UFU president Ivor Ferguson says the lack of guidance and communication from DAERA on the issue has been a factor and serious concerns remain regarding some of the emission factors used to determine ammonia levels.
“This is a hugely complex issue and there is no quick fix. We want to work together to find a solution, but it must be based on robust science and take into account the practical realities of farming in the 21st century,” he said.
The comments were made after representatives from the UFU attended a DAERA stakeholder forum on ammonia.
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The UFU has been working on the ammonia emissions issue for some time. It first came to light when a number of planning applications stalled. “There are planning applications that have been held up for well over a year because of ammonia. The delay has been farcical,” said Mr Ferguson.
“Farmers care about the environment, after all this is where we make our living, and we recognise that ammonia levels need to be tackled. But we are being shackled. It is frustrating to watch other countries deal with ammonia in a more reasonable way”, concluded the UFU president.
The UFU is continuing to review planning decisions affected by ammonia. It is expected that DAERA will publish a consultation on an ammonia action plan later this year.
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UFU president Ivor Ferguson says the lack of guidance and communication from DAERA on the issue has been a factor and serious concerns remain regarding some of the emission factors used to determine ammonia levels.
“This is a hugely complex issue and there is no quick fix. We want to work together to find a solution, but it must be based on robust science and take into account the practical realities of farming in the 21st century,” he said.
The comments were made after representatives from the UFU attended a DAERA stakeholder forum on ammonia.
The UFU has been working on the ammonia emissions issue for some time. It first came to light when a number of planning applications stalled. “There are planning applications that have been held up for well over a year because of ammonia. The delay has been farcical,” said Mr Ferguson.
“Farmers care about the environment, after all this is where we make our living, and we recognise that ammonia levels need to be tackled. But we are being shackled. It is frustrating to watch other countries deal with ammonia in a more reasonable way”, concluded the UFU president.
The UFU is continuing to review planning decisions affected by ammonia. It is expected that DAERA will publish a consultation on an ammonia action plan later this year.
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