Ammonia emissions down 1% in 2022, however further reductions needed to protect health and the environment.
Ireland’s ammonia emissions decreased by 1% in 2022. Despite this, Ireland remains non-compliant in 2022 with our EU Emissions Reduction commitment for ammonia.
The decrease in ammonia emissions reflects lower pig and poultry numbers, an increase in low emission slurry spreading and use of inhibited urea fertiliser on farms.
Compliance with the EU Emissions Reduction commitment for ammonia is only possible with full implementation of all Government policies and measures.
In contrast, Ireland is compliant in 2022 with the EU Emissions Reduction commitment for the following four air pollutants: non-methane volatile organic compounds, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. Reductions in 2022 were driven by less fossil fuel use in power generation and heating in homes and businesses.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yesterday, published its 2022 assessment of five key air pollutants which impact air quality, health and the environment. The pollutants are:
ammonia.
non-methane volatile organic compounds.
sulphur dioxide.
nitrogen oxides.
fine particulate matter.
Agriculture accounts for over 99% of ammonia emissions in Ireland. A decrease of I% in ammonia emissions was driven by:
lower pig and poultry populations (down 5.9% and 2% respectively)
increased use of low emission slurry spreading (59% of all cattle slurry) and
a 52% increase in inhibited urea fertiliser.
Commenting on the findings Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment said: “High ammonia emissions impacts local air quality and human health and causes significant environmental damage to valuable ecosystems . Ireland’s ammonia emissions have exceeded the EU Emission Reduction commitments in ten of the past 11 years.”
She added. “Encouragingly, good farm practices are beginning to have a positive impact on emissions. For example, the use of low emissions slurry spreading for cattle slurry in 2022 avoided the release of 6,000 tonnes of ammonia to the atmosphere. However, we have much further to go. Faster and sustained implementation of all ammonia reduction measures set out in Government plans and policies are needed if we are to achieve compliance and protect our air quality.”
Ireland is in compliance with EU Emission Reduction commitments for the other air pollutants with decreases recorded for these pollutants in 2022. Sulphur dioxide decreased by 27%; fine particulate matter by 12%; nitrogen oxide by 4% and non-methane volatile organic compounds by 1%.
Commenting on these findings Mr Tomás Murray, Senior Manager said: “This assessment shows positive results in terms of a reduction in emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter in 2022. These reductions are driven by less coal and fuel oil used in power generation and also less fossil fuels used in homes and businesses. Our data are clear: reducing fossil fuel use benefits both our climate and air quality and increasing the pace of this reduction will be better for our health and environment.”
To mark ‘Biodiversity Week 2024‘, Tipperary Green Business Network invite you to join them on a guided walk of ‘The Apple Farm’ at Cahir, Co. Tipperary, which will be led jointly by your host Mr Con Trass and Mr Alan Moore, latter of ‘Hedgerows Ireland’.
The Apple Farm, Moorstown, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
Date and time:Saturday, May 18th, 2024, commencing at 2:30pm until 5:00am. (2 hours 30 minutes).
Location: The Apple Farm, Moorstown, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. [Eircode: E21 YX33]
Please do wear suitable weather gear and footwear. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.
Light refreshments will be available. This is a FREE event, but booking is essential. Contact info@tgbn.ie
The Apple Farm Shop will be open for those of you may wish to stock up on juices, apple cider vinegar, jams etc.
Note: National Biodiversity Week 2024 will run over a 10 day period, from Friday 17th to Sunday 26th of May.
Independent TD Michael McNamara, highlights concentration of land ownership in South Co. Tipperary.
Independent TD Mr Michael McNamara has called on Dáil Éireann to set aside time for a discussion on the purchase of vast tracts of farmland in South Tipperary by Mr John Magnier and called for measures to combat further concentration of ownership.
The Independent TD for Co. Clare has expressed his concern that the accumulation of thousands of acres of land in the Golden Vale is leading to local farmers being priced out of land, at a time when the agriculture sector is already facing excessive operating costs.
Deputy McNamara said the situation reflects the ongoing, profound changes underway in rural Ireland regarding the acquisition of prime agricultural land by trust funds and the resultant negative consequences for the agriculture sector.
Addressing the Ceann Comhairle today, Deputy McNamara asked, “Will all of South Tipperary have to be owned by one man and trust funds linked to him, before the matter is debated in this house and measures are taken to prevent that concentration of land ownership, because of the economic and social consequences of that?”
Speaking during the Order of Business in Dail Éireann, the Independent TD added, “Just because one is a large donor to the parties in government should not preclude one from examination in this house.”
Following Deputy McNamara’s request, a vote on the Order of Business for this week was held and subsequently defeated by the government parties.
Sunshine amounts have been below average for most areas over the past number of weeks, while rainfall amounts have been well above average across the country. Currently, even all well drained and moderately drained soils are saturated, while all poorly drained soils are currently waterlogged.
The remainder of today (April 13th 2024) will remain dry, with rain sadly returning tomorrow afternoon and in the early part of Monday. However, from Tuesday and for the rest of next week, weather conditions will greatly improve, with no umbrellas or rain coats required.
So do cheer up, oh! and by the way, the swallows have been spotted in Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Five Feet High and Rising.
Lyrics: Johnny Cash. Vocals: The late American country singer-songwriter Johnny Cash(1932 – 2003).
How high’s the water, Mama? Two feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Papa? She said it’s two feet high and risin’, We can make it to the road in a homemade boat, That’s the only thing we got left that’ll float, It’s already over all the wheat and the oats, Two feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Mama? Three feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Papa? She said it’s three feet high and risin’. Well, the hives are gone, I’ve lost my bees, The chickens are sleepin’, in the willow trees, Cow’s in water up past her knees Three feet high and risin’ How high’s the water, Mama? Four feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Papa? She said it’s four feet high and risin’. Hey, come look through the window pane, The bus is comin’, gonna take us to the train, Looks like we’ll be blessed with a little more rain, Four feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Mama? Five feet high and risin’. How high’s the water, Papa? She said it’s five feet high and risin’. Well, the rails are washed out north of town, We gotta head for higher ground, We can’t come back till the water goes down, Five feet high and risin’. Well, it’s five feet high and risin’. END.
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