Contours of new manure policy already obsolete

In September 2020, then agriculture minister Carola Schouten presented the contours of a new manure policy. In short, this generic policy entails compulsory processing of all manure from pigs, chickens and veal calves and land-based milk production. From the intended transition of the countryside and the changes that are already underway in the fertilizer market, you can conclude that this new policy is already outdated.

The improvements to nature, climate and water are implemented in an area-oriented manner. "In the integrated area-oriented approach, extensification, conversion, innovation, legalization, purchase and buy-out, depreciation and relocation are important instruments for achieving the goals", according to the current minister Staghouwer (Agriculture) and Van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen). on January 20, 2022. Customization per area and no national generic obligations.

Lower manure disposal costs
But there are more reasons to refrain from a national channeling of manure sales. It is true that there is still a small manure surplus of nitrogen and phosphate at the national level. But if we include manure processing and export, there is even extra room for placement in agriculture for the replacement of fertilizer by animal manure. In the coming years, manure production and the surplus will decrease further if possibly thousands of livestock farms and more than 100.000 ha of land are bought up. The effect on lower costs for manure removal in the manure market has already started. It is crucial for the manure market that the derogation is granted.

Partly because fertilizer has become very expensive, arable farmers and horticulturists would like to continue to receive slurry for fertilization. A recent study by the NMI shows that unprocessed cattle slurry is the most suitable fertilizer for many arable farms on clay and sandy soil. This manure disposal also fits in well with closing cycles in view of the composition of the animal feed with residual flows from the processing of arable products. Based on the NPK content, cattle manure is currently worth around €15 per tonne. Fattening pig slurry is already around € 25 per tonne. The value of the organic matter has not yet been included in this. If users start paying for manure, the disposal costs for livestock farmers can be reduced.

Integrate manure processing in an integrated way
Manure processing remains important for manure exports and for the production of new fertilizer products for domestic demand, such as fertilizer substitutes. Manure processing also contributes to the nitrogen, climate and environmental targets set. But manure processing has high (fixed) costs and cannot compete with manure distribution that is becoming cheaper. An increasing price difference in the future of, for example, a tenner per tonne, will save livestock farmers thousands of euros per year.

By adjusting the current regulation for mandatory manure processing, manure processors can obtain manure certainty for making fertilizer products for a demand market. By obliging livestock farmers to supply only a part instead of the entire manure production to (existing) manure processors, all livestock farmers benefit from the manure market. If livestock farmers spend less money on the sale of manure or extra land, there will be more financial scope – and support - for new investments (innovations) to reduce emissions from stables and manure. My appeal is therefore: leave efficient manure disposal more to the market and make it part of the area-oriented approach. The new manure policy presented in 2022 already applies: it is better to turn around halfway than completely erred.

Jaap Uenk

Jaap Uenk is the owner of consultancy Mestem and has more than 40 years of experience in various positions in the Dutch fertilizer sector.

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