1. VLAREM II
Order of the Flemish Government of 1 June 1995 concerning
General and Sectoral provisions relating to Environmental Safety
Chapter 5.9. ANIMALS
Section 5.9.1. Area of application
Article 5.9.1.1.
§ 1.
The provisions of this chapter are applicable to the establishments referred to in subsections 9.3, 9.4,
9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8 and 9.9 of the classification list as well as to the storage sites for manure referred to
in subsection 28.2 of the classification list that are associated with the aforementioned
establishments.
Article 5.9.1.2.
[...]
Section 5.9.2. Construction regulations for animal housing and manure storage
sites and places for manure treatment and manure processing
Animal housing
Article 5.9.2.1.
§ 1.
Animal housing must be built using durable and sound materials, in accordance with a code of good
practice or - failing such code - according to the rules of good workmanship, under the supervision of
a certified architect, an engineering architect, a civil architectural engineer, an industrial architectural
engineer, an agricultural engineer or a bio-engineer, in such a way that the nuisance for the
environment is prevented or restricted to the normal level of nuisance caused by neighbours.
§ 2.
The full floor surfaces in animal housing must be made of hardened material. They must be
manureproof. If this proves necessary, the manureproofness must be ensured by the application of a
manure-resistant impermeable layer. These floor surfaces must be sloping, to ensure the easy
removal of manure, slurry or flush water.
§ 3.
It is forbidden to equip these floor surfaces of animal housing, manure ducts and slurry tanks with
overflows or drainage channels to a surface water, a public sewer, an artificial drainage route for
rainwater or a septic pit.
Additional construction conditions for animal housing with respect to the limitation of
the emission of ammonia
Article 5.9.2.1bis.
§ 1.
For all poultry and pig farms for which an environmental licence is granted for:
the operation of a new installation, whether or not in combination with the complete discon-
tinuation of an existing cattle breeding establishment
the changing of an existing cattle breeding establishment, whereby one or a multiple of new
animal housings are built
the changing of an existing cattle breeding establishment by the amalgamation of cattle breed-
ing establishments, whereby one or a multiple of new animal housing are also built the newly to
be built animal housing must be low in ammonia emissions if, for the animal cate-gory
concerned, a technique is included in the list of low ammonia emission animal housings
established by the order of the Flemish minister competent for the environment.
§ 2.
After the finishing of the construction of a low ammonia emission animal housing and the provision of
the different low ammonia emission animal housing systems included therein, a su-pervisory architect,
engineering architect, civil architectural engineer, industrial architectural en-gineer, agricultural
engineer or bio-engineer must issue a certificate that demonstrates that the construction work was
carried out in conformity with the low ammonia emission animal housing techniques described in the
list established by the order of the Flemish minister competent for the environment. This certificate is
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2. kept available for perusal by the supervisory authority.
§ 3.
Animal housing that was built according to animal housing techniques considered as low ammonia
emission by virtue the order of the Flemish minister competent for the environment maintains its
status of low ammonia emission animal housing, even if the technique is not con-sidered as such by
following ministerial orders for the establishment of low ammonia emission animal housing
techniques. With the conversion of this animal housing, where the rebuilding has a negative impact on
the emission of ammonia, the requirements for low ammonia emission ani-mal housing as included in
the most recent version of the list must be complied with.
Storage sites for solid animal manure outside animal housing
Article 5.9.2.2.
§ 1.
Permanent storage sites for solid animal manure outside animal housing must be equipped with a
floor made of hardened material. The floor must be manureproof. If this proves necessary, the
manureproofness must be ensured by the application of a manure-resistant impermeable layer.
These storage sites must be enclosed on three sides by manureproof walls of sufficient height, which
must meet the same requirements as the floor. The fourth side must be provided in such a way that
the washing away of drained water and rainwater from this permanent storage site is not possible.
§ 2.
The floor is made in such a way that thin manure and drainage water are collected in manureproof,
closed storage spaces (slurry pits).
§ 3.
The location is chosen in such a way that odour nuisance for the surrounding land is prevented or
restricted to the normal level of nuisance caused by neighbours.
§ 4.
