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The Problem, legislation and codes of practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2017

V C Nielsen
V C Nielsen*
Affiliation:
National Specialist Farm Wastes, ADAS Unit, Institute of Engineering Research Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS
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Extract

Pollution of the environment by livestock wastes occurs in many instances due to the difficulties involved in managing, storing and spreading manure and effluents. The total amount of neat manure produced by housed livestock for England and Wales has been calculated to be 70 million tonnes a year. All this has to be collected, stored and applied to agricultural land. There are, in addition 60 million tonnes of manure which livestock drop as they graze grass and forage crops. Problems of controlling the adequacy of farm waste systems are compounded by the scattered nature of livestock farms, the numbers (approximately 120,000 in England and Wales), and that often, the farm buildings are in close proximity to water courses.

Environmental pollution caused by livestock farming affects water, air and the soil.

This is caused by the escape of liquids or the dumping of solid wastes into water courses. The polluting effect is caused by water soluble organic matter, suspended solids and minerals. The result of the entry of polluting matter into water is the rapid growth of micro-organisms which deplete the oxygen content of the receiving water.

Type
Live Stock Wastes and the Environment
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1990 , March 1990 , pp. 40
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1990

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References

1. Apsimon, H M, Kruse, M and Bell, J N B (1987) Ammonia emission and their role in acid deposition. Atmospheric Environment 21: 1939–1946.Google Scholar
2. Advisory Booklet 2081 The profitable use of manures 1986. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.Google Scholar
3. Advisory Booklet 2200. Advice on avoiding pollution from farm manures and other slurry wastes 1985. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.Google Scholar
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7. Water Pollution from Farm Wastes, 1988, England and Wales. Joint Report by the Water Authorities Association and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.Google Scholar