New supports for farmers announced to improve environmental compliance
Good news for Irish Farmers and the environment today as the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed launched a new National Water Quality Initiative on the Allow River, Duhallow near Kanturk. Minister Breen is photographed above with on left Kieran Murphy, Community Water Officer at Local Authority Waters and Communities and Dr.Paul O’Callaghan, Local Authorities Waters Programme. Photograph Liam Burke Press 22
The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed announced the roll-out of an innovative collaboration between Government and industry delivering 30 new ‘Agricultural Sustainability Advisors’ to work with farmers across the country.
These advisors will oversee the implementation of a Programme aimed at encouraging sustainable farming, while meeting stringent water quality requirements on over 5,000 farms nationwide.
The initiative will support a free one-to-one sustainability advisory service to more than 5,000 farmers to encourage behavioral change, facilitate knowledge transfer and achieve better on-farm environmental outcomes.
Of the 30 new Agricultural Sustainability Advisors assigned to the programme, 20 are located in Teagasc while 10 who have undergone the same programme of training, will operate within the dairy processors' organisational structures.
Staff have been recruited and trained by the EPA and Teagasc and are now commencing their work programme.
The Agricultural Sustainability Support & Advisory Programme (ASSAP) arises from the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018-2021.
The plan identified that agriculture is a significant pressure in over 50% of waters at risk of not meeting their ecological target of “good” status by 2027.
In accordance with the Water Framework Directive , this Plan sets out a comprehensive programmes of measures to enhance the quality of water in Ireland's rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwater.
The objective is to support best farming practice and minimise its impact on water quality.
Commenting on the programme, Sean Keating of Tipperary County Council, on behalf of the local authorities, welcomed the collaboration and the commitment to making this happen and which is now being rolled out today.
A series of public meetings is commencing shortly in identified ‘at risk’ water catchments which will be aimed at the wider public and not just farmers.
Separately a series of river and stream visits will take place for farmers only to show the impact of agriculture on water and advise on possible remedial actions.”
Pat Murphy, CEO of Kerry Ingredients and current chair of Dairy Industry Ireland said the Dairy industry is committed to sustainable production and our commitment to the programme is evidence of this.
“It is critical that dairy production enhances its current positive image and delivers on its sustainable objectives.”
Professor Tom Kelly, Director of Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc said; “Teagasc is committed to supporting farmers to maintain and improve the quality of our waterways.
“This new Agricultural Sustainability Support & Advisory Programme, will help farmers to farm sustainably from an environmental, economic and social perspective.”
Information taken from: https://www.independent.ie/business/farming/forestry-enviro/environment/government-announces-rollout-of-free-assistance-for-5000-farmers-to-achieve-better-environmental-outcomes-37493972.html
MORE NEWS
