The amount of nitrogen in animal manure has fallen in Drenthe in the past year. Where this amounted to 25.5 million kilograms in 2023, the nitrogen excretion one year later ends up at just over 25.1 million kilos. The phosphate production also decreased.
This is according to figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The decreased production is a consequence of a shrinking herd.
Drenthe follows the national trend when it comes to nitrogen and phosphate excretion. In the Netherlands, the amount of nitrogen in animal manure was 449 million kilograms. That is 3 percent less than in 2023.
The nitrogen ceiling of the European Union is not exceeded with these figures. This also applies to phosphate, of which a surplus leads to deteriorated water quality.
A further decrease is needed to also meet the EU standards in the coming years. This year, for example, the nitrogen ceiling for manure of cows, pigs, chickens and other cattle has been tightened to 440 million kilos.
The production of nitrogen and phosphate must be reduced due to the loss of the derogation scheme. This exception that Dutch farmers received for a long time for the lake of manure is being phased out and will eventually disappear in 2026. A disappointment for livestock farms, which may rather encounter a manure surplus. And having manure removed money again.