It is forbidden to equip these storage sites for solid animal manure and the relevant slurry pits with
overflows or drainage channels to a surface water, a public sewer, an artificial drainage route for
rainwater or a septic pit.
§ 5.
Unless otherwise specified in the environmental license, an installation must, where solid animal
manure is produced on site, have one or more manure storage areas for solid animal manure with a
total capacity sufficient to stock at least the quantity of solid animal manure produced in a six-month
period by those animals it is permitted to keep on the basis of the number of animal stalls in the
livestock building(s). By no later than 31 December 2011, this capacity shall be raised to a quantity
corresponding to 9 months in the case of animals kept permanently in stalls. By way of derogation
from the provisions above, this period shall be at least 3 months in the case of stable manure.
The necessary volume must be calculated on the basis of the directives for storage capacity for
manure mentioned in appendix 5.9., section 7.
These provisions are considered to be complied with if the operator of the establishment can prove to
be able to prevent in another regulatory manner that the aforementioned quantity of ma-nure or part
thereof is spread on agricultural land during the period concerned.
Storage sites for slurry
Article 5.9.2.3.
§ 1.
Unless otherwise specified in the environmental license, an installation producing mixed manure must
have one or more manure storage areas with a total capacity sufficient to stock at least the quantity
of manure produced in a six-month period by those animals it is permitted to keep on the basis on the
number of animal stalls in the livestock building(s).
By no later than 31 December 2011, this capacity shall be raised to a quantity corresponding to 9
months in the case of animals kept permanently in stalls. The required volume shall be calculated in
accordance with the manure storage capacity guidelines stated in Appendix 5.9, Chapter 7.
These provisions are also assumed to have been satisfied if the operator of an installation is able to
demonstrate under other regulations that, in the period in question, he was able to avoid spreading
some or all of the aforementioned manure on arable land.
§ 2.
The floor, the walls and the ducts forming the connections to the animal housing or to other storage
spaces must be constructed from durable and sound materials according to the rules of good
workmanship as indicated in appendix 5.9., chapter 1 or 2 to this order. The construction work is to
be performed under the supervision of a certified architect, an engineering architect, a civil
architectural engineer, an industrial architectural engineer, an agricultural engineer or a bio-engineer,
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3. in such a way that the nuisance for the environment is prevented or restricted to the normal level of
nuisance caused by neighbours.
As a derogation from previous provision, for existing establishments it is also allowed that the storage
sites of slurry associated with the establishment meet the conditions indicated in appendix 5.9.,
chapter 3 (foil basins and manure storage bags). Storage sites for slurry may be built either
underground, at ground level or above ground level.
§ 3.
It is forbidden to equip these storage sites for slurry with overflows or drainage channels to a surface
water, a public sewer, an artificial drainage route for rainwater or a septic pit.
§ 4.
Excepting the required vent pipes, storage sites located outside the animal housing must be closed off
from the open air.
For storage sites intended for the storage of effluents with a low level of ammoniacal nitrogen as
determined in the fertilizer decree originating from manure handing or manure processing in-
stallations, this can be derogated from in the environmental licence.
§ 5.
1. The suction and filling pipes used for the emptying and possibly also for the filling of manure
basements as well as the apertures needed for mixing the contents of slurry basements must
be located outside the animal housing. A manureproof facility must be provided, where slurry
spilt during filling or emptying is collected. A slurry basement must be constructed in such a
way that above the manure in the basement there can never be spaces that are completely
closed off from the open air.
2. With other types of slurry storage places, a manureproof spillage well with a capacity of at least
125 litres must be provided at the filling and suction pipe; pipes and valves not fitted at a frost-
free depth must be protected against freezing; there must be at least two valves fitted in a
filling or drainage line which may come under the pressure of the content of the storage site;
the outer valve must be able to be shut using a safety lock; in ducts in which a siphoning action
can occur, valves or venting provisions must be provided.
§ 6.
Within a water abstraction area and/or protected zone of type I, II or III, only slurry basements with
base and upright walls made of reinforced concrete, in accordance with current Belgian and/or
European standards and regulations, or manure storage silos, may be used. If other materials are
used, the soundness of the proposed construction must be justified by means of an expert study. This
study is kept available to the supervisory authority.
