Flemish farmers’ union demands legal framework for circular use manure following EU plan
The Flemish farmers' union Boerenbond is calling on the Flemish government to swiftly create a legal framework to replace expensive artificial fertiliser with the circular use of animal manure. The European Commission has given the green light for this, and according to Boerenbond, this is a simple, cost-free and effective measure.
The approach proposed by the EU forms part of the measures the Commission is putting forward to tackle the energy crisis. The Flemish farmers' union Boerenbond welcomes the plan.
“Fertiliser prices are skyrocketing. Europe is now opening the door to a measure that should have been taken long ago: letting farmers use more animal manure instead of expensive imported fertiliser,” stated Boerenbond’s chairman Lode Ceyssens. “That is an energy measure that costs the Flemish government nothing.”
“Fertiliser prices are skyrocketing. Europe is now opening the door to a measure that should have been taken long ago"
According to the farmers' union, fertiliser prices have risen by 39 per cent since the war in the Middle East. Furthermore, it fears that, due to the carbon tax and the ongoing conflict, massive price rises are still on the horizon.
A recent survey by Boerenbond among 200 farmers shows that only 20 per cent have sufficient stocks of fertiliser for the coming planting season. “So a lot still needs to be purchased. Boerenbond is therefore urging that the European plans be swiftly translated into Flemish policy,” stated the farmers' union. Ceyssens emphasised that this is not about extra fertilisation.
Flemish minister for Agriculture Jo Brouns wants to await the concrete details of the European energy plan before any Flemish policy is possibly aligned. “In addition, Renure (REcovered Nitrogen from manURE) may also be used soon,” he added.
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration © PHOTO Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN / AFP
Related news
