Activity - 4 July 2024
Livestock breeding facilities in FVG: new guidelines approved to reduce noise and odors
Decree published with Guidelines for farms subject to Integrated Environmental Authorization (AIA)
The Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia has introduced new guidelines for livestock breeding facilities subject to Integrated Environmental Authorization (AIA). These rules aim at preventing and reducing noise and odor emissions.
Directoral decree no. 24133, issued on May 21, 2024, and coming into effect on June 12, 2024, provides intensive farming facilities with guidelines to improve their environmental performance in accordance with the "Best Available Techniques" (BAT) established by the EU Commission 2017/302/EU.
The new European regulations require companies to implement and maintain an Environmental Management System (SGA). The guidelines include the development and implementation of the following self-monitoring procedures to prevent and manage the environmental impacts of their activities:
- Environmental Management System Manual (MSGA): a tool to develop self-monitoring procedures and continuous improvement of environmental performances.
- Environmental Emergency Management: detailed procedures to address and mitigate emergencies.
- Noise Management Plan: measures to monitor and reduce noise produced by farms.
- Odor Management Plan: strategies to minimize the impact of odors on the surrounding environment.
The guideline requires companies to prepare and implement a noise management program having as a purpouse to define appropriate actions to contain noise emissions associated with the site.
Noise Management Plan for farms
The program must include at least the following aspects:
Activities and schedule for noise containment: this involves the correct use of equipment by qualified and trained personnel, limiting noisy activities at night, ongoing maintenance of moving mechanical components (such as fans and fodder distribution systems) and hedges surrounding the barns to limit emitted noise, as well as preference for low-noise equipment. The protocol must be complied with in each farming cycle.
- Noise Monitoring: to be implemented in situations involving modifications to facilities or potential site expansions that generate outside noise. Compliance with the limits set by the Municipal Acoustic Classification Plan (PCCA) is verified together with competent authorities.
- Measures for exceeding noise emission limits: this protocol includes identifying the noise source, performing maintenance in case of equipment malfunctions, reducing noise emissions, as well as measurement afterwards to verify effectiveness.
- Noise reduction: this includes identifying possible sources, monitoring noise emissions, characterizing sources, and applying prevention and/or reduction measures.
- Review of noise incident reports: this involves reviewing any report received during the previous year and includes activities adopted to solve the issues.
By adopting these measures, livestock farming facilities may contribute to the creation of an acoustically comfortable environment within facilities, while improving their operations and relationships with the surrounding community.
Integrated approach of Gruppo Luci companies: comprehensive solutions for noise control and reduction
Gruppo Luci companies are committed to supporting their stakeholders in finding the most effective and comprehensive solutions that encompass all aspects of noise and odor management in livestock farms.
How can Gesteco support farms as regards noise management?
Specializing in environmental acoustics, Gesteco handles the analysis and assessment of noise pollution resulting from sound emissions. We offer a complete environmental investigation service, covering both documentary and technical-operational aspects, including acoustic impact prediction and the evaluation of necessary corrective measures.
Odor Management: for odor management, livestock breeding facilities may consult LOD, Dynamic Olfactometry Laboratory, and Labiotest, a company specializing in odor reduction technology.
Odor reduction plan recommendations: recommended measures include maintaining dry and aerobic litter conditions through natural or forced ventilation, careful management of livestock effluents removal, and verifying the dimensional and structural capacities of storage facilities to ensure proper maturation. More details are available on the web page dedicated to LOD.
Labiotest's contribution: in support of odor reduction activities, Labiotest works together with the other group companies, offering solutions to address odor issues. For livestock farms, Labiotest offers the osmogenic barrier technology, which includes sprayining systems and specific neutralizing products to manage non-hazardous emissions that become a nuisance.
For more information on regulations and services offered regarding noise management, contact us at 0432 634411 or send an email at gesteco@gruppoluci.it.