Verification of Environmental Technologies for Agricultural Production

Verification of Environmental Technologies for Agricultural Production (German: verification of environmental technologies for agricultural production ), short VERA is a multinational collaboration between Denmark , the Netherlands and Germany for testing and verification of environmental technologies in the agricultural sector, which was launched in 2009. Other EU countries such as Belgium , France and Great Britain have already expressed their interest in working together.

The aim of VERA is to create a cross-border, standardized test and verification program for technologies in the European agricultural sector and to promote a well-functioning market for emission-reducing technologies in European agriculture.

Content

The content framework for the testing and verification of environmental technologies is based on test protocols that have been developed by experts from the participating countries or are currently still in development. The scientific knowledge about emissions and emission effects as well as about the optimal measurement methods are constantly evolving. The test protocols are therefore regularly updated according to the current state of research and science. There are currently VERA test protocols for the following technologies:

Exhaust air purification systems
Animal husbandry and management systems
Manure spreading techniques

Slurry storage covers

Slurry separators

Biogas plants (in preparation).

Technologies that have been tested according to these test protocols can receive a VERA verification certificate. This documents the environmental efficiency and operational safety of a technology. A VERA verification certificate is product-specific and only applies to the tested technology. In the event of changes, it must be proven that this will not have any negative effects. The focus in terms of environmental efficiency is currently on reducing ammonia , odor and dust.

Use

For farmers

Processes tested according to VERA offer the farmer a selection of technologies that have proven their environmental impact and operational safety. A VERA certificate confirms whether a technology has been tested according to VERA. All products that have been successfully tested internationally are published on the website with the VERA certificate and the associated VERA report.

For manufacturers

Manufacturers of emission-reducing technologies have the currently unique opportunity to receive recognition in various EU countries with a VERA-tested product and thus save testing costs for proof of function in the individual countries. This makes the competitive conditions more uniform and easier to calculate.

For authorities

VERA is used differently in the participating countries. Since the process has only started some time, it is not yet fully implemented everywhere. VERA has already been fully implemented in Denmark. Products must be listed there in the "technology list", which is possible via a VERA test. In the Netherlands, such a test qualifies you for inclusion in the Dutch "TacRav list". In Germany, the assessment of the measured emission reductions and other decisions are made by the competent licensing authorities in the federal states.

structure

management

The International VERA Board (IVB) consists of representatives from the participating national agriculture and environment ministries. The IVB is the decision maker who determines the rules, basic criteria and the objectives of the VERA cooperation.

International Secretariat

The secretariat organizes, coordinates and implements the activities decided by the IVB. It is also responsible for the organizational support and coordination of the activities of the expert commissions. It also advises the manufacturers of environmental technologies, test laboratories and authorities and evaluates the formal requirements for the submitted applications for verification certificates. Finally, it issues the VERA certificates and monitors their use. The leadership of the secretariat changes every four years to another member country. Until 2018, these activities will be carried out in Germany on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture .

Technical experts

Independent technical experts from the three member countries are appointed for each application area. These form the respective "International VERA Committees, in short: IVCs". You will revise existing test protocols and develop new test protocols for other subject areas. The experts evaluate the documents and measurement results submitted for verification.

Testing institutes

The test institutes are responsible for the planning, implementation and documentation of the test activities. The institutes are independent organizations and can be freely selected by the manufacturer, provided they have the necessary qualifications in accordance with the basic VERA guidelines and the VERA test protocol.