Netherlands: Lower agricultural yield due to Green Deal
Netherlands
Published Oct 13, 2021
Tridge summary
The European Commission wants to halve the use of plant protection products by 2030. According to European plans, the use of artificial fertilizers must also be reduced. The measures are intended to combat climate change and loss of biodiversity, but the result is likely to decrease the yield of agricultural crops. Lower production leads to price increases, less European exports and more imports of agricultural products from outside Europe. Researchers from Wageningen University & Research calculated this in a study commissioned by CropLife Europe and CropLife International that also involved other stakeholders in the food supply chain.
Original content
In the study, the researchers focused on the impact of the farm-to-fork strategy and the biodiversity strategy, both part of the Green Deal. Annual crops (wheat, rapeseed, maize, sugar beet, hops and tomatoes) and perennial crops (apples, olives, grapes and citrus fruits) were examined. The researchers mapped the impact on the basis of four scenarios, derived from the strategies mentioned. Scenario 1 assumes a 50 percent reduction in the use of crop protection agents, including the crop protection agents that are most harmful to the environment. In scenario 2 nutrient losses are halved and fertilizer use is reduced by 20 percent, and in scenario 3 at least 25 percent of the agricultural land is used for organic production. Finally, in scenario 4 the objectives of the first two scenarios are combined with the objective of returning at least 10 percent of the agricultural land to nature. The latter scenario provides the best insight into the combined effect of the proposed measures. ...
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