Tirlán highlights progressive water quality programme on farms

The importance of maintaining Ireland’s current Nitrates Derogation for both the sector and the wider economy was highlighted during the meetings with EU Commission officials. 

Tirlán joined key organisations including officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Dairy Industry Ireland (DII); Meat Industry Ireland (MII); Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and other processing Co-ops; Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA); Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA); Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO); An Taisce and other organisations at a roundtable discussion which highlighted Ireland’s commitment and whole-of-sector approach to protecting and improving water quality. 

The Commission representatives included Humberto Delgado Rosa, Director General for Environment; Gorka Barrio Montoya, Policy Officer Nitrates Directive in the EU DG Environment, Land Use and Management and Jonathan Claridge, Deputy Head of European Commission Representation – Ireland.

Speaking after the meeting, Tirlán’s CEO Seán Molloy said: “Tirlán and our farm families are fully engaged and firmly behind Ireland’s collaborative approach to improving water quality through Ireland’s Farming for Water EIP. Our significant investment in our progressive River Slaney Project shows our commitment to practical science-based action across our catchment area and it is part of a national drive to deliver change, with activity underway by Co-ops and other organisations right across the country. 

“We are acutely aware of the importance of the Nitrates Derogation, not just for dairy farmers, but for all of the agri-food sector and the impact it’s loss would have on the sustainability and viability of small family farms. Equally, we are fully aware and determined to continue our work to improve water quality into the future. It is important to deliver policy certainty and clarity for farm families at this time.”

At a visit on the family farm of Cheryl and Alan Poole, near Gorey, Co Wexford, a practical focus on maintaining and enhancing water quality was highlighted as part of Tirlán’s Farming for Water: River Slaney Project aimed at improving the catchment running through Ireland’s south-east. The programme is part of Ireland’s overall Farming for Water EIP and aligned with the Teagasc ‘Better Farming for Water’ programme to deliver and support a science-based knowledge transfer and best practice approach.

Tirlán’s Chairperson John Murphy emphasised that the good work seen on the Poole’s family farm in County Wexford was reflective of work underway on farms right across the country. 

“Tirlán and its farmers remain committed to improving water quality in river catchments as it is the right thing to do for our land and rivers, our families and our communities. Tirlán has invested significant resources to deliver our water quality programmes based on best practice. 

“We have always found our farmers to be highly adaptable and have shown they want to do their best for their lands and their communities. However, it will take time for the best practice measures to be fully reflected in water quality data captured. We are committed to long-term programmes to support our farmers to continue their work to enhance and protect their lands and waters for the future.

“We’d like to thank the EU Commission team for their time and commitment to visiting to witness first-hand the large body of work underway on Irish farms.”