International platform increases knowledge on nutrient recycling

Efficient manure and nutrient management in agriculture is beneficial for the environment and for the farmer, and, thus, the only way to secure sustainable food production in the future. Surplus of nutrients, in particular phosphorus, in certain geographic regions due to increasing segregation of animal and crop production is a common problem across the Baltic Sea Region, wider Europe and around the world. Furthermore, mineral phosphorus reserves are a definite resource and are both subject to and driving social and political conflicts. To tackle the issue with a focus on increasing the sustainable use of organic and recycled fertilizers, in particular those based on manure, an international consortium has been established. A two-year platform, funded by Interreg, SuMaNu (Sustainable Manure and Nutrient Management for reduction of nutrient loss in the Baltic Sea Region) aims to analyse and synthesize approaches to sustainable manure and nutrient management promoted by four international projects. These are Interreg Baltic Sea Region projects Baltic Slurry Acidification and Manure Standards, Interreg Central Baltic project GreenAgri and BONUS Programme project BONUS PROMISE. BSAG participates in the platform taking charge of the communication, interaction and impact activities. The platform also enables an international interface and extension to BSAG’s successful work over the last decade in nutrient recycling (read more here). As the first international policy dialogue event, BSAG organises a high profile panel discussion as a side event to the European Days for Sustainable Circular Economy in Helsinki on 30 September 2019. Programme and registration for the event titled Circular economy in agriculture – how to advance nutrient circulation, soil quality and healthy environment is open here, along with information about the three-day main event and other side events. The SuMaNu platform has its own website at https://balticsumanu.eu/