As an example, Koos mentions the spreading of manure, which must be reduced according to the new rules so that ground and surface water improves. “Every farmer is already economical with his manure. Soon we will be able to spread less manure, hand over land strips and in some cases switch to artificial fertilizer. But artificial fertilizer is really not the solution. You have to bring it in with trucks and that also causes emissions and extra cost.” Koos is particularly afraid of those extra costs: “You have to keep investing according to these new rules, but it has to come back to the farmer at some point and that perspective is missing.”
Organic farmer also thinks rules are far too strict: ‘It makes you restless’
