OFFER: a way out of the nitrogen crisis

Eersel, 24 June, 2024 - The publication of a scientific article in Journal of the ASABE can undoubtedly provide a breakthrough in the impasse regarding the licensing process in the current nitrogen crisis in the Netherlands. It has now been scientifically established that nitrogen emissions (in the form of ammonia) from barns - during regular operations - can be properly determined. The air purification technique studied, which does not yet have official recognition, demonstrably reduced emissions by more than 85%. So this presents opportunities for a way out of the nitrogen crisis, which raises the question: will the government choose to take this opportunity with both hands or prolong the crisis. 

Meanwhile, we are over 5 years into a nitrogen crisis. That is, many activities are not allowed because they release nitrogen that settles on natural areas. Houses cannot be built, businesses cannot develop, events cannot take place and a lot of taxpayers' money is spent on buying up businesses that emit nitrogen (and all the meetings at government level). Nitrogen comes from various sources: traffic, industry and also agriculture (roughly 50%), e.g. from stables and when manure is stored and applied. Nitrogen emissions from Dutch stables for which this technique is relevant are about half of total agricultural emissions, i.e. 25% of the total.

Now there is a tremendous opportunity to unquestioningly reduce barn emissions sharply, and thus get out of this crisis quickly, it is up to the government to seize it OR to choose to prolong the crisis. 
Why do we dare to put down this sharp proposition now? We dare to do so because it has been scientifically established that with new sensor technology, nitrogen emissions (ammonia) from barns can be properly measured during regular operations. Moreover, the new air cleaning technology has been shown to demonstrably reduce these emissions by more than 85%. This research was carried out in cooperation with Wageningen University & Research. To date, however, new barn techniques using this sensor technology are still not permitted, so cannot/may not be applied because they are not "licensable". 

For approval - to get barn systems licensed - the government uses a process surrounded by measurement protocols, test barn applications and a review committee; approval processes take several years and are enormously expensive. At the completion of this pathway, you then have a so-called RAV listing, which unfortunately today still does not provide enough certainty on emissions to grant a license on. This trajectory is fueled by distrust and a huge fear of making the wrong decision at the review committee. This may also be logical from the point of view of due diligence, but it greatly impedes the quick way out of this crisis. This impasse has been going on for several years now but can now hopefully and urgently be broken.

What research was done?
During 4 periods of 4 weeks spread over the year, ammonia emissions from a poultry house before and after the new air purification system were measured with ammonia sensors (method A). The amount of ammonia captured was compared with the expected use of acid for binding the ammonia (method B) and with the increase in amount of ammonia in the wash water (method C). 

What was found? Both the acid consumption (Method B) and the increase in ammonia in the wash water (Method C) show a linear relationship with the amount of ammonia captured as measured by the ammonia sensors (Method A). Example: About 710 kg of ammonia was released into the barn in one period of this, 617 kg was captured according to Method A, and according to Method C, almost the same amount (610 kg) of ammonia was recovered in the wash water. The remaining emission during this period was thus 93 to 100 kg. The study also did a sensitivity analysis in case sensors deviated, this showed that due to possible deviations on individual sensors, residual emissions could be estimated slightly less accurately and would be between 88 and 109 kg in this period. Either way, in all cases the air washing technology gave a huge reduction - between 85 and 88% - compared to the 710 kg, and with a very high probability the residual emission did not exceed 109 kg. Using relatively inexpensive sensors (which were part of the air washing technique), the proper functioning of the air washing technique could be verified/secured. 

What does this mean?
Nitrogen emissions from barns with an air cleaning technique can thus be measured and ensured through verification measurements. This could mean a breakthrough from the impasse in permit granting. If the results of these measurements could be used to demonstrate that you remain below the permitted emission, the time consuming RAV approval would no longer be necessary, allowing new barn systems with innovative emission reduction to be applied much sooner. Because the way in which measurements can be taken has now been scientifically established, this provides concrete guidance for "target permit requirements" to the government, leaving both permit issuers, enforcers and also judges in no doubt as to the performance of new air cleaning techniques.

How to proceed?
To take the steps now and move quickly to really solve the nitrogen crisis, a few things are needed:
- Clear frameworks from a higher government that describe that innovative technology - if measured in the way that is now scientifically established - may also be applied. So take the lead as a national government and ensure that lower authorities that actually grant the license do not have to reinvent the wheel themselves.
- Accept that 100.00% certainty does not exist, just as 100.00% certainty does not exist anywhere. In almost all policy files, considerations and choices are made and rules are established on that basis (call it governing or making policy). Also, around the topic of stable emissions - even with continuous measurement, the reported emissions will be accompanied by a certain "accuracy, and thus also a certain "inaccuracy". In other words, if the reported emission in a period is 93 a 100 kg, make sure the permit allows for, say, 5% or 10% overrun.

The Dutch government really needs to act now
Now that it has been scientifically established that it is technically possible to ensure emission reduction/emission reductions, it is now up to the government to pick up the gauntlet or leave it be. Arguments against such as legal feasibility/sustainability no longer count - as these can be solved through legislation and regulation - or that is then a choice to stay in the crisis. 

Author: dr.ir. Victor van Wagenberg, Product manager at Vencomatic Group

Vencomatic Group
Our mission is to make poultry farming sustainable. We try to strike a balance between running a successful business and having the lowest possible impact on the environment, while at the same time trying to achieve the highest level of animal welfare. We always develop our products based on a thorough understanding of poultry, its welfare and its eggs. 

Our unique solutions are supporting the entire ‘Egg Way’ for layers, breeders, broilers, and hatcheries. Think of poultry housing equipment (Vencomatic, Van Gent), egg collection and handling equipment (Prinzen), and climate solutions (Agro Supply). And it doesn't stop there, discover how Meggsius data-driven technologies further support the poultry farmer. 

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