18 June 2019
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The Lower House received the realization plan "On the road with new perspectives" from Minister Carola Schouten today. In this plan, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality sets out the vision that must lead to sustainable and strong circular agriculture in 2030.
The set of measures and proposals aims to continue and give an extra impulse to the movement towards circular agriculture that has already begun. "No longer producing as cheaply as possible, but producing with as little loss of raw materials as possible and carefully managing soil, water and nature," is the core, according to the minister. Although the details are still lacking in some cases, a number of key points can be discerned.
Finances
The Ministry will put a good portion of its own budget into circular agriculture. Special envelopes of the coalition agreement and a new European Common Agricultural Policy (2021 - 2027) should bring more money towards the corresponding goals.
Laws and regulations must change: experimentation areas
Current laws and regulations in some cases stand in the way of the transition to circular agriculture. Initially, five experimentation zones will be designated, in which a temporary departure from restrictive laws and regulations will be permitted. These zones have been set out in the Achterhoek, the Peel, Flevoland, Twente and the Northern Netherlands.
No artificial fertilizer, but animal manure
The Netherlands wants to use high-quality fertilizer as a substitute for artificial fertilizer. Locally available residual streams, compost or animal manure can be used to recover nutrients. The ministry supports pilot projects on the effects of this on agriculture and the environment.
Rest streams from human food production to animal feed or fertilizer
More residual streams must be used as raw materials for animal feed. Already this summer, entrepreneurs will be assisted in developing this by a special team. By the spring of 2020, agreements must be made with the business community to reuse all residual products from food production and consumption that are not consumed by humans. For animal feed, or as fertilizer for plant production.
Soil and precision agriculture
In 2020, a baseline measurement of the status of agricultural soils in the Netherlands will be carried out. Unambiguous measurement methods should ensure meaningful follow-up measurements. Following on from this, research is being done into how technology can help determine what soil, livestock and crops need. This precision agriculture is already under development and will be further expanded.
Staatsbosbeheer helps with nature-inclusive agriculture
Thousands of hectares of leased land of Staatsbosbeheer are used to work together with about 40 agricultural companies in the development towards nature inclusive agriculture. It is mainly about gaining knowledge to share with the sector.
Farmer must be able to earn an honest living
.No goal in itself, but a condition for the success of the circular agriculture, is the position of the farmer. Appreciation and above all a fair income are necessary to be able to recoup the necessary investments. Improving earning capacity, access to investment and combating unfair trading practices are central to this objective.