Northern Ireland

Daera's ammonia strategy will save just a fraction of special habitats

Around 97 per cent of the north's ammonia emissions come from agriculture
Around 97 per cent of the north's ammonia emissions come from agriculture Around 97 per cent of the north's ammonia emissions come from agriculture

A long-delayed Stormont strategy aimed at reducing harmful levels of farm pollutants would save just a fraction of the special habitats it is designed to protect, according to the department tasked with implementing the plan.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) published its draft strategy for reducing ammonia emissions earlier this year – some three years after initially compiling it.

Ammonia is a nitrogen compound which mainly comes from animal waste. It can impact air and water quality, damages sensitive habitats and poses health risks to humans.

Around 97 per cent of the north's ammonia emissions come from agriculture. The Daera strategy aims to reduce agricultural ammonia emissions by at least 30 per cent from 2020 levels.

However, an investigation by The Detail has found that the strategy would only save 16 of the north’s 394 protected sites.

According to Daera, if ammonia emissions across the north were slashed by 25 per cent over five to 10 years, nitrogen levels would only drop below critical levels at around two special areas of conservation (SACs) and 14 areas of special scientific interest (ASSIs).

The strategy stated that if ammonia emissions were specifically cut around designated sites, better results could be achieved.

However, the document did not quantify how many more sites would be saved under targeted measures.

Air pollution expert Dr Ulrike Dragosits, from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said the strategy would not save key habitats.

“From the purely scientific perspective of protecting the habitats, it’s not enough,” she said.

“It just doesn’t meet the thresholds that need to be met in order to keep those valuable habitats safe for the future.”

James Orr, director of Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland, said he was concerned the strategy had no teeth.

“All the measures apart from one are voluntary,” he said.

“So there’s virtually no requirement on the (agrifood) industry to comply, which means we’re in a place where we’re talking about little more than a vague wish list.”

A spokesperson for Daera said it was still considering responses to the consultation on the draft strategy.

“A long-term implementation plan, which will also address the issue of any necessary financial support, will be developed following the analysis of responses received during the consultation process, to inform a reworked draft Ammonia Strategy for an incoming minister and new executive to consider,” the spokesperson said.