In Germany, the Supreme Court has made an important ruling on the fertilizer law, with significant legal and political implications. It has now been determined at the highest level that the German government has rightly increased the number and size of vulnerable people. As a result, less or no manure may be spread in such 'rotten areas'.
The ruling emphasizes the need for further groundwater protection and confirms the need for strict compliance with environmental standards by the agricultural sector. Just last week, the European Union made it clear that it will take stricter action against nitrate pollution of soil and drinking water. Last week, Brussels initiated infringement procedures against Ireland, Flanders and Austria.
The German manure law has led to much debate for many years, not only between nature and environmentalists and agricultural organizations, but also between political parties, and between the federal government and the sixteen German states. Partly because of this stalemate, the fight against nitrate pollution has been virtually at a standstill for decades. Only after the European Union ultimately threatened to collect millions in fines did this change.
The Supreme Court has now ruled that not only the current 'rote areas' must be maintained, but also that the manure rules must be tightened to effectively protect water quality. The German centre-left coalition has already submitted proposals for this. Soon, farmers will have to measure and keep track of their manure use and prevent harmful substances from entering the environment as much as possible.
BMEL Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir therefore faces a difficult task. His tightening measures are encountering strong resistance from various German states and agricultural organizations. The criticism focuses mainly on the economic impact and the feasibility of the stricter rules for farms.
Özdemir is now considering delaying his new fertilizer rules for several months, possibly because of state elections in September. Three states with a strong agricultural background will then go to the polls, and political sensitivity around this subject is high.
The postponement should provide room for further negotiations and adjustments to create broader support in the mediation committee. Representatives of the states and the federal government are trying to reach a compromise. This process is complex and time-consuming, but crucial for finding a sustainable solution.