to the agricultural vision. In the realization plan, 2 tasks will be given concrete form. Schouten also makes clear how she sees the export policy in the context of circular agriculture.

Tenancy and crop protection policy
In the spring of 2019, the minister will, among other things, publish a review of the lease policy, just as there will be a joint vision in the field of crop protection. The future manure policy should become clear in the autumn of 2019. 

The minister also wants waste to be looked at differently. She knows that legislation, such as the Nitrates Directive and the Fertilizers Act, have an obstructive effect. In concrete terms, the minister mentions that within the current Nitrate Directive, fertilizer substitutes fall under the animal manure application standard, and are not equated with artificial fertiliser. As a result, fertilizer substitutes have to compete with cheaper unprocessed animal manure. This should result in lower fertilizer use.

Counter open
As part of the realization plan, 22 January it is online counter 'Join the transition to circular agriculture' opened. New initiatives and questions are announced here. Obstructive legislation can also be criticized here. 

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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