In-depth review of the outputs of DEFRA's programme of research on the measurement and control of ammonia emissions from agriculture (1998-2002)
Abstract
DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food Rural Affairs, Great Britain) funded several research projects on the measurement and control of ammonia emissions from agriculture. An external in-depth review of the outputs of this programme was to be carried out. The review was compiled in co-operation of the German Federal Agricultural Research Centre and the Institute of Agricultural, Environmental and Energy Engineering of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Vienna. Aims ¿ Provision of a clear picture on the current state of knowledge concerning the British and European ammonia emissions from agriculture in order to make a ¿ Contribution to the policy debate on the future direction of work in the area of ammonia abatement and related issues Steps ¿ Review the data and outputs from DEFRA's programme of research on the measurement and control of ammonia emissions from agriculture. ¿ Consider the balance of the programme. For example, how appropriate is the mixture of work on different sources, and on abatement as opposed to measurement? ¿ Compare results with existing knowledge in the UK and abroad. How well does the UK work complement other studies? Highlight areas where further exploitation of the research would be useful; ¿ Discuss the efforts that have been made on technology transfer and identify any opportunities for further initiatives; ¿ Highlight key policy and scientific messages and suggest topics for debate; ¿ Suggest future research and policy priorities. The overall aim was the provision of a clear picture on the current state of knowledge concerning the British and European ammonia emissions from agriculture in order to make a contribution to the policy debate on the future direction of work in the area of ammonia abatement and related issues. The scientific value, the social relevance, the effectiveness, efficacy and balance of DEFRA's ammonia research programme was evaluated making use of the 26 final reports and the 49 applications supplied. Results In general, the quality of the projects was good to excellent. The experimental projects were felt to cover the most pressing items, i.e. emissions from animal husbandry and their abatement, and problems connected with the construction of adequate emission inventories. In these, minor criticisms related to scientific effectivenes, measurements and models, co-operation and exploitation of resources were identified: Science has to deal with open question relevant both to the scientific community as well as society's needs. Reports should state whether or not the question raised was answer satisfactorily and efficiently. DEFRA should encourage or even postulate that the conclusions drawn from the results contain comments on unexpected outcomes or failures in an adequate form. Reports should definitely contain a chapter dealing with the representativity and transferability of the results. Modelling and measuring should be related to one another. Modellers should explicitly ask for certain parameters to be determined in consistent and coherent data sets. All data should be commented on with respect to their quality and reliability. UK scientists should be encouraged and supported to establish links to their colleagues in science and administration in other nations to help to establish general and multinational approaches to abate ammonia and describe and quantify emissions. UK scientists have a leading role within Europe, as far as ammonia is concerned. Nevertheless, international co-operation should and could be improved. Scientists should be aware of the fact that they have to communicate effectively with farmers and consumers in order to promote ammonia abatement strategies and to create public awareness that ammonia is not just an agricultural problem. The final review report provides detailed information for each animal category and each specific source type.
keywords Ammonia abatement emission inventory
Publikationen
In-depth review of the outputs of DEFRA's programme of research on the measurement and control of ammonia emissions from agriculture (1998-2002)
Autoren: Dämmgen, U., Amon, B. Jahr: 2002
Forschungsbericht (extern. Auftraggeber)
Project staff
Barbara Amon
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Barbara Amon
barbara.amon@boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.01.2002 - 31.10.2002
BOKU partners
External partners
Federal Research Centre for Agriculture_x000D_
Dir. & Prof. Dr. Ulrich Dämmgen
coordinator