Guidance on the storage of compost and/or digestate (from
approved ABP plants) at premises other than the premises of
production or use
Contents
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Why do sites storing compost and digestate have to be approved?
Who carries out the approval?
How is disease risk to animal and public health minimised?
What are the requirements for premises that bag compost/digestate for onward sale?
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Why do sites storing compost and digestate have to be approved?
EU legislation requires that premises where compost and/or digestate, are stored have to be
approved as the material is considered to be an organic fertiliser or soil improver (OF/SI). Any
storage prior to the final distribution to the retail market requires approval.
This requirement applies to all storage sites except those where the material is to be applied to
land on the same premises.
These requirements only apply to the storage of compost or digestate from ABP approved
plants, not from composting or anaerobic digestion sites that do not require approval, which are
ones using vegetable matter plus manure, digestive tract content, milk, milk based products,
colostrums, eggs and egg products.
Who carries out the approval?
Approval is carried out by DARD on receipt of a fully completed application form.
How is the disease risk to animal and public health minimised?
The most important principles for disease control purposes for storage of these materials
outdoors are to be able to ensure:
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Separation from direct or indirect access from farm animals.
Separation from feed destined for farm animals.
Tracing of product is maintained.
Environmental controls are adhered to.
A “waiting period” of at least 21 days between application of compost and digestate from ABP
approved plants and allowing grazing of livestock or cut forage to be fed is considered an
important final barrier for the control of notifiable diseases, such as Foot and Mouth Disease or
Swine Fever. This is extended to 60 days for pigs. Lack of control on animal access would
therefore increase risk of spread of such diseases.
What are the requirements for storage of OF/SI made of compost or digestate
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V1
The material must be received in leakproof packaging, leakproof containers or means of
transport.
Feb 15
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The material may be stored under cover or outside if storage does not pose
unacceptable risk of access by farmed animals. Examples of unacceptable risk include:
Farm animals having direct access to compost and digestate, (or leachate from stored
heaps);
There being risk of transfer of material from these stores directly to farm animals through
clothing, equipment;
Risk of contamination of feed intended for farm animals.
This means there must be adequate fencing, where appropriate or other means of
separation to ensure these risks are controlled.
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Floors must be constructed in a way that cleansing and disinfection can take place if
justified by the risk. Any leached liquid that could be accessed by farmed animals must
be contained. In any case the EA must be consulted due to the above risks and to
prevent contamination of watercourses. The leachate that is contained must be disposed
of as compost/digestate.
Adequate facilities for staff should be available. This may mean staff facilities such as
lavatories are provided off site.
Pest control arrangements need to be individually tailored to the perceived risks on site.
Facilities for cleansing and disinfecting the delivery vehicles need to be provided, but may be
provided off site where appropriate.
A formal written risk assessment must be provided to DARD by the operator of each site.
This must include the way in which the risks mentioned above are to be addressed.
Full records and commercial documents must be kept of incoming material and for all
outgoing loads of material, as per requirements in the ABP legislation. These would not be
required from retailers supplying within UK to final users, other than business operators.
The words ‘organic fertilisers or soil improvers’ no grazing of farmed animals or use of crops
as herbage during at least 21 days following application must be applied to all packaging,
unless it is in ready to sell packages of not more than 50kg in weight for use by final users in
horticulture, sports grounds or gardening and to the vehicle, if the transport is in bulk. The
exact wording must be recorded in written documentation accompanying bulk loads, such as
the commercial document.
What are the requirements for premises that bag compost/digestate for onward sale?
Such premises need to be approved as handling plants.
V1
Feb 15