M.G. Smits1 and Ir. G-J Montety2
1European Camel Research Society and 2Monteny Environmental Consultant
1European Camel Research Society, Johanniterlaan 7, 6721 XX Bennekom, The Netherlands
2Monteny Environmental Consultant, Hogenkampseweg 174, 6871 JW Renkum, The Netherlands
ABSTRACT
The emission of ammonia is an important environmental drawback of animal husbandry in most European countries. Emission factors form the basis for emission inventories, e.g. in the framework of the National Emission Ceiling Directive. The emission factor for ammonia emission from commercial camel keeping is unknown. Because of the many health promoting properties of camel milk, several European farmers consider to start milking camels. In the Netherlands, until now this is not possible as municipal (local) environmental permit to keep camels commercially cannot be obtained, because of ammonia emission from camel husbandry.
Based on the way dairy dromedary camels are kept in the first commercial camel husbandry in the Netherlands, Europe, we calculated their ammonia emission using literature data, and an assessment of the impact of the housing system, including manure management. Literature was assessed for ammonia emission data from camel husbandry in general and camel housing in particular. Literature data were compared with dairy cows and horses, which are typically based on measurements. Generally, ammonia emission of a barn for adult camels is estimated to be typically 5-6 kg ammonia/head/year, corresponding with about 50% of ammonia emission of dairy cow barns. However, when urine and faeces are directly separated and removed, as occurs in the Dutch camel barn, camel ammonia emission factor is assessed to be 1.5-2.0 kg/head year, corresponding with 10-20% of cows ammonia emission.
Key words: Ammonia emission, camel barn, dromedary camel, environmental permit
Home