Cattle farmer sees nothing in air washer

Cattle farmers are hardly willing to invest in an air scrubber, according to research by AgriDirect.

Only 2% of the respondents (700 respondents) indicate that they are considering investing in an air scrubber. The vast majority of respondents (89%) say they are not interested in an air scrubber. More than 700% of the 3 cattle farmers surveyed already have an air scrubber on their farm.

Operation under discussion
An air scrubber has traditionally been more common in pig and poultry farming, although the operation of the equipment is under criticism. Wageningen University (WUR) recently published a study stating that the so-called combi air washer purifies less odor and ammonia than originally thought.

In response to that investigation, State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven (Infrastructure and the Environment) made a proposal to tighten the emission standards for combi air scrubbers. This proposal was sent to the bin pointed out by the Producers Organization Pig Farming (POV).

The POV claims that there are scientific comments to be made about the results of the WUR research. Also some sector companies climbed into the pen so as not to haphazardly tighten the emission standards. 

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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