A new guide to help farmers improve the environment by reducing ammonia emissions has been launched by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Launching the Code at Balmoral Show are (from left to right) Aileen Lawson, UFU Senior Policy Officer, Robin Irvine, Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association and Norman Fultion, DAERA
Produced in collaboration with the farming industry, the ‘Code of Good Agricultural Practice for Reducing Ammonia Emissions’ provides farmers with a range of practical steps they can take to minimise emissions of ammonia, which is harmful to the environment through the deposition of excess nitrogen on sensitive habitats. Ammonia is also one of a number of contributory factors in the formation of Particulate Matter which has negative impacts on human health.
“Reducing ammonia emissions is one of the key environmental challenges facing agriculture,” explained Norman Fulton, Head of DAERA’s Food and Farming.
“Many farmers have already made good progress by using methods that reduce ammonia emissions including how they store and spread manures and by changes made to their livestock diets. But we need to do more and farmers are in a great position to help us protect and enhance our environment, our sensitive and protected habitats as well as the air we breathe.
“We are committed to working with the industry to find ways to reduce ammonia, help farm businesses work in harmony with the environment and develop a sustainable agri-food industry. We need widespread adoption of the measures to achieve that,” Fulton added.
It is hoped the new voluntary ‘Code of Good Agricultural Practice for Reducing Ammonia Emissions‘ will help Northern Ireland contribute to the UK targets of reducing ammonia emissions by 8% in 2020 and 16% in 2030.
