Agri-environmental protection
Nitrates regulation
The Nitrates Regulation regulates the use of nitrogen in agriculture and horticulture. It regulates, among other things, the storage of manure in manure storages and stockpiles, manure spreading, nitrogen amounts per hectare and record-keeping obligations. The maximum amount of total nitrogen that can be applied is 170 kg/ha per year.
The manure storage must be large enough to hold a year’s worth of manure. If less than 25 m³ of manure accumulates, the manure storage does not need to be built. However, the manure must be well managed.
Ploughing is allowed as long as the following conditions are met
- a declaration of manure stacking has been made
- the dry matter content of the manure is at least 30%
- the manure stockpiles are correctly positioned (more than 5 m from a ditch, more than 100 m from a watercourse, main drain or domestic well) at the top of a sloping parcel
- a liquid-retaining layer (approx. 20 cm) is applied to the bottom of the manure stockpiles and covered with a tarpaulin, for example.
- The spreading of manure on fields is prohibited from 1 November to 31 March. At other times, the spreading ban is also in force if the field is covered with snow, frost or water. In exceptional circumstances, the application period may be extended to November, provided that the Environment Agency is notified in good time, by 31 October at the latest.
- When manure is spread outside the crop, it must be incorporated into the soil within 24 hours. Also take into account the proximity of wells, the slope of the field and the constraints of autumn.
Environmental permits for livestock farms
The need for an environmental permit/notification depends on the number of animals. For example, fattening pigs are notified to the municipality if there are 250-2 000 fattening pigs. If there are more fattening pigs, an environmental permit is applied for from the AVI.
Reporting limits and forms for the number of animals in an animal house.
Recycling plastic
In terms of recycling, agriculture generates two types of waste:
(a) jerry cans and other sales packaging for which the producer/packer has paid the deposit, and
(b) plastics purchased by the farm itself for use in packaging. Examples include bales and foam plastics.
Guide to plastic on farms (Food Authority)
Farm plastics for recycling (Jamk University of Applied Sciences)
Other water protection
Please remember to report the drainage to the ELY Centre. Instructions and form attached.