Nitrogen on the agenda

Just how much nitrogen do we need? And how much is too much? With the costs mounting, it’s time to assess modern farming practices

The first European Nitrogen Assessment (ENA) has found that nitrogen pollution is costing each person in Europe a phenomenal €150 to €740 per year.

The research was launched at the start of the week-long Nitrogen and Global Change conference in Edinburgh during April.  The Assessment was conducted through a network of projects supported by the European Commission and the European Science Foundation.

The figures, analysed by 200 experts from 21 countries and 89 organisations, estimate that the annual cost of damage caused by nitrogen across Europe is €70 to €320 billion, more than double the extra income raised from using nitrogen fertilisers in European agriculture.

 

Find the rest of this article on "Nitrogen on the agenda" in Palladium Magazine N.8.