Places provided for manure treatment or manure processing installations
Article 5.9.2.4.
§ 1.
With the use of an installation for the treatment or the processing of animal manure, the necessary
measures will be taken in order to ensure that any spilt manure can be col-lected and replaced in the
existing manure storage facility.
The operator takes all necessary measures with the objective of ensuring that cleaning water,
leachate or manure cannot enter the soil, and certainly cannot arrive in drains intended for the
drainage of rainwater
Section 5.9.3. General conditions with respect to the location of animal housing
Article 5.9.3.1.
[...]
§ 1.
[...]
§ 2.
[...]
Section 5.9.4. Additional conditions with respect to the location of sties
Rating
Article 5.9.4.1.
According to the design of the sty on the one hand, and the layout of the slurry storage facilities on
the other hand, each sty and/or slurry storage facility associated with the establishment is rated with
a score expressed in points as follows:
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4. Description Rating
1. Animal housing systems:
a. sty equipped with a system for slurry removal several times per day (cf.
80
manure wash system)
b. housing with dry litter waste management system (enzymes - compost) 80
c. deep litter housing, i.e. animal housing where at regular intervals the
animals are provided with a sufficient quantity of litter and where the
60
bedding is disposed of only after a complete housing period - after the
animals have been taken outside;
d. animal housing with solid floor, with bedding (including concrete slabs
30
with tapered apertures, the so-called "straw slats");
e. animal housing floor with a slatted area of over 50 %;
Note: animal housing floor should be understood as the floor of the area 20
where the animals are actually kept.
f. animal housing floor with a slatted area of 50 % or less 10
g. animal housing with solid floors, without bedding. 10
h. low ammonia emission animal housing 110
2. Ventilation systems for animal housing:
a. Mechanical ventilation systems connected to an odour abatement
110
installation;
b. Mechanical ventilation systems, not connected to an odour abatement
installation;
1. With vertical emission:
a. exhaust opening 0.5 m or more above the
ridge of the roof:
without cowl 50
with cowl 30
b. exhaust opening less than 0.5 m above the
ridge of the roof:
without cowl 40
with cowl 20
2. With lateral emission 10
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5. c. Natural ventilation systems:
1. without cover (open ridge air chimney) 20
2. with cover 10
3. The storage of solid animal manure:
a. dunghill enclosed on three sides; 50
b. transporter; 50
c. deep litter housing, i.e. animal housing where at regular intervals the
animals are provided with a sufficient quantity of litter and where the
0
bedding is disposed of only after a complete housing period - after the
animals have been taken outside;
4. The storage of slurry
a. storage inside the animal housing:
manure basement under the floor of the housing, without stench
20
trap;
manure basement under grate, without stench trap; 20
manure basement under grate, with stench trap, with limited storage
50
time (max. 3 weeks)
b. storage outside the animal housing:
closed storage; 50
simple cover; 30
open storage. 0
For new systems that do not appear in this table the applicant may provide a proposal, stating
reasons, for the determination of the rating, on the basis of an approach equivalent to that shown in
the table above. This proposal may be attached to either the environmental licence file, or to the
application for a derogation to the provisions of these regulations.
Rating per establishment
Article 5.9.4.2.
The rating to be taken into consideration for the establishment is calculated as specified below.
1. Sties:
a. Per sty:
Each sty belonging to the establishment is given a rating "Wst", which is the sum of the
scores awarded in accordance with article 5.9.4.1. to the housing system (in point 1) of
article 5.9.4.1.) and to the ventilation system (in point 2) of article 5.9.4.1.).
b. For all sties belonging to the establishment:
If the establishment encompasses several sties, all sties belonging to the establishment
are awarded a joint rating "Wv", which is the weighted average calculated as follows:
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6. where:
Wv = the rating awarded to all of the sties belonging to the establishment;
Σ (W stn × Vstn) = the sum of the products per sty of the rating for the sty and the
number of places for pigs in that sty;
Σ Vstn = the sum of the number of places for pigs for all of the sties belonging to the
establishment.
