ARCHIVE: Observatory monitoring framework – indicator data sheet

Environmental impact: Air quality

Indicator DC1: Ammonia emissions

This indicator shows agriculture's contribution to total UK ammonia emissions.

Total UK ammonia emissions (excluding natural emissions from wild animals and humans) fell by 23 per cent between 1990 and 2008 to 282 thousand tonnes. This compares with the target for 2010 of 297 thousand tonnes under the UNECE Gothenburg Protocol and the EU National Emissions Ceiling Directive.  In 2008 total emissions decreased by 5% compared to 2007.  Historical data have been revised as a result of improvements to base data and emissions factors.

Around 90% of agricultural NH3 emissions come from animal sources, largely from cattle.

  • Since 1990 ammonia emissions from agriculture have fallen by 27% due, largely, to the contraction in the pig herd, reduced cattle numbers and a reduction in direct soil emissions.

  • There was decrease of 5% in ammonia emissions from agriculture between 2007 and 2008. The increase between 2003 and 2004 was attributable to a recovery in beef cattle numbers following Foot and Mouth Disease and a marked increase in the use of urea as fertilizer.

This indicator was last updated in October 2010.  It will be next be updated from the 2009 inventory in 2011.

Further information and contact

Further information can be found in the accompanying fact sheet.

For information on this indicator contact Defra's Observatory team on +44 (0) 1904 455229, email: observatory@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Fact Sheet | Printable Version (PDF) | Background Data (Excel)

Page last modified: 10 November, 2010
Page published: June, 2007

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