The "positive news" about minimal phosphorus losses via runoff to soil appear to contradict news reports about the phosphate ceiling being exceeded (conversion of phosphates into phosphorus: 2.29 kg P2O5 is 1 kg P). The phosphate ceiling is solely concerned with excessive production of animal manure, which has led to increased production of phosphates. The phosphate ceiling is aimed at limiting manure production to avoid over-pressurising the Dutch manure market. Application standards are used to limit the scale of fertiliser consumption on agricultural land.
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