« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity
SECTION 7
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF EMISSIONS TO AIR
Increasingly, the impact of agricultural activities on air quality is being recognised. It is known, for example, that agriculture is the dominant source of ammonia emissions in the UK, mainly arising from the storage and application of livestock manure and slurry. Agricultural activities can give off various other "greenhouse" gases such as carbon dioxide and methane which can contribute to atmospheric problems. Complaints about agricultural odours arise mainly from slurry or manure spreading, farm buildings and slurry or manure stores.
A permit is required from SEPA for the operation of large pig and poultry installations to control the overall impact on the environment, including air emissions.
DOs Seek a permit from SEPA if you have more than 40,000 poultry, or 2,000 production pigs or 750 sows at an installation. Submit an application between 1 October and 31 December 2006 if your farm exceeds the above thresholds. Apply for a PPC permit from SEPA if you intend to construct a new installation for rearing pigs or poultry and where the number of places for animals or birds will exceed the thresholds specified in the PPC Regulations. Consult SEPA about any proposals you have to substantially change an existing pig or poultry installation in advance of 1 October 2006, as this may require you to seek a permit to operate such an altered installation under the PPC Regulations. Consult Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) regarding any areas designated for their nature conservation value within 1km of any new or substantially changed installation that exceeds the thresholds in the PPC Regulations. Comply with the 'Standard Farming Installation Rules' developed by SEPA for pig and poultry installations operated under the PPC Regulations. | DON'Ts Apply for a permit if your pigs or poultry are reared outdoors, as this type of production is not covered by the PPC Regulations. |
Follow the Muirburn Code. Consult SEPA if in any doubt about the requirements of the PPC Regulations. Use low-emission techniques for slurry spreading e.g. trailing-shoe, shallow (open slot) injector, deep (closed slot) injector or band spreader. When this is not possible, use a broadcast slurry spreader that gives a low and down-ward trajectory and large droplets. Minimise odours from livestock housing by collecting and transferring all slurry every day to a suitable store and cleaning buildings regularly. Cover slurry stores where practicable to reduce emissions of ammonia. This will also reduce levels of waste production by excluding rainfall. Incorporate applications of slurry and solid manure to uncropped land as soon as practical, preferably within 6 hours for slurry and 24 hours for solid manure. | Spread slurries or manures in a manner that may cause pollution of air or result in odour nuisance. Be a 'bad neighbour' and spread livestock slurry and manures: - close to domestic or public buildings;
- at weekends or public holidays;
- when the wind direction is towards public/residential areas;
- in areas designated for their conservation value; or
- during the hours of darkness, unless unavoidable.
Burn plastics, rubber, tyres or other materials which will produce dark smoke. Light fires near a public road. |
(Italics indicates mandatory if specified in a permit issued by SEPA.) | |
Spread slurries and manures when the wind direction is away from public/residential areas and areas designated for their nature conservation value. Seek professional advice about how to prevent and control emissions to air if in doubt. | |
« Previous | Contents | Next »