Avoiding pollution from poultry manure

Abstract

In the UK the poultry industry has a good record with regard to surface water contamination and has been responsible for only a small proportion of the total pollution incidents attributable to agriculture. Guidance is provided to farmers by a Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water. Because poultry manures have high concentrations of total nitrogen, with much of this in soluble form, the pollution of ground water with nitrates is a more serious problem. A voluntary Pilot Nitrate Scheme has been introduced in some parts of the UK which controls the quantities of animal waste applied to the land and also the timing of waste application. Linked to the scheme is a comprehensive programme of scientific monitoring. The broad requirements of the European Community Nitrate Directive are described. In the case of air pollution due to odours, poultry farms were reported to be responsible for 17% of complaints attributed to agriculture. Where appropriate, legislative means exist to reduce the nuisance and a Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Air has been published. Some implications for poultry production in the future are considered.