Options for closing the phosphorus cycle in agriculture;
Assessment of options for Northwest Europe and the Netherlands
This study assessed which options are available for closing the feed-manure phosphorus cycle in agriculture and their
contribution to the reduction of the P surplus and P use efficiency. This was assessed at a national scale for the Netherlands
as well as a regional scale for Northwest Europe. No export of animal products, with as a consequence the reduction in
livestock numbers, is most effective in reducing external P inputs. An effective option that is easier to implement is the
reduction in P excretion through changes in the feed intake. For North-west Europe the combination of all five options can lead
to a reduction of external P inputs of about 50%. For the Netherlands the combination of the options result in a reduction in
external P inputs of 35% and a reduction of the manure export of 26%. The effectiveness of large scale manure treatment in
the Netherlands is limited.
Key words: agriculture, feed-manure cycle, nutrient management, phosphorus recycling, resource use efficiency
contribution to the reduction of the P surplus and P use efficiency. This was assessed at a national scale for the Netherlands
as well as a regional scale for Northwest Europe. No export of animal products, with as a consequence the reduction in
livestock numbers, is most effective in reducing external P inputs. An effective option that is easier to implement is the
reduction in P excretion through changes in the feed intake. For North-west Europe the combination of all five options can lead
to a reduction of external P inputs of about 50%. For the Netherlands the combination of the options result in a reduction in
external P inputs of 35% and a reduction of the manure export of 26%. The effectiveness of large scale manure treatment in
the Netherlands is limited.
Key words: agriculture, feed-manure cycle, nutrient management, phosphorus recycling, resource use efficiency
Reference
Lesschen, J.P., J.W.H. van der Kolk, K.C. van Dijk & J. Willems (2013). Options for closing the phosphorus cycle in agriculture;
Assessment of options for Northwest Europe and the Netherlands. Wageningen, Statutory Research Tasks Unit for Nature and
the Environment. WOt-werkdocument 353. 47 p. 13 Fig.; 13 Tab.; 42 Ref.
Assessment of options for Northwest Europe and the Netherlands. Wageningen, Statutory Research Tasks Unit for Nature and
the Environment. WOt-werkdocument 353. 47 p. 13 Fig.; 13 Tab.; 42 Ref.