2. The storage of solid animal manure and slurry:
1. Per manure storage facility:
In accordance with article 5.9.4.1. a rating is awarded to each solid animal manure
storage facility (cf. point 3) of article 5.9.4.1.) and to each slurry storage facility (cf.
point 4) of article 5.9.4.1.) belonging to the establishment.
2. For all manure storage facilities belonging to the establishment:
If the establishment encompasses several manure storage facilities, all facilities
belonging to the establishment are awarded a joint rating "Wm", which is the weighted
average calculated as follows:
where:
Wm = the rating awarded to all slurry and solid animal manure storage facilities
belonging to the establishment;
Σ (W Mon × A) = the sum of the products per manure or slurry storage facility of the
rating for the storage facility and of the number of animals of which the slurry or manure
is collected in that storage facility;
Σ A = the sum of the number of animals of which the manure is collected in the storage
facility concerned.
3. The establishment:
The rating awarded to the establishment is equal to the sum of the ratings awarded in
accordance with points 1° and 2° above to all the sties belonging to the establishment, on the
one hand, and to the manure storage facilities belonging to the establishment, on the other
hand.
Prohibitory rules and stipulations of distances to be observed
Article 5.9.4.3.
It is forbidden to operate pig farms if they are located:
1. wholly or partially in a catchment basin and/or type I, II or III protected zone;
2. wholly or partially in an area other than an agricultural area.
Article 5.9.4.4.
At least the following distance must be maintained between each sty and/or storage area for solid
animal manure or mixed manure in an installation located in an agrarian area on the one hand, and
any residential development area, natural area of scientific value or nature reserve, area for
residential recreation or residential area other than a residential area with a rural character indicated
on the regional plan, or any forestry reserve indicated in the Forest Decree of 13 June 1990 on the
other hand, based on the number of pigs kept in the installation, expressed as pig units, and on the
number of rating points awarded to the installation pursuant to Article 5.9.4.2:
Minimum distance in metres for the following numbers of pig units
Rating points
awarded
100 to 501 to 1 051 to 1 576 to 2 101 to more than
to the installation
500 1050 1575 2 100 2 625 2 625
<50 250 300 350 prohibition prohibition prohibition
50 − 100 200 225 250 300 350 400
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7. 101 − 150 100 150 200 250 300 350
151 − 200 50 100 150 200 250 300
> 200 50 50 100 150 200 300
for the application of the abovementioned provisions:
one sow and piglets shall be equivalent to 2.5 pig units; any other pig > 10 weeks shall be
equivalent to l pig unit. ;
any other pig > 10 weeks shall be equivalent to l pig unit. ;
Article 5.9.4.5.
[...]
Translation not available
§ 1.
[...]
§ 2.
[...]
Section 5.9.5. Additional conditions with respect to the location of poultry houses
Rating
Article 5.9.5.1.
§ 1.
According to the design of the poultry house on the one hand, and the layout of the manure storage
facilities on the other hand, each poultry house and/or manure storage facility associated with the
establishment is rated with a score expressed in points as follows:
Description Rating
1. Animal housing systems:
a. litter-covered floor (dry manure); 60
b. latted floor (thin manure); 20
c. battery without forced drying of manure:
open manure storage underneath the battery; 20
regular removal of the manure to a holding tank; 40
daily removal of the manure to a holding tank; 80
d. battery with forced drying of the manure using fans, ceiling fans or a
comparable system (e.g. deep pit system or high rise system housing,
110
flushing gutter manure removal system housing, battery with belt for
removing manure and manure drying system).
e. low ammonia emission animal housing 110
2. Poultry house ventilation system:
a. Mechanical ventilation systems connected to an odour abatement 110
installation;
b. Mechanical ventilation systems, not connected to an odour abatement
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8. installation;
1. With vertical emission:
a. exhaust opening 0.5 m or more above the
ridge of the roof
without cowl 50
with cowl 30
b. exhaust opening less than 0.5 m above the
ridge of the roof
without cowl 40
with cowl 20
2. With lateral emission; 10
c. Natural ventilation systems
1. without cover (open ridge air chimney); 20
2. with cover 10
3. Manure storage
no manure storage (immediate removal); 50
sealed storage; 40
simple cover; 30
open storage, open flushing gutters. 0
For new systems that do not appear in this table the applicant may provide a reasoned proposal for
the determination of the rating, on the basis of an approach equivalent to that shown in the table
above. This proposal may be attached to either the environmental licence file, or to the application for
a modification to the provisions of these regulations.
