Title: ASAJA Rejects New Sustainable Soil Nutrition Decree
ASAJA Criticizes New Royal Decree on Enduring Nutrition of Agricultural soils
The agricultural institution ASAJA has voiced strong opposition to a newly established Royal Decree concerning the sustainable nutrition of agricultural soils, labeling it as unnecessarily bureaucratic and dismissive of the sector’s needs.
The decree introduces new obligations regarding fertilization practices. Key provisions include a mandatory fertilizer plan for irrigated farms with crops sown or planted between March 1st and June 30th, effective January 1, 2026. The requirement extends to all other farms starting September 1, 2026.
From January 1, 2026, all farms will also be required to maintain a monthly record of all fertilization tasks in their exploitation logbook, in either paper or digital format, with certain exceptions outlined in the standard. Furthermore, production units in areas vulnerable to nitrate contamination will need to secure mandatory technical advice on fertilization one year after the implementation dates, while farms in other areas will have two years to comply.
The regulation also modifies requirements related to manure submission, particularly in areas where local application is not feasible, allowing exceptions for plots under one hectare not adjacent to other farm areas. it also clarifies criteria for calculating communal pastures within total farm area.
ASAJA expressed regret that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food disregarded simplification proposals offered by the organization. These included exemptions for irrigated farms up to 15 hectares and rainfed farms up to 30 hectares.
The organization also raised concerns about the potential for future technical inspections of fertilizer spreaders and implements, deeming such inspections “unjustified” given existing compliance with regulations in vulnerable nitrate areas. ASAJA had previously requested the elimination of the one-month deadline for registering fertilization, citing it as an needless administrative burden.They also advocated for reduced bureaucracy for those supplying manure to third parties and official recognition of a free computer program to facilitate fertilizer plan creation, eliminating the need for external advisors.
ASAJA maintains that the agricultural sector “already more than complies” with environmental standards set by the European Union, and argues that the new regulation offers no genuine solutions, instead increasing procedures, costs, and administrative burdens for farmers and ranchers.They characterize the decree as a regulation that “ignores the demands of the sector and results in more bureaucratic burden.”