Most EU countries agree with the Belgian-Dutch request to the European Commission to allow dry natural Renure manure in agriculture and horticulture as soon as possible. Agricultural Commissioner Janus Wojciechowski also welcomes the introduction of new means, but warned that this must not lead to more nitrate pollution of groundwater.
On behalf of five EU countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Hungary, Portugal, and Spain), Belgian Minister David Clarinval called for a revision of the current rules and guidelines, as the Russian war against Ukraine and the energy crisis have clearly demonstrated that the EU urgently needs different and new fertilizer regulations.
The European Commission also believes a European fertilizer response is needed. The final touches are currently being made in Brussels. The Commission plans to present this action plan on November 9.
The Renure proposal, previously advocated by Dutch MEP Jan Huitema (VVD), comes in the current crisis more or less 'at the right time.' At least fourteen EU countries asked Wojciechowski on Monday in Luxembourg to include the new dry animal manure in his European strategy. He agreed to do so.
The European agricultural chief pointed out that Renure fits into the new course of the Green Deal and the eco-schemes of the new Common Agricultural Policy. The proponents had emphasized that dry (animal) manure is more environmentally friendly than the use of chemical agents.
However, after the meeting, Wojciechowski did not publicly endorse this statement at a press conference and was cautious. He only said that the agricultural policy already does much to reduce environmental damage caused by chemical agents.
On the other hand, Wojciechowski explicitly mentioned the current maximum of 170 kilograms of animal manure per hectare per year. According to him, a new derogation is not an option, as could be deduced from his response. He said that the use of Renure can already be applied on 30 percent of agricultural land in Europe without any restrictions, but not in 70 percent of areas where drinking water is already polluted or threatened by contamination.
Furthermore, he pointed out that more than ninety percent of European manure already finds its way to buyers, and only up to ten percent will be available for Renure processing.