Fertilizer Ban Expires; Farmers Seek Recognition, Security Amid 'Red Areas' Ruling
The ban on nitrogen-rich fertilizers expired on January 1, 2023, as per the Nitrate Ordinance. However, the OVG ruling declaring parts of 'red areas' invalid has not changed current practices, according to Henning Jensen. Farmers, particularly those in Heidekreis, seek recognition, planning security, and de-bureaucratization.
The OVG in Lüneburg ruled that the method used to determine 'red areas' in Lower Saxony did not comply with federal regulations. This ruling does not affect existing rules or the recent expiration of the fertilizer ban. Farmers, represented by groups like Landvolk, have been protesting against the Fertilizer Ordinance, viewing it as restrictive and bureaucratic. They seek a better agricultural policy, not the dismissal of the government. The judgment is not final, and an appeal could take up to a year and a half. Many farmers, especially livestock farmers, welcomed the expiration of the ban due to storage capacity issues after winter.
The expiration of the nitrogen-rich fertilizer ban and the OVG ruling on 'red areas' have sparked discussions and protests among farmers. While the ruling does not change current practices, farmers continue to push for recognition, planning security, and reduced bureaucracy in agricultural policies.
