Dealing with the Water Framework Directive in the Netherlands Jakob Bartelds Farmer President LTO Noord Board member LTO Nederland Environment

Water quality in the Netherlands Introduction Water quality in the Netherlands Situation 2015 Changing waterquality 1990 - 2020 Measures taken Looking at WFD 2027 What has to be done untill 2027 Deltaplan Agricultural Watermanagement

Quality surface water 2015 Conclusions 45 % water WFD proof Great task remains

Changing surface waterquality 1990 - 2013 Conclusions Waterquality has improved significant Most effect in period 1990-2005 Agriculture contributes but less than other sectors Agricultural represents > 50 % waterpollution

Measures taken General Public: sewage purification Agriculture: 5 th Nitrate Action Programme Derogation 230/250 kg N/ha cattle manure but Lower application levels manure/fertilizers Shorter application periods manure/fertlizers Mandatory sowing catch crops Bufferzones (free from fertilizing/pesticides) along canals

Measures taken i.a. On area level Sectoral nature friendly borders along canals fish passages in canals raising water levels in nature areas deviding agriculture and nature water Sectoral spraying licence with mandatory education 3 year mandatory inspection sprayers stricter technical specifications sprayers and fertilizer spreaders

Fish passage nature friendly border under construction

Nitrate in groundwater 2013 Conclusion 50 % water under agricultural land complies with N directive level 50 mg/l Exceedings N levels in Southern provinces (sandy soils and intensive livestock) and North East because of use of relatively less manure and more fertilizers

Groundwater quality prospectives under 5 th Nitrate Action Programme untill 2017 Expectations: Discharches Nitrogin INCREASES in clay and peat soils DECREASES in sandy soils - Discharches Phosphorus in peat soils Main explanation: Manure will be replaced by fertilisers

Looking at WFD 2027 With unchanged policy the Netherlands will not comply with current WFD goals 2021 reconsideration WFD goals by regional authorities (provinces/water boards) Derogation N-directive will be (more) in danger Costs: €100 mln/y -/- 450.000 cattle (ca. 25 %) Increasing public discussions/pressure about legitimacy agricultural production Conclusion: Farmers must take measures in addition in order to comply with WFD levels, but We are only responsible for our part of waterpollution (ca 50 %) Measures must be cost-effective and economically reliable

Measures 2027 Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency reports (2016): stricter general application levels for manure/fertilizers will not help, but causes disproportionate yield depression measures on area level and sectoral level are more effective and cost-efficient more collaboration is needed between farmers and water authorities RDP has to be improved on administrative burdens

Measures 2027 i.a. WFD priorities on farm/area level avoiding leaching contaminated water (manure/pesticids/silage) from farm yards and agricultural land to ditches and canals better water/soil/manure management irrigation when necessary improving drainage improving soil structure, avoiding compacting increasing humus % customizing manure composition and application green/blue services as in RDP e.g. nature friendly borders, agricultural nature management

Deltaplan agricultural watermanagement (DAW) Essentials: bottom up process, in stead of top down: farmers in the lead for WFD goals, not only governmental plans witch are dropped farmers invite local water authorities to participate and collaborate integrated approach Combine measures for WFD with farmers entrepreneurship That means combinations of water measures, improving agricultural structure (allotment), green/blue services Over 100 projects

DAW i.a. It only works when: Policy support from authorities (government, waterauthorities etc.) Financial support Investments in effective/competent project management Public i.g. RDP (very problematic) Willingness farmers to invest only by win-win

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