Extra nitrogen for pigs replaces feed measure

A larger part of the nitrogen space from the warm remediation of pig farming is used in the short term to free up housing and some road construction projects. The ministerial feed measure is definitively off the table because of the drought, agriculture minister Schouten reports in a letter to the House of Representatives.

At Schouten's request, Wageningen Livestock Research made an analysis. This shows that dairy farmers need more protein-rich concentrates, now that the protein content in the grass is lower than the average in the 2016-2019 period due to the drought. 

Nitrogen room of pig farm
As a result, the nitrogen gain from the measure has become nil and the measure will not be introduced, the minister informed the House this afternoon (Wednesday). The temporary feed measure for dairy cattle was planned for the period September to December 2020 and was intended to remove permits for housing construction and some road projects in the short term.

This morning it became clear that the feed measure was off the table† The cabinet has decided to use part of the proceeds from the warm remediation of pig farming (srv) that was intended for the structural package after 2020 for housing and some roads. The cabinet is compensating for this in the agricultural part of the structural approach.

Delay and lead time
The precise effect of the warm remediation of pig farming will be established in the spring of 2021, once it is completely clear who participates in the scheme, with which farm types and numbers of pigs. This means that the intended nitrogen space will become available somewhat later. In view of the processing times for permit applications and other procedures, this is not expected to present any obstacles, according to the minister, to allowing construction to proceed as planned.

Other spatial distribution
However, there is a different spatial distribution (less in the Randstad, more in the East and South region) than would have been the case with the animal feed measure. On the other hand, the construction threshold that the cabinet has foreseen will apply to the whole of the Netherlands, including the Randstad. Moreover, according to the minister, the decontamination measure lends itself better to permitting structural deposition space than the livestock feed measure, which in this form would have been of a temporary nature.

Farmers Defense Force speaks of a 'victory' in a statement to its followers. "The flag can go out," said chairman Mark van den Oever. The NAJK and LTO Netherlands have also announced that they are relieved that the feed measure has now been discontinued, but are also looking ahead with some concern at the other plans that Minister Schouten has for the sector from next year.

The minister says she wants to talk to the 'sector' about this. LTO and Agractie take part in these discussions. The latter stated: "We will see, step by step, together with the other parties, whether talks are moving in the right direction or whether further talks are of no use."

Summons of the job
The Nitrogen Claim and Agri Facts foundations have decided of course to withdraw the summary proceedings that were scheduled for tomorrow. The timing of Schouten's decision to cancel the feed measure, one day before the hearing, is striking. Nitrogen claim and Agri Facts have been trying for weeks to obtain the substantiation of the proposed feed measure from LNV, but have never received it. For example, it was indicated that the official who specialized in this was on holiday. By taking the decision now, the ministry no longer has to answer to the courts.

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.