The Alberta government has introduced legislation to modernize the Agricultural Operation Practices Act, aiming to support the province’s agricultural growth and expand its emerging biogas industry, reported Biomass Magazine.
The proposed updates seek to clarify regulations around the management of organic materials, particularly digestate—a byproduct of biogas production derived from manure. Currently, regulatory uncertainty has made it difficult for agricultural operations to store and use digestate as a crop nutrient.
The amendments would establish clear guidelines for handling biogas byproducts, allowing organic waste from the agriculture sector to be diverted from landfills to biogas facilities. Farmers would also be permitted to store and use digestate on their farms as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers.
The Agricultural Operation Practices Act sets standards for confined feeding operations, manure management, and facility construction in Alberta. The government expects the proposed changes to encourage investment in biodigester facilities while providing agricultural producers with more sustainable options for soil enrichment.
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