The EU executive published a proposal on Friday (19 April) to revise the Nitrates Directive to make it easier to use fertilisers made from livestock manure. 

The European Commission aims to promote the use of bio-based fertilisers and nitrogen obtained through the treatment and processing of animal manure – a process known as Recovered Nitrogen from manure (RENURE).

According to the draft directive, which will be in the public consultation for 4 weeks, the use of manure and processed manure in agriculture ‘could reduce farmers’ exposure to volatile mineral fertiliser prices and close nutrient cycles.”

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, farmers across the bloc were hit by soaring fertiliser prices – an input for which the EU is notorioulsy dependent on imports from third countries, as confirmed by a recent study.

The EU executive’s proposal amends the so-called Nitrates Directive, introduced in 1991 to protect water quality by preventing nitrates from agricultural sources polluting ground and surface waters.

Among others, the Commission wants to allow the use of RENURE above the 170kg nitrogen per hectare limit, set by the Nitrates Directive.

The move follows calls from several EU countries and a resolution promoted by the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee to make it easier for farmers to use RENURE fertilisers.

The Dutch delegation, supported by Denmark and Italy, reiterated last January the call for, “abolishing the distinction being made between synthetic fertilisers on the one hand and manure-based fertilisers (such as RENURE and digestate) on the other hand”.

In the Netherlands, the government’s plan to cut nitrogen emissions sparked a long wave of farmers’ demonstrations in 2022, ultimately leading the farmers’ party BBB win the largest share of seats in the Senate in the 2023 elections.

Source: Euractiv.com