The second draft of the Reference Document (BREF) for the Intensive Rearing of Pigs and Poultry has just been released to member states for consultation, as part of a periodic review.

UK technical representatives are preparing to submit evidence to help establish which pig and poultry farming techniques should be considered as Best Available Techniques.

"It is important that the techniques described in the 850-page document are physically and economically viable in the UK, ie they must not just be of scientific interest or preclude our specialist and higher welfare systems," says BPEX environment programme manager, Nigel Penlington.

"BAT applies not only to the housing systems, but also farm management, feed formulation and slurry storage. So, for example, as they currently stand, the proposals would mean slurry stores on permitted farms would have to be covered by 2018 rather than 2020 as many hope."

The new BREF is scheduled for publication early in 2014, once the ratification process is complete. Once adopted, all permitted farms have four years in which to be fully compliant, operating to BAT across their whole operation, and the EA will start a permit review process in 2014.

Nigel, along with Alison Holdsworth from the Environment Agency (EA) and Lizzie Press from the National Pig Association are working with appropriate experts, the EA, Defra and industry stakeholders on compiling the UK submission.

Pig producers who would like to make comments on the document should send them to Nigel or Lizzie by 7 October 2013 to allow them to review and submit them by the 21 October deadline.

To download the second draft of the Reference Document, please click here.