Farmers to receive help on emissions

Farmers in England are being offered support to help them reduce ammonia gas emissions, Defra has announced.

The measures set out in the UK Government’s Clean Air Strategy revealed today are predicted to help cut the costs of air pollution to society by £1.7 billion every year by 2020, rising to £5.3bn from 2030.

The government will give farmers support to invest in infrastructure and equipment to reduce emissions and will work with industry to encourage low-emission, holistic farming techniques.

Funds will help farmers purchase manure management equipment including low-emission spreaders, and slurry tank and lagoon covers for those in priority water catchments.

Farming Minister George Eustice said: “Ammonia emissions can have a significant impact on the environment and on our health and as custodians of the land farmers have an important role to play in reducing them.

“Our future agriculture policy will involve financial rewards and incentives to help farmers reduce their ammonia emissions.”

Agriculture is held responsible for 88% of UK emissions of ammonia gas.