Several
entities attended the Aqua final conference on March 14th including representatives
from the European Commission as well as partners involved in research carried
out as part of the Aqua Life+ Project and other Life+ projects. Ms. Alia Atitar
De La Fuente, Director General for the environment from the European
commission, indicated the problems associated with nitrate contamination as part
of the practices used in agriculture and livestock breeding.
Data from
EUROSTAT indicates that livestock production has overall remained constant from
2005 until 2007. This created pressure on the industry to meet the ever
increasing demands. Nevertheless, water pollution and nitrogen surplus have
showed overall reduction which have reflected in a slight improvement in the
quality of ground and surface water in terms of nitrate concentration.
Conversely, Malta is still showing poor performance with respect to the
percentage of nitrates in ground water exceeding the accepted level of 50 mgl-1
as stipulated in the EU Nitrates Directive. Ms. De La Fuente, also pointed out
the environment repercussions with respect to nitrate pollution including eutrophication
of water bodies. It was stated that it is difficult to determine the trophic
state of surface water given that there are many variables which need to be
considered. Additionally, there should be guidelines with respect to
methodology used for assessing the latter as well in developing a standard
method for monitoring to allow comparison.
Participants
in the conference outlined results which allow nitrogen control in livestock
and agricultural practices. The Aqua project has carried out research on
various farms in order to reduce the nitrogen output. The nitrogen recovery
efficiency in edible weight of livestock was analysed and it was concluded that
poultry farms are the most efficient while cattle are the least. Through the Aqua
Project, feed type and ratios were amended so that the nitrogen excreted was
less without compromising the assimilated protein in livestock. Moreover,
techniques used for manure dispersion have been improved so that levels of
nitrogen applied is further controlled and minimized.
Another
research within the Aqua project also determined that a buffer zone of at least
1-5m can be designated around the farmland which reduces Nitrates by 70% and
the Gross Nitrogen Balance by 60% in the first 5m of the soil. This is however
dependent on soil type and associated abiotic factors (e.g. water retention and
flow) and biotic conditions.
Further
research on nitrogen in heavy pig nutritioncarried out by the Italian
Agriculture Research Council indicated that amendment in feeding as well as the
type of proteins and amino acids administered to animals is required in order
to optimize nitrogen efficiency in farm animals. Amended feeds have shown a
reduction in ammonia and nitrate in liquid waste. Also animals which have been
underfed for a very short period of time (around five days) will be more
efficient in assimilating protein when they are subsequently fed with balanced
diet.
Nitrogen
management in dairy farms in Netherlands is proving to be challenging given
that it is targeted to increase milk production by 15% in 2015. It is
questioned whether this is achievable with regards to environmental sustainably
particularly in terms of good water quality. Dutch agricultural and livestock
sector will strive to recycle nutrients within the same farm, improving feed
efficiency as well as decreasing the input of nutrients when compared to the
1980’s. This is to be achieved through control on grazing activity (rotational
grazing and restricted grazing time), slurry separation and anaerobic digestion
of manure and also implement adequate crop rotation to maintain soil quality
(three years grass/clover, two years maize, one year cereal). The livestock
farmer will indirectly sanction his activity through the final milk quality
produced and the results from compulsory environmental testing (e.g. soil
quality). If the latter two results are unsatisfactory, the farmer will not be
allowed to intensify his activity and all dairy processing plants will reject
the milk produced.
Partners
from the Life+ Project in Greece are also utilizing a system where fertilizer
dispersion onto the field is determined on site base on chlorophyll
concentration in leaves. This allows for better control of fertilizer
application and hence control of nitrate in surface and ground water.
Furthermore, it was also insisted that the use of synthetic fertilizer is
reduced. This can be achieved by utilizing by-products from olive oil
processing, which is otherwise not used, as organic fertilizer. Vermicomposting
may also be a plausible alternative to synthetic fertilizers in small areas.
All the
above activities have also positively impacted air quality where a reduction in
methane gas has been observed due to a reduction in the number of animals as
well through recovery of Biogas from animal manures. Nonetheless, there is
still a lot to be done to decrease emissions from the livestock and
agricultural sectors.
On Saturday
15th March, a plant where parmeggiano reggiano cheese was visited.
Also, farms where research was carried out as part of the Life+ Aqua Project
were visited. One of the farms has emended the feed given to livestock so that
to increase nitrogen efficiency. Furthermore, visitors were also shown waste
separation of solid and liquid manure as well as storage facilities on the
farm. The second visit was made in another farm whose owners have invested in a
biodigestor and photovoltaic system to improve their farm efficiency with
respect to consumable energy as well as nutrient treatment.
Download the Press Release
Download the Layman's Report
Download the Nitrates pollution in the EU: policy approaches, lessons learnt and challenges - Alia Atitar DE LA FUENTE, DG Environment Unit Agriculture, Forests & Soil Nitrates Sector
Download the Le attività e i risultati del progetto dimostrativo LIFE+ AQUA - Marco LIGABUE, CRPA spa, Paolo MANTOVI, Fondazione CRPA Studi Ricerche
