The South Antrim MLA has said: “Northern Ireland’s ammonia levels are alarmingly high, and the agri sector’s environmental footprint urgently needs to improve as it is responsible for a staggering 97% of Northern Ireland’s ammonia emissions.
"Recent data from 2022 underscores the gravity of these high levels of ammonia emissions, as 96% of our areas of special scientific interest are at critical nitrogen levels. The need to reduce our ammonia emissions is not just important; it’s a matter of urgency if we are to improve the overall quality of our air and protect sensitive ecological environments from the adverse effects of excess nitrogen.
“The DUP's motion, which initially seemed supportive of the environment, upon closer examination, was not. As was clear at AERA Committee just last week that processing outstanding planning applications which contain insufficient mitigations is not going to address ammonia emissions at the level required.
“It is clear that movement from the Department is much needed, and I know that Minister Muir will publish the long-awaited Ammonia Strategy and Operational Protocol later this year. This, of course, could have been done much sooner if the Assembly hadn't been collapsed for nearly two years, caused, ironically, by the party who brought this motion to the chamber.
"Action is needed, and hence it was reassuring to hear Minister Muir restate his commitment to seeking capital funding to enable the investment required to reduce ammonia emissions."