Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
1771. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to intensive pig and poultry farms given the detrimental impact that intensive farming can have on animal welfare and that Ireland’s ammonia emissions have not met EU limits for seven out of the past nine years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63594/22]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the monitoring and reporting of emissions from the pig and poultry sector, including licensing of many of these facilities.
In recent years, a number of specific initiatives and actions have been put in place at farm level to reduce ammonia emissions, in line with our legal obligations, across all enterprises. These include low emission spreading of cattle and pig slurry and the introduction of clover into grass swards and the application of the 'Best Available Techniques' eg ammonia scrubbers and reduced crude protein in the diet within the pig and poultry sectors.
EPA data shows that increased use of abatement technologies has led to a reduction in ammonia emissions.
