In this resolution, it is laid down that the Dutch agricultural sector shall not be burdened with an increase in costs when measures have to be taken for the implementation of the WFD, i.e. has made it impossible to force farmers to incur additional costs when implementing the WFD. However, it is important to note that in addition to the country’s more generic manure policy, the regional WFD river basin management plans (that should include a programme of measures) may include separate measures that intervene with high nutrient concentrations within surface waters. The application standards for total-nitrogen and total-phosphorus apply to both livestock manure and other types of organic and inorganic fertilisers. Furthermore, the new manure policy has a wider scope of application and encompasses new regulations governing the application methods for manure and inorganic fertiliser, mainly concerning: i) the time of year when the application of manure is permitted; ii) the ploughing up of grassland; and iii) the obligation to grow a catch crop after the cultivation of maize, to prevent nitrogen leaching (Fraters et al.,