Baltic Sea Day: HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden highlights the Baltic Sea

In connection with Baltic Sea Day 2024, our foundation, in collaboration with partners, had the honor of hosting HRH Crown Princess Victoria for a field visit at Sättra Gård, as part of the newly launched #GYPREG project (2023-2026).  

The Baltic Sea faces severe environmental challenges due to nutrient leakage, primarily phosphorus, from agricultural lands. This runoff accelerates eutrophication, leading to significant algal blooms, oxygen depletion in the water, and threats to marine life. The GYPREG project, funded by the Interreg European Regional Development Fund, addresses this issue by promoting the application of gypsum on farmland—a method proven to reduce phosphorus leakage and soil erosion. 

During the visit, the Crown Princess received detailed information about the project and witnessed a live demonstration of gypsum application, both manually and using spreading equipment. The project aims to extend gypsum treatment on farmland in Sweden, Finland, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania to mitigate nutrient runoff into the Baltic Sea. 

HRH Crown Princess Victoria and representatives from Race For The Baltic, Research Institutes of Sweden, Hushållningssällskapet, Agraria Ord & Jord, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences were in attendance. The farmer at Sättra Gård is Mats Eriksson. Photo: Ida Åkesson/SPA

As project partners, we are enthusiastic about further exploring the potential of gypsum treatment to combat nutrient pollution from agriculture in the Baltic Sea region. 

During the visit, representatives from Race For The Baltic, Research Institutes of Sweden, Hushållningssällskapet, Agraria Ord & Jord, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences were in attendance. The farmer at Sättra Gård is Mats Eriksson. 

For more information about the GYPREG project, please contact our Business Manager, Elsa Bertils.