Umwelttechnik - Environmental Engineering

The Fertilizer Application Order, which will regulate good professiona l fertilizing practice throughout Germany, has still not been adopted, so that as before, the differing slurry orders in each federal states tipulate the legal framework for slurry storage and application methods. The debate on the environmental impact of various production processes and products continues to be conducted at a highly emotional level. Agreement on recognized audit methods, as proposed by the Federal Environment Agency (ecological audits for products) could be a major step towards a more objective approach. However, experience in the preparation of ecological audits shows that the current state of knowledge is mostly insufficient for reliable evaluation, in particular as regard s emissions of trace gases with an effect on climate.