Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
At regional level, these transfers are facilitated by the setup of a database linking
“givers” and “receivers” of such livestock manure.
An originality of the programme is the possibility of benefiting from an exemption raising
the quantities applied yearly to 130 kg N/ha on arable land and 250 kg N/ha on
grassland. To this end the farmer must enrol in a specific programme called “Quality
Approach” involving additional measures limiting the risk of pollution by nitrates
(cultivation of catch crops, “reasoned” fertilisation, limiting the number of cattle on
grassland in autumn). His/her good nitrogen management is controlled yearly by the
dosage of residual nitrogen in the soil profile before winter on a representative sample of
the fields. This residual quantity is compared to reference values established every year.
A nitrogen assessment for the whole farm and the rotation is also carried out yearly.
A “coaching” structure called “Nitrawal” has been created by the government to help
farmers reaching the norms regarding livestock manure storage facilities, manure
transfer agreements and demands regarding the “quality step”. It is also a
communication tool to farmers and the larger public, as well as a means of validating the
programme results and possibly propose modifications.
Water pollution and agriculture in Walloon region
The Walloon region constitutes the southern part of Belgium and spreads across
17,000 square kilometres in the heart of Western Europe. A very small region in Europe,
it receives an adequate supply of rains throughout the year with an annual average
ranging from 750 mm in the lower parts of the region to 1400 mm in the highlands, and
an average temperature ranging from 2°C in January to 19,5 °C in August.
Wallonia uses its water quite intensively, since 2/3 of the yearly renewable
underground resources are exploited every year, mainly to feed the local distribution
network, but also other regions of the country (Brussels and Flanders).
Agriculture is also intensive in this region where the soil is generally fertile and deep.
Many types of crops are grown but cereals, sugar beet and maize are the most common.
Half of the acreage is devoted to grassland and cattle rearing (both dairy and beef) is
widespread.
Therefore it is not surprising that a conflict occurs between the intensity of agriculture
and the quality of water resources, as it is the case in other European regions.
With respect to the environment, the most important challenges facing Walloon
agriculture are the reduction in the use of pesticides, curbing the current biodiversity
erosion and the protection of water resources against nitric pollution.
This paper will focus on the latter problem. It describes in details the action plan
developed by the Walloon region in order to reach a more sustainable nitrogen
management in agriculture. This programme is original in some of its aspects, more
developed in these pages.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search