BS 5502-31:1995+A1:2011

What is BS 5502-31 - Storage and handling of agricultural waste about?

BS 5502-31 is a standard that serves technical specifications for the storage and handling of agricultural waste, enabling the protection of the environment and living organisms by keeping manure and contaminated waters out of land and groundwater.

BS 5502-31 gives recommendations on building and structural aspects of agricultural (including horticultural) waste storage and handling.

BS 5502-31 addresses the prevention of air and water pollution that can be caused by liquid effluents such as livestock slurry, silage effluent and dirty water.

Note: BS 5502-31 does not cover -

• Equipment associated with waste storage, handling and treatments
• Chemicals (e.g. pesticides and disinfectants), medicines, and fuel oils
• Domestic, commercial and industrial waste products such as building materials, metals, paper and plastics

Who is BS 5502-31 - Storage and handling of agricultural waste for?

BS 5502-31 on the storage and handling of agricultural waste applies to:

• Agricultural waste consultants
• Waste management services
• Waste recycling and disposal services
• Regulatory bodies

Why should you use BS 5502-31 - Storage and handling of agricultural waste?

Agricultural waste is unwanted waste generated by agricultural activity. Proper identification, storage and handling of agricultural waste is important for the safe disposal of wastes and in some cases, recycling of the wastes. Agriculture waste management also helps in limiting the impact of waste on the environment, for a sustainable approach in farming.

BS 5502-31 provides users guidance on different types of pollution from agricultural waste, including water pollution, air pollution, animal carcasses, and other organic wastes, enabling users to inspect, limit and prevent the impact of agricultural waste on the environment.

BS 5502-31 provides users guidance on pollution from agricultural waste, characteristics of agricultural wastes, legislation and regulations, preliminary considerations for waste storage and handling, design of organic waste storage and handling facilities, materials, structures and more, assisting users in implementing the necessities for agricultural waste management.

With obedience and compliance of BS 5502-31, users can develop storage and handling facilities for agricultural waste and comply with regulations relating to disposal of wastes to farmland, system selection for storage and handling of slurry, dirty water or silage effluent, and statutory requirements and codes of practice.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS 5502-31:1995+A1:2011 supersedes BS 5502-31:1995, which is now withdrawn. A1 amendment in BS 5502-31:1995+A1:2011 includes the following changes -

• All references have been updated
• Clause 4 has been updated to reflect current guidance regarding pollution from agricultural waste
• Clause 7 has been updated to reflect current guidance regarding preliminary considerations for waste storage and handling and Table 4 and Table 5 have been removed
• Clause 8 has been updated to reflect current guidance regarding the design of organic waste storage and handling facilities and Table 6 removed
• Clause 10 has been replaced to reflect current waste regulations and duty of care