Posted: 21 November, 2014. Written by REA
The Biofertilsier Certification Scheme welcomes the revised standard from QMS. There has been a great deal of research into both the benefits and safety related issues when using compost and digestates and it is good to see that QMS has found this useful when reviewing their position on the use of bulk organic fertilisers. We are pleased that QMS has declared compost and digestate as safe for farmers to use and have clearly stated their quality requirements for industry to act on that go beyond the minimum quality baselines stipulated in PAS100 and PAS110. The clarity is useful in supporting compost and digestate producers looking to supply QMS members and in allowing farmers to benefit from these materials.
Around 10,000 livestock farmers who are members of Quality Meat Scotland’s cattle and sheep quality assurance scheme will shortly receive this year’s updated standards document, published today. Over 90% of Scotland’s breeding cattle population, around 80% of breeding sheep and almost 100% of significant pig farming businesses are members of QMS farm assurance schemes.
The standards are reviewed regularly and updated annually to ensure continuous improvements are made to keep pace with technical and other changes. The key change affecting compost and digestate producers are revisions to the section on Bulk Organic Fertilisers (formerly referred to as Recycled Waste Products).
"Historical concerns over the safety of applying compost and digestate to land have now been addressed to an extent which has allowed us to achieve significant progress and substantial revision of the previous restriction on their use by members of the assurance scheme,” said Suzanne Woodman, QMS Brands Integrity Manager
Concerns had previously been raised that anaerobic digestion (AD) could actively cultivate the Clostridium botulinum organism, however published information relating to this was very limited. Three research projects have now been completed, the most recent in July 2014, confirming no significant growth of the organism in anaerobic digestion and risks similarly low to those associated with livestock slurries.
As a result, the Bulk Organic Fertilisers section now allows composts and digestates to be applied to land, provided they are PAS 100 and PAS 110 certified, meet additional physical contaminants restrictions and are applied in accordance with the guidance table provided.
The standards also clearly state that "no graze” and "no harvest” intervals are to be observed to ensure the benefit of these materials is realised and when produced from animal by-products – for example food waste from households and supermarkets - these windows become statutory. The standards also contain useful information to assist farmers in discussions with compost and digestate suppliers and ensure that the appropriate declarations and paperwork are requested.
The new standards – will be effective from 1 January 2015.
The new standards can be accessed here