The Council of Ministers has approved a new royal decree that aims to promote the sustainable nutrition of agricultural soils. This regulation is part of the Government’s commitment to move towards rational fertilisation of crops, seeking to increase or maintain the productivity of agricultural soils and reduce the environmental impact of the application of fertilisers.
The reform of the Royal Decree on sustainable nutrition of agricultural soils seeks to facilitate the implementation of technical aspects, strengthen coherence with other regulations, such as the Law on waste and contaminated soils for a circular economy, and clarify specific provisions. The articles related to the operating logbook, the fertilization plan and the use of manure and organic fertilizers have been modified.
The changes include incentives for the use of the digital logbook, details of the information that must be included in the operating logbook regarding the fertilization plan, with special emphasis on determining the dose. In addition, provisions have been incorporated to reduce ammonia emissions and technologies have been taken into account that help minimize the risk of leaching.
The obligations related to the use of manure, fertilizers and other organic materials have also been made more flexible, new wastes have been added to the list of those permitted and their requirements have been modified to meet market demands and ensure safety and agronomic efficiency. Of particular note is the extension of the period allowed for the stacking of manure, as well as for the burying of manure and other organic materials.
These measures are part of a set of 43 actions approved by the Government to support the agricultural sector, in collaboration with organisations such as the Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) and the Union of Farmers and Ranchers Unions. Rational soil fertilisation is not only essential to improve the environmental sustainability of agriculture, but is also crucial for the efficiency and profitability of the sector, especially in a context of high fertiliser prices.
This new Royal Decree represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, while seeking to guarantee the productivity and economic viability of agricultural lands in Spain.
