Ammonia emissions down 1% in 2022, however further reductions needed to protect health and the environment.
Ireland’s ammonia emissions decreased by 1% in 2022. Despite this, Ireland remains non-compliant in 2022 with our EU Emissions Reduction commitment for ammonia.
The decrease in ammonia emissions reflects lower pig and poultry numbers, an increase in low emission slurry spreading and use of inhibited urea fertiliser on farms.
Compliance with the EU Emissions Reduction commitment for ammonia is only possible with full implementation of all Government policies and measures.
In contrast, Ireland is compliant in 2022 with the EU Emissions Reduction commitment for the following four air pollutants: non-methane volatile organic compounds, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. Reductions in 2022 were driven by less fossil fuel use in power generation and heating in homes and businesses.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yesterday, published its 2022 assessment of five key air pollutants which impact air quality, health and the environment. The pollutants are:
ammonia.
non-methane volatile organic compounds.
sulphur dioxide.
nitrogen oxides.
fine particulate matter.
Agriculture accounts for over 99% of ammonia emissions in Ireland. A decrease of I% in ammonia emissions was driven by:
lower pig and poultry populations (down 5.9% and 2% respectively)
increased use of low emission slurry spreading (59% of all cattle slurry) and
a 52% increase in inhibited urea fertiliser.
Commenting on the findings Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment said: “High ammonia emissions impacts local air quality and human health and causes significant environmental damage to valuable ecosystems . Ireland’s ammonia emissions have exceeded the EU Emission Reduction commitments in ten of the past 11 years.”
She added. “Encouragingly, good farm practices are beginning to have a positive impact on emissions. For example, the use of low emissions slurry spreading for cattle slurry in 2022 avoided the release of 6,000 tonnes of ammonia to the atmosphere. However, we have much further to go. Faster and sustained implementation of all ammonia reduction measures set out in Government plans and policies are needed if we are to achieve compliance and protect our air quality.”
Ireland is in compliance with EU Emission Reduction commitments for the other air pollutants with decreases recorded for these pollutants in 2022. Sulphur dioxide decreased by 27%; fine particulate matter by 12%; nitrogen oxide by 4% and non-methane volatile organic compounds by 1%.
Commenting on these findings Mr Tomás Murray, Senior Manager said: “This assessment shows positive results in terms of a reduction in emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter in 2022. These reductions are driven by less coal and fuel oil used in power generation and also less fossil fuels used in homes and businesses. Our data are clear: reducing fossil fuel use benefits both our climate and air quality and increasing the pace of this reduction will be better for our health and environment.”
To mark ‘Biodiversity Week 2024‘, Tipperary Green Business Network invite you to join them on a guided walk of ‘The Apple Farm’ at Cahir, Co. Tipperary, which will be led jointly by your host Mr Con Trass and Mr Alan Moore, latter of ‘Hedgerows Ireland’.
The Apple Farm, Moorstown, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
Date and time:Saturday, May 18th, 2024, commencing at 2:30pm until 5:00am. (2 hours 30 minutes).
Location: The Apple Farm, Moorstown, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. [Eircode: E21 YX33]
Please do wear suitable weather gear and footwear. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.
Light refreshments will be available. This is a FREE event, but booking is essential. Contact info@tgbn.ie
The Apple Farm Shop will be open for those of you may wish to stock up on juices, apple cider vinegar, jams etc.
Note: National Biodiversity Week 2024 will run over a 10 day period, from Friday 17th to Sunday 26th of May.
EPA report shows low uptake of Green Public Procurement in government department contracts.
Of €922 million spend by government departments on contracts in 2022, 34% included green criteria.
The increase in the use of green criteria (10% in 2021, 34% in 2022) is encouraging, but still at a low level.
All government departments must improve their implementation of Green Public Procurement and purchase more resource-efficient and less polluting goods, services and works.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published its third report on Green Public Procurement(GPP) activity in government departments. GPP is a process where public authorities seek to source goods, services or works that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle.
The report details that out of the reported €922 million spend on contracts greater than €25,000 and signed in 2022, just 34% of the spend included green criteria. While it is encouraging to see an improvement compared to the previous year (10% in 2021, 34% in 2022), overall the use of green criteria is inconsistent across government departments and at a low level, relative to total spend.
Launching the report Ms Laura Burke, Director General, said: “Our latest report shows an encouraging increase in the implementation of Green Public Procurement by government departments. But the use of Green Public Procurement is still low, with only a quarter of in scope ICT Product contracts incorporating green criteria, and less than half in some other sectors such as transport and cleaning services. This is a missed opportunity by the Government sector to show leadership in purchasing more resource efficient and less polluting goods, services and works. For example, introduction of green criteria can deliver carbon reductions, conserve water, improve air and water quality and prevent waste.”
Summary Data.
Department.
No. of contracts over €25,000 signed in 2022 incorporating GPP.
Percentage of total spend reported on contracts over €25,000 signed in 2022 incorporating GPP.
Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science.
