European Commission adopts uniform conditions for operating rules for poultry and pig farms (UCOL) under the Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive — maximum values for nitrogen and phosphorus excreted and for ammonia from animal housing, plus mandatory monitoring; to apply in 2030–2032
On 8 October 2026 the European Commission announced the adoption of Implementing Decision C(2026) 6899 on uniform conditions for operating rules for the rearing of poultry and pigs (UCOL), based on Article 70i of Directive 2010/75/EU as amended by Directive (EU) 2024/1785. The conditions replace fragmented national approaches with common minimum standards for reducing emissions of ammonia, nitrogen and phosphorus.
- The annex sets maximum values of nitrogen and phosphorus excreted per animal place per year: for pigs 3.6 kg N for weaners, 12.0 kg N for fattening pigs and 25.0 kg N for sows (including piglets), and for phosphorus 1.5, 4.5 and 12.0 kg P2O5 respectively; for Iberian pigs the nitrogen values may be up to 30% higher and for other heavy pigs up to 20% higher. Separate tables cover poultry and the maximum ammonia emissions from animal housing for pigs and poultry.
- Monitoring: nitrogen and phosphorus excretion — once a year for each animal category, by mass balance based on feed intake, the crude protein and total phosphorus content of the diet and animal performance; ammonia emissions from each animal house — by a nitrogen mass balance across the manure management stages or by emission factors, once a year; methane and dust — by emission factors. The monitoring techniques are further developed at Member State level.
- Odour is monitored where a nuisance at sensitive receptors is expected or substantiated — using EN standards, e.g. dynamic olfactometry under EN 13725 (odour concentration) or EN 16841-1 or -2 (odour exposure), or alternative methods providing data of equivalent quality. The performance of air cleaning systems is verified once, at commissioning, by measuring ammonia, odour and/or dust under practical farm conditions (EN or equivalent methods), and their effective functioning is checked monthly.
- Techniques not listed may be used if the Member State validates, on a scientific basis, at least an equivalent level of environmental protection; the data and methods used for validation must be documented and publicly available. The deadlines follow from Directive (EU) 2024/1785: four years after the implementing act enters into force for installations with 600 livestock units (LSU) or more, five years for 400 LSU or more and six years for the rest — according to the Commission, application will begin between 2030 and 2032.