News item | 05-12-2023 | 11:13
The government designates so-called nutrient contaminated areas (NV areas) where agricultural companies must take extra steps to improve water quality. This obligation follows from the European Commission’s derogation decision obtained last year. This decision allows farmers to spread manure for a few more years, provided that vulnerable (water) areas reach a healthy level more quickly. The designation will take effect on January 1, 2024.
Companies in the NV areas that use derogation must reduce the amount of extra animal manure they spread on their plots more quickly than in the rest of the Netherlands. In addition, 5% less nitrogen may be placed on all plots in the NV areas (animal manure and artificial fertilizer). Minister Adema of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality wrote this in a letter to the House of Representatives.
The designation of NV areas indicates on which plots farmers must take an extra step to improve water quality. These areas contain an excessive amount of nitrogen and/or phosphorus in the water. This comes, among other things, from (animal) manure that is spread over the land and from which nitrogen and/or phosphorus leaches into the water. That is why it has been agreed in the derogation decision with the European Commission that the Netherlands will take steps to improve water quality.
Minister Adema: “The European Commission’s derogation decision requires the Netherlands to take additional measures to improve the quality of our water. Clean water is also needed for land and cultivation, now and in the future. I am very aware that these additional measures are strong for agricultural businesses in the designated nutrient contaminated areas. However, without this detailed designation, a larger part of the Netherlands would be designated as polluted according to the derogation decision and if the derogation is not implemented, the entire derogation is at stake. Together with the farmers in the designated areas, and together with the water boards, I want to work on practical solutions.”
The minister will ask the Committee of Experts on the Fertilizer Act (CDM) to map out what measures farmers can take individually or in collaboration to improve the water quality in their area. With this advice, Minister Adema wants to take a closer look at how to inform and support farmers in this process.
Measures in nutrient contaminated areas
In 2023, the Netherlands started phasing out the derogation for additional spreading of animal manure, so that by 2026 we will be at the EU standard of 170 kg of nitrogen from animal manure per hectare. Agricultural companies (mainly dairy farmers) that make use of the derogation must phase out the use of extra animal manure more quickly than in the rest of the Netherlands from 2024. This means that they may spread 210 kg of nitrogen animal manure per hectare in 2024 and 190 kg in 2025. It is possible for derogation farms to make use of the ‘Grassland Conservation Subsidy Scheme’. The faster companies have to phase out the derogation, the higher the compensation.
All agricultural companies in NV areas must reduce the use of the total amount of nitrogen from animal manure and fertilizer by 20% by 2025. We are working towards this by reducing the total nitrogen use standard by 5% in 2024. This means that farmers in NV areas must also reduce the use of, for example, fertilizer. By reducing the use of nitrogen, water quality improves.
Zones around Natura 2000 and groundwater protection areas
Since 2023, agricultural companies may no longer apply for a derogation for plots within Natura 2000 areas. From 2024, this will also apply to companies that have at least 50% of their plot in a zone of 250 meters around a Natura 2000 area.
In groundwater protection areas (a zone around a water extraction area for drinking water) it is very important that the (ground)water is less contaminated with nitrate. That is why since 2023 it has no longer been possible for agricultural companies to apply for a derogation for plots in these areas. From 2024, the total nitrogen use standard for plots in NV areas from groundwater will also decrease more quickly. This means that companies reduce the total amount of nitrogen by 10%, thus working more quickly towards the total reduction of 20% in 2025 and putting less strain on drinking water.
Animal manure derogation decision
In September 2022, the Netherlands and the European Commission reached a derogation decision with which we, on the one hand, work towards a complete phasing out of the derogation and, on the other hand, take additional measures to improve water quality. The derogation decision is in addition to the agreements that we made as a member state in the 7e Nitrate action program and its addendum. Some measures have already come into effect in 2023, such as the phasing out of derogations throughout the Netherlands and the construction of buffer strips. With the introduction of the NV areas, the lowering of the nitrogen use standard and the lowering of the national manure production ceiling, the Netherlands is complying with all agreements.
Extra information
Farmers who have questions about the designation of NV areas and the associated measures can contact the RVO. Information about the Grassland Conservation Subsidy Scheme is here to find.
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