Green Party accuses state government of inaction on nitrate - Green Party Slams Hessian Government Over Nitrate Pollution After Abolition of Key Regulation
The abolition of the substance flow balance ordinance has sparked controversy, with the Green Party accusing the Hessian government of not doing enough to combat nitrate pollution in drinking water. The ordinance, introduced in 2018 to reduce nitrates, was abolished due to lack of usefulness and to simplify the legal framework for fertilizer use. Federal Minister for Agriculture and Food, Cem Özdemir, has been involved in the Green Party's allegations.
Nitrates, used in agriculture as mineral fertilizers or manure, are relatively harmless to humans but can be converted into health-hazardous nitrite by bacteria. Groundwater in many regions of Germany is heavily contaminated with fertilizer from agriculture, leading to dozens of Hessian drinking water wells exceeding the nitrate limit of 50 milligrams per liter. This has resulted in high costs for cleaning and rising water bills. The Green Party demands a reduction of nitrate inputs from agriculture to counter the substance, criticizing Minister Ingmar Jung's unwillingness to implement such reductions. However, Minister Özdemir, involved in the Green Party's allegations, has not specified how the abolition of the ordinance will help combat nitrogen in agriculture.
The abolition of the substance flow balance ordinance has raised concerns about the government's commitment to reducing nitrate pollution in drinking water. With groundwater contamination a pressing issue, the Green Party's demands for reduced nitrate inputs from agriculture warrant serious consideration. The future of Germany's water quality hangs in the balance, awaiting decisive action from policymakers.
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