Disposal of organic sludge and liquid agricultural wastes is a universal problem. Their production cannot be halted and as steps are taken to maintain or improve the quality of rivers and lakes it grows in quanti ty. The Commission's early awareness of the need for action to prepare for substantial growth in the Community's' sludge disposal problem led to the setting up of the COST 68 project to coordinate and guide European research and development work with particular emphasis on recycling sludge to agricultural land. Two years ago the field of research activi ties was extended to liquid agricultural wastes. This Symposium is the latest opportunity to provide a comprehensive review of the results of the project, to define current trends in practice and to establish by discussion the priorities for research over the next few years. The development of instrumentation and of analytical techniques during the period has extended our knowledge of the organic and inorganic constituents of sewage sludge and agricultural wastes and enabled us more readily to identify and measure the risks to which our general environment may be exposed when disposing of it. This evolution of understanding is a continuing process and an essential guide to the modification of disposal practices to achieve safer and more efficient operations. However, it is important to take a broad view of the application of research findings in the light of the considerable contrast in conditions in different parts of the world.
An understanding of sustainability in animal production is becoming increasingly necessary since the global demand for food is expected to dramatically increase in the coming decades. In this context, raising animals for the production of food will become increasingly challenging. Farm animals should not adversely compete with humans for their own sustenance, and food of animal origin should be safe and affordable. The production of healthy animals will therefore be a prerequisite. Such animals will efficiently convert their feed into food that can be certified as nutritive and safe. In addition there is growing evidence that there should be a focus on animal welfare, and environmental pollution related to animal farming must be minimized. Indeed the equation to resolve the constraints on animal production is complex and multifactorial. It is inarguable that the environment and the feed that is offered to animals, are key elements of sustainability in livestock and poultry production. This book addresses the major issues related to animal health and welfare maintenance in relation to their environment, as well as housing emissions and waste management. Experiments, reviews and expert opinions and scenarios for the future are presented. Each of the chapters has been written by scientists with international reputations. The language used, and the examples and the illustrations provided, make it easy to read. The book is of major and current interest to teachers and students in animal and veterinary sciences and to professionals: veterinarians, farm managers, agricultural advisers worldwide.