KRIR urges Polish Minister to revise winter fertilizer ban

The National Council of Agricultural Chambers (KRIR) has appealed to the Polish Minister of Agriculture, Stefan Krajewski, to revise the current regulations regarding the use of natural fertilizers. The council is requesting that the application of fertilizers be determined by actual atmospheric and soil conditions rather than a strict calendar-based ban during the winter months.

According to KRIR, current winter restrictions do not account for regional variations where soil may not be frozen, covered in snow, or saturated with water. In such instances, plants and soil can effectively utilize nutrients without environmental risk. The council argues that maintaining the rigid ban leads to unnecessary costs for farmers, including increased storage expenses and the risk of overflowing manure tanks. Furthermore, it creates a heavy workload during the short spring period and may degrade soil quality if fertilization is forced into unfavorable conditions later.

The proposal suggests that fertilization should be permitted when conditions allow for proper water protection, specifically when there is no risk of surface runoff.