0
The invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the dependence of European agriculture on imports of chemical fertilizers from third countries, in particular Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
During the last meeting of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers held last Monday, the Dutch delegation discussed the problem of rising fertilizer costs and proposed solutions that would decrease import dependency by supporting the transition to circular farming through the use of locally available organic waste, such as the use of nitrogen recovered from manure as an alternative to chemical fertilizers.
Given the urgency and need for a short-term solution, the Dutch delegation proposed a derogation for member states to apply manure-recovered nutrient fertilizers that meet minimum quality requirements (the so-called ReNure criteria) in nitrate vulnerable zones. Investments in such facilities are substantial and have a return on investment that is typically 10 years or more. To encourage the industry to invest, the exception must be long enough to allow producers to earn a return on their investment. At the same time, it called for a long-term structural solution.
In summary, the Dutch delegation asked the Commission:
- Short term: a derogation allowing the application of fertilizers with nutrients recovered from manure for a minimum period of 8 years.
- Medium or long term: a general solution by including this exception as an amendment to the Nitrates Directive.
March 21, 2022/ European Council/ European Union.
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/
