Up to 5,000 farmers in 190 areas of action nationwide will be advised on how to enhance water quality.
Teagasc will deploy 20 advisers from 18 June to support behavioural change, free of charge, on farms as part of the new Agricultural and Sustainability and Support Programme (ASSP).
“The advisers won’t be rookie advisers, they’ll be specially trained, experienced advisers who will hold events and visit farmers to directly support change,” Pat Murphy from Teagasc said. Irish co-ops have also got involved and are supplying at least 10 advisers under the Dairy Sustainability Initiative to support change among the 18,000 dairy farmers in Ireland.
Last year, the Netherlands had to cull up to 50,000 cows to comply with EU nitrates regulations.
The ASSP is seen as a proactive approach to ensuring Ireland retains its nitrates derogation and clean image as food exports increase under FoodWise 2025.
“The first thing that’s looked at in the nitrates review is water quality,” Jack Nolan from the nitrates division of the Department of Agriculture said.
Cost
The ASSP will cost up to €2.1m every year until 2021, which will be equally funded by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Housing and the dairy co-ops.
Ireland’s water remains at a relatively high standard, but concerns have been raised that our water quality is decreasing, with agriculture accounting for over half of the water quality issues in the country.
Read more
Farm inspections to crack down on water quality
Highly stocked herds to register for water use
Up to 5,000 farmers in 190 areas of action nationwide will be advised on how to enhance water quality.
Teagasc will deploy 20 advisers from 18 June to support behavioural change, free of charge, on farms as part of the new Agricultural and Sustainability and Support Programme (ASSP).
“The advisers won’t be rookie advisers, they’ll be specially trained, experienced advisers who will hold events and visit farmers to directly support change,” Pat Murphy from Teagasc said. Irish co-ops have also got involved and are supplying at least 10 advisers under the Dairy Sustainability Initiative to support change among the 18,000 dairy farmers in Ireland.
Last year, the Netherlands had to cull up to 50,000 cows to comply with EU nitrates regulations.
The ASSP is seen as a proactive approach to ensuring Ireland retains its nitrates derogation and clean image as food exports increase under FoodWise 2025.
“The first thing that’s looked at in the nitrates review is water quality,” Jack Nolan from the nitrates division of the Department of Agriculture said.
Cost
The ASSP will cost up to €2.1m every year until 2021, which will be equally funded by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Housing and the dairy co-ops.
Ireland’s water remains at a relatively high standard, but concerns have been raised that our water quality is decreasing, with agriculture accounting for over half of the water quality issues in the country.
Read more
Farm inspections to crack down on water quality
Highly stocked herds to register for water use
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