The issue of ammonia emissions has been something that farmers in the intensive sector have been aware of for a considerable amount of time, but for most livestock producers it has only really shot to prominence in the last 18 months. To date, only a handful of farmers have been directly affected, principally those who have been left in limbo with an application for planning approval for a new livestock building. Most frustrating is that in some of these cases the investment won’t actually lead to an increase in livestock numbers and may in fact reduce ammonia emissions coming from the farm. Without a minister to direct civil servants, and effectively give cover to risk-adverse officials, the issue isn’t going anywhere fast.

While we cannot ignore the importance of protecting the environment, it seems fundamentally unfair that a young person who wants to invest in their business, and make it financially sustainable, is being effectively stopped from doing this at present. Yet, over the years others have been able to build and expand virtually unchecked.

Surely the answer lies in taking a much wider view that educates and communicates to all farmers the techniques and technologies that can be used to reduce ammonia emissions from agriculture. Otherwise, are we really going down a route of saying no to any new livestock building in NI? Some common sense must prevail.

In the meantime, new research has been commissioned at AFBI, which aims to bring a better understanding of the impact of diet, flooring systems etc on ammonia emissions.

In addition, work has started at Queens University Belfast to look at whether waste from the food industry could be recycled and used to absorb ammonia from the atmosphere.

All that work will take time. Perhaps in the shorter term the livestock sector should forget about a second tranche of tier II of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme (grant up to £250,000). Instead put in place a grant scheme that funds ammonia abatement techniques (such as covers on slurry stores, air scrubbers, etc.).