The French Ministry of Agriculture is discussing a decision to ban nitrogen fertilisation to farmland with an inclination of more than 15 %. This is to reduce nitrate emissions into the environment. This has naturally upset winegrowers in several regions. Wine growers probably use slopes more than other farmers.
Regions like Champagne, Provence, Crozes-Hermitage, Sancerre, Alsace and several others will be affected by this decision. 40 % of Champagne, for example, would be affected. The prohibition would apply to both chemical fertilizers and natural fertilizers. Champagne’s comment to the Ministry of Agriculture is that the nitrogen supply in the vineyards is quite small but necessary to compensate for the competition that arises when you have planted grass between the rows. Grass is good for the environment and it reduces soil erosion on the slopes.
Read more about the possible ban on nitrogen in La Vigne
