The Coordination Centre for Information and Guidance on Sustainable Fertilisation (CVBB) is a non-profit organisation established as one of the accompanying measures of MAP4. CVBB aims to inform and guide farmers on fertilisation. CVBB wants to contribute to a better water quality in order to help achieve the objectives of the Flemish manure legislation. The CVBB organises water quality groups and assists farmers and horticulturists with their fertilisation. CVBB staff work from various practice centres across Flanders, including the PVL in Bocholt.
The nitrate concentration of surface water must not exceed 50 mg nitrate per litre, according to the Nitrates Directive. The Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) monitors nitrate levels at MAP monitoring points on a monthly basis. CVBB staff sample the drainage areas of red MAP - monitoring points on a monthly basis. By carrying out nitrate measurements upstream of the MAP - monitoring point, possible sources of nitrate enrichment can be identified.
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Agriculture and horticulture farmers who have questions about their fertilisation or problems with, for example, too high nitrate residue can apply for farm guidance from the CVBB. The guidance is provided from the practical centres for agriculture and horticulture and the cooperating partners. They are all bodies that have experience with practical cultivation and fertilisation techniques and are familiar with the Flemish agriculture and horticulture sector. The farmer himself can indicate which body he wants to be guided by.
Guidance involves a package of 350 euros or higher, with a maximum of 300 euros subsidised through the CVBB. A minimum of 50 euros + VAT (6%) on the total amount is to be paid by the farmer or horticulturist himself. The package consists of at least one hour of farm guidance, supplemented by either 1 hour of additional guidance or a determination of soil reserve nitrogen on 1 plot after harvest. The remaining budget of the package can then be freely supplemented with additional hours of farm guidance or relevant sampling with a focus on nitrogen analyses. Completion of the package is done in mutual consultation between the farmer and the supervisor. Statutory samples are not eligible for the CVBB guidance package.
The main objective of this guidance is to advise growers so that they can obtain appropriate and correct fertilisation at plot level. In addition, you can also contact us with general questions about soil fertility (e.g. catch crops or organic matter), fertilisation (e.g. fertilisation techniques or choice of fertiliser) and manure legislation (e.g. phosphorus fertilisation or exemption of focus farms).
Water quality groups
Water quality groups are partnerships between farmers and CVBB staff with the aim of combating water pollution with nitrates and phosphates from agriculture. Through this collaboration, the CVBB aims to improve water quality in and around red MAP monitoring points in an area-specific way. Using additional measurements of nitrate concentrations in watercourses upstream of MAP monitoring points, carried out by CVBB staff, and the information collected during such water quality groups, CVBB staff work with local farmers to find solutions to combat nitrate pollution.
Around certain red MAP measuring points, the CVBB can offer farmers to monitor plots more intensively. This is done by taking soil samples, which allow, among other things, to draw up a fertilisation recommendation for the plot and by monitoring the applied fertilisation on these plots.
CVBB is also committed to general awareness-raising. Via articles and general information meetings, the issue of nitrate pollution of water and the possible risks of nitrate leaching are addressed. Here, techniques are explained to minimise this leaching and fertilise plots sustainably.
