Summary

Decision 2019/2031 establishes best available techniques conclusions (BATC) for permitted installations in the food, drink and milk sector. This Decision specifies mandatory minimum requirements on the environmental performance of permitted organisations.

Authorities are required to update permit conditions to reflect BATC under this Decision by 12 November 2023.

Best available techniques (BAT) specified include BAT-AELs (BAT Associated Emission Levels) for specified pollutants.

Scope

BATC apply to permitted installations undertaking the treatment and processing (bar exclusively packaging) of the following raw materials:

• only animal raw materials (other than exclusively milk) with a finished product production capacity greater than 75 tonnes per day;
• only vegetable raw materials with a finished product production capacity greater than 300 tonnes per day (or 600 tonnes per day where the installation operates for a period of no more than 90 consecutive days in any year);
• animal and vegetable raw materials, both in combined and separate products, with a finished product production capacity in tonnes per day greater than:
  • 75 if A is equal to 10 or more; or, [300 – (22,5 × A)] in any other case,
  • where ‘A’ is the portion of animal material (in percent of weight) of the finished product production capacity.
• Only milk, where the quantity received is greater than 200 tonnes per day;
• Production of ethanol, where subject to the thresholds above or carried out as a directly-associated activity.

The BATC also apply to independently operated waste water treatment plants, where the main pollutant originates from the above activities.

The BATC does not apply to the production of primary products from animal by-products or undertaking other slaughterhouse and animal-by product industry operations.

Duties

The Decision specifies duties and the corresponding techniques to reduce the environmental impact of installations. 37 BAT points are applied, concerning the following topics:

• Environmental management and monitoring;
• Emissions to air and water, monitoring and treatment;
• Energy, resource material and water efficiency; and
• Noise and odour management.

Derogations

Derogations from BATC will only be granted where costs associated with the revised emissions limits disproportionately outweigh the respective environmental benefits. 

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