German Agriculture Minister faces Criticism Over Fertilizer Regulations
BERLIN – A dispute is escalating between a Green politician and CDU Agriculture Minister werner Schwarz over the implementation of stricter fertilizer regulations aimed at reducing nitrate pollution. The conflict centers on the “material flow balance” - a system for tracking nutrient use – which the Green advocate supports and Schwarz has actively resisted,leading to a recent setback for the federal government’s efforts.
The disagreement has important implications for Germany’s compliance with EU environmental directives and the health of its waterways. The tightening of German fertilizer law, initially pursued by the governing coalition, was overturned by the Federal Council due to opposition spearheaded by Schwarz. This reversal threatens to stall progress in addressing nitrate levels, impacting agricultural practices and possibly triggering further action from the European Union.
Schwarz acknowledged the recent decision by the Federal Administrative Court, stating, “I take note of the decision of the Federal Administrative Court.” He expressed optimism for a forthcoming action programme developed “in close coordination with the federal states,” building upon existing findings and agreements. A key component of this program, according to Schwarz, will be an electronic reporting system for farmers, modeled after a successful program implemented in Schleswig-Holstein in 2022 for its state fertilization law.
The Minister highlighted that the federal government has already initiated a concept for nationwide monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the current Fertilizer Ordinance. He further asserted that these measures contributed to the resolution of an EU infringement procedure against Germany concerning the EU Nitrates Directive, which the EU deemed “the steps taken were assessed by the EU as effective.”
