Farm manure into biogas fuel drive
Farm manure into biogas fuel drive
2008-09-05Newsfeed
Turning manure into biogas could provide farmers with home-grown transport fuel and help cut the amount of nitrates leaching into rivers, according the Defra.
Turning manure into biogas could provide farmers with home-grown transport fuel and help cut the amount of nitrates leaching into rivers, according the Defra.
Such innovative technology could play an important part in helping farmers meet strict new environmental rules, environment minister Phil Woolas has said.
From January 2009 farmers will have to step up action to cut the amount of nitrates from fertiliser that gets into the water supply. This will include restricting the times of year that fertiliser can be spread and stored.
Treating the manure in anaerobic digestion plants while it is being stored could produce biogas, and the treated manure can be returned to the soil as fertiliser.
The minister said: "Anaerobic digestion is an exciting and innovative technology, and it is clear we are not making full use of its potential. I know there are barriers to enabling its wider take-up by farmers, and that's something I have promised to look at."
Defra ministers have met fifty senior industry and non-government executives to discuss ways of increasing the use of anaerobic digestion, and delegates agreed to work with government and each other to overcome barriers to increasing its capacity in this country.
Copyright © The Press Association 2008
