Everglades Agricultural Privilege Tax

      Category:  Price-Based Instruments
      Policy Type:  Taxes, Fees, Levies
      Sector:  Agriculture
      Region:  North America
      Country:  United States
      Description: In Florida (United States), it has imposed an annual Everglades Agricultural Privilege Tax for every acre of productive land in the Everglades Agricultural Area to support Everglades restoration. Landowners who maintain a minimum concentration of phosphorus (50ppb) in water discharged from their land have a lower tax rate.
      Outcome:  Florida's Everglades Agricultural Privilege Tax provides economic incentives for landowners to reduce their phosporus discharges.

      Reference:  WRI: Eutrophication: Policies, Actions, And Strategies to Address Nutrient Pollution

      Farm Nutrient Loss Index (FNLI)

      Category:  Environmental Outreach & Education
      Policy Type:  Technical Assistance
      Sector:  Agriculture
      Region:  Oceania
      Country:  Australia
      Description: The Farm Nutrient Loss Index (FNLI) is a predictive software package for farm advisors working with dairy, sheep and beef farmers. It helps predict the relative risk of nitrogen or phosphorous loss to the environment from different paddocks.
      Outcome:  The Farm Nutrient Loss Index helps identify where and how nutrients can be lost from the farm.

      Reference:  Farm Nutrient Loss Index (Australia)

      Feeding Pastures for Profit (FPFP) program

      Category:  Institutions & Capacity; Environmental Outreach & Education
      Policy Type:  Partnerships; Technical Assistance
      Sector:  Agriculture
      Region:  Oceania
      Country:  Australia
      Description: The Feeding Pastures for Profit (FPFP) program in the dairying regions of Victoria, Australia provides valuable information on managing pasture and using supplements. The FPFP program includes two-day workshop and some field days afterwards where experts assist registered dairy farmers to manage their herd towards the goal of "profitable feeding," maximizing resources and profits. It is co-managed by an industry-funded body, Dairy Australia, and the Victorian government.
      Outcome:  The Feeding Pastures for Profit (FPFP) program helps farmers to gain the skills and confidence to make daily decisions about pasture allocation and supplement usage which help reduce runoff and erosion from pastures.

      Reference:  Feeding Pastures for Profit (FPFP) program (Australia)

      Fertilizer Control Law

      Category:  Regulatory Approaches
      Policy Type:  Environmental Standards
      Sector:  Agriculture
      Region:  Asia
      Country:  Japan
      Description: Japan's Fertilizer Control Law contributes to fair trade and safe soil application of fertilizers through the establishment of standards, registration, inspection, and other measures. Under this law, fertilizer is classified into two types: "special fertilizers" and "ordinary fertilizers". Special fertilizers include rice bran and compost designated by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, for which notification must be made at the time of production or importation; while ordinary fertilizers are those that are not special fertilizers, for which registration or notification is required upon production or importation. Official standards have been prescribed for ordinary fertilizers, which define for each type of fertilizer the minimum or maximum amount of main components to be included, the maximum amount allowed for components harmful to plants to be contained, along with other restrictions (particle size and ingredients) as deemed necessary. In addition, guarantee labels must be attached to ordinary fertilizers to provide information on quality, etc. to consumers and to ensure fair trade. The guarantee labels must carry a guaranteed nutrient content, name of the producer and other relevant information.
      Outcome:  The manufacture and labeling standards set by Japan's Fertilizer Control Law lead to more consistent and informed application of nutrients.

      Reference:  Fertilizer Control Law

      Flemish Manure Decree

      Category:  Regulatory Approaches
      Policy Type:  Environmental Standards
      Sector:  Agriculture
      Region:  Europe
      Country:  Belgium
      Description: The Flemish Manure Decree is the implementation of the EU Nitrates Directive (1991) in Flanders (Belgium). It aims to protect the environment through reducing water pollution caused or induced by nitrates and phosphates from agricultural sources. According to the Manure Decree, farms in priority areas or farms that produce more manure than is available for land application are required to process up to 60% of manure surplus. Manure processing includes manure export, manure application on non-farm land, conversion to mineral fertilizer, or conversion to N2. The Manure Bank is the administration responsible for the implementation of the Manure Decree. It hands out manure processing certificates (MVC's) for the amount of N from animal manure processed. If the obligation is not met in time, the Manure Bank gives an administrative fine of 2€/kg N. If, after five years from the initial violation the target is still not met the fine increases to 4€/kg N.
      Outcome:  The Flemish Manure Decree helps improve water quality through reduction in manure usage.

      Reference:  Flemish Manure Decree