The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today launched a public consultation process on the draft Code of Good Agricultural Practice for reducing Ammonia Emissions from Agriculture.
The National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) establishes emission ceilings for 2020 and 2030 for five specified pollutants one of which is ammonia. The Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment (DCCAE) as lead government department with responsibility in this area and has transposed this Directive into National law.
Every Member State is required to put in place a Code of Good Agricultural Practice for reducing Ammonia Emissions from Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is publishing this draft code for consultation as part of this process.
Ammonia emissions arise principally from fertiliser applications, manure applications, animal feeding strategies, animal housing and manure storage. The latest information from the EPA shows that ammonia emissions increased by 2% in 2017. This trend in increasing emissions is projected to continue out to 2030.
This Code of Good Agricultural Practice for reducing ammonia emissions is a guidance document, that outlines the best practice measures for removing or lowering ammonia emissions associated with agricultural activities. The measures outlined in the Code are voluntary measures to help farmers identify appropriate actions for their individual farm enterprise.
The consultation document is available on the Department’s website at:
Interested organisations or individuals may submit observations via email or hard copy to the address below with the closing date of 21 June 2019.
Climate Change and Bioenergy Policy Division
Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine
Pavilion A
Grattan Business Centre
Portlaoise
Co Laois
or email: ClimateChange@agriculture.gov.ie
The guidance document is open for public consultation until 21 June 2019.
