Swedish measures to reduce ammonia emissions

Abstract

In Sweden today, nitrogen deposition, originating in equal parts from ammonia and nitrogen oxides, exceeds the level where long-term negative impacts are expected. The Swedish Board of Agriculture has been commissioned by the Swedish Government to suggest a new action program to reduce NH3 emissions from agriculture by 50% in the future. Current objectives are to decrease NH3 emissions by 25% in south and south-western Sweden. In other areas where the critical load level is exceeded, the long-term objective is to decrease NH3 emissions by 50%. Measures taken to reduce NH3 emissions from agriculture consist of: education, information and demonstration projects, regulations and support to research, and development projects. Regulations consist of measures for handling animal manures to decrease NH3 emissions. Slurry and urine pits should be covered in a way that prevents NH3 emissions and the pits should be filled beneath the cover. When spreading on bare soils, wastes should be incorporated into the soil within four hours. Research and development projects deal with, among other things, covering of slurry and urine stores, spreading techniques, incorporating techniques, manure handling in animal houses and measuring techniques. Knowledge and information on how to avoid NH3 emissions has been presented to farmers in courses and by the extension service. This paper presents the Swedish agricultural environmental programs directed to decreasing NH3 emissions from Swedish agriculture. It is not intended to be a scientific work and is therefore not referenced. The paper serves to demonstrate one Government's response to a particular area of environmental concern.