An investigation by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has found the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) did not comply with environmental law in previous ammonia emissions advice to planners.

But it has closed its investigation, as a new Operational Protocol is expected this year and the guidance currently in place does not amount to a failure to comply with the law.

The Operational Protocol was used by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to give advice to planning authorities when assessing livestock development applications that could have an impact on environmentally important sites.