Despite the improvements in water quality over the last 20 to 30 years, a recent EPA report shows that 15% of Ireland’s water bodies are of ‘poor’ status.

Better farming for water

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A Killinkere farmer is set to host a local farm walk tomorrow (Friday) to demonstrate how he has adopted measures on his farm to reduce his greenhouse gas emissions and improve water quality.

The open event will take place on the farm of Alan Clarke who has engaged with a new programme and secured funding for the measures.

Why is this important?

In Ireland, the Water Framework Directive leads all water policy and management, and provides a target of achieving ‘good status’ for all waters by the end of 2027.

However, despite a lot of good work over the last 20 to 30 years, the country is falling short. A recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report shows that 15% of Ireland’s water bodies are of ‘poor’ status.

Ireland’s response to challenges around water quality is set out under the national river basin management plan, which has 190 priority areas for action (PAAs) identified across the country. There are multiple pressures across each of these PAAs including agriculture, wastewater treatment plants, septic tanks, forestry, and urban pressures.

Services

The Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) is available to farmers and is a key part of helping achieve good status. It is a free and confidential advisory service available to all farmers in a PAA.

The Signpost Programme is a multi-annual campaign designed to lead climate action by all Irish farmers. The programme aims to:

- Reduce gaseous emissions from Irish agriculture;

- Improve water quality;

- Maintain and improve biodiversity;

- Reduce costs; and

- Create more profitable and sustainable farming enterprises.

Measures/Funding

There is now funding available for farmers through the Farming for Water EIP to source control measures including:

- Nutrient management plan;

- Pathway interception measures including buffer zones, hedgerow planting; and

- Receptor measures including fencing and alternative water supply that helps improve water quality in catchments.

This new funding will be discussed this Friday during the walk in Killinkere and how farmers can avail of it.

Local Farm Walk

The open event takes place on Friday, October 18, on Alan's farm in Killinkere.

The farm is in two blocks: The home block is where the milking enterprise occurs. This is in the Blackwater (Kells) Upper PAA. The waterbody that flows through this part of the farm is Blackwater (Kells) 050. The status of this water body is ‘poor’ where Phosphorous and sediment losses are the issues.

The out farm is in the Chapel Lakestream Blue dot PAA where the waterbody flows through the Chapel Lakestream 010. This waterbody is ‘good’ in status and by adopting these practices, Alan has created a more sustainable farm.

The walk gets underway at 11am this Friday.

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