LESS Requirement on Smaller Scale Farms Should be Revoked as Ammonia Reduction Met
IFA Environment Chair John Murphy said the Government needs to revisit the requirement to use low emissions slurry spreading (LESS) on farms stocked between 100-130kgs N/ha now that Ireland has met its ammonia emission reductions targets and follows the National Emissions Ceiling Directive (NEC).
The EPA Air Pollutant Emissions report which was published last week shows that Ireland is compliant with current and future emission reduction commitments including ammonia emissions reduction targets. Under the National Emissions Ceiling Directive (NEC) Ireland is required to reduce ammonia emissions by 5% by 2030.
“Agriculture accounts for over 99% of ammonia emissions, and the report shows in 2023 ammonia emissions reduced by 6% below 2005 levels and are in compliance with the 2020-2029 reduction commitments,” said John Murphy.
The findings of the report are significant and show that actions such as the increased use of LESS and the 18% reduction in inorganic fertiliser use have delivered the required reductions.
He said projections show that even under existing measures Ireland will be in compliance with the Directive. If additional measures such as decreased use of crude protein in feed of dairy cows and pigs; increased use of protected urea; or slurry amendments are adopted, further ammonia emission reductions will be achieved.
“Considering the progress that has been achieved on ammonia emission reductions the Government needs to review the compulsory LESS requirement on farms stocked between 100 and 130kgs N/ha that was introduced on Jan 1st,” said John Murphy.
He said that there is no reason why the compulsory measure is not revoked, particularly since the options available to farmers on these smaller and often very fragmented holdings are not practical, economically viable or even safe to use.
