Fertiliser project could reduce ammonia emissions

By Rob Blair, Partner and ARA specialist

A cross-party group of MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has visited an innovative project for the local production of fertiliser on farms.

The on-farm project has trialled plasma conversion technology that adds nitrogen from the air to cattle dung slurry.

Using a scientific technique that applies air and electricity to slurry, both ammonia, a pollutant, and methane, a greenhouse gas, are ‘locked in’ to the liquid waste material. The resultant enriched fertiliser can be spread on fields using existing farm equipment.

The visit was part of an enquiry by the Committee into the factors that are causing disruption to UK food supply chains.

These include the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, labour shortages and the war between Russia and Ukraine, both of which are major exporters of fertiliser.

As Sir Robert Goodwill who took part in the recent farm visit commented, innovative solutions are needed to help the UK strengthen its food security and this project, which creates a richer fertiliser while reducing the pollution associated with slurry, looks like a step forward, as it could help both farmers and the environment.

The enquiry, which was launched in June, is currently accepting evidence on a number of topics, such as how the rising cost of living and increasing food prices are affecting UK consumers’ ability to access healthy and nutritious food.

The agriculture industry is a hotbed of innovation and is constantly research and developing new technology.

However, many businesses behind these innovations may not be aware of the potential tax saving opportunities available to them via R&D tax credits.

If you are conducting R&D projects within your business, we could help you to claim valuable tax relief, so please speak to us today.