A call to address ammonia
control
Agriculture & Environment
Group:
Ammonia — Approaching
National Emission Ceiling Targets, 8 March 2005
 Significant
areas of valuable habitats such as heathland and moorland
are being threatened by pollution caused by ammonia emission
from agriculture. While emissions of other air pollutants
(eg sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) have been reduced
due to cleaner technologies, little action has so far been
taken to control ammonia. Reducing the environmental impacts
of ammonia by curbing emissions is therefore a major policy
driver. For example, the UK has a legally binding target of
297 000 tonnes of ammonia (NH3) per year to be
achieved from 2010, under the Gothenburg Protocol and National
Emission Ceilings Directive.
Estimates of total ammonia emissions in the UK in 2000 were
320 000, with agriculture estimated to be responsible for
more than 80% of this total. This is largely the result of
livestock farming; ammonia is released following the breakdown
of urea excreted by livestock. Emissions from cattle, pig
and poultry farming contribute approximately 44%, 9% and 14%
of the total UK emissions respectively. Reducing ammonia emissions
therefore is one of the major challenges for sustainable agriculture.
It will not only reduce the environmental damage resulting
from the deposition of ammonia to sensitive habitats, but
also ensure that nitrogen for grass and crop production is
used as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
The SCI Agriculture and Environment Group is holding a one-day
conference on 8 March 2005 which aims to bring together policy
makers, advisors, scientists, farmers and growers and others
involved in the farming industry, to evaluate progress in
controlling and reducing ammonia emissions. Drawing on the
research and experience of scientists, policy makers and practitioners,
potential options to reduce emissions from the main sources
of ammonia will be explored to evaluate our ability to meet
the targets.
For further information contact:
Events Producer
Society of Chemical Industry
14/15 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8PS
UK
T: +44 (0)20 7598 1563
F: +44 (0)20 7235 7743
E: conference.producer[ at]soci.org
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