Livestock odours, in particular caused by pigs, have been a subject of study and of regulation for some considerable time. Guidelines for planning and licensing, aimed at maintaining adequate buffer zones between pig units and residents, haven been introduced in some European countries as early as 1971. The nature of pig production has changed since then, while the environmental impacts of pig production have become a major consideration. Nutrient recycling and disposal, ammonia emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and odours are now significant issues determining the sustainability of the industry. The industry has developed various technologies in response to these challenges. New types of pig housing and manure storage have been developed, feed technology is evolving and even air treatment to reduce emissions of ammonia and odour to air is under consideration.

In Ireland, the pig production sector has seen considerable change over the past 12 years. The
production of pig meat in Ireland has doubled, while the number of pig producers has been reduced. The trend towards larger units in expected to continue.

IPC Licensing for pig production units above a certain size is being introduced currently, on the basis of EPA Act of 1992 and European requirements.

As a result, close to two hundred of pig units will be applying for IPC licenses in Ireland in the next few years. The assessment of the odour impact of these pig units will be an important element of the licensing process, which will be carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency.

To implement licensing, a transparent framework for assessing the odour impact of livestock
production units is required, providing consistent criteria to avoid impairment of amenity in the vicinity of production units. Suitable criteria for .acceptable exposure. to odours are required, in
order to set a framework of environmental quality criteria: limit and target values. This report aims to provide the basis for such a framework. It also reviews the practices, methods and technologies that are available to reduce the odour impact of pig production units.

To illustrate the application of concepts outlined in this report, three pilot studies were conducted to illustrate practical implementation of the proposed assessment framework.

This report will assist the Agency in formulating its approach for processing the license applications and to achieve transparent and uniform decision-making on odour issues for that purpose.

This Part A of the report provides the background to the assessment framework, on the basis of
literature study and direct contacts with experts and industry representatives.

To communicate the assessment framework and its practical implementation in licensing, a more concise, transparent document has been prepared. Part B provides practical information on the assessment framework, aiming at those directly involved: the public, the pig producers and the staff of the Agency involved in licensing.

The review of abatement methods, with a focus on their practical application, has been made
accessible in Part C of the report, aiming at those involved in the pig production sector.

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Harreveld, V.T.   "Odour Impacts and Odour Emission Control Measures for Intensive Agriculture". Associated datasets and digitial information objects connected to this resource are available at: Secure Archive For Environmental Research Data (SAFER) managed by Environmental Protection Agency Ireland https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/resource?id=55b1d0a2-2084-102f-a0a4-f81fb11d7d1c (Last Accessed: 2025-03-19)

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SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=228
Resource Keywords	Odour Impacts, Emission Control, Intensive Agriculture
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	-
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Air Quality
Resource Availability:	Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this Resource	Any attached datasets, data files, or information objects can be downloaded for further use in scientific applications under the condition that the source is properly quoted and cited in published papers, journals, websites, presentations, books, etc. Before downloading, users must agree to the "Conditions of Download and Access" from SAFER-Data. These appear before download. Users of the data should also communicate with the original authors/owners of this resource if they are uncertain about any aspect of the data or information provided before further usage.
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	3
Project Start Date	Monday 12th January 1998 (12-01-1998)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Monday 12th January 1998 (12-01-1998)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Thursday 29th June 2000 (29-06-2000)
Published on SAFER	Thursday 25th August 2011 (25-08-2011)
Date of Last Edit	Thursday 25th August 2011 at 17:20:35 (25-08-2011)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Thursday 25th August 2011 at 17:20:35 (25-08-2011)

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Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
Data was gathered from all over Ireland in order to give an accurate representation of Odour Impacts around the country.

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The following is a list of projects, datasets, and resources on SAFER-Data from which users downloaded attachments from soon after downloading attachments from this resource Odour Impacts and Odour Emission Control Measures for Intensive Agriculture. You can view the full description for projects, datasets, and resources by using the links supplied.

• The use of constructed wetlands for the treatment of agricultural wastes View Full Metadata Description

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