IRISH ACTION LAB. Per-Erik Mellander, Chris Fennell and Owen Fenton Teagasc, Johnstown Castle Environmental Research Centre, Wexford, Ireland

Transcription

1 IRISH ACTION LAB Per-Erik Mellander, Chris Fennell and Owen Fenton Teagasc, Johnstown Castle Environmental Research Centre, Wexford, Ireland

2 IRISH ACTION LAB 82% of drinking source water is supplied from surface water bodies and 18% from groundwater. Abstraction for human use is 2% of water resources. County Wexford 3% 20% 77% Grass Arable Other Ballycanew (12 km 2 ): poorly drained soils; fractured aquifer; surface pollutant transfer pathways 7% 54% 39% Grass Arable Other Castledockerell (11 km 2 ): well drained soils; fractured aquifer; belowground pollutant transfer pathways.

3 BACKGROUND 56% of the land area is agricultural which can act as a pressure to water quality Ballycanew Nitrate & herbicides may leach to groundwater in the uplands transfer to confounded groundwater in the lowland or discharged via springs Flashy hydrology temporal, quick and erosive surface pathways Extensive ditch/tile drainage network increased hydrological connectivity - quickly/temporarily transfer. Castledockerell Nitrate & herbicides may leach to groundwater little attenuation along transfer Groundwater-driven river, relatively quick belowground pathways During large rain events - quick surface pathways connecting a much land.

4 METHODS FOR AWARENESS Sources of knowledge o Multi actor approach learn from each other o Data collating o Data collection (new data) o Data analysis o WATER PROTECT tool

5 METHODS FOR AWARENESS Transfer of knowledge o Data collection sampling of ca 100 private wells o Farmers meetings and discussion groups o Stakeholder meetings o Workshops o Publishing papers in scientific journals/presenting at conferences o Information fact sheet results and recommendations o Website, Newsletter and Twitter o Individual farm advisor

6 STRUCTURE EU WFD Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government Department of Communications, Climate Actions & Environment Department of Agriculture Food & the Marine ERVIA Commission for Regulation of Utilities Environmental Protection Agency Pesticide Control Division Teagasc Local Authorities HSE Irish Water Ltd House holders Agricultural Catchments Programme Local Authority Waters and Communities Local Authority Waters Science and Advice Irish Farmers Association NFGWS Agricultural Sustainability Advisors COOP s Farmers Private advisors Dairy Industry

7 % MEASURES 100 Illustrates attitudes to each BMP and informs the potential for implementation Current usage and vs. potential the likely implementation success / barriers Current Willing Difference Percentage of respondents willing to implement each BMP was greater than the percentage that currently uses them. BMP (see key) EXAMPLE 48% currently use GPS when applying PPP. However, 82% would be willing to.

8 % % STRATEGIES Stakeholder meeting 28th Nov DAFM, EPA, Teagasc advisors, Irish Water, Glanbia, APHA, NFGWS, Wexford Co. Co Most efficient steering mechanism Regulation Advice, education & information Social pressure Economics Infrastructure and provisions Steering mechanism to improve Actions in the farming system (sources) and the delivery from the agricultural production system (pathways) both need to be addressed to improve water quality 20 0 Regulation advice, education & information Social pressure Economics Infrastructure and provisions

9 STRATEGIES Information, education & advice Research: Mobilisation and transfer processes Farmer survey: Cost benefit and willingness BMP s Action Target groups: Farmers Water governance stakeholders 30 national Agricultural Sustainable Advisors (20 Teagasc and 10 CO-OP) newly appointed to target identified water quality issues WATERPROTECT requested to inform advisors

10 SUMMARY Two contrasting catchments with intensively managed agricultural land in rural Co. Wexford Collaboration between Teagasc, Wexford County Council, Glanbia, Ulster University and farmers A complex water governance structure identified Knowledge sources and transfer methods identified Experts believe the most efficient steering mechanism to be advice, information and education BMPs are decided on the result of research and the willingness of farmers Target groups for advice information and education are all stakeholders, in particular specialised farm advisors and farmers