The Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (ILVO) is an independent scientific institute under the Flemish Government. ILVO generates knowledge to promote sustainability in agriculture, fisheries, and the agrifood sector through multidisciplinary and applied research. Its approach integrates systems thinking, tacit knowledge, new technologies, and co-creation.
The Environmental Technology research group, part of ILVO’s Agricultural Engineering Research Area within the Technology and Food Science Unit, specializes in emissions from livestock production. With over a decade of expertise, the team measures, monitors, and models emissions from livestock housing (including odour, ammonia, greenhouse gases, and dust particles). The group also evaluates emission reduction strategies using internationally recognized protocols.
ILVO’s facilities include livestock test setups, high-end gas analyzers, sensors, anemometers, a gas analysis test facility, and an odour lab. Close collaboration with livestock farmers enables applied research. The group also conducts studies for the Flemish government (environmental policy) and the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality. Through these partnerships, ILVO provides critical support for policymakers, such as contributing to the Interdepartementale Werkgroep PAS, which develops measures to reduce environmental impact in protected EU nature zones like the Turnhout fen area (SBZ-H BE2100024).
