ARF Organic Wastes Conference

27th & 28th Sept 2004
Summary of perceived gaps in scientific knowledge and need for better communication

Gaps in scientific knowledge

• Better techniques to characterise the nutritive value of organic materials and the use of these to better define crop available nutrient supply, in particular nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur (priority area)
• Understanding better the relationship between microbial activity/biodiversity and nutrient cycling
• Need to define a 'healthy soil' - should biodiversity relate to the quantity of micro-organisms or their diversity and how is this affected by addition of organic materials?

Communication

General points relating to organic materials

• Joint levy-board and Defra/EA approach key to communication of co-ordinated messages on best management practices for organic materials (priority area)
• Possible catchphrase for work on organic materials - 'Recycling as nature intended'
• Need to bear in mind imminent/future regulation/legislation when planning communication strategy - eg water framework directive, catchment sensitive farming etc.
• Need better dialogue between producers, farmers and users (including supermarkets) and a clearer understanding of each others businesses
• What have we got, who wants it and where
• Involving all organisations from across the industry will lend more weight when communicating and trying to influence policy
• Demonstration is the key - seeing is believing
• Use case studies and best practice guidelines emphasising 'win-win' situations
• Include economics as well as science

Specific Points

• Growers need:
  • better understanding of nutritive and other value of organic materials, what they do and how to apply them (priority area).
  • guidelines on timing and method of application of organic materials on growing crops for best utilisation of nutrients and minimisation of odour nuisance (this may also require further research) (priority area)
  • more awareness, training and use of tools available for nutrient planning - eg MANNER and PLANET
• More public awareness of the use of biosolids on land is essential. This should be backed by 'good news' stories, such as one from the farm we visited, and needs to address public concerns -particularly those relating to health and odour
• Issues relating to on-farm composting - there was considerable concern that new EA regulations may restrict this
• Pro's (mass loss, stability of nutrients, pathogen/weed seed kill) and con's (gaseous losses, energy, costs) of composting
• Complete life cycle analysis approach to understanding 'usefulness' or otherwise of composted materials