It was agreed with Brussels last year that the exception for Dutch farmers being allowed to spread more manure than in other countries would be phased out. This exception, the so-called derogation, will end in 2026.
Adema announced in early December that it would set a transition year for some components. That transitional year went completely wrong for the European Commission. Shortly after the minister presented his plan, he announced that it had been agreed that the measures would go into effect on 1 January this year and not until next year. Brussels therefore asked Adema to give up the transition year. If this does not happen, the derogation will be terminated immediately.
Minister Adema says he wanted to introduce the rules, but wanted to take account of ‘agricultural practice’. According to him, the House of Representatives had also asked for it, he said Friday after the Council of Ministers.
Goat trail
The minister acknowledges that the Netherlands may have sought “a way of the goat”, as it has done so often in the nitrogen dossier to mitigate the consequences of the Brussels rules for farmers. Her colleague Christianne van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen) already noted during a debate in November that the European Commission is done with this. “They don’t believe it anymore,” she warned at the time.
The stricter rules on fertilizers will now be introduced starting March 1, Adema said. According to him, nothing will change for “many farmers”. For example, a number of farmers will have to build buffer strips along ditches. They can be planted but not fertilized. “That means there will be a slightly lower yield there.” The minister cannot yet say how many farmers this will affect.
‘I understand very well that it is indeed a very bad day for many farmers, who are feeling it again. And it’s a shame,” the minister said. He has no intention of leaving. ‘I’ve just started and I’m extremely motivated to work with the agricultural sector to achieve a good future agriculture.’ He had come back from Berlin especially for this meeting.
Millions
The early introduction of stricter fertilizer regulations could cost Dutch farmers millions, says agricultural and horticultural organization LTO Nederland. This is partly because farmers now have to plow crops that have already been planted to meet the standards.
LTO understands that there was a misunderstanding, but cannot understand the decision of the European Commission. ‘That means the committee wants farmers to destroy food and crops. It’s quite absurd to live by the letter of the law,’ said a spokesman for the PNA. ‘It is difficult to estimate the amounts, but this is serious money. Many millions of euros.’
The arable farmers already make a construction plan for the farm in late summer, for the following season. Based on this, the crops go into the ground in winter, after which the soil is fertilized. The construction plan has now reached that stage. The tightened measures now mean some farmers suddenly have to plow their land.
‘The only thing the arable farmers did was follow the rules. They did not illegally sow or plant anything. It may be that Brussels reproaches the cabinet, but it is absurd to make the peasants suffer. In some areas this has enormous consequences.’
LTO announced on Friday that it would challenge “legally in every possible way” a stricter interpretation of the new fertilizer rules for farmers. The president of the LTO, Sjaak van der Tak, speaks of the “grudge against the government” of the European Commission. The organization believes it has a strong position in the event of legal action.
‘a lot goes wild’
If Agriculture Minister Piet Adema’s fertilizer plans are true, then “all hell will break loose” and new actions will follow, says Farmers Defense Force foreman Mark van den Oever. ‘I’ve read the furious reactions from farmers in our chat groups. It seems that Agriculture Minister Piet Adema is against agriculture. Adema’s plans are vague, so we’ll just have to see what exactly he means, ”says Van den Oever in an initial reaction.
Adema’s decision is “another new dent”. On Monday, the FDF will consult with the minister, which will be a “hard” conversation.