Clean Air The revision of the National Emission Ceilings Directive and agriculture FERTILIZERS FORUM 23 June 2015

Clean Air The revision of the National Emission Ceilings Directive and agriculture FERTILIZERS FORUM 23 June 2015

Air policy works: lower emissions

But significant problems remain PM 10 NO 2 eutrophication O3O3

Health and ecosystem impacts over premature deaths 569 Million restricted activity days 63% of ecosystem area in the EU and 73% Natura2000 area exceeding eutrophication limits 9% forest and 25% lake area exceeding acidification limits 63% European Air Quality Values WHO Guidelines Sources: EEA, Air Quality in Europe (2014) and SOER (2015)

Benefits & costs of the new NEC benefits new NEC in % better health 35% less eutrophication 85% less acidification Direct cost savings: €3 bn/year External cost reductions (health only): € bn/year costs new NEC in 2030 The effort for the new policy (in cost terms) is split: 40% for the domestic sector 37% for industry 23% for agriculture Compliance costs: €2,2 bn/year External costs in the EU now: € billion Factor > 20

Contributions to the NEC proposal Source: IIASA, TSAP Report #16 (2015) SO 2 59%81% NO x 42%69% VOC28%50% NH 3 6%27% PM %51% CH 4 -33% MAIN FOCUS ON PM 2.5 and NH 3

Why focus on ammonia NH 3 is detrimental to ecosystems due to eutrophication and acidification NH 3 harms human health by forming secondary particulate matter (PM): Main precursor gases are NH3, NOx and SO2. NH3 forms two main secondary PM, ammonium sulphate ((NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 ) and ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3 ). The secondary PM introduces a strong international transboundary effect NH 3 contributes to emissions of Greenhouse Gases (N 2 O) and nitrates (nitrate leaching in soils, NO 3 ) Loss of nutrients

Sources: Le Figaro & Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France)

The origin of PM 2.5 in urban areas WHO guideline value 2009 NEC Proposal Source: IIASA, TSAP Report #12 (2014)

Sources of ammonia - agriculture Source: EEA: viewers/emissions-nec-directive-viewerwww.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/data- viewers/emissions-nec-directive-viewer

Possible measures for ammonia Possible measures are listed in Annex III of the proposal ie: a)nitrogen management, taking into account the full nitrogen cycle; b)livestock feeding strategies; c)low-emission manure spreading approaches; d)low-emission manure storage systems; e)low-emission manure processing and composting systems; f)low-emission animal housing systems; g)low-emission approaches for mineral fertilizer application. Options are based on based on the 2001 UNECE Framework Code for Good Agricultural Practice for Reducing Ammonia Emissions.

Measures regarding fertilizers nitrogen management: use fertilizer of manure-nitrogen with the proper concentration of nutrients; avoid excess applications of both fertiliser and manure-nitrogen; apply at times when nitrate leaching will be minimized and crops are actively growing. the use of the right mineral fertilizers: use of ammonium carbonate should be prohibited use of urea based fertilizer should be minimized and replaced as much as possible by ammonium nitrate fertilizers.

Ammonia reduction 2030 in NEC Source: IIASA, TSAP Report #16 (2015)

Aspects agricultural sector The proposal is not forcing to change to intensive farming The proposal is not targeting on the smallest farms; 70% of animals are kept in only the largest 10% of farms Member States can provide support by earmarking resources under the Rural Development Funds Achieving the proposed reductions is possible and cost-effective and measures are already widely applied in some Member States Reductions in the past are fully taken into consideration

Why methane in the NEC? Methane is an ozone precursor, having detrimental health effects and negative effects on vegetation (including crops) Methane remains in the atmosphere for more than a decade, making it a global problem Although methane is part of the Green House Gasses under the Effort Sharing Decision, it is not guaranteed that this will lead to reduction of methane Measures necessary to meet the proposed targets are all negative cost or cost free in the agricultural, waste and energy sector The proposed reduction targets are in line with the EU Energy and Climate Policy

More Information Feedback Thank you! Roald Wolters European Commission DG ENV.C.3 - Air