This initiative is supported by seven players in the agricultural and energy world - the Association des Agriculteurs Méthanisers de France (AAMF), the Permanent Assembly of Chambers of Agriculture (APCA), the biogas club ATEE, France Gaz Renouvelables ( FGR), the National Federation of Farmers' Unions (FNSEA), CH4 Process (consulting firm specializing in operation / maintenance) and GRDF. It will be offered to the operators of anaerobic digestion sites and to future project leaders within a year.
A new contract for an ever more virtuous operation of anaerobic digestion sites
More than 1 anaerobic digestion sites are in operation, the vast majority in connection with agricultural and regional activities. Today, there is a Qualimétha® label born from the desire to make anaerobic digestion facilities more reliable by capitalizing on good design and construction practices. Likewise, the AAMF Charter allows its members to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable and reasoned agricultural practices.
A voluntary and progressive approach
The future "methanization progress" contract will be a mechanism open to all project promoters and voluntary operators: it will include them in a perspective of continuous improvement in the operation of their sites. The areas for improvement could relate, for example, to the theme of digestates, practices around intermediate crops, communication to external stakeholders, staff training ... In a spirit of transparency and clarity, the farmers involved will present each year a review of the actions implemented and their impact in order to report on the improvements and progress of their commitments. This new contract will also aim to improve understanding of the issues related to this activity.
A contract to provide long-term support to the players in the sector
This initiative illustrates the industry's desire to go further to sustainably support the growth of anaerobic digestion. Today, French regulations already govern the operation of biogas production sites, in particular through the provisions relating to Installations Classified for the Protection of the Environment (ICPE), reinforced by new regulations at the beginning of July.
The "methanization progress" contract will allow farms that so wish to undertake specific actions, adapted to their site and their local context.