Partner news New website anchors Vemis' ambition for successful knowledge sharing on livestock emissions

Emissions and livestock. This topic dominates the news these days. Independent knowledge, accessibly written and where possible already tested and validated in practice, is more than ever a necessity in animal husbandry. Vemis, a consortium of eight Flemish knowledge centers, anchors its ambition to make that knowledge accessible in a new website. "Ease of use and accessibility are paramount to the site. With the new structure, livestock farmers and other stakeholders will find the solution they need for their business operations within a few mouse clicks," states Lisa Dejonghe, coordinator of Vemis.

Managing emissions is both necessary to comply with the legislative framework and important to maintain good neighborly relations. Under the name Vemis, eight Flemish knowledge centers have joined forces since 2011 to bring practical knowledge and clear solutions to stakeholders in the livestock industry. Thanks to this collaboration, the consortium can operate in a broad network and create broad support for the issue of airborne emissions and the activities of its partners.

"Without a sustainable solution to the emissions problem, sustainable livestock farming is not possible. The collaborations within Vemis are therefore not only valuable, but also desperately needed," Bart Naeyaert, chairman of Vemis and West Flanders deputy for agriculture and fisheries, has said. Vemis gives substance to its operation through various projects and doctoral studies. A number of themes include air quality and its relationship to emissions, from source-based approaches to end-of-pipe techniques, technical and economic feasibility, modeling and measurement techniques and analysis.

User-friendliness is the priority of the new website

"Several partners of VEMIS observe that livestock farmers still lack a lot of knowledge about emissions, and this while policy is in full development, the PAS discussion is raging, constructors are developing or improving techniques, livestock farmers have to make choices, and new challenges are already approaching the sector," says Lisa Dejonghe, coordinator of Vemis.

In response, the partners worked in recent months on a new website to even better bundle and disseminate knowledge. On www.vemis.be, livestock farmers and other stakeholders will find information about the origins of odor and ammonia in livestock farming, regulations, policy, measurement methods and (recognized) emission-reducing techniques or measures. Relevant brochures are also highlighted. Those in need of deeper knowledge will find projects, PhDs and reports. The website is continuously updated with the latest information.

"In our new website, ease of use and accessibility are paramount," continues Lisa Dejonghe. With the modified structure, livestock farmers can find the knowledge relevant to their operations within a few clicks. The website is now also easily accessible on tablet and smartphone." A quarterly newsletter keeps interested parties up to date with news on air emissions in livestock farming. Sign up on the new www.vemis.be.

About Vemis

Vemis was founded in 2011 to build and exchange knowledge about emissions in the livestock industry and strengthen opportunities for innovation. The platform has the ambition to be the point of contact for all stakeholders in the livestock industry on the topic. The core group of the consortium includes eight organizations, namely Province of West Flanders, Inagro, ILVO, Department of Agriculture & Fisheries, Innovation Support Centre of Boerenbond, the Department of Green Chemistry and Technology of UGent, the Poultry Breeding Pilot Farm and the Hooibeekhoeve of Province of Antwerp. In addition, Vemis has an active membership with representation from various target groups, such as constructors, study bureaus, research institutions, governments and agricultural organizations.

More info

Lisa Dejonghe
Coordinator of Vemis
lisa.dejonghe@inagro.be
+32 51 27 32 09

In collaboration with and with the support of