Schwerin (dpa / mv) - In the ongoing dispute over the fertilizer regulation for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the opposition CDU is on the side of the farmers. The reduction in nitrogen and phosphate use can only be based on reliable data, said CDU member of parliament Thomas Diener on Thursday in Schwerin. In addition, the specific causes of excessive groundwater pollution would have to be held accountable. "Such a regulation would be understandable for everyone and would bring legal peace," explained Diener. He accused Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) of waging a power struggle with farmers instead of looking for an appropriate solution.
On Tuesday, Backhaus announced that the state would be submitting a new fertilizer ordinance for the fall, which would implement strict EU and federal regulations. Germany is obliged under threat of high fines to drastically reduce the nutrient input. Significantly stricter regulations would apply in drinking water protection areas in particular. According to Backhaus, fertilizer can only be spread to a limited extent on 40 to 47 percent of the country's agricultural land. This proportion is currently 13 percent.
The restrictions required to protect groundwater and drinking water are met with massive resistance from conventional farmers, who have already taken legal action against the earlier fertilizer ordinance. They fear noticeable yield losses if they are allowed to spread less fertilizer on their fields. In view of earlier protest actions, Backhaus had expressed concern that there could be radicalization in agriculture. Such a statement leads to a stigmatization of an entire profession, Diener criticized.
According to previous information, the limit values for nitrate were exceeded in 39 of the 53 groundwater bodies in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The EU has been pushing for an improvement in water quality in Germany for a long time and has initiated infringement proceedings to this end.
