The Dutch water boards fear that nitrate pollution in surface water could become a second nitrogen dossier. Recently, the European Commission warned the Netherlands to take extra measures to meet the objectives of the Nitrate Directive.
This week, the House of Representatives is discussing the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) budget and the amendment Minister Schouten made to the seventh action program of the Nitrate Directive.
According to the Union of Water Boards, the current measures do not achieve the Water Framework Directive and the Nitrate Directive targets in agricultural areas. Therefore, additional measures are necessary. The national government must do more with manure policy, and farmers must engage with this, the water boards argue in a response to the LNV budget.
The water boards believe that both the nitrogen and water quality problems must be solved. To meet the Water Framework Directive and Nitrate Directive in all agricultural areas on sand, clay, and peat by 2027, not only voluntary but also mandatory measures are needed.
Regarding the nitrogen issue, it concerns nitrogen emissions into the air, according to the water boards mainly from livestock housing. The water quality problem mainly arises from leaching of nutrients from agricultural parcels.
Money is also needed to tackle water pollution. Funds available for the nitrogen approach can also be used to improve water quality, they believe.
Earlier this week, LTO Nederland noted that Schouten had removed the sharpest edges of the Nitrate action program but considers that the consequences for the agricultural sector are still significant.
BO Akkerbouw is pleased with the now included option for tailor-made measures that farmers can choose themselves. They also mention it is important that the hard deadline of October 1 for sowing cover crops has been removed.