Dairy farmers are in dire straits. If a solution is not found quickly to the manure crisis, the end is at risk for 40 percent of the sector. As far as the SGP is concerned, we cannot let that happen.
The European Commission recently published the proposal to allow renure as a fertilizer substitute. Together with my colleague Jan Huitema, I have advocated this in the European Parliament for years. Hopefully, farmers who want to do so can get started with this as soon as possible and this can bring relief to the manure market.
However, in light of the problems, bigger solutions are needed. And as quickly as possible. The sector traveled to Brussels on April 16 with the request to suspend the derogation decision for two years. I wholeheartedly support this request; it gives the necessary time to look for further solutions in consultation.
Meanwhile, the cesspool continues to open. The derogation appears to have ended due to political pressure from Timmermans and his chief of staff Samsom. It was known that ending the derogation was not useful for water quality, according to released correspondence. It has also become clear that the lower use standard of 170 kilos of nitrogen per hectare is not scientifically substantiated.
The answer to this crucial question will be determined by the political choices that are now made
Bert-Jan Ruissen, Member of the European Parliament for SGP
In addition, there is a persistent misunderstanding. This week the media also reported that Dutch farmers had an exceptional position in the EU for years and were allowed to spread more manure than other European farmers.
I would like to point out once again that the lower usage standard does not apply throughout the EU, but only in vulnerable zones that the Member States themselves designate. Because the Netherlands chose to designate the entire country as a vulnerable zone, we have to request a derogation from the lower usage standard again and again. A standard that does not actually have to apply in many places.
Better water quality with derogation
Now that customization via a derogation seems increasingly remote, it is worth considering revising those vulnerable zones in accordance with Article 3.4 of the Nitrates Directive. Then also check whether the measuring points actually measure agricultural sources. Since the water quality has improved in recent years with derogation, there is concrete substantiation that the fertilizer given does not cause problems, but is the right one for the crops.
Eyes are now focused on The Hague. It is clear that the current reduction has insufficient scientific basis. Alternative ideas are on the table. The crucial question is: does the Netherlands want to offer dairy farming future prospects? The answer will be known by the political choices that are now made.
