As part of the LIFE+ project's networking
activities, the project manager together with two InfoNitrates trainers were
invited to attend the European Orientation Group meeting at the Italian city of
Milan between the 20th and 21st of November 2012. This meeting was organised by
the Research Centre on Animal
Production (CRPA) who is
managing the LIFE+ project, Achieving good water QUality
status in intensive Animal production areas (AQUA). The
aim of this meeting was to present the results achieved during the first year,
2011, of the AQUA project and to share the different experiences in the
implementation of the Nitrates Directive with other European countries, such as
Spain and Germany.
The AQUA project is designed to
demonstrate how to reduce ground and surface water pollution from nutrients of
agricultural origin by optimising the utilisation of nitrogen and phosphorus in
livestock farms. Presentations given out during this meeting showed the different
outcomes obtained so far at every demonstrative farm taking part in this
project. Each presentation was followed by a short Q&A session.
The meeting comprised a visit
to the dairy farm, Azienda Pinotti, in Pizzighettone, in the
province of Cremona (Lombardy). Azienda Pinotti is one of the pilot farms
taking part in the project. The farm has around 150 dairy cattle whose milk is
sold to Latteria Soresina for the production of Grana Padano DOP. Apart
from its up to date husbandry practices, the farm is also investing in manure
storage facilities and treatment technologies. Being one of the test farms of
the AQUA project, Pinotti farm benefits from a mobile solid/liquid separator
which separates the solid fraction of manure from the liquid part. This visit
enabled the InfoNitrates personnel to experience directly the effectiveness of
the nitrates measures and the opportunity to interact with the farmer and ask
him further questions. In fact, the farmer talked about his experience as part
of the AQUA project and explained how he benefited from the manure separating
service provided.
On the second day of the meeting,
the InfoNitrates project manager gave a presentation on the project and
explained the implementation process of the Nitrates Directive in Malta. After
the presentation, the audience had the chance to ask further questions.
This visit in Italy was very important
for the InfoNitrates personnel as it permitted the exchange of experiences,
views and opinions, and provided them with a wealth of information that can be
applied in the course of their work on the InfoNitrates project.
