A £3m scheme has been launched to help farmers reduce ammonia emissions from agriculture, which is responsible for 88 percent of all UK emissions.
The Catchment Sensitive Farming partnership between Defra, the Environment Agency and Natural England will support farmers to take action to reduce harmful ammonia emissions.
Emissions of ammonia gas can travel long distances, damage the environment and combine with other pollutants to form particulates, which are harmful to human health.
The money will fund a team of specialists who will work with farmers and landowners to implement the measures to reduce their ammonia set out in the new Code of Good Agricultural Practice (COGAP) for Reducing Ammonia Emissions.
The team will provide training events, advice, farm visits and support with grant applications.
Bob Middleton, Programme Manager at Catchment Sensitive Farming, said farmers play an important role to play in protecting the environment.
Reducing ammonia emissions can also bring real business benefits for farmers, he said.
"The UK loses £138m of nitrogen per year from ammonia emissions, so by taking action to reduce them, farmers can get more value from their manure and fertiliser and save money," Mr Middleton explained.
Reducing emissions from farming is a key element of the government’s Clean Air Strategy.
The announcement comes less than a week after the introduction of the long-awaited Agriculture Bill, which sets out proposals to protect the environment.
