Implications of Dutch ammonia policy on the livestock sector

The Dutch livestock sector is responsible for large emissions of ammonia, resulting in an ammonia deposition that greatly exceeds the critical loads for nitrogen and acidifying compounds in a large part of the country. Based on critical loads and technical possibilities for emission reduction, targets for the deposition of ammonia have been defined. According to plans for the Netherlands, in the year 2000 the deposition of ammonia should be reduced to a maximum of 1000 molc ha-1 yr-1. In 2010 the target is to further reduce the ammonia deposition to 600 molc ha-1 yr-1. This study examines the consequences of this environmental policy for the Dutch livestock sector. The scenario’s are also applicable to regions outside the Netherlands with high livestock density and high levels of ammonia emission and deposition. In most parts of the Netherlands, planned policy measures to abate ammonia emissions are expected to achieve the ammonia deposition target of 1000 molc ha-1 yr-1. However, extra measures are necessary in regions with non-calcareous sandy soils, which are sensitive to acidification and where livestock density is high. The deposition target can be reached in these regions (mostly in the central, eastern and southern part of the country) by a combination of extra adaptations of animal housing systems to reduce ammonia emissions, together with relocation of holdings to other regions. If the more stringent deposition target of 600 molc ha-1 yr-1 is to be reached, more efforts from the livestock sector will be required. In most parts of the Netherlands housing systems with low emission rates should reduce the deposition sufficiently. In the central, eastern and southern parts it is impossible to reach the deposition target for ammonia of 600 molc ha-1 yr-1 with just technical measures. To meet this target will require a radical contraction of the livestock sector in these regions. Additional to measures in the Netherlands, it is important that the import of ammonia from neighbouring countries also be reduced.