Integration of anaerobic digestion into farming systems

in Australia, Canada, Italy, and the UK

This report assesses the role of biogas integrated into the farming system through examination of policy, practices and strategies in four very distinct countries with very different climatic conditions. (Australia, Canada, Italy and the UK). In Australia, AD is used primarily to reduce the environmental impact of waste waters from red meat processing and piggeries.

The Canadian section describes the regulatory framework for AD in agriculture in the different provinces. Italy has seen widespread adoption of the Biogas Done Right concept – a set of innovations that includes AD as a core technology. In the UK, AD of manure along with improved crop production technologies, including precision agriculture, are reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture.

Other environmental benefits such as the destruction of pathogens and weed seeds are also noted.