Flipsen: 'No further tinkering with the phosphorus standard'

The feed track in the phosphate reduction plan scored excellently in the first quarter of 2017. So good, in fact, that it is politically tempting to further tighten the phosphorus standard in order to increase the reduction target of 1,7 million kilos of dairy cattle phosphate via the feed track. Flipsen puts a stop to that.

According to Henk Flipsen, chairman of Nevedi, it is not responsible for further tightening the phosphorus standard in compound feed on a collective basis. 'Then irresponsible situations will arise.' 

Through Flipsen, Nevedi says he is proud of the preliminary results of the feed track. 'We are proud and enthusiastic that feed manufacturers have jointly put their shoulders to the wheel and that the ministerial regulation will not be forthcoming for the time being. The fact that the first reduction results are turning out positive shows that we are on the right track.' Nevertheless, Flipsen is firmly against further tightening, for example by lowering the phosphorus standard per kilo of compound feed. 'The standard of 4,3 grams of gross phosphorus per kilo of compound feed is the absolute lower limit for Dutch dairy farming as a whole.'

Depending on region and ration
According to Flipsen, depending on the region, there are some possibilities for further fine-tuning, but that requires customization. 'If the politicians decide to lower the phosphorus standard even further, production and animal health could be at risk. We don't cooperate with that.'

According to Flipsen, the minimum amount of phosphorus in compound feed strongly depends on the total ration. That is why customization is necessary on an individual level. 'Dairy cattle with a maize silage ration have a different nutritional need than cows on a grass ration.' On average, 20 percent of the dairy farmers' rations consists of compound feed. 

Also, according to Flipsen, the phosphorus levels in roughage for this year are not yet known. This makes the minimum levels in compound feed uncertain for the total ration. 'Our objective is and remains to provide every livestock farm with the right feed. Regulations that are too strict will then only have a restrictive effect.' According to Flipsen, the feed track should not be a plaything when pressure is put on the total package of the phosphate reduction plan. Namely: the stopper scheme and the LSU scheme are the other 2 pillars. 'I'm going to shudder at a ministerial regulation, if it comes to that.'

Feed track pig farming
According to Flipsen, participation in the voluntary feed track in pig farming is rewarded in 2 ways, both directly and indirectly. Indirectly, the scheme contributes to a possible retention of the derogation. This is also crucial for pig farming. Directly seen, pig farmers receive a premium compound feed for the additional costs incurred. State Secretary Van Dam has earmarked 1 million euros for the reduction of 4 million kilos of phosphate. Whether the premium is enough to entice pig farmers remains to be seen in practice. 

The implementation of the voluntary feed track is in the hands of the POV. Flipsen expects the POV to come out with a concrete plan in May. 'The compound feed companies only have a facilitating role here and are willing to take on this', Flipsen concludes.

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Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is Head of Meat & Dairy at BoerenbusinessAt DCA Market Intelligence, he focuses on dairy, pork, and meat markets. He also monitors (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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