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.
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.