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

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

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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Fish passage
nature friendly border under construction

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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
-/ 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

16. Thank you for your attention