Agriculture Minister Özdemir criticizes blockade of fertilizer law
The Chamber of Agriculture had previously rejected the approval of the law passed in the Bundestag regarding the so-called nutrient balance. It is unclear how it will proceed further. A majority of Agriculture Ministers from the states have joined the criticism of farmers regarding the nutrient balance - the obligation to list the inflow and outflow of nutrients on agricultural land. They complain about additional bureaucracy for businesses.
The fertilizer requirements are intended to prevent increased nitrate values in groundwater. Groundwater is often heavily loaded in areas with intensive livestock farming or vegetable cultivation. In these so-called Red Zones, all agricultural businesses must additionally comply with additional conditions and fertilize less. With the reform of the law, Özdemir wanted, according to his own statements, to create clarity about who is responsible for increased nitrate values. Farmers' representatives had long demanded this.
The fertilizer law had also promised the federal government to the EU Commission to prevent high fines due to high nitrate values in groundwater for decades. Now, there is a threat of "another breach of contract proceeding from Brussels," according to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
- Cem Özdemir, the Minister of Agriculture, proposed a reform of the Fertilizer Act to clarify responsibilities for increased nitrate values, following farmers' demands.
- Despite the rejection by the Bundestag's Chamber of Agriculture, a majority of Agriculture Ministers from the states have joined the criticism of farmers regarding additional bureaucracy from the nutrient balance requirements.
- The EU Commission is closely monitoring the situation, as the German federal government had previously committed to the Fertilizer Act to prevent high fines due to nitrate values in groundwater, also known as "Blockade" in certain contexts.
- If the nutrient balance issue is not resolved, there's a risk of another "breach of contract proceeding" initiated by the EU Commission, according to the German Federal Council.
