New Guide Aims To Reduce Farming Emissions

A guide to help farmers improve the environment by reducing their emissions has been launched by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEARA).

The code was produced in collaboration with the farming industry and aims to lower the ammonia emissions in farming areas by giving practical advice.

The chemical is harmful to the environment through the deposition of excess nitrogen on sensitive habitats and also contributes to the formulation 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," Mr Fulton concluded.

It is hoped the new code will help Northern Ireland contribute to UK targets of reducing ammonia emissions by 8% in 2020 and 16% by 2030.



(JG/CM)