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Zero Nuisance Piggeries (ZNP)
Start date: Dec 1, 2004, End date: Nov 30, 2006 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Background Brittany, which has 7000 pig farms and 50 percent of total French swine production, produces 10 million tonnes of pig manure annually. This generates problems including: excess nutrient enrichment of soil and water; emissions of odours and greenhouse gases; and pathogenic micro-organisms. None of the current manure management processes adopt effective holistic approaches which address all waste streams (air, liquid and solid) and working conditions. Objectives This project aimed to develop and demonstrate a holistic approach to pig slurry management via: applying flushing techniques to clear the fresh manure on a regular basis throughout the day to prevent anaerobic decomposition of the manure within the building and hence the major source of odour nuisance; using centrifuge systems to separate liquid and solid waste products within the manure for subsequent treatment; biological treatment of the waste products while using a membrane filtration; and creating an effective composting regime for the centrifuge manure residues. This holistic approach aimed to minimise negative environmental impacts from pig farms. Results All of the main objectives of the Zero Nuisance Piggeries (ZNP) were successfully fulfilled. The LIFE project team developed and tested an innovative prototype technology that provides effective treatment of pig manure and significantly reduces the risks of environmental pollution. Environmental benefits from the new treatment methodology includes 100% elimination of suspended solids and 95% elimination of total chemical oxygen demand (COD) . Nitrogen is almost wholly transformed into nitrates (by 94%) and subsequently denitrified. Compared to the control pig units, the ZNP system reduced the outflow of ammonia and nitrous oxide by up to 70% and mitigated greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollution. ZNP staff predict that widespread use of the new holistic treatment technology in France could reduce national ammonia emissions from pig production, currently around 60,000 tonnes, by approximately 18,000 tonnes a year. Other important benefits include the reductions in water consumption linked to the integral recycling system, which provides savings up to 40% compared with conventional systems. From a technical perspective, ZNP’s prototype technology is highly productive and relatively simple to install. As such, the technology is deemed to have good transferable benefits throughout Europe and for different livestock producers. This is evidenced by proposals to develop a similar holistic manure management system in Denmark and interest shown in the ZNP approach by poultry sector representatives. Early data indicates a first total cost of manure treatment through the ZNP experimental system being between 15-19 €/m3. (excluding governmental subsidy) The prototype version of this new technology is deemed to be more expensive than traditional methods (that cost around 10-11 €/m3) but these costs are expected to be reduced significantly by technical adaptations in future commercialised versions. Cost comparisons with conventional approaches to manure management further offer savings since no additional chemical substances are required and the process produces compost that can be recycled within the agricultural sector as an organic fertiliser, compliant to Standard AFNOR U44A N7. Valuable social outcomes relate to the reduction in odour pollution that is attributed to ZNP’s holistic approach to reducing malodorous substances such as Trimethylamine and Volatile Fatty Acid emissions. This provides important contributions to improved working conditions for employees and neighbouring communities, as well as welfare benefits for the livestock. Disclaimer : This « results » section should be considered as a draft until the Commission has completed its evaluation .

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