Environmental organisations Bond Beter Leefmilieu and Dryade are going to court to overturn a decision regarding a nitrogen-reducing stable system (Lely Sphere). “There are no guarantees that this expensive stable system will achieve the promised reduction percentages in practice,” they state. “This decision jeopardises the Flemish nitrogen targets and puts farmers on the wrong track.”
Lely what?
The Dutch Lely Sphere system is a stable system that uses a flooring system, an air washer, and a manure robot to reduce nitrogen emissions from farmers. The installation of this stable system is expensive: it coststhe individual farmer 150,000 to 170,000 euros, of which about 80% can be covered by government subsidies.
The recognition of the Lely Sphere system comes within the framework of the Programmatic Approach to Nitrogen (PAS) and aligns with the ammonia emission-reducing measures decree of April 2024 (AERM decree). Earlier this year, the same environmental organisations took this AERM decree to the Constitutional Court. According to them, the low-emission stables and air washers often do not deliver what they promise.
Thoughtless gamble as policy
As with other low-emission stable systems, advisory bodies are not convinced on the effectiveness of the Lely-Sphere system for daily practice. The reduction factor that is officially communicated is based on measurements from only four Dutch test companies, where the system was evaluated under controlled and optimal conditions. “There is no evidence that these performances can be maintained under practical conditions in Flanders and with long-term use. The Scientific Committee that was to assess the technology confirmed that these limited results do not guarantee that the system will also provide a stable ammonia reduction in Flemish dairy farms. Recognising this technology now is therefore hasty and irresponsible towards the farmer,” states Sofie Bracke, agricultural policy expert at Bond Beter Leefmilieu.
Farmers who invest deserve legal certainty
“The ministerial decree by which Lely Sphere was recognised also shows serious legal flaws. For instance, the assessment of environmental effects is missing, and the decision was made by the Flemish Government, not by the minister himself, who has therefore exceeded his authority,”concludes Dries Verhaeghe from Dryade.