The NFU has welcomed clarification that biogas producers will no longer have to register an exemption or pay for a permit in order to use fruit and vegetable by-products in the anaerobic digestion (AD) process.

The Environments Agency’s (EA’s) new briefing note differentiates crop residues from food waste when used for AD. The NFU has lobbied for clarification of the regulations in order for producers to use AD technology for farm residues with as little regulatory burden as possible.

Until now the inclusion of even a small quantity of these by-products into the AD process required farmers to apply for expensive permits, and to implement the same waste handling controls as a commercial food waste AD plant.

Crop residues are misshapen, bruised or undersized fruit and vegetables separated out as being unsuitable for sale, or parts of fruit and vegetables including leaves, roots and toppings removed as part of the processing for sale. This may be done in a pack-house or at a farm.

NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said: “This briefing note provides a long awaited boost for farmers wishing to utilise their crop residues for AD and biogas production without added regulatory burden.”