Rating per establishment
Article 5.9.5.2.
The rating to be taken into consideration for the establishment is calculated as specified below.
1. Poultry houses:
a. Per poultry house:
Each poultry house belonging to the establishment is given a rating "Wst", which is the
sum of the scores awarded in accordance with article 5.9.5.1. to the housing system (in
point 1) of article 5.9.5.1.) and to the ventilation system (in point 2) of article 5.9.5.1.).
b. For all poultry houses belonging to the establishment:
If the establishment encompasses several poultry houses, all poultry houses belonging to
the establishment are awarded a joint rating "Wp", which is the weighted average
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9. calculated as follows:
where:
Wp = the rating awarded to all of the poultry houses belonging to the establishment;
Σ (W stn × Pstn) = the sum of the products per poultry house of the rating for the poultry
house and the number of places for poultry in that poultry house;
Σ P stn = the sum of the number of poultry that can be kept in all the poultry houses
belonging to the establishment.
2. Manure storage facilities:
a. Per manure storage facility:
With respect to the storage of manure (cf. point 3) of article 5.9.5.1.) belonging to the
establishment, a rating is awarded in accordance with article 5.9.5.1.
b. For all manure storage facilities belonging to the establishment:
If the establishment encompasses several manure storage facilities, all facilities
belonging to the establishment must be awarded a joint rating "Wm", which is a
weighted average calculated as follows:
where:
Wm = the rating awarded to all manure storage facilities belonging to the establishment;
Σ (W Mon × QMon) = the sum of the products per manure storage facility of the rating for
the facility and of the number of animals of which the manure is collected in that facility;
Σ A = the sum of the number of animals of which the manure is collected in the storage
facility concerned.
3. The establishment:
The rating awarded to the establishment is equal to the sum of the ratings awarded in
accordance with points 1° and 2° above to all the poultry houses belonging to the
establishment, on the one hand, and to the various types of manure storage facilities belonging
to the establishment, on the other hand.
Prohibitory rules and stipulations of distances to be observed
Article 5.9.5.3.
§ 1.
The operation of establishments comprising one or more poultry houses with slurry manure and
wholly or partly located in a water abstraction area and/or type I, II or III protected zone is forbidden,
irrespective of the number of poultry kept at the establishment.
§ 2.
Translation not available
§ 3.
The operation of establishments comprising one or more poultry houses with a joint total of over
10.000 animals located wholly in areas other than agrarian areas is forbidden.
§ 4.
The minimum distance to be observed, as measured from each animal housing facility and/or manure
storage facility at an establishment located in a rural residential area, on the one hand, to each of the
residential development areas, conservation areas with scientific value or nature reserves, forestry
reserves, areas for residential recreation and residential areas other than a rural residential area,
indicated in the regional land-use plan on the other hand, is laid down in the following table according
to the number of animals that are kept at the establishment and according to the rating calculated for
the establishment in accordance with article 5.9.5.2.:
Required minimum distance in metres at the
number of poultry indicated
Rating awarded to the establishment < 5000 fram 5.001 to 10.000
< 75 100 150
75 - 150 75 100
151 or more 50 75
In an establishment comprising one or more poultry houses and located wholly in a rural residential
area, it is forbidden to keep more chickens or other poultry than the number allowed according to the
aforementioned criteria and the stipulations of distances to be observed.
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10. § 5.
