Transport and processing of manure in the Netherlands, 1994-2001
Approximately 70% of transported manure remains within Dutch agriculture. The rest is exported or processed commercially.
| 1994 | 1995 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | |
| Nitrogen1) | million kg N | ||||||
| Origin of transported manure | |||||||
| - Dutch farms | 121.1 | 120 | 107.9 | 98.3 | 117.1 | 102.5 | 103.9 |
| - International (= imports) | 0.9 | 0.9 | . | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.4 |
| Destination of transported manure | |||||||
| - Dutch farms | 100.9 | 99.2 | 96.6 | 81 | 98.2 | 78.0 | 77.3 |
| - International (= exports) | 17.4 | 18 | 8.6 | 10.1 | 13.5 | 16 | 18.4 |
| - Processing companies 2) | 3.5 | 2.7 | . | 5 | 5.2 | 4.3 | 5.1 |
| Phosphate | million kg P2O5 | ||||||
| Origin of transported manure | |||||||
| - Dutch farms | 78.5 | 72.4 | 63.7 | 60.5 | 72.0 | 65.0 | 66.9 |
| - International (=imports) | 0.5 | 0.5 | . | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 |
| Destination of transported manure | |||||||
| - Dutch farms | 65 | 60.1 | 57.2 | 49.2 | 58.2 | 47.0 | 46.7 |
| - International (= exports) | 12.1 | 11.3 | 5.6 | 7.4 | 10.7 | 13.8 | 16.2 |
| - Processing companies 2) | 1.8 | 1 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 2.0 |
| Source: CBS and Agricultural Levies Office. | CBS/EDC/Sep03/0403 | ||||||
| 1) The amount of nitrogen in manure is exclusive of gaseous losses from stables/sheds and storage. 2) Balance of supply and withdrawal by processing companies (= amount of processed manure). | |||||||
Developments in withdrawal of minerals
In order to meet the statutory standards, farms that produce too much manure take it to farms that still have legal application potential for using the manure, to manure processing companies and to other countries. The transported manure is measured as quantities of nitrogen and phosphate.
Approximately 70% of the nitrogen and phosphate in manure removed by farms in the Netherlands is moved to other Dutch farms. Exports have been on the increase since 1997. In 2001, slightly more nitrogen and phosphate was removed than in the previous year.
Statutory standards
In the period 1994-2001, the maximum use of manure per hectare permitted by law fell from an average of 180 kg phosphate per hectare in 1994 to approximately 105 kg phosphate per hectare in 2001. Since 1998, farms have responded by using feed that is less rich in minerals and by reducing animal numbers.
