N-Shield® fertilisers protected by Limus® from BASF
Legislation
AMMONIA EMMISSIONSAND AGRICULTURE
The agricultural sector accounts for 88% of UK ammonia emissions. 23% of agriculture’s emissions are largely from the application of urea based fertilisers.
Legislation
The path to UK legislation began in 1999 with the Gothenburg Protocol, designed to reduce acidification, eutrophication and ground level ozone emissions, including ammonia. The protocol was then revised in 2012 to include national emission reduction commitments for 2020 and beyond. This was implemented into EU legislation in 2016 as part of the National Emission Ceilings Directive, where countries including the UK and Ireland, committed to significant reductions.
The UK government has since reaffirmed it’s commitment to these targets in recent strategy documents. It also introduced a Code of Good Agricultural Practice to serve as a guidance document to support reductions, which includes a recommendation to use urease inhibitors.
The government is currently seeking consultation on approaches to reduce ammonia emissions. Legislation focusing on urea-based fertilisers is expected, with the use of urease inhibitors one of the main approaches currently being evaluated.
**LATEST INFORMATION**
At the end of March 2022, DEFRA welcomed the proposed alternative approach that will be delivered through the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme and FACTS advisers from 2023.
The alternative approach will mean scheme members can:
- only use untreated or unprotected urea fertilisers from 15th January to 31st March each year
- use urease inhibitor-treated or protected urea fertilisers throughout the rest of the year
