Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2018
403. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a scheme for farmers to further reduce ammonia and nitrogen emissions following the completion of the projects (details supplied); and if his officials carried out exploratory work in this regard for potential schemes and associated costs. [20178/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe two projects referred to by the Deputy were funded by my Department. The recently completed Sustainable nitrogen fertiliser Use and Disaggregated Emissions of Nitrogen (SUDEN) project generated, for the first time, Irish specific ammonia emission factors for dung and urine deposited by grazing cows. The project also identified that farmers can maintain yields and reduce ammonia loss to the environment by switching from CAN to urea protected with NBPT (urease inhibiter). The research found nitrogen loss to the environment can be reduced substantially by integrating urease inhibitors in high profit grass systems. Following on from this, my Department made an award of further funding for a project titled 'Manipulation and Integration of Nitrogen Emissions (MINE)', which aims to use cutting edge techniques to provide greater understanding of the processes and factors controlling nitrous oxide emissions.
The LowAmmo project, which is focusing specifically on addressing knowledge gaps in national ammonia emissions data, including measurement, modelling and mitigation of ammonia emissions from livestock housing, grazing depositions and slurry storage, is scheduled to conclude later this year. Data collected will feed directly into the refinement of Ireland's national ammonia inventory. The mitigation options for yards and slurry storage investigated in LowAmmo will also provide valuable data for the future development of abatement options.
Furthermore, we have a whole territory approach to nitrates implementation so all farmers are obliged to abide by nutrient management planning which has many synergies with reducing ammonia due to the efficient use of animal manure. The Nitrates Action Programme agreed in December 2017 included a balanced programme of measures supporting the objectives of achieving good water quality while at the same time encouraging sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. The measures in Ireland's derogation take account of the growing numbers of derogation farmers who are farming at intensive stocking rates, and also environmental objectives for water, climate change and ammonia which Ireland must achieve. For example, a new condition for derogation farms has been included in that from 2018, 50% or more of slurry must be applied by 15 June and after that it must be applied by using low emission slurry spreading (LESS) equipment.
Additionally, my Department supports the grant aid for Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme known as TAMS II and supports the application of slurry via LESS equipment as an option in the GLAS agri-environment scheme which significantly reduces the ammonia losses from slurry.
Officials from my Department are also engaging with the Department of Communications Climate Action and the Environment, who are the lead Department on air quality issues, on the development of a National Clean Air Strategy.
