Agrarministerkonferenz: Wasserversorger wehren sich gegen regionale Dünger-Lösungen
Die Belastung des Grundwassers mit Nitrat durch intensive Landwirtschaft ist seit Jahrzehnten ein Problem. Die Bauern wollen weniger Vorschriften, die Wasserversorger sauberes Grundwasser.
The regionalization of fertilizer regulations for agriculture during the Agrarministerkonferenz in Würzburg faces opposition from water utility providers. A VKU press release states, "Water protection requires nationwide uniform rules." Primarily city utilities, responsible for 90 percent of Germany's drinking water supply, are particularly concerned.
German agriculture ministers, gathering in Würzburg since Thursday, are considering a revision of the fertilizer law, including a regionalization approach that could enable individual states to implement diverse water protection models. Currently, areas with high nitrate contamination are designated as "Red Zones," restricting fertilizer use by farmers to a significantly reduced extent.
This regulation is intended to be abolished due to pressure from the farming industry, potentially being replaced by a regionalized regulation. The Minister for Agriculture, Michaela Kaniber of the CSU, stated, "No one wants to jeopardize our Number One food source, especially not our farmers." The VKU spokesperson noted that differing state regulations would undermine uniform water protection standards and potentially create competitive disadvantages.
Therefore, existing regulations should be specifically improved and refined where increased nitrate contamination still exists.
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