NPA response to publication of pig and poultry ‘Ammonia Map’
16th Apr 2026 / By Alistair Driver
The NPA has issued a robust response, after Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) and Sustain released an interactive ‘Ammonia Map’ they said indicates emissions from ‘industrial pig and poultry units’.
CIWF and Sustain said the ‘Ammonia Map’ shows the areas with the highest emissions correspond with the highest concentrations of large scale intensive farms, raising ‘major concerns about air quality, the wider public health impact of industrial farming and damage to nearby ecosystems’.
NPA response
NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson acknowledged that the pig sector of ‘has a responsibility to ensure its impact on air quality is as limited as possible’.
But she said the NPA would question how the data for the ammonia map was derived and what it includes, given that it ‘doesn’t appear to directly correspond with the type of production the report claims’.
“The pig sector is, by way of various environmental legislation, including environmental permitting, one of the most highly regulated sectors within agriculture and as such, it specifically only accounts for 8% of total UK ammonia emissions,” she said.
According to the Guardian, calculations were derived from permitted stocking numbers and average ammonia production factors for different categories of livestock, such as broiler chickens, indoor eggs, and pigs.
Recent robust trials, led by AHDB – crucially, of actual and not average emissions – have been accepted by the Environment Agency to show an average reduction of 50% over 10 years across various housing types.
Recent robust trials, led by AHDB – crucially, of actual and not average emissions – have been accepted by the Environment Agency to show an average reduction of 50% over 10 years across various housing types.
Lizzie said: “According to Defra, ‘the fall in emissions from livestock other than cattle, especially from the pig and poultry sectors, is the main driver in the gradual fall of overall ammonia emissions since 1990. This can be partly explained by the Pollution Prevention and Control Act (1999) making all new intensive pig and poultry installations subject to ammonia controls through permitting.
“The UK is only approximately 60% self-sufficient in pigmeat with a significant proportion imported from countries with lower animal welfare and environmental/sustainability standards in comparison. We have continued to improve our efficiency and therefore our carbon footprint by producing greater quantities of pigmeat from a declining national sow herd to meet the demand of a growing population.
“We will continue to engage with government on emissions and ensure, as always, we are fulfilling our responsibilities regarding our sector impact on air quality and the wider environment.”