Dutch farmers will lose their exceptional position for the European fertilization rules next year. This is confirmed by sources from The Hague after reporting by the NOS† As a result of the decision of the European Commission, farmers will be allowed to spread less manure on their land from next year. The Ministry of Agriculture is expected to announce the news next week.
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The Netherlands has had an exception to the European rules for many years, as have Denmark, Germany, Ireland and parts of Belgium and Italy. Farmers from these countries and the Netherlands are allowed to fertilize more than other EU countries. Two years ago, the Netherlands received permission from the European member states to deviate from the standards, but that is no longer the case this year. The European Commission also wants the Netherlands to comply with European regulations to limit nitrogen emissions.
The Ministry of Agriculture would like to do this step by step. According to NOS sources, the hope is that Dutch farmers will not have to comply with European requirements until around 2026 or slightly later, so that the decrease in fertilization can go hand in hand with buying out farms. If the ministry’s proposal is not accepted by Brussels, there is a threat of high costs for cattle farmers. They then have to remove manure that they would otherwise have spread over the land, which can cost farmers thousands of euros per year, according to the medium.