D3.5 - Initial policy brief

Deliverable 3.5 aims to create policy recommendations to address the identified challenges/barriers and promote the adoption of biobased fertilizing products. The policy briefs included in this deliverable consist of one jointly formulated document and one tailored specifically to the objectives of the NOVAFERT project. NOVAFERT drafted a joint open letter to facilitate the safe use of RENURE products from NOVAFERT, COPA-COGECA, EBA, and three other EU projects to the European Commission responsible for the Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan (INMAP). The reasoning behind sending a joined letter is that a common document has more weight than a recommendation made by a single project or sectoral group. The NOVAFERT policy group is led by UGent. Cosignatories of the open letter include COPA-COGECA, representing about 23 million farmers and 22,000 agricultural cooperatives; the European Biogas Association, representing nearly 8,000 stakeholders in the biogas and biomethane value chain throughout Europe; and three other European consortia focusing on nutrient recycling and alternative fertilizers – Nutri2Cycle, FERTIMANURE, and NUTRI-KNOW. A policy brief tailored to meet the specific requirements of NOVAFERT has been drafted in direct response to the European Commission's public consultation on the Evaluation of the Nitrates Directive. This comprehensive brief integrates insights obtained from six participating member states within the NOVAFER project, offering light on the current situation of nutrient recycling and the challenges hindering progress in compliance with the Nitrates Directive Additionally, it is accompanied by a joint letter endorsed by six other EU projects, further amplifying the collective voice and expertise on this critical issue.