European Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski wants to link the approval of new products to agreements on reduced usage, to be set out in a 'nutrient management plan'. Brussels believes that in water-rich areas, too much nitrate still ends up in soil and drinking water.
The three Dutch members in the Agriculture Committee Ruissen (SGP), Schreijer-Pierik (CDA), and Huitema (VVD) urged again this week for approval. The Netherlands has a surplus of manure, which will only increase if the 'derogation' is removed starting next year.
Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) expressed serious disappointment at the renewed delay. His VVD colleague Jan Huitema called it a 'dead duck'. On Wednesday evening, Ruissen immediately used the plenary session of the European Parliament for a cry of alarm. Outside the regular agenda, he was given brief speaking time to respond to the disappointing Commission announcement.
Promotion
Ruissen called on the European Commission to give fertilizer substitutes a real chance. “You are searching for fertilizer in Oman, Turkmenistan, and Qatar, while an important part of the solution is right here in the EU: nutrients from animal manure that we process ourselves can be transformed into high-quality, renewable fertilizers.
This is a solution the Commission is completely leaving unused. I know one thing: if the Commission insists on all kinds of conditions, fertilizer substitutes will not take off in large parts of the EU,” Ruissen stated.