For the first time, Sustain and Compassion in World Farming reveal estimated ammonia pollution from industrial pig and poultry units across the UK, mapped by area.
How ammonia from farming harms our air
Ammonia is a nitrogen-based gas. It is used across the world as a fertiliser, but is a toxic pollutant when concentrated, for example when large numbers of animals are kept in confined, crowded conditions in factory farms.
Once in the air, ammonia reacts with other pollutants to form fine particulate matter (PM2.5) - one of the most harmful air pollutants to human health, which can cause cardiovascular and respiratory disease and premature death. Globally, ammonia is responsible for nearly 40% of PM2.5 formation and in the UK. The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) estimated human-made PM2.5 exposure was responsible for between 28,861 and 29,000 premature deaths in the UK in 2010. Ammonia deposits onto land and water, where elevated concentrations degrade forests, grasslands and river habitats.
The good news is that research shows that supporting sustainable farming and dietary shifts toward more plant-based foods would significantly improve UK air quality, and could reduce respiratory diseases by 270,000 over 30 years.
Why mapping ammonia pollution matters for local governments
The ammonia map reveals clear emissions hotspots across the UK, especially in Lincolnshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. It shows – for the first time – that multiple intensive livestock units in close proximity are creating concentrations of ammonia production.
Given the known health and environmental harms from ammonia, the data supports full cumulative impacts assessments as part of the planning process for all intensive livestock units.
This recommendation is in line with England’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (paragraph 108) which says that councils must take cumulative pollution effects into account when determining whether to grant planning permission.
It should be noted that the map shows only the largest intensive livestock units. Smaller units, despite housing many thousands of animals, don’t currently require an environmental permit and aren’t included. Additionally, the map is based on average ammonia production over a life cycle, it does not capture emission peaks (for example, when sheds are cleaned out). The full, detailed picture of cumulative impacts should be assessed at a local level, considering likely conversion to PM 2.5 emissions and other potential health risks.
Local authorities have the opportunity to support sustainable farming, great localised food systems and more and better jobs by ensuring planning policy, a good food strategy and procurement contracts benefit sustainable and local farming.
Why this matters for national governments
The UK has legally-binding commitments to halt and reverse the decline of nature, cut harmful air pollution, and reduce nitrogen emissions from agriculture. Concentrating livestock production in intensive units risks severe localised health and environmental harm, and thus the delivery of these targets.
The government must invest in just alternatives to industrial animal production, and ensure there are good jobs, fair trading practices, decent supply chains and government investment for more sustainable and farming that includes animals within the carrying capacity of the land. The UK has a critical shortage of home-grown vegetables, pulses and beans, but no further expansion of industrial livestock is necessary. The government must deliver an ambitious horticulture strategy, to increase healthy plant-based protein production and consumption in the UK. Such a plan must come with measures to ensure farmers have a decent living and opportunities through sustainable farming.
Additionally, the government must come good on promises to reform the permitting system, to ensure all polluting livestock operations are properly controlled, emissions monitored, and rules enforced. Catchment-based nutrient budgets must be adopted across the UK.
Local councils - our planning policy toolkit is here to help you support sustainable farming through planning.
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