Using and spreading manure

Do you want to use animal manure, sewage sludge, or other types of manure on agricultural land in the Netherlands? Then you have to comply with several rules. Conditions apply to, for example, the amount you may use, the spreading period, the type of soil, the type of crop, and the location of your business.

When are you allowed to spread manure on your farmland?

The period for spreading manure on your agricultural land and the amount of manure you are allowed to spread depends on the time of year and the type of crop (in Dutch).

Do you use animal manure or sewage sludge on your farmland? Then the spreading period also depends on the type of soil that you have. You can check the soil type map (Grondsoortenkaart, in Dutch) to see what type of soil you have.

How much manure are you allowed to use?

You are only allowed to use a maximum amount of manure on your farmland. This is called the application standard. There are application standards for:

• nitrogen from animal manure (in Dutch)
• nitrogen from other manure (in Dutch)
• phosphate (in Dutch)

Manure derogation permit

Do you want to spread more animal manure than the maximum application standard set by the EU Nitrate Directive? You can apply for a manure derogation permit (in Dutch) to RVO until 2025.

Please note: derogation is being phased out step by step in the Netherlands.

What types of manure are you allowed to spread on your farmland?

Different types of manure can be spread on your farmland, such as animal manure, sewage sludge, or compost. The type of manure that you are allowed to spread (in Dutch) depends on the type of soil that you have.