Application of the Austrian guideline results either in calculating a minimum protection distance to the neighbourhood which guarantees a far-reaching protection against odour annoyance or in a comparative assessment of sites of emission sources including the meteorological dispersion conditions at the sites. In agricultural areas, for example, livestock husbandry is principally possible and customary. Thus, in these areas higher pollution than in residential areas is reasonable, and a far-reaching protection against pollution via keeping minimum protection distances is not justified. As an instrument of land use development plans, the Austrian guideline offers the possibility to ensure livestock farming in case of changes of the local land utilisation and cultivation plans by keeping the necessary minimum protection distances. The protection is not only legitimate in case of residential areas against odour pollution from livestock but also for the locations of resident livestock owners against approaching residential areas.
Some requirements have to be fulfilled before the Austrian guideline can be applied.
To start the assessment of a given project, a technical description including all necessary maps is compulsory. The technical description has to contain all information which facilitates an agricultural-technical assessment. This includes items like storage of manure, ventilation facilities, the kind of feed etc. Appropriate guidelines and legal requirements must be followed. To carry out the assessment process, at least the number of animals, their use and the way they are kept, have to be known.