Schouten: 'Introducing fertilizer policy will take 10 years'

Agriculture minister Carola Schouten takes 10 years to introduce the by its desired manure policy† The turnaround should be completed by 2030. She is counting on an increase in manure processing, in combination with barn adjustments. As an example, Schouten looks at poultry farming, with the central manure processing factory in Moerdijk.

This is what the minister says in an interview in the AD. Schouten sent a letter to the House of Representatives yesterday (September 8), in which she reveals the contours of the new manure policy she has in mind. The farmer has 2 options here. Or a completely land-based company that removes all manure (possibly in a joint processing agreement with arable farmers) on its own land. Or remove and process all manure, even if you can possibly remove part of it on your own land.

In practice, this means that intensive companies in pig farming, for example, have to dispose of their manure. "Preferably to the same manure processor", she indicates, referring to the manure processing factory in Moerdijk. "That works fine in practice." According to Schouten, large-scale manure processing also has the advantage that they can make fertilizers that are tailored to the needs of the farmer in terms of composition. According to her, this means that customization can be supplied for any soil.

Decrease in nitrogen emissions
Agricultural entrepreneurs will also invest in barn modifications to remove manure from the barn more quickly and to separate it into a thin and thick fraction. According to her, this leads to a higher and more sustainable quality of the manure. "And that's also good news for the nitrogen emissions that will decrease as a result." According to her, the new manure policy also leads to an improvement in water quality.

According to Schouten, the new manure policy is the result of 2 years of research and many discussions with all parties in the chain. According to her, this should ultimately lead to a strong simplification of policy with fewer or no exceptions. It will be discussed in the House of Representatives in the autumn. She also announced that she would be discussing this with the sector.

© 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.