How well can Natura 2000 area withstand ammonia?

Perhaps vulnerable nature tolerates ammonia better than expected. And is such a strict nitrogen standard necessary? The proposed Cabinet policy to get out of the nitrogen crisis requires heavy sacrifices from livestock farming, related sectors and the quality of life in the countryside. Making such heavy sacrifices requires at the very least that the ammonia reduction also visibly and demonstrably helps the nitrogen-sensitive Natura 2000 areas. I have my doubts about that.

In 1968 the controversial Mansholt Plan for a new European agricultural policy was published. Agricultural companies had to become much larger and specialise. There was no future for half of the agricultural companies in Europe. The other half had to be able to earn a decent income on efficient farms. In our country, the strong government triptych in agriculture of Research, Information and Education propelled agricultural production up. For example, with favorable tax regulations (WIR), the number of cubicle sheds increased from about 1970 to almost 1981 between 800 and 20.000. The traditional mixed (recycle) farm on sandy soil disappeared. Also at our house the pigs and chickens left and the number of dairy cows doubled.

Ammonia emissions one third of 1990
Livestock farming grew unimpeded between 1970 and 1985. National manure production rose to a record high with 95 million tons in 1986 (CBS). Manure and slurry became slurry. This manure was often applied all year round. The calculated ammonia production rose to 331 million kilos in 1990 (CBS). Manure legislation and the super levy put an end to this stormy development in the mid-2021s. Thirty-five years later, manure production (2018) in our country is a quarter lower. The ammonia emission is now (1990) only a third of the emission from 1986. And the number of farms with cattle, pigs and chickens has decreased by 75% from 28.500 to 2021 in XNUMX.

The Natura 2000 areas have therefore been exposed to a lot of ammonia from livestock farming for years, especially between 1970 and 1990. The amount of 39 million kilos of ammonia to be reduced in the nitrogen plans is 12% of the amount emitted in 1990. This amount must be to save vulnerable Natura 2000 areas.

Focus solutions on manure
Ammonia is 87% related to animal manure (excerpt from the Advisory Report: "Not everything is possible everywhere"). Focus the solutions on manure. In addition to ammonia, you also include the emission reduction of greenhouse gases (climate task). The production of biogas from manure is also possible. With adjustments to the business design and management, in combination with innovations, lower-emission operations can be achieved in the short term. Improving biodiversity, with many initiatives already taking place in practice, can also be included in this. The government must then be willing, wholeheartedly recognizing and supporting this approach. Market developments will (continue to) guide the size of the livestock and the number of farms.

I am curious whether we will see in the future whether less ammonia emissions have helped with the recovery of the vulnerable Natura 2000 areas.

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.

© 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.