Italy
Biosolid production and disposal routes in Italy:
1,1 Million tonnes DM of Biosolids was produced in 2006:
National regulation:
The main texts governing the sewage sludge landspreading in Italy are:
- D.Lgs 99/92
- Many local regulations
Product status for compost of sludge:
Composted sludge product is marketable if it respects the specifications of D.Lgs 217/2006Stakeholders position and specificities of the Italy context:
At the beginning of august 2009, in region Lombardy, the largest Italian area where the biosolids are landspread, has been banned the use in agriculture in two steps.
The first step foresees the ban of the use of biosolids in vulnerable areas (as defined by the nitrogen directive) in two years’
time; the second step stops the lanspreading in the other areas in four years’time. After 3 years is envisaged a possible reassessment of these decisions.
EFAR Italian members position is that it is not acceptable such decisions due to the fact that only 5% of arable lands are interested by biosolids landspreading and there is no minimal clue that this use improves the quantity of nitrogen in the water of rivers and lakes.
EFAR members ask an immediate review of part of these decisions and they’ll take all the actions to dialogue with the local authorities and to preserve their rights for a correct application of the european directive and of the national legislation for the soil landspreading.
