Brussels, 30 July 2025 — Environmental organisation Dryade expresses concern over the recognition of the Lely Sphere as an ammonia emission reduction measure (AERM) by Flemish Minister of Environment and Agriculture Jo Brouns. Dryade advises cattle farmers not to purchase the system for the time being, as long as uncertainty about the actual emission reduction remains. The Lely Sphere system must be tested over a long period and under practical conditions before it is recognised.
Doubts among Flemish recognition and research institutions
The recognised emission factor of 3 kg NH₃ per animal place per year for the Lely Sphere system is derived from measurements at four Dutch test farms, where the system was evaluated under controlled and optimally adjusted conditions. There is no evidence that these performances hold up under practical conditions in Flanders and with long-term use. Both the Scientific Committee on Air Emissions from Livestock (WeComV) and the Administrative Team (AT) confirm that these results do not guarantee that the system will also provide stable ammonia reduction in Flemish dairy farms.
A legal castle in the air
Dryade points out that the ministerial decision by which Lely Sphere was recognised may be legally untenable because the impact assessment (EIA and appropriate assessment) is missing, the average value rather than the lowest value was chosen for the determination of the emission factor, and the recognition occurred via a ministerial decision, whereas the AEA decree of April 2024 requires that measures be recognised by Flemish government decision.The recognition is not only technically uncertain, but also legally shaky. If the Council of State annuls this, farmers will be left with an expensive investment without guarantees.,” says Dryade.
Testing before recognition
Dryade urges cattle farmers to be cautious with investments in the Lely Sphere, despite the promise of VLIF support and PAS benefits. Dryade emphasises that the Lely Sphere could have been thoroughly investigated as a testing technique within the framework of the AEA decree of April 2024 under long-term and Flemish practical conditions. By already definitively including Lely Sphere in the AERM list, an important instrument for phased validation has been circumvented.