Livestock Waste Management Practices And Legilation Outside Br

2.1.2 WATER POLLUTION
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Disposal of excess manure from intensive livestock production is seen to be one
of the sources of pollution to groundwater and in some cases drinking water
supplies. Water pollution, whether it is surface or groundwater, is the most
obvious concern related to livestock waste management and the initial reason
many governments have been forced to deal with livestock waste policy
development. Over the last decade, levels of groundwater contamination by
nitrogen have become apparent. When people perceive that their drinking water
may be polluted with livestock wastes, they become intensely concerned.
Almost every country has some type of water protection legislation which is often
the basis for starting to deal with manure management as a problem.
In several countries, Public Health or other like bodies have certain powers
where safety or public health is at risk (France, Canada). United Kingdom policy
includes the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water
(1991) which are guidelines based on a medical perspective. Some countries
including Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have designated
Water Protection Zones with restrictions on farming practices to reduce leaching
of nitrogen.
2.1.3 AIR POLLUTION
Livestock wastes produce ammonia, methane, fine particulate and volatile
organic compounds. Air pollution begins from the time manure leaves the
livestock. The smell of manure gases gets the publics attention. The complaints
regarding smell against operations are an added pressure on farmers in dealing
with manure management. Minimizing ammonia losses to the atmosphere has
become a major policy target. Several countries have general air quality
legislation such as the US Federal Clean Air Act. The United Kingdom's
Environmental Protection Act (1990) covers nuisance from odours. However,
countries such as the Netherlands and Sweden have the Nuisance Act and the
Law of Management respectively which directly contain measures to reduce
ammonia losses from livestock wastes. For example, Swedens target is to
reduce ammonia losses 25% by 1995 and 50% by 2000 (the Netherlands has
similar goals).