Manure action plan: agricultural and environmental organizations reach agreement

The agreement in principle provides, among other things, for stricter fertilization standards in areas where the quality standards have not yet been met. Farmers will be encouraged to apply more sustainable fertilizers.

In addition, buffer zones of three meters wide, free of fertilizers and pesticides, will be installed along all waterways. Buffer crops may be planted there, or the site must remain fallow. In nature areas and where the water quality is insufficient, the buffer zones must be five meters wide.

Tempers heated

Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) reacts with satisfaction. At the end of last year, she instructed the organizations involved to consult after an initial proposal from the administration had heated up.

That new consultation model now seems to have succeeded in its first phase, she says. The Demir cabinet is now analyzing the proposal. “I hope to establish an equal sense of responsibility among all coalition partners next Friday when I submit the final adoption of the nitrogen plan, in accordance with Sunday’s concept note, for approval in the Council of Ministers,” the minister said nicely.

Decree

The agreement in principle must then also be checked with the European Commission, after which it must be translated into a decree with the concrete details of the measures.

‘MAP 7’ as it is called in the jargon should start next year.