The obligation to introduce barriers in ridge cultivation stands in the way of integrated cultivation of seed potatoes. That is why Agriculture Minister Carola Schouten must scrap this measure. Helma Lodders (VVD), Jaco Geurts (CDA), Roelof Bisschop (SGP), Barry Madlener (PVV) and Wybren van Haga (Forum for Democracy) have therefore put questions to the minister.
The submitters of these questions show that there is a majority to delete the relevant Article 8b from the Decree on the use of fertilizers . The filing of motions is limited due to the corona measures .
The members of VVD, CDA, SGP, PVV and Forum for Democracy want Schouten to delete the article, because it stands in the way of integrated cultivation. Barriers in ridge cultivation, for example, make mechanical weed control impossible, while this is precisely one of the objectives in integrated cultivation. The selection of seed potatoes with mechanical support will also be impossible due to the measure.
Knowledge gaps
Wageningen University & Research has previously indicated that there are a number of knowledge gaps. Only experimental research has taken place in a non-representative area for the Netherlands, namely only in sloping, erosion-sensitive areas. No data are known about the effectiveness of the thresholds on flat parcels. According to the politicians, the measure can increase the regulatory burden, stimulate chemical weed control and the creation of unworkable situations.
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Farmers are very concerned about the obligation to introduce barriers in ridge cultivation. Jaap van Wenum, chairman of LTO Arable Farming Group, says that LTO has been campaigning against the measure from the start. ‘It is clear that the effect is limited or not known and that the measure only entails additional costs. As an alternative, we have proposed the cultivation of land with a tusk to stimulate the infiltration of rainwater. ‘
Incomprehensible
Van Wenum is pleasantly surprised at the exemption that the organic sector has received for the creation of the thresholds in connection with the attention that this sector pays to soil quality. But he finds it incomprehensible that regular growers who take care of their soil in the same way, do not get this exemption. “That smacks of legal inequality,” says the arable farmer.
