Background Spreading of manure on land is a main source of ammonia emissions in the atmosphere. This issue is addressed by Directive 2001/81/EC (“National Emissions Ceiling for certain pollutants” - NEC Directive), which aims to ensure greater protection of the environment and human health from the harmful effects caused by the phenomena of acidification, eutrophication and formation of ozone at ground level. Following the introduction of the Nitrates Directive (Directive 91/676/EEC), the disposal of manure became an economic challenge for farmers as the amount of waste produced is often greater than the limit allowed by the Directive for its distribution on the land. Hence farmers now have to find economically viable ways of disposing of their excess manure. Objectives The LIFE-OPTIMAL2012 project aims to demonstrate an innovative approach for managing manure produced by livestock farming. The approach will be based on: Minimising regional nutrient surpluses caused by intensive dairy cattle rearing and agricultural land shortages; Producing natural, high quality forms of both solid and liquid fertiliser to be used in vineyards and orchard growing areas; and Reducing land abandonment pressures among livestock farmers in upland areas. These objectives will be achieved by actions focused on: Implementing an environmentally sound system for the treatment of solid and liquid manure from an anaerobic digestion plant; Reducing the nitrogen/nitrates load per hectare of agricultural land; Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing industrial fertiliser with organic-mineral fertiliser in vineyards and orchards; and Decreasing emissions of ammonia. The transformation of NH3 in manure to high quality liquid fertiliser and the development of a high precision and low emission spreading system for digestate, will improve farmers’ ability to comply with the NEC Directive. Expected results: General results anticipated from the project include: A 50% reduction in the nutrient load in the target area; An increase in the quality and variety of eco-friendly fertilisers available to South Tyrolean farmers (Considering the 30 500 tonnes of digestate that are handled annually, it should be possible to produce 2 250 tonnes of solid and 130 tonnes of liquid fertilisers); and Maintaining farm incomes for the project’s target group of mountain holdings.Specific results relate to the setting up and proper functioning of the demonstration plant and decreasing of nitrate loads equal to 50 kg per LU per year, as well as decreasing ammonia and related greenhouse gas emissions.