The European Commission has refused to extend the Netherlands’ exemption from EU water rules, warning of “very serious challenges” posed by agricultural pollution.
The Netherlands currently benefits from a derogation – which expires at the end of the year – allowing its farmers to apply more manure than the limit of 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare set by the EU under its nitrates directive.
This aims to protect surface water and groundwater from runoff of field water, laden with nitrates from fertilizers and manure.
Despite intense lobbying in Brussels, the Dutch caretaker government failed to secure an extension of current benefits. Therefore, the European ceiling for manure will apply from 2026.
Jessika Roswall, EU environment commissioner, said pollution levels in the country left the Commission with little choice.
“The Netherlands continues to face very serious challenges in nitrate and nitrogen management. A new exemption would add to these pressures”, we can read in a letter sent this week to the Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Femke Wiersma.
In front of the Dutch Parliament, Femke Wiersma qualified Tuesday this decision of “very disappointing”.
She warned that stricter manure limits would hit dairy farmers’ incomes and could prompt them to convert grassland to arable land, which she said could backfire on the environment by increasing nitrate runoff.
Ireland was the only EU country to benefit of a similar exemption. Dublin recently obtained a new exemption, but with stricter conditions, until the end of 2028.
In her letter, Jessika Roswall points out that Dutch farmers could benefit from help through a plan separate Commission to relax rules on manure-based fertilisers, known as RENURE. The proposal is examined by the Parliament and the Council until January 8.