The minimum distance to be observed, as measured from each animal housing facility and/or storage
facility for slurry or solid animal manure at the establishment, to each of the residential development
areas, conservation areas with scientific value or nature reserves, forestry reserves, areas for
residential recreation and residential areas other than a rural residential areas indicated on the
regional land-use plan, is laid down in the following table according to the number of animals that can
be kept at the establishment and according to the rating calculated for the establishment in
accordance with article 5.9.5.2.:
Rating granted Minimum distance requirement in m relating to number of poultry units
to the < 5000 from from from from from >
installation 5,001 10,001 20,001 40,001 60,001 80.000
to to to to to
10,000 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000
< 75 100 150 200 300 400 prohibition prohibition
75 - 150 75 100 150 225 300 prohibition prohibition
151 - 200 50 75 100 150 200 250 300
> 200 50 75 100 150 200 225 250
In an establishment comprising one or more poultry houses and located wholly in an agrarian area, it
is forbidden to keep more chickens or other poultry than the number allowed according to the
aforementioned criteria and the stipulations of distances to be observed.
§ 6.
[...]
Section 5.9.6. Additional conditions with respect to the location of animal housing
other than sties and poultry houses
Article 5.9.6.1.
§ 1.
For mixed establishments comprising both sties and/or poultry houses, the requirements referred to in
this chapter - including the prohibitory rules and stipulations of distances to be observed - are
applicable without prejudice to the sties and the poultry houses belonging to the mixed establishment.
§ 2.
Without prejudice to the particular conditions that can be imposed in the environmental licence, for
animal housing other than sties and poultry houses the following prohibitory rules apply:
1. The operation is forbidden of establishments comprising one or more animal housing facilities
other than sties and poultry houses, irrespective of the number of animals that are kept at the
establishment, if these establishments are wholly or partly located in a water abstraction area
and/or a type I, II or III protected zone;
2. The operation is forbidden of establishments comprising one or more animal housing facilities
other than sties and poultry houses with a joint total of over 200 weaned native large mammals
(sections 9.4.2., 9.4.3. and 9.5. of the classification list), over 2.000 weaned native small
ruminants (section 9.6 of the classification list) or over 10.000 weaned rabbits, rodents, etc.
(section 9.7 of the classification list), if the establishments are located wholly in areas other
than rural residential areas or agrarian areas.
The same numbers apply when several of these categories of animals are combined. The
following conversion factor must be used: 1 weaned native large mammal = 10 weaned native
small ruminants = 50 weaned rabbits, rodents, etc.
In addition, it is prohibited to operate establishments where over ten dogs are kept if these
establishments are located in a residential area other than a rural residential area, or in a
residential development area.
3. The operation is forbidden of establishments comprising one or more animal housing facilities
other than sties and poultry houses with a joint total of over 500 weaned native large mammals
(sections 9.4.2., 9.4.3. and 9.5. of the classification list), over 5,000 weaned native small
ruminants (section 9.6 of the classification list) or over 25,000 weaned rabbits, rodents, etc.
(section 9.7 of the classification list), if the establishments are located wholly in areas other
than agrarian areas. The same numbers apply when several of these categories of animals are
combined.
The following conversion factor must be used:
1 weaned native large mammal = 10 weaned native small ruminants = 50 weaned rabbits,
rodents, etc.
§ 3.
The prohibitions and stipulations of distances stated in §1 and §2 do not apply to animal testing
installations. Pursuant to these provisions, animal testing installation shall mean: any installation at
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11. which living vertebrates, including larval forms which are free living and/or capable of reproduction,
excluding other foetal or embryonic forms, are kept and used in tests or kept with a view to testing,
excluding installations at which cattle are kept for practical examination.
Section 5.9.7. Conditions concerning control establishments
Article 5.9.7.1.
§ 1.
In establishments with slurry in which either over 2,500 pigs, or over 1,500 native large mammals
other than pigs, or over 40,000 poultry can be kept, or in establishments that are wholly or partly
located within protected zones for groundwater abstraction, at the operator's expense observation
pipes (measuring wells) are placed judiciously.
The observation pipes are to be made of a material that cannot be affected by the stored liquids. They
are fitted according to the rules of good workmanship as shown in appendix 5.9. to this order or
according to another equivalent code of good practice.
The number of pipes and the nature of their placement, as well as the type used and their length are
determined after consultation with the Department, competent in matters concerning environmental
licences and, where appropriate, with the operator of the water abstraction facility to be protected.
§ 2.
