Possibilities of reducing ammonia emissions from agriculture – scenario for 2030

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of ammonia emission reduction in 2030 by undertaking the activities specified in the “Advisory code of good agricultural practice for the reduction of ammonia emissions”. The methodology published by the European Environment Agency in 2016 has been used to estimate emissions. Projections were carried out for each type of category (animal production, use of mineral nitrogen fertilizers) and the total ammonia emission in 2030 was calculated, all results were compared to the base year 2005. Analyses have shown that the targets indicated in the NEC Directive would not be easy to achieve. Without the implementation of actions reducing ammonia emissions, it is expected that total emissions will rise by 2.7% by 2030. However, if we consider both emission categories separately, we can predict that NH3 emissions will increase more than 45% from the use of mineral fertilisers and decrease by 6% from animal production. The most significant reduction in total ammonia emissions can be achieved through ploughing manure immediately (preferably within 4 hours) after application. Another technique involves the replacement of urea with ammonium nitrate (-12.4%) and the splashless application of slurry with parallel ploughing of manure (-11.0%) that gives ample opportunity to achieve a notable reduction.