LEGISLATION UPDATE ON COMPOST AGENDA

Posted 5 August 2003

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT is a maxim that could easily be applied to the second national On-Farm Composting Conference, taking place at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, this September.

There are social, economic and environmental benefits to be gained from composting green waste on farms and this event, called ‘Growing With Confidence,’ will provide an update on a crucial stage of the UK composting industry’s development.

Legislation within the industry is changing rapidly and a major component of On Farm Composting 2003 will be considering the amendments to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations and the Animal By-products Order.

The conference will also offer advice and guidance on obtaining a Waste Management Licence, the use of compost in agriculture and on using compost as a disease suppressant.

The success of Organic Recycling Ltd will be used as an example of best practice and an open forum Question and Answer session will allow experiences to be shared and opinions aired. There will also be an exhibition of machinery manufacturers, dealers and advisory agencies.

Simon Jones, Manager of the On-Farm Composting Network, which will hold the conference, said he hoped to build on the success of the 2001 event and expected more than 200 delegates to attend.

“This is an opportunity to hear the most recent developments within the composting industry and meet with fellow on-farm composters. Anybody who’s anybody will be there, with lots of speakers from industry, providing a great networking opportunity!”

The On-Farm Composting Network offers advice, guidance, support and training to entrepreneurs setting up, running or expanding their own composting enterprise and helps provide practical and cost effective solutions.

It is just one of the many initiatives that Harper Adams University College will support through the Centre for Rural Innovation when it launches later this year. The Centre for Rural Innovation is a flagship project, which will bring together several different areas of Harper Adams’ services, providing a single contact point for businesses wishing to make use of that knowledge and expertise.

On-Farm Composting 2003 takes place on Friday, September 12, 2003 at Harper Adams University College. The conference costs £117.50 or just £47 for members of the On-Farm Composting Network. This includes refreshments and lunch.

For further information and a booking form, please contact Steve Baker on the Conference Hotline +44 (0) 1952 815 460, e-mail compost@harper-adams.ac.uk or log on to: www.farmcompost.com

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Notes to Editors: Members of the press are welcome to attend On-Farm Composting 2003. For further information or to register your interest, please contact Simon Jones on +44 (0) 1952 815 335 or e-mail sjones@harper-adams.ac.uk