Agricultural Catchments Programme A Policy Perspective

Transcription

1 Agricultural Catchments Programme A Policy Perspective Dr. Patricia Torpey Nitrates, Biodiversity & Engineering Division 1

2 Presentation Overview Nitrates Regulations Water Framework Directive Agricultural Catchments Programme Common Agricultural Policy Food Harvest 2020 Ireland is legally required to protect and conserve its water environment 2

3 Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) Established under the Nitrates Regulations Significantly funded by DAFM 6 agricultural catchments >300 participating farmers full and free advisory service Advisory = critical element Phase 1 ( ); Phase 2 ( ) Website link 3

4 Nitrates Directive (ND) - Ireland Nitrates Regulations Current Regulation S.I. 31 of 2014 Derogation approval Next review 2017 protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources 4

5 Nitrates Regulations & ACP Purpose Monitor the effectiveness of measures Monitor derogation farming Contribute to statutory reporting requirements Provide a scientific basis for review 5

6 Water Framework Directive (WFD) Overall policy driver for the protection of waters across the EU Requires Member States to achieve good ecological status in all waters within certain timeframes River Basin Management Plans (RBMP) and Programme of Measures (PoM) to address water quality across all sectors 6

7 WFD - Ireland 1 st cycle of RBMP nd cycle RBMP expected in 2017 Agricultural PoM = Nitrates Regulations 7

8 WFD & ACP Irish farmers x Nitrates Regulations = WFD objectives delivery ACP monitoring can facilitate a scientific evaluation of farmer contribution 8

9 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Pillar 1: Basic Payment Scheme New greening component Cross Compliance (ND) Pillar 2: Rural Development Programme (RDP) Supplementary WFD measure GLAS Agri-Environment/Climate Farmer discussion groups 9

10 CAP RDP - ACP Targeting of measures Targeting of advice New technologies/innovation 10

11 Food Harvest 2020 Strategy SMART + GREEN = GROWTH Recognised importance of Nitrates Regulations in contributing to WFD delivery 11

12 Milestones for Success 2014 Challenge to reach ambitious growth targets while simultaneously meeting environmental objectives 12

13 Milestones for Success 2014 Achieving the necessary balance will require: o o o Sustained application of new management practices Credible research findings Improved knowledge transfer Must close the scientific verification gap 13

14 Milestones report ACP Peer-reviewed papers Catchments = national focal points Key dissemination activity Validates research findings Critically inform policy review Technology transfer Education of stakeholders Improved management practices Verify that Irish farmers are producing milk, meat and crops in an environmentally sustainable manner 14

15 Water Environment 2012 Source: EPA Nitrates Regulation is most important measure to address diffuse agricultural pollution Water quality trends are improving Confident that Nitrates Regulations are making positive contribution 15

16 ACP Research Highlights Farm gate nutrient balances declining Nutrient use efficiency increasing Decreasing % of excessively high P soils Some evidence of reduced nutrient losses from agricultural land to water Water quality trends showing signs of recovery (lag times) Closed spreading period is effective in reducing nutrient losses Significant climate effect on losses o Potential for further efficiencies through improved knowledge transfer and policy integration Agricultural output is being maintained/increased 16

17 ACP Policy Integration Fulfil policy reporting obligations Scientific evaluation of Nitrates Regulations Nitrates Review 2017 Enhance effectiveness and accuracy of Regulations Inform PoM for 2nd cycle WFD ND, Derogation, WFD Provide insight into farmer contribution to delivery of WFD objectives Lag time investigation Inform Rural Development Programme Mid-term review 17

18 ACP Policy Integration Strengthens FH2020 Smart Green Growth Credible research findings Influence uptake of best management practices Underpin sustainability claims of Ireland s agri-food producers Environmental sustainability is strongly correlated with economic sustainability 18

19 Summary o Legal obligation to protect water o Nitrates Regulation o Most important measure to address diffuse pollution from agriculture (EPA) o Key element of achieving WFD objectives (FH2020) o What is the ACP providing? o Sustained and intensive monitoring of interface between agri-economic growth and agri-environmental sustainability o Findings integrate into numerous policies (ND, WFD, RDP) o Scientific basis for sustainable intensification (FH2020) 19

20 Thank you 20