However, after consultation with the Department, competent in matters concerning environmental
licences and, where appropriate, with the operator of the water abstraction facility to be protected,
the observation pipes referred to under § 1. may be replaced by equivalent control facilities taking
into account the hydrogeological information about the ground.
§ 3.
The plans for the work and the drilling reports of the observation pipes or monitoring facilities referred
to in § 1 and § 2 above are made available to the Department, competent in matters concerning
environmental licences.
Section 5.9.8. Conditions with respect to the limitation of environmental
nuisance
Conditions with respect to the limitation of environmental nuisance
Article 5.9.8.1.
§ 1.
The ventilation of animal housing, whether mechanical or natural, must be performed in such a way
that pollution of the ambient air is prevented or restricted to the normal level of nuisance caused by
neighbours.
§ 2.
Insofar as they do not have a function for ventilation, windows should be kept closed. Outside doors
that are not designed to play a role in the ventilation of the animal housing must only be opened to
allow people, animals or goods to enter the building, or in the event of force majeure
The prevention of nuisance caused by dust originating from dry fodder
Article 5.9.8.2.
Dry fodder which may give rise to nuisance caused by dust is to be stored either in silos or to be kept
in packaged form.
Measures are taken to prevent the undesired spreading of dust with the filling of the fodder silos, or
restrict it to a limit value that is acceptable from an ecological point of view.
Manure
Article 5.9.8.3.
§ 1.
It is forbidden to spread or store solid animal manure or slurry within the establishment but outside
the storage spaces provided specifically for this purpose.
§ 2.
[...]
§ 3.
The produced animal manure must be disposed of in an ecologically sound manner, in accordance
withthe Decree of 22 December 2006 on the protection of water against nitrate contamination from
agricultural sources and the executive decisions providing for its enforcement.
General measures for environmental protection
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12. Article 5.9.8.4.
§ 1.
The establishment itself, the animals and the close vicinity being the property of the establishment
must be kept in a satisfactory hygienic state. A reliable water supply must be ensured.
§ 2.
The maximum number of animals in each animal housing is limited by the type and size of housing
according to technical agricultural standards.
The maximum number of animals indicated in the licence or in the notification may not be exceeded.
§ 3.
Effective measures must be taken to control vermin such as rats, mice and insects.
§ 4.
Without prejudice to the regulatory provisions concerned, carcasses may not be buried in the
establishment's land. The operator takes the steps required to separate the carcasses from the
healthy animals without delay, in order for them to be collected as soon as possible by an
establishment as referred to in subsection 2.11 of the classification list. In anticipation and to prevent
further infection:
1. - body parts, organs and carcasses of small animals (poultry, rabbits, piglets up to approx. 20
kg, etc.) must be kept in sealed carcass holders;
2. - carcasses of medium-sized animals (pigs, calves, sheep etc.) must be kept at a dedicated
carcass site, which must be easy to clean and disinfect and made of hard materials, with a
fitting closed cover made of a durable and easy to maintain material; this carcass site must be
easily recognisable and easy to reach by the collection vehicle of the establishment referred to
in subsection 2.11 of the classification list;
3. - carcasses of large animals (cattle, horses, etc.) must be kept under a fitting closed cover
made of durable and easy to maintain material;
4. -all other measures must be taken to prevent contact with third parties.
The cover referred to in points 2° and 3° must be such that cats, dogs, other animals and
insects can not get to the carcasses.
§ 5.
Kitchen waste and/or other waste intended for the feeding of the animals must be kept in closed
receptacles that can be cleaned easily
Waste waters
Article 5.9.8.5.
§ 1.
Any discharge of manure - whether as liquid manure, slurry or in any other form - into the public
sewers, an artificial drainage route for rainwater or in a surface water is prohibited. This prohibition
does not apply to the discharge of effluent after the treatment or the processing of animal manure if
the necessary licence (heading 3) has been granted.
§ 2.
All animal manure in liquid form as well as the leachate originating from manure must be collected in
a manureproof storage facility in or outside the animal housing.
§ 3.
The discharge of run-off and/or waste waters originating from the cleaning of the establishment is
subject to the requirements applicable to the establishments referred to in sections 3 and 52 of the
classification list.
