Etude de l'adaptation du secteur agricole aux exigences de la nouvelle directive de gestion durable de l'azote en Région wallonne - Partie gestion des effluents

Study of the adaptation of the farming sector to the requirements of the new decree on the sustainable management of nitrogen in the Walloon Region - Effluent management

Context

The commune of Comines-Warneton, enclosed in the Flemish Region, is a special case compared to the rest of Wallonia. The type of cattle and pig breeding practised as well as the problems of manure surplus ensuing from it are similar to the situation in Flanders. According to the new legislation (order about the nitrogen sustainable management for the Walloon Region expected to be issued at the end of 2001), the commune of Comines-Warneton is considered as a vulnerable area. Because of this fact, the supply of organic fertilizers are limited to 210 kg of organic nitrogen/ha/year on meadow and 80 kg of organic nitrogen/ha/year for crops. Cattle and pig breeding is very intensive there with farms cultivating on average 26 ha. The number of pigs and bovines per fodder hectare is very important.The quantities of farming fertilizers to manage have become very important. Therefore, in the commune of Comines-Warneton, where we find these animals, the agricultural utilization of effluents can hardly be applied, due to the lack of agricultural area to spread them. The processing of animals’ manure and especially of slurry are a solution to these problems, which must be integrated into every step aiming to a better management of nitrogen within the farm. At the same time, we should keep in mind the problematic of phosphates, especially in areas where we find many pigs and poultry.

Objectives

This agreement is in charge of carrying out a first feasibility study on the implementation of structures for the processing of cattle and pig effluents.
Along with this study, we also carry out a market survey for the marketing of products derived from the transformation of effluents.

Description of tasks

In order to reach the objectives, the Department carried out different surveys and meetings so as to gather together farmers interested by the management of effluents. After having selected treatment methods according to the local situation and in agreement with the different protagonists (farmers and local authorities), the structure of the association or society has to be defined for the future units.
A treatment cost adapted to the situation in the municipality (€/m3 or ton of effluent) will have to be calculated for the treatment methods retained. The identified by-products are studied separately.

Results obtained

- Precise study of the situation of the vulnerable area of Comines-Warneton as
for the surplus of organic nitrogen ;
- gathering of farmers and awareness of the nitrogen management ;
- techno-economic feasibility study, treatment costs and technical specificities ;
- market research of the by-products coming from treatment processes ;
- study of the different possible structures for the farmers association.

Partners

DGA, DGATLP, DGRNE, Local authorities of Comines-Warneton, Nitrawal, FWA

Funding

• DGARNE