0
0%
Health.
4
9%
Housing, Local Government & Heritage.
5
12%
Justice.
2
not known*[*value of contracts not given]
Public Expenditure & Reform.
19
64%
Rural & Community Development.
8
96%
Social Protection.
25
17%
The Taoiseach.
10
88%
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media.
3
45%
Transport.
3
100%
The EPA report sets out the following five recommendations:
Assign senior level responsibility within government departments to prioritise the incorporation of GPP into procurement processes, including the Corporate Procurement Plan.
Include GPP data in Government Department Annual Reports.
The report ‘Green Public Procurement: Monitoring and Reporting by Government Departments, 2022 Reference Year’ is now available on the EPA website, HERE.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today announced the launch of its new ‘Learning Portal’, latter an easy-to-navigate digital platform designed to consolidate best-in-class compliance training content and resources on food safety and hygiene. The introduction of this new desktop and mobile compatible learning portal aims to strengthen adherence with food safety legal requirements and supplement the food safety training provided by food businesses to their staff.
The new learning portal, now available to more than 51,000 food businesses, is free to use and offers a wealth of specialised content to assist users in keeping up to date with the latest food safety requirements. The learning portal’s materials can be easily incorporated into food safety courses, staff meetings, or used for self-learning, allowing learners to study at their own pace and convenience. It was developed to assist in building compliance by food businesses and it includes eLearning modules, webinars, short videos, and explanatory materials covering a broad range of relevant topics.
Welcoming the new learning resource, Dr Pamela Byrne, CEO, FSAI said: “The launch of the ‘Learning Portal’ underscores our commitment to ensuring the highest level of food safety standards are achieved across Ireland. It is imperative that all food businesses recognise the importance of food safety training and the consequences if their staff are not properly trained. Untrained staff can lead to serious non-compliances, which can put consumers’ health at risk. It is the food business’s legal requirement to ensure the food they are producing, selling or distributing is safe to eat. We believe ongoing training and development is an essential component of every food business. I strongly encourage all food businesses across the country to avail of this free resource to assist in creating an ongoing positive culture of food safety compliance in their business”.
The primary content areas of focus include: Food Safety Culture: This module provides guidance on how to develop and maintain an appropriate food safety culture in a food business, in order to be able to demonstrate this to inspectors and customers. Food safety is legally required to be placed at the core of every food business.
Food Safety Controls in Ireland: This module outlines the role of the FSAI and other official agencies responsible for supervising food businesses in Ireland. It also provides training and information around the latest resources and supports available to food businesses to ensure the highest standards in operational food practices.
Why Food Safety Matters: A module designed to highlight and create understanding around the importance of food safety in protecting the public health and the risks associated with non-compliance.
Product Recall: In line with the latest Irish and EU legislation this topic includes easy to understand short videos outlining what steps need to be taken in the case of a product recall.
The FSAI calls on all food businesses and relevant food professionals to access the new ‘Learning Portal’ and take advantage of its valuable resources to enhance food safety practices across the country.
Cashel Library will host an exciting schedule of events for their annual Bealtaine (Irish-Month of May) Festival, which will kick off on Friday May 3rd next.
Hereunder is a full outline of Bealtaine events happening at Cashel Library, Cashel, in Co. Tipperary, however, do keep in mind that booking is essential to all these free events [Tel. No: 062 63825], with a policy of ‘First come first served.’
Friday, May 3rd – 10:00am: “Sing Your Way Down Memory Lane,” a session with Suzanne Buttimer. Friday, May 3rd – 11.30am: Line Dancing Session, with Bernie Corbett. Tuesday, May 7th – 1:15pm: Wellness Course, with Jennie Hannigan. Friday, May 10th – 11.30am: Line Dancing Session, with Bernie Corbett. Saturday May 11th – 10:00am->12:30pm: Memoir Writing Workshop. Monday May 13th – 11:00am->1:00pm: Karoke Sing-A-Long. Tuesday May 14th – 11:00am->1:15pm: ‘Memory Cafe’. Tuesday May 14th – 1:15pm: Wellness Course with Jennie Hannigan. Wednesday May 15th – 2:30pm: ‘Hello How Are You?’ Afternoon tea. Friday May 17th – 10:30am: Performance by St John the Baptist Girl School. Friday May 17th – 11.30am: Line Dancing Session with Bernie Corbett. Tuesday May 21st – 1:15pm: Wellness Course with Jennie Hannigan. Saturday May 18th – 11:00: Upcycling Workshop with Mairead Kennedy. Monday May 20th – 10:00am: ‘Sketchbook of Ireland’, Workshop. Friday May 24th – 11.30am: Line Dancing Session with Bernie Corbett. Saturday May 25th – 10:00am -> 12:30pm: Memoir Writing Workshop. Tuesday May 28th – 1:15pm: Wellness Course with Jennie Hannigan.
You canlocate the Cashel Library building, situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (G487+RX)
Reminder: Booking is Essential – To Tel.: 062-63825 Please.
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