Anaerobic digester (AD) plants are widely regarded as a way of generating green energy and as a solution to the disposal and recycling of agricultural and other waste material.<\/p>\n
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But while ADs may help Wales achieve its carbon targets, they are having some very negative effects on efforts to attain biodiversity improvements. They are complex, industrial plants, many of which are damaging river environments in both direct and indirect ways.<\/p>\n
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In recent years, accidents at AD plants have caused catastrophic pollution events. They are also a contributor to excessive nutrients in rivers when their end product (digestate) is spread on unsuitable land that is already high in phosphorus and nitrogen.<\/p>\n
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This is being allowed to happen through weak <\/strong>or non-existent regulation<\/strong> and a flawed planning system<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We know the number of AD plants in Wales is increasing but worryingly, exactly how many there are is unclear. Given this and potential to damage the environment, it is surprising that specific regulations to the operation of anaerobic digesters do not exist.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> Spreading digestate to land can add extra nutrients to rivers that are already failing phosphorus targets....<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Our planning system is failing to consider the effects of AD plants on the environment in its decision-making....<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t A lack of regulation of the AD industry and enforcement of permits by the authorities....<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t The growing of maize, a popular AD foodstock, is never good news for rivers....<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t We are not against anaerobic digestion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Along with Fish Legal<\/a>, we believe that it should never result in pollution of a Welsh river and further loss of biodiversity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We need a planning and regulatory system that prevents this and protects the environment. Currently, it does not.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> Welsh Government must review the entire planning and regulatory system when it comes to AD plants. This is something Afonydd Cymru and Fish Legal have called for in letters to Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change and Lesley Griffiths MS, Minister for Rural Affairs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Specifically, we need:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n And finally,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you need any more convincing that this industry poses a threat to Welsh rivers, please read the two case studies below.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thank you for your support.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>How Anaerobic Digester Plants Can Harm Rivers<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>
Digestate Spreading<\/a><\/h2>
The Black Hole of Planning<\/a><\/h2>
Poor Regulation<\/a><\/h2>
Crops to Feed AD Plants<\/a><\/h2>
What Needs To Change?<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>
How Is This Achieved?<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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What you can do to help.....<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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Case Studies<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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