ENDSTORAGE COVERS

Far from this, from 2024 the tolerance limit of 10%, which was previously tolerated when calculating the fertilizer balance, will be abolished. The aforementioned emission-reducing measures have been specifically promoted for years as part of the Direct Payments Ordinance (DZV). Contributions from investment aid can therefore be claimed by submitting a cantonal contribution application either directly to the cantonal offices for agriculture, to the cantonal departments for structural improvements or to the building, environmental and economic departments of the respective canton. By referring to the OAPC, its specifications are taken into account in the ecological performance certificate (EPC) and checked on farms.

In the context of new buildings, there has been an obligation for a few years to cover liquid manure repositories. From 2022, all existing manure silos will have to be provided with a permanent cover. Transitional periods have been announced by the cantons and set nationwide until 2030. The situation in most cantons is that Swiss farmers will have between three years (for large manure storage facilities) and eight years (for smaller manure silos) to provide them with an approved cover.

Farm manure repositories are covered in Switzerland, on the one hand to limit ebullition and air exchange between the floating layer and the atmosphere and on the other hand to significantly inhibit various fermentation processes (e.g. heterotrophic primary and secondary fermentation). This results in a respectable reduction in fermentation and greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming, as well as an immediate recovery of nutrients that turn manure and/or digestate into a more valuable fertilizer.