Regulations for equine industry have become increasingly extensive and complex in recent years. I&R registration, manure policy, the Combined Agricultural Declaration, and environmental regulations for keeping horses are issues that practically every horse owner has to deal with. To manage these matters properly, Voermeesters works in collaboration with the specialists from our sister company, AR Business Development.
AR Bedrijfsontwikkeling specializes in advising on manure management and regulations for the agricultural and equine sectors in the netherlands. They provide accurate administration combined with tailored advice. By outsourcing these tasks to the specialists at AR Bedrijfsontwikkeling, you are assured of professional guidance, whether it concerns manure management, the Combined Agricultural Declaration, CAP subsidies, or permits and environmental law. This allows you to spend more time on horse management, benefit from cost-effective advice, and reduce the risk of violations or manure fines.
A detailed manure administration is mandatory for horse owners with commercial activities and at least 3 hectares of agricultural land, or an input and/or production of manure containing 350 kg of nitrogen (equivalent to more than 5 adult horses).
The mandatory manure administration for horse owners is being further expanded:
Exceeding manure standards can result in very high fines. That is why many businesses outsource this work to specialists such as AR Bedrijfsontwikkeling. With a fertilization plan, a complete calculation is made to demonstrate compliance with all legal standards. The fertilization plan is updated during the year and finalized at year-end. This supports an accurate AGL declaration, reduces the risk of fines, helps you seize more opportunities, and frees up more time for your core business and, of course, your horses.
There are several practical situations that require extra care, as there is a risk of exceeding manure standards (and therefore manure fines). Two examples are: (1) Situations where horses are turned out (pasture, paddocks), leaving part of the manure on the premises. (2) Businesses that recognize the financial benefits of fertilizing with cattle slurry. With accurate manure administration, you can seize opportunities while avoiding the risk of manure fines. This also ensures a complete and compliant record when submitting the Additional Farmer Data (AGL).
For farms with grassland, it can be financially attractive to remove horse manure and, for example, bring in cattle slurry. Dairy farmers in the area often offer an appealing compensation for this, it provides valuable nutrients for your grassland, and it reduces the need for artificial fertilizer. Of course, this must comply with laws and regulations, which requires careful assessment. Since you are required to prepare a fertilization plan anyway, it is advisable to have these options calculated as well.
The fines are as follows: €100 for late submission, €200 for incomplete submission, €300 for providing false information, and €300 for failing to submit data.When submitting correctly, it is also essential to verify compliance with statutory application standards. Exceeding the nitrogen and phosphate limits can quickly lead to fines ranging from €410 to €570 per horse. Failure to comply with these rules may also result in reductions in the payment of CAP subsidies. To take advantage of benefits and avoid unnecessary problems, we believe it is important to ensure this is properly managed for your equine business.
Do you keep horses or own agricultural land? Then it is very likely that the Combined Agricultural Declaration is also a requirement. This declaration combines several reports, such as land registration and animal numbers. It can also be used to apply for agricultural subsidies or expanded phosphate application rights. Much of this information is also required for the manure administration. The Combined Agricultural Declaration must be completed annually between 1 March and 15 May via the RVO website.
As a horse owner, you are also subject to the Environmental and Planning Act. This legislation covers rules for the environment, spatial planning (formerly zoning plans), and nature protection (including nitrogen regulations). The type of equine business determines the required environmental assessments, as well as the spatial assessment in the planning framework. For example, a breeding facility with more than 25 horses or ponies is subject to different environmental rules than a boarding stable, riding school, or horse owner with 5 to 25 horses. Do you have plans to expand or develop your equine business? Or do you need government approval, a notification, or a permit? AR Bedrijfsontwikkeling can provide you with specialized advice.
Through the collaboration between Voermeesters and AR Bedrijfsontwikkeling, we aim to offer efficient solutions at the lowest possible cost. If you have questions, our telephone helpdesk is ready to provide quick and expert support. This ensures you receive accurate and complete administration or permits, along with the right advice. For more information, please contact our Voermeesters or the advisors at AR Bedrijfsontwikkeling, phone number +31 (0)317 499 599 or info@ar-bedrijfsontwikkeling.nl.
Do you have a question or would you like advice about a Voermeesters product? Please feel free to contact us. Our customer service will be happy to help you