Management of Animal Wastes:
Policy Pressures and Policy Options

The risk of manure contamination of surface and groundwater sources in grazing and mixed systems is increased by two sorts of policies:

- Subsidies on inorganic fertiliser that result in the undervaluing and therefore wasteful uses of manure
- A lack of clarity over the ownership and management of waterpoints

Policy options most likely to mitigate the problem therefore comprise:

- Phasing out subsidies on inorganic fertiliser
- Planning of waterpoint provision including careful physical planning, and linking where appropriate management responsibilities to ownership rights over the water and surrounding grazing

Improved extension can also assist in teaching farmers techniques for the optimal storage, treatment and application of manure.

Click here for policy options for managing animal waste in industrial systems

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