Changes to Government Policy on Ammonia Emissions
Recent legislation by the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have imposed tighter controls over ammonia emissions for poultry farms. From now on, any new or expansion of existing poultry farms now requires the installation of a new Air Scrubbing System.
New guidance proposed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) requires most livestock farms seeking planning permission for developments like slurry stores, cattle housing and poultry sheds to demonstrate that any ammonia generated to not overload existing background levels.
If farmers are unable to demonstrate these requirements, such that they cannot prove their development would not harm sensitive species and habitats, then the planning application would be blocked. In the case of large-scale poultry and pig units, an environmental permit would be refused.
Problems With Ammonia
Ammonia is a pungent gas produced by a range of industries globally. It is a major contributor to soil acidification, along with nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides. According to a recent report, ammonia production, primarily from farms, is damaging more than 60% of the UK’s land area and sensitive wildlife.
As such, requirements to control its release into the atmosphere have come into play via regulatory changes. As the next section will outline, air scrubbing systems are often available to address this challenge.
Air Scrubbing Systems
An effective air scrubbing system can reduce ammonia by as much as 95% – it also reduces dust very effectively. Such systems are able to clean the used air and remove ammonia before it leaves the poultry shed and is discharged into the atmosphere
Air scrubbing systems have some major benefits such as Reduced energy consumption, temperature and humidity control and bird welfare helping to reduce the Carbon Footprint.
Wall and Floor Lining Systems
As new buildings are being built, floors and walls also require a degree of protection. Animal waste, constant abrasion and cleaning agents can all breakdown concrete, given its highly porous nature. As such, a more durable form of protection is preferred that has the capacity to tolerate various liquids, impact, abrasion and mitigate and prevent biological growth is a necessity.
At Strandek, we specialise in a range of resin-based systems like epoxy, polyurethane and GRP, which are specially designed to be applied seamlessly to the surface of the floors and walls. These non-porous barriers are applied to the surface of the substrate and cure within several hours.
Contact us
If you would like to find out more about our lining and coating systems, give us a call on 01633 250652 or visit our linings and coatings page.