The Netherlands must adhere to the ceiling imposed on animal manure production as part of the Nitrates Directive. The ceiling is 170 kg nitrogen per hectare. In certain situations, a less strict manure limit may be applied (derogation). One condition for derogation is that phosphate excretion by Dutch livestock manure does not exceed 172.9 million kg. The maximum level for nitrogen excretion is set at 504.4 million kg.
The manure production ceiling in terms of nitrogen and phosphate has been defined as production by the Dutch national herd in the year 2002. If the ceiling is exceeded, the Dutch manure market would be over-pressurised according to the European Commission, given the available room for manure allocation.
Back to article