Action plan aims to improve water quality in Blackwater catchment
An action plan aiming to improve water quality in the Blackwater catchment has been officially launched today (Wednesday, March 18).
The Blackwater Catchment Action Plan, as part of the Teagasc ‘Better Farming for Water’ Campaign, was unveiled at the Firgrove House Hotel in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.
The plan seeks to encourage the early adoption of the "8-Actions for Change" on farms all across the catchment to improve water quality.
A new booklet outlines the six pillars of the action plan which include building awareness using detailed maps on water quality; upskilling programmes for farmers, advisers, teachers and industry professionals; a Knowledge Transfer (KT) programme; and a research programme.
EPA
The Blackwater is one of eight priority catchments highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a ‘catchment of concern’.
The agency also highlighted issues in the Boyne, Slaney, Barrow, Nore, Suir, Lee, and Bandon-Ilen rivers.
The EPA said that reducing nutrient and sediment losses will greatly contribute towards water quality improvements in both the long- and short-term.
This will be achieved through "tailored workplans" which will set clear targets and timelines for implementing water improvement measures.
Blackwater
A Blackwater Catchment Implementation Group has been established to oversee and coordinate the new action plan.
The group includes an independent chairperson, catchment-based industry representatives, farmers, regulators, and advisers.
Dairy farmer Kevin Twomey has been appointed as chair of the Blackwater Implementation Group.
Dairygold will be the industry lead on the project and will foster collaboration among stakeholders.
Philip Murphy, Teagasc, will be the Blackwater Catchment coordinator and will act as secretary to the group.
Water quality
Prof. Frank O’Mara, director of Teagasc thanked those who contributed to the development of the Blackwater Catchment Action Plan.
"Success depends on a collaborative, multi-actor approach involving farmers, advisors, industry, and regulators working together toward shared goals.
"This level of engagement is essential to deliver practical solutions that balance improvements in water quality with agricultural productivity," he said.
Michael Harte, chief executive of Dairygold Co-Op, added that "improving water quality is a shared responsibility".
"It is only by working together that we will deliver real and lasting progress.
"This programme reflects a true multi stakeholder approach, bringing farmers, industry, local authorities and researchers together to deliver meaningful, science based actions on the ground.
"Our farmer suppliers are already implementing practical measures that reduce nutrient and sediment losses. This catchment plan will help to accelerate that momentum.
"As we look towards the next Nitrates Derogation review in three years’ time, it is vital that all stakeholders remain focused on the measures that improve water quality, prevent nutrient loss to watercourses and reduce emissions, safeguarding our grass based farming model," he said.
