The BETA Technology Centre of the UVic-UCC launches the process to create the Catalan Nutrients Platform
The launch has been a collaborative success between different actors, and this represents a step forward in the sustainable management of nutrients and agri-food leadership in Catalonia
On 17 December, the launching day of the Catalan Nutrients Platform took place, organised by the BETA Technology Centre of the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia, which has brought together many relevant actors of the nutrients value chain in Catalonia. The conference was attended by key actors of the public administration such as the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (DARPA), by its acronym in Catalan, and the Waste Agency of Catalonia, which have a direct impact on the regulatory framework that affects the management of nutrients.
This event has been a success and has stood out for its collaborative nature. It was attended by around 60 people, covering all the places available for the event. Two participatory group dynamics were carried out to work together on the definition of the nutrient management value chain and the identification of the actors that are part of it, as well as to define the basis of what will be the platform’s strategic plan.
The event brought together actors from both the public and private sectors, research centres and other entities representing civil society. The event was attended by clusters from the agri-food sector, business associations, private companies such as energy companies, waste management companies, the livestock and agricultural sectors, technology providers, universities and research centres.
After this conference, CT BETA will analyse and share all the information obtained in order to draw conclusions as concrete and relevant as possible, and on 10 February at 15h an online session will be held to share all this information and provide feedback to all attendees.
Objectives of the platform
The soils of Catalonia have a high concentration of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in groundwater, often due to the intensive use of mineral fertilisers and excess livestock manure, with up to two thirds of these nutrients coming from agricultural activities. Although there are strategies to valorise these excrements into value-added products, their uses are still limited. Faced with this challenge, the Catalan Nutrients Platform seeks to promote a business network in the circular bioeconomy to innovate in the valorisation of waste flows, develop circular business models, promote the use of biological fertilisers and move towards a sustainable agri-food chain, ensuring the efficient and responsible use of nutrients and environmental protection.
‘The Catalan Nutrients Platform should be a useful tool for everyone and should allow Catalonia to position itself in this field’, says Laia Llenas, deputy director of CT BETA, adding ‘for the promoters of the initiative, achieving this positioning would be very important, taking into account that the agri-food sector is the main economic engine of the country’.
The European Commission has set a target of reducing nutrient losses by 50% by 2030, ensuring that there is no deterioration in soil fertility. This target is expected to lead to a reduction in fertiliser use of at least 20%. CT BETA is therefore already working in this direction with the Catalan Nutrient Platform initiative.
