Water & Agriculture. Seamus Barron Nitrates, Biodiversity & Engineering Division

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1 Water & Agriculture Seamus Barron Nitrates, Biodiversity & Engineering Division

2 Presentation overview Water Framework Directive Nitrates regulations Support /initiatives for protecting water quality 2

3 Water Framework Directive The EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) requires all MS to protect and improve water quality in all waters. Given legal effect in Ireland by EC (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 722 of 2003). It applies to rivers, lakes, groundwater, and transitional coastal waters. The Directive requires that management plans be prepared on a river basin basis and specifies a structured method for developing these plans.

4 WFD Objectives EU Water Framework Directive Maintain existing good status Prevent deterioration in status Achieve at least good status in all waters 6-year cycles: 2015, 2021, 2027

5 What is Good Water Status? Measure of the quality of water chemistry, biology, fish, hydromorphology High: reference conditions Good : slight deviation Moderate: moderate deviation Poor: large deviation Bad: very large deviation

6 River Basin Management River Basin Management Plan Programmes of Measures Implement all Basic WFD Measures Achieve WFD objectives Second Cycle

7 EU Water Policy IPPC Env Impact Assess t Bathing Waters Drinking Water Urban Waste Water Basic WFD Measures Major Accidents Water Framework Directive Birds Floods Strategy Habitats Marine Strategy Sustain. Use of Pesticides Nitrates Sewage Sludge

8 EU Nitrates Directive - Implementation of the Nitrates Regulations is the basic measure to achieve the Water Framework Directive obligations - Each M.S. implements Nitrates Directive by National Action Programmes - Contains measures to protection waters against pollution by nitrates and phosphates from agricultural sources - 1 st N.A.P. was Good Agricultural Practice regs - given effect into Irish law by S.I. 378/2006. Present S.I. is 31/ NAP being reviewed in 2017

9 Nitrates Regulations Limits on the amount of livestock manure applied 170kg N/Ha Controls on application of fertilisers Minimum manure storage requirements Farmyard management requirements Maximum nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisation rates Maintain buffer zones adjacent to watercourses, water abstraction points Green cover & ploughing requirements Records 9

10 Are the Nitrates Regulations making a positive contribution?

11 Trend towards reduced nutrient levels since 2007

12 Research Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) Established under Nitrates Regulations (Art. 27) to evaluate effectiveness of Nitrates Regulations 6 agricultural catchments >300 participating farmers full advisory service Funded significantly by DAFM Phase 1 ( ); Phase 2 ( ); Phase 3 ( ) Website link

13 ACP Research Highlights Nutrient use efficiency increasing Farm gate nutrient balances declining Decreasing % of excessively high P soils 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 Contact with an agricultural advisor OR advisor plus farmer discussion group has a positive effect on NMP adoption Potential for further efficiencies through improved policy integration and knowledge transfer

14 EPA Nitrates Regulation is most important measure to address diffuse agricultural pollution Confident that Nitrates Regulations are making positive contribution But...

15 Comparison of surface water quality in Ireland with with other countries (based on EEA website data)

16 Nitrates Regulations will not provide sufficient protection for all waterbodies Need additional measures

17 2 nd Draft River Basin Management Plan Targeted Additional Measures - GLAS - TAMS - Knowledge Transfer - Locally led schemes

18 GLAS Targeted additional measures GLAS has funding of approx 1.4bn over the course of the RDP. This funding will benefit approx 50,000 farmers GLAS is co-funded by the EU, 56% approx co-funded 45% of all actions benefit water quality, incl. NMP

19 GLAS actions that improve water quality Arable Grass Margins when placed along a watercourse it acts as a buffer zone to intercept nutrient runoff. Riparian Margins stabilise river banks and act as a buffer zone to intercept livestock nutrient runoff. Protection of watercourse from bovines fencing watercourses off from bovines prevents direct contamination.

20 GLAS actions that improve water quality Low-Input Permanent Pasture/Traditional Hay Meadow the restriction of fertiliser/pesