The current limit value of 170 kg nitrogen per hectare should therefore be regarded as a maximum value that is only acceptable from an environmental research perspective if it is applied in areas with sufficient denitrification potential in soils and groundwater. Otherwise, nitrogen applications at this level potentially pose a major threat to aquatic ecosystems, their biodiversity, their functions and thus also their ecosystem services.
According to the researchers, the political initiative to close nutrient cycles is the right and serves legitimate agricultural and nature conservation objectives. However, increasing the total amount of nitrogen applied would run counter to these goals. Therefore, the current limits of 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year should not be exceeded and Renure fertilisers should not benefit from exemptions from these limits.
The IGB researchers emphasise that the adaptation of the Annex Regulations of the Nitrates Directive should not be used as a political instrument to release even more nutrients into the environment in regions with high livestock densities. Instead, efforts should be made to mitigate these nutrient hotspots and promote more sustainable agricultural practices.
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