1. The Netherlands: towards a request for a derogation for the period 2010-2013
dr. ir. Cindy van den Boom, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
drs. Renske van Tol, Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment

2. Content State of affairs and planning Phosphate as limiting factor
Justification of a derogation
Derogation request

3. State of affairs
Dutch Parliament has agreed to the content of the 4th Action Programme, but has submitted alternative suggestions for
Manure application period on grassland on sandy soils;
Ban of the horseshoe application technique on sandy soils from 2010 on (Parliament favours 2012).
The Dutch Minister will inform the Parliament about outcome of these suggestions after contact with Commission.

4. Planning Before the summer:
An update of the Dutch Manure Act will be discussed in the Parliament
The fourth Action Programme and the official request for a renewal of the derogation will be sent to the European Commission
In September:
The vote for the Dutch derogation is planned for the 29th of September

5. Allowable phosphate use at farm level, phosphate as a limiting factor
4th Action Programme
70% grassland and 30% maize
100% grassland
Soil type
2010
2013
High phosphate content 85 76 90
Neutral phosphate content 86 95
Low phosphate content
100

6. Options to reduce phosphate
The farmer has several options to reduce phosphate use
Reduce the use of artificial fertiliser
Raise the N/P ratio from 2.8 (average) with:
Using low phosphate feed stuffs:
N/P ratio’s of 3.3 or higher are possible
Manure separation
N/P ratio’s between 2.8 and 4.7 can be obtained

7. Additional measures
Strengthening of the phosphate and nitrogen application standards (especially on sandy soils)
Further increase of mandatory storage capacity for livestock manure (from 6 to 7 months)
Period for manure application shortened by 2-4 weeks
Stimulation of further innovation regarding use of fertilisers, by subsidies

8. Justification of a derogation of 250 kg N/ha
High nitrogen uptake of both grassland and maize, due to
A long growing season from March to November
High annual precipitation (about 780 mm)
High crop yields are realised (7-14 ton/ha DM)
High level of denitrification (70-90% on grassland; 40-60% on arable land)
Given the right farm management, nitrate concentrations of less than 50 mg/l can be realised on all soil types

9. Derogation request Limit of 250 kg N/ha
Only grazing livestock manure (no separated pig manure)
At least 70% grassland during the growing season
Compulsory nitrogen management plan and recent mineral samples
Compliance with all other farm management conditions included in 4th Action Programme
National monitoring and enforcement programme is in place