Government support for farmers to tackle ammonia emissions from agriculture
This morning, BBC Radio 4 Farming Today, Farmers Guardian and Farmers Weekly have covered the official launch of a new £3m scheme to help support and encourage farmers to reduce ammonia emissions from agriculture.
The Catchment Sensitive Farming project – a partnership between Defra, the Environment Agency and Natural England – will see a team of specialists support farmers and landowners to reduce ammonia emissions.
Reducing emissions from farming is a key element of the government’s ambitious new Clean Air Strategy, which has been welcomed by the World Health Organization.
Farming Minister George Eustice said:
“There is growing evidence that ammonia emissions can have significant impacts to parts of our environment so we want to help farmers play their part in reducing them.
“The specialist team of advisers leading this project can advise farmers on steps they can take, such as improved slurry handling facilities, and grants are available where investment is required.”
The team will run training events, provide tailored advice, undertake individual farm visits and follows the launch of the new Code of Good Agricultural Practice for Reducing Ammonia emissions this summer.
Bob Middleton, Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme Manager for Natural England said:
“As custodians of the land, farmers have an important role to play in protecting the environment. But reducing ammonia emissions can also bring real business benefits.
“The UK loses £138m of nitrogen per year from ammonia emissions, so by taking action to reduce them, farmers can get more value from their manure and fertiliser and save money.”
There was also coverage in Business Green, Air Quality News, Environment Journal, Agriland, Climate Action Programme and on the Poultry Site.
UK and French fishing industry strikes deal over scallop fishing
As reported in The Guardian and BBC News online, UK and French scallop industry representatives reached an agreement yesterday (Monday 17 September 2018) on scallop fishing in the Bay de Seine.
The agreement covers:
- A suspension of scallop fishing activity for 15m and over UK vessels until 30 October 2018 in the Bay de Seine.
- In return, the French administration will transfer 720,000 kilowatt days of scallop fishing effort.
- These arrangements will be brought into effect through licence conditions for the UK over 15m scallop fleet. The under-15m fleet will be allowed to continue fishing in the Bay de Seine.
Fisheries Minister George Eustice said:
“Yesterday, UK and French scallop industry representatives reached an agreement on scallop fishing in the Bay de Seine.
“This means our over-15m fleet will get the days at sea it wanted, while allowing the under-15m fleet to continue fishing in the area.
“I commend the UK fishing industry for its patience throughout negotiations and welcome this pragmatic outcome.”
Further media coverage included pick-up in the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror, Sky News and The I.
School run pollution
The Guardian covers the publication of new research which suggests children are breathing in a disproportionate amount of air pollution particles on their way to school.
The Queen Mary University research has found that youngsters are exposed to more than 60% of the air pollution they take in each day during the school run and while at school even though it accounts for only 40% of the time
A Defra spokesperson said: "The Government is already taking strong action to improve the air we breathe.
"Our Clean Air Strategy builds on our £3.5 billion plan to tackle roadside emissions, and by ending the sale of conventional new diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2040, we are acting faster than almost every other major developed economy.
"But government cannot act alone. Whether it's burning only the cleanest fuels at home or leaving the car at home on the school run, everyone has a role to play in reducing air pollution and protecting the health of our children."
There was also coverage in the I, The Times and the Daily Mail. The Defra statement is included in the PA copy.