Methane emission reduction in dairy and pig farming. What needs to be done?

The potential reduction to be achieved by the measures is almost sufficient to accomplish the goals set for 2030 if combined with a decrease in the livestock population. Nonetheless, considerable efforts must be made to ensure the required level of cooperation and to keep the measures at the needed level. Some measures may be effective but cannot be quickly implemented, while their long-term effect surpasses what has been calculated for 2030.

Feed and manure measures

One may differentiate between measures aimed at reduction through the digestion of feed in the animals’ gut or intestines and through the breaking down of organic matter in manure storage. Both these approaches can be effectuated simultaneously. Calculations show that applying just these two measures, without decreasing the livestock population, results in 7 to 14% fewer emissions. In combination with a 20% cut in the livestock population, the mentioned measures will result in 23-29% fewer emissions.

In the dairy sector, the “increased meadow time” and “additives in feed” are measures that could be implemented shortly. Unfortunately, reliable monitoring of these measures is still an issue.

Measures such as breeding for lower emissions and making adjustments to barns can be implemented gradually, but their maximum effect is only achieved in the long term. These measures can be adequately monitored. A decrease in the livestock population is also seen as a measure that requires time. These measures would appear to contribute only a little towards the 2030 goals. They will, however, retain a further reduction potential of between 5 and 7 % in the years after 2030.

Challenges in implementation

The measures may be implemented through legal requirements, stimuli or a combination of these two. Mandatory measures call for enforcement, which is feasible in alterations to the barn or breeding programmes, but more difficult in measures related to meadow time of additives in feed. A study on the Balance of Measurable Substances (Vellinga & De Haan, 2022) calls for regulating taxes, as the use of penal laws is not feasible.

Stimuli may include investment subsidies. The commercial sector is also considering stimulating measures for the reduction of emissions. A partnership between the business sector and government could provide benefits.

Measuring emissions is currently insufficiently accurate and secure to fully replace monitoring derivate variables.