Environment Agency's approach to assessing ammonia pollution from intensive farming

Summary

This assessment concerns the approach taken by the Environment Agency (EA) when assessing ammonia emissions from intensive agricultural activities and their potential impact on protected sites in England.

Outcomes

The OEP concluded that there was an indication of a potential serious failure to comply with environmental law, arising from the EA’s continued application of the 5km screening distance. Evidence from the EA confirmed that a generic 5km screening distance was not always protective of those sites at risk of damage from ammonia pollution.  The EA have committed to a timebound action plan which will address the identified risks and provides a proportionate path to compliance without requiring statutory enforcement.