No worries about a fertilizer tax

The adopted motion on a so-called 'fertilizer tax' in the House of Representatives is dismayed by many people in the agricultural sector. Precision fertilization specialist Herre Bartlema sees it differently. "Using less nitrogen fertilizer is not a cause for concern."

Last week the House of Representatives passed a motion passed calling on the government to introduce a tax on nitrogen fertilizers to consider† In doing so, the House aims to reduce the consumption of nitrogen fertilizer. People apparently do not trust the fine words of the sector about the agricultural vision of Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality). A memorandum in which the minister makes a clear statement about the use of fertilizer.

Fear is unfounded
The negative reactions to the motion show that the House is not entirely wrong; as well as from LTO Netherlands. Through the chairman of the Arable Farming Department: Jaap van Wenum. There is a fear (without having access to fast-acting nitrogen from fertilizers) that there will be a significant loss of production in the crops. That fear is unjustified, because there are enough fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers available that come from the circular economy, as the minister wishes.

It is a fact that the production and conventional application of nitrogen fertilizers have a serious environmental impact. Whether it concerns the climate, nitrate leaching and run-off, ammonia emissions, biodiversity, soil life or nature inclusivity.

Alternatives available
That is why in 2008 in the Clean and Economical Agreement agreed (Article 7.5) that the government and the business community invest in research into alternative fertilizers and application methods. Both parties invested a lot of money in this from 2010 to 2015, but now we are benefiting a lot from it.

There is a wide range of permitted fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers, which can easily replace fertilizer nitrogen. Anasol and sulfuric acid ammonia solution are well-known examples. Under the leadership of (Z)LTO in the Precision Agriculture Programme, the sector has prepared for the current situation. Just so you know. Precision fertilization with circular fertilizers delivers top yields at lower costs without environmental impact. A win-win situation. With green more money!

Herre Bartlema

Herre Bartlema is chairman of the NCOK: Netherlands Center for the Development of Circular Precision Agriculture. The aim: to promote the application of practical precision farming techniques to contribute to a clean sector.

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