Quality assurance scheme could boost agricultural market for biofertiliser
23 February 2010
Agricultural demand for biofertiliser, the nutrient-rich fertiliser and soil conditioner produced when quality bio-degradable wastes are treated via anaerobic digestion (AD), could be about to receive a boost from the introduction of new quality assurance measures.
BSI PAS 110 is a voluntary national quality specification for biofertiliser. The Quality Protocol (QP) for the production and use of quality outputs from Anaerobic Digestion will allows producers to verify that their product is of consistent quality and fit for purpose, enabling it to be marketed as “bio-fertiliser” and therefore exempt from costly waste management controls.
Nina Sweet, organics technical specialist at WRAP, said, “The introduction of BSI PAS 110 is a fundamental step in helping to develop sustainable markets for biofertilisers. Making it easier for farmers to use biofertiliser will increase demand within the agricultural community for fertilising and soil conditioning products derived from waste material. This will reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers which has obvious environmental and economic benefits for the agricultural industry.”
From today, BSI PAS 110 is available to AD operators throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Operators in England and Wales, who wish to use their digestate as a product rather than a waste, must also meet the additional requirements of the ADQP, which was launched last September.
The ADQP was developed by the Waste Protocols Project – a joint WRAP and Environment Agency initiative – in close collaboration with the Renewable Energy Association (REA) and other industry bodies. Those that choose not to comply with the quality protocol are still subject to regulation.
David Collins, from REA said, “BSI PAS 110 and the ADQP are extremely important developments within the AD industry. They provide assurance to consumers, farmers, food producers and retailers alike that biofertiliser is a safe and good quality product.”
Jake Prior, Operations Director for Andigestion, which runs an AD plant in West Devon, supplying about 40 local farmers, said,
“We usually apply for about 90 waste exemption licences on behalf of the agricultural industry per year at a cost of £500 each. Being compliant with BSI PAS 110 and the ADQP will save tens of thousands of pounds and also provides important validation for farmers that biofertiliser is a safe, effective and environmentally friendly product.”
“It will also make it economically viable for us to supply farmers who want to use smaller amounts of biofertiliser. Until now, we’ve had to restrict ourselves to larger-scale users as the exemptions apply to 50 hectare blocks of land,” Mr Prior continued.
Editor's Notes
- A separate certification scheme is used to ensure that biogas plants comply with BSI PAS 110 and the ADQP in England and Wales, and with BSI PAS 110 alone in Scotland. The scheme is managed by REA and more information can be found at http://www.biofertiliser.org.uk/
- To find out more about PAS110, please visit WRAP’s website: http://www.wrap.org.uk/ad
- To find out more about the ADQP, please visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/biodegradablewaste
- WRAP helps individuals, businesses and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more, making better use of resources and helping to tackle climate change
- Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by Government funding from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Working in seven key areas (Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Organics, Business and Markets, Behavioural Change, and Local Authority Support), WRAP’s work focuses on market development and support to drive forward recycling and materials resource efficiency within these sectors, as well as wider communications and awareness activities including the multi-media national Recycle Now campaign for England
- More information on WRAP’s work can be found on http://www.wrap.org.uk/
- The Renewable Energy Association was established in 2001 to represent British renewable energy producers and promote the use of sustainable energy in the UK
Amy Parry or Claire Methven
3 Monkeys Communications
Tel: 020 7009 3105 / 3133
wrapagri@3-monkeys.co.uk
WRAP press office
Tel: 01295 819695
viki.coppin@wrap.org.uk
