Minimization of the diffuse pollution caused by dairy farms in Cyprus through the development of guidelines for their sustainable operation.

This paper summarizes the work carried out for Cyprus in respect to developing guidelines on the measures that have to be taken for the reduction of the impacts caused by the operation of dairy cow farms and in a second stage, to aid the competent authorities in permitting the dairy farms under the Water and Soil Pollution Control Law. The paper includes information on the existing situation in Cyprus in regards to: (1) the operation of the farms, the production of waste and the existing practices for the management of waste, and (2) the guidelines and measures for the reduction of waste, odours and the use of waste in order to ensure the safe and sustainable operation of the farms and the management of waste.