Land application of waste from oil and gas wells: Implications for food safety and animal welfare
Published: 16 July 2015 - by Jo Cavanagh
A Landcare Research report found the land application of oil and gas waste – a practice known as landfarming - poses no attributable risk to food safety or animal welfare if managed appropriately.
A Landcare Research report has found the land application of oil and gas waste – a practice known as landfarming - poses no attributable risk to food safety or animal welfare if managed appropriately.
The report, commissioned by the Ministry of Primary Industries, was released yesterday in conjunction with their own guidance report for producers and processors to follow when spreading rocks and minerals from oil and gas drilling in order to ensure food safety and animal welfare.
The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential risks posed by different components of the waste material in relation to food safety and animal welfare following land application.
“Land application of O&G wastes is considered to pose no attributable risk to food safety of animal welfare, particularly when wastes are incorporated into the shallow subsoil with topsoil overlying the soil/waste layer.
“Surface application of O&G wastes is considered to pose no attributable risk to food safety or animal welfare when stock are excluded and crops not harvested until agreed endpoints for soil quality reached,” the report summary stated.
To find out more, view the report.
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