Farmyard Manure Ordinance (HDV).

The present ordinance implements the Water Protection Act of 15 May 2003 and Environment Protection Act of 29 May 2008. The Ordinance regulates the storage of manure and related agricultural by-products to protect water and the environment. It mandates that storage facilities for manure must be functional, sealed, and constructed according to Swiss environmental guidelines, with specific requirements for covering liquid manure and silage products. Manure may only be stored on impermeable, drained surfaces near stables, and its field storage is strictly limited by location, duration, and environmental safeguards, including minimum distances from water bodies and bans in protected zones. The ordinance also sets minimum storage capacities based on farm altitude and animal numbers, requires timely renovation of non-compliant facilities, and provides clear deadlines for upgrades, with transitional rules for existing operations that already meet certain capacity standards. The text consists of 11 Articles.