Source article: VLM | December 19, 2024
The Flemish Parliament approved new manure measures to improve water quality on Dec. 18, 2024. These rules take effect from 2025 and directly affect farmers. Here is an overview of the most important changes:
1. Lower fertilization standards.
In areas with poor water quality, the maximum amounts of manure you can use are reduced. The worse the water quality, the stricter the restrictions, especially for crops sensitive to nitrate. You can partially compensate for these restrictions by using sustainable techniques, such as sowing catch crops.
2. Protection strips along watercourses.
Along all watercourses listed on the Flemish Hydrographic Atlas (VHA) there will be protection strips where you are not allowed to fertilize, certain crops are restricted and no plant protection products can be used. These strips are usually 3 meters wide, but for nitrate-sensitive crops in the worst areas (area types 2 and 3) this becomes 5 meters. On plots with steep slopes and in VEN areas, the fertilizer-free strip of 10 meters remains.
3. Adjustment of exit periods.
To prevent fertilizer leaching, the periods during which you can apply manure are adjusted:
For corn and late potatoes without pre-cultivation, you may fertilize from March 16, 2025.
Effluent application after Aug. 31, 2026, is not allowed except on clay soils.
4. Mandatory AGR-GPS in manure transport.
From 2025 it will be mandatory to use AGR-GPS when transporting liquid animal manure, except when you use your own manure on your own land; then the obligation will apply from July 1.
5. Flexibility in adverse weather conditions
In case of bad weather, you can deviate up to 14 days from certain dates for fertilization, sowing, planting and harvesting starting in 2025. However, this can only be done after advice from a scientific committee.
These measures are intended to improve water quality and meet European and Flemish environmental objectives. The Flemish Land Agency (VLM) will continue to inform and guide farmers in implementing these new rules in the near future.
For more details, visit the VLM website.
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- Transporting manure between January 01 and June 30.
- Transporting manure between July 01 and December 31.
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