Code of good agricultural practice for the protection of air / Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Welsh Office, Agriculture Department.

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date:
1992
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Code of good agricultural practice for the protection of air / Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Welsh Office, Agriculture Department. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    lal lial greenhouse gases from agriculture. There are, however, some methods that farmers can use to reduce the amount emitted, many of which will also save money. It is important not to confuse the carbon dioxide that is recycled within agriculture and the human and animal food cycle, with the permanent release into the atmosphere of fossilised carbon from fossil fuels and limestone. As crops grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but an equal amount is released to the atmosphere when the crop products are used as food for animals or people, so that agriculture cannot be considered a net consumer of carbon dioxide. However, if agricultural products are used as fuels instead of fossil fuels, there is a net reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide generated. As well as by using fossil fuels, agriculture also contributes carbon dioxide from the breakdown of liming materials in the soil. which releases fossilised carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as it neutralises acidity in the soil. The most effective way of rediicing carbon dioxide emissions is to use energy more efficiently and to exploit alternative non-fossil fuels as sources of energy. Improvements in energy efficiency can reduce farm running costs. The following are important: 65 Greenhouse Gases Maintain engines by following the manufacturers recommendations. A S$ to 15% reduction in fuel consumption can be obtained by servicing air cleaners and fuel injectors regularly. Choose tractors and machinery that are suitable for the tasks they will be performing. Use the lowest powered tractor capable of doing the required job. Do not make unnecessary journeys and cultivation passes. Maintain fixed equipment such as grain driers, refrigerated stores and bulk milk tanks in good condition and operate them efficiently. Reduce heat loss from heated buildings. Unintentional ventilation of buildings can waste a lot of heat. Effective insulation of walls, roofs, and heating pipes can significantly reduce the amount of heat that is lost. Heated glasshouses, mushroom houses and polythene covered structures are major users of energy. Economise on fuel by precise control of the correct temperature regimes, using thermal screens and correct maintenance of boilers and burners. Consider the use of energy sources which are not fossil fuels. There are opportunities for using alternative energy sources, such as solar heating, heat pumps, straw burning boilers, biogas from manure digestion, wind and water power. These techniques may be cost effective especially when the amount of energy needed is consistent through the year. Each project needs firstly to be critically assessed for its capital, management and running costs. Further details of some of these possibilities are given in Section 15.
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