Minister Schouten devoted two A4 pages to the 179-page nitrogen advisory report of the Remkes Committee, which appeared in mid-June. Far too little to pay attention to the so-called Accountable Substances Balance, a striking part of the voluminous advisory report full of nitrogen crisis recommendations.
This new form of mineral accounting is to be the successor to Minas and Kringloopwijzer, although it is not literally called that. In its core, the Accountable Substances Balance contains the same input and output of minerals as was used in Minas and which is also part of the Kringloopwijzer.
This new system should distinguish itself through simplicity and fraud resistance, while making use of as much measurement data as possible, preferably not only about nitrogen but also about other minerals and greenhouse gases. It may also be possible to focus on gas measurements of, for example, ammonia and methane.
Rushing due to lack of time
Remarkably enough, however, the minister didn't say a word about it in her response, perhaps partly because of the lack of time or priority. One file has not yet been closed or the next is already on its way. Take the manure and minerals policy, also known as the rethinking of manure policy. The derogation in the form of extra fertilization space has not yet been won or the discussion about next year has already started.
Johan Remkes paid relatively much attention to the Afrekenbare Stoffen Balans in his explanation of the final advice of his committee. He also emphasized the advantages for the farmer of this system. In his view, it replaces a lot of other obligations and regulations for the farmer, resulting in a simpler and less onerous administrative burden. It also gives agricultural entrepreneurs the opportunity to flesh out the goals as they see fit.
Because Schouten did not even mention the Afrekenbare Stoffen Balans in her speech in the parliamentary debate on the final recommendation, she was voted against by a large majority of votes. This motion requires the minister to really do something about it and to integrate the Affinable Substances Balance into the review of the manure policy. This revision should take shape next autumn and will probably form part of the new coalition agreement after the elections next year.
Light version
In terms of content, the Accountable Substances Balance is surprisingly innovative. Seemingly hopeless work to set up yet another mineral accounting system that must combine conflicting goals. Namely, providing tailor-made solutions that do justice to the diversity in agricultural companies, while at the same time being simple and fraud-resistant. But by actually measuring as much as possible with new data and sensor technology that is rapidly becoming more accurate and cheaper, a lot is probably possible.
Those who are fed up with paperwork, sampling, calculations and many more measurements can opt for a light version without all the modern technology. Of course, the advantages of the extended version, namely extra fertilization space and higher stocking density / extra crop production per hectare, are no longer available.
Start with nitrogen
The more intensive the business operations, the more accountability you have to render. Starting with nitrogen and associated ammonia measurement in the stable, because there is a nitrogen crisis. Later to be expanded with other parameters that map out the complete environmental and climate impact of agriculture and livestock farming. According to the Remkes committee, it is all quite possible without it being at the expense of the farmer's income.
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