By phasing out the use of antibiotics, farmers in the Belgian Flanders region will be able to receive a subsidy of 2,600 euros (215,000 rubles) per animal species three times if the government approves measures to reduce the use of antibiotics, NieuweOogst reported on March 29. .
You can apply for a grant every year until May 31. The subsidy is granted for one type of animal: calves, laying hens, broilers and pigs.
“Participation is voluntary, and it does not matter what type of antibiotic content is used”– says the representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of Flanders Katrien Nijs. “It is about changing the habits of farmers. So that they use antibiotics prudently and carefully on their farms. The purpose of the subsidy is to reduce the use of antibiotics on small farms.”Nis added.
The grant benchmark is the average number of antibiotics in the two years prior to the first grant application. For each species and animal category, the number of days of antibiotic treatment per hundred days (BD100) will be calculated. The metric will be the basis for benchmarks for participating farms.
To receive a subsidy in the first year, a farmer must limit antibiotic use to at least 10% of the reference value. For example, a pig farm must reduce the use of antibiotics by at least 10% in suckling piglets, weaned piglets, sows and fattening piglets to receive 2600 euros (215 thousand rubles).
In the second year, antibiotic use needs to be reduced by 20% from baseline to receive the same amount of subsidy. In the third year, the reduction percentage will be at least 30%. Each Flemish breeder can become a member once and apply for a subsidy for a maximum of three consecutive years.
“If it is not possible to reach the reduction rate for the animal species in the year of application, then the next year the farmer can voluntarily participate again, with a higher reduction percentageNijs explained. Conditions may change during the execution of the project, which will last until 2027”..
Source: Rossa Primavera
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.