This is a subscriber-only article
The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said “further progress is still needed”, but that Irish farming is on the right part to improving water quality.
IFA environment chair John Murphy was speaking in the wake of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Water Quality Monitoring Report on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations in Irish Waters 2024.
It found there has been a 10% reduction in nitrates concentration in rivers, with improvements recorded in all regions. Meanwhile, phosphorus levels remain stable.
Murphy said the collaborative whole-of-sector and whole-of-government approach is yielding results.
“These results confirm that we are on the right path. However, further progress is still needed, particularly in the southeast and midlands/eastern regions, where nitrates concentration remain above good ecological thresholds,” he said.
Supports
In addition, the IFA highlighted the importance of ongoing advisory and financial supports, such as the Better Farming for Water campaign and the Farming for Water EIP.
Murphy said these initiatives help farmers to adopt new practices and invest in infrastructure to mitigate agricultural pressures on water.
“It is vital that we continue to support farmers in their efforts. One urgent priority is the introduction of a credible planning exemption for nutrient storage facilities,” he added.
“This is a crucial step in helping farmers manage organic nutrients more effectively and maximise the value of this important resource.
“We have seen a massive effort in recent years to refine the advice and support to farmers, so they better understand the pressures on their local waterbodies, to support them to can take targeted action to mitigate the risks and improve water quality.”
SHARING OPTIONS: