A Review: Comparison of Approaches to the Approval Process and Methodology for Estimation of Ammonia Emissions from Livestock Farms under IPPC

Abstract

Ammonia (NH3) emissions have a negative impact on the welfare of breeding animals, human health, and the environment. These influences of modern intensive agriculture have led to numerous protocols, national regulations, and European Directives. Following previous regulatory measures, the Commission Implementing Decision European Union (EU) 2017/302 on 15 February 2017 has established best available technique (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and the Council, for the intensive rearing of poultry and pigs. This applies to intensive poultry and pig producers with a capacity of over 40,000 poultry, 750 sows, or 2000 fattening pigs. Due to the application of this directive, air emissions have been reduced by between 40% and 75% over the last 15 years. The integrated permit monitors the entire environmental burden of the farm on its surroundings (air pollution, water, soil pollution, waste production, energy use). This review aims to provide a critical overview of how member states (including the United Kingdom) are approaching the implementation of IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) and the conclusions of BAT in their legislation and related documents, and how they monitor NH3 emissions from intensive livestock farming. The data for this review were obtained from 2019 to 2020.