Section 5.9.9. Conditions concerning monitoring
Article 5.9.9.1.
The operator must ensure that the establishment is kept in good condition - in particular the animal
housing, the storage facilities for manure and slurry and accessories - by regular maintenance and
checks.
Article 5.9.9.2.
§ 1.
The operator of an establishment as meant in article 5.9.7.1 § 1 checks the groundwater for the
presence of slurry originating from leaks at least every 3 months.
§ 2.
Furthermore, at the expense of the operator referred to in § 1, at least every three years a
groundwater examination will take place by an accredited laboratory specialising in groundwater
examinations.
The operator sends a copy of the analysis results to the Department, competent in matters concerning
environmental enforcement and, where appropriate, to the operator of the water abstraction to be
protected. The operator of an establishment located in a protected zone must also allow the checking
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13. of the measuring wells by the relative water authority when this authority so requests.
§ 3.
If it appears from the observation pipes or equivalent monitoring facilities referred to in § 1 or from
other observations that the manureproofness of the animal housing or manure storage sites is no
longer assured, the operator will take the necessary measures to restore the manureproofness as
quickly as possible. In anticipation of the repair, no young or additional animals may be brought in.
The execution of the repairs must be attested by a certified architect, an engineering architect, a civil
architectural engineer, an industrial architectural engineer, an agricultural engineer (farm
construction) or an agricultural bio-engineer (agricultural engineering).
Article 5.9.9.3.
With the final putting out of use of a manure storage site, the storage site must be completely
emptied.
Here the necessary measures must be taken related to protection against explosion and the
prevention of soil, surface area and groundwater pollution.
Article 5.9.9.4.
§ 1.
The operator must inform the Department, competent in matters concerning environmental
enforcement, the Governor of the Province and the Burgomaster of the municipality where the
establishment is located without delay of any leakage of fluids that may give rise to ground pollution
or to infiltration into the sewer system, surface water, groundwater or on adjacent properties.
§ 2.
If the operator is aware of any serious pollution related to the operation of the establishment, in
particular on the basis of the controls referred to in the articles 5.9.9.1. and/or 5.9.9.2., he must
report this to the Department, competent in matters concerning environmental enforcement referred
to in § 1 immediately.
Section 5.9.10. Conditions concerning existing animal housing and manure
storage sites
Article 5.9.10.1.
Without prejudice to the conditions imposed in the environmental licence, the existing animal housing
and manure storage facilities must meet the conditions specified in articles 5.9.2.1. § 3, 5.9.2.2. §§ 1,
2 and 4 and 5.9.2.3. § 1 and in sections 5.9.7. up to and including 5.9.9. of this order within the
period of 1 year from the date of this order coming into force.
Section 5.9.11. Additional conditions with respect to manure handing and/or
manure processing with animal housing
Follow-up of the nutrient flow
Article 5.9.11.1.
The operator shall maintain a register of all manure treatment and/or manure processing.
Article 5.9.11.2.
The operation of manure handling and manure processing installations must suffice with regard to the
provisions mentioned in article 5.28.3.4.2, 5.28.3.5.1, 5.28.3.5.2 and 5.28.3.5.3.
section 5.9.12. Environmental conditions relating to installations at which dogs
are kept
Article 5.9.12.1.
The conditions of this section apply to the installations stated in section 9.9 of the classification list.
Article 5.9.12.2.
The installation shall be enclosed by a fence to prevent the animals from escaping. On the sides facing
residential buildings or the public highway, this fence shall be made of nontransparent elements and
have a minimum height of two metres. A lockable gate must be provided to prevent access by
unauthorised persons.
The kennels shall be adequately sound-proofed and greenery shall be planted around the kennels and
play areas to ensure that the animals are not disturbed by the environment.
Any activity likely to disturb the peace and quiet is prohibited between the hours of 22.00 and 07.00.
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14. Between the hours of 22.00 and 07.00, the dogs are to be kept indoors unless otherwise stated in the
environmental license.
Cadavers must be removed for destruction by a relevant company. Pending collection, the bodies shall
be stored in a sealed container.
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