The Dutch livestock farming sector is responsible for the emission of ammonia, methane, odour, particulate matter and nitrous oxide. In order to create a sustainable livestock farming sector at a national and international level, norms must be established regarding the amounts of these harmful substances that may be released. The Air Quality research project focuses on formulating and facilitating low-emission solutions.
Air Quality Programme (starting in 2010, "Low-emission Systems") is a collective name for several projects which are involved with the aforementioned forms of emissions caused by the various branches of the livestock farming sector. The research project focuses on two aspects of these emissions:
facilitating initiatives which will reduce emissions, and putting these into practice; and finding solutions for reducing emissions in stables, manure storage areas and during the spreading of manure.
Greenhouse gases
Livestock farms emit harmful substances such as ammonia, which is found in manure. Particulate matter, greenhouse gases and odours are also released at agricultural companies. In the Netherlands, the livestock farming sector is responsible for approximately 90% of the emissions of ammonia, 20% of the emissions of particulate matter, and 8% of the emissions of greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide.
Air quality
The Air Quality Project examines the total situation involving the emissions caused by the livestock farming sector. The emission of a certain substance must not cause higher emissions of another substance. For example, drying manure to reduce the emissions of ammonia must not end up merely stimulating the emission of particulate matter. In addition, emissions must be examined and coordinated with one another within the context of several different situations.
The objective is to develop knowledge and devise techniques which will combat the emissions of harmful substances simultaneously.
Polluting companies
Norms for the emissions of harmful substances have been drawn up on both a national and international scale. The NEC directive (National Emission Ceilings) for example specifies the maximum amount of certain substances which an EU member state may emit. The IPPC directive (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) prescribes that EU countries must regulate large, polluting companies via a permit system. The Kyoto Protocol contains agreements on the reduction of greenhouse gases. In the Netherlands and elsewhere, extra policy is necessary in order to achieve all of the goals.
The Air Quality project tries to determine whether or not it is feasible to adhere to these directives. If this is not possible, the researchers will examine which reduction techniques should be implemented.
Low-emission stable techniques
This project aims to develop knowledge on emissions in the livestock farming sector. The data obtained may be used to create accountability for emissions in a national and international context.
The Air Quality Project has resulted in the facilitation and development of new low-ammonia emission stable techniques such as the Mixlucht (air-mixing) system for broiler chicks; the Mat & Valve system for cattle; the development of systems which reduce the emission of particulate matter such as oil films, various types of air washers and ionisation techniques. Several protocols have been developed for the measurement of emissions from stables and manure processing systems. Moreover, a Life Cycle Analysis has been created for dairy farms, the measurement of the effects of manure and feed additives on emissions, the side effects of low-emission manure application techniques and new low-emission floors at cattle farms.
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