05.02.2013
Turning PigManure from Waste to Asset: Best available technologies to reduce nutrientsleaching to the Baltic Sea
Manure based biogas production has many benefits; one of them is thepotential to reduce nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea from intensivelivestock production. The positive societal and environmental effects ofmanure based biogas justify nationally tailored financial incentivesand public investments in relevant infrastructure in order to ensure theprofitability for the investors. The paper outlines the main positiveeffects of manure based biogas, the prerequisites regarding managementof digestate and the initiatives needed by farmers, business and policymakers.
Two research studies have identified technologies for handlingpig manure from intensive pig production in the Baltic Sea region in anoptimal way. The technologies are selected with the main objective toreduce the pollution of nutrients to the aquatic environment, but thebenefits of using the recommended setup of technologies are morediverse.
The studies conclude that nutrient discharges from intensive pigproduction can be reduced significantly if biogasification of pigmanure is used in combination with separation technologies, and propertiming and technologies for spreading the digested manure. An effectiveutilization of the nutrients in manure for crop cultivation depends bothon the setup of technologies and on management practices.
The policy paper contains key recommendations to policy makers, pig farmers/biogas plant owners and technology suppliers.
Click here to see the policy paper
Read the background reports at www.balticsea2020.org
Best Available Technologies for Manure Treatment (Foged 2010),
Best Available Technologies for Pig Manure Biogas Plants in the Baltic Sea Region (Frandsen et al. 2011)