On 24 June, the Council of the EU adopted its negotiating position on a package of measures aimed at simplifying environmental rules (see EUROPE 13895/9).
It introduces targeted changes for the livestock sector. Organic farms are explicitly excluded from the scope of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). This exclusion covers both organic poultry farms and organic pig farms, in order to ensure consistency with the specific legislation applicable to organic production.
The rules for calculating livestock units (LSU) are also adjusted. Unweaned piglets are no longer taken into account in calculating the capacity of installations, owing to their low emissions. For weaned piglets, a distinction is made according to weight: those weighing 20 kg or less are subject to a reduced conversion rate, while heavier animals are counted as other pigs, with a higher rate reflecting increased emissions. Pullets intended to become laying hens are now included in the calculation, with a specific conversion rate, in order to correct an unintended exclusion introduced by earlier legislation.
The application thresholds for pig or poultry farming installations are broadly maintained at 380 LSU or more. Exceptions are, however, provided for organic farms, as well as for those with a livestock density of less than two livestock units per hectare and where animals are reared outdoors to a significant extent or on a seasonal basis.
To see the text: https://aeur.eu/f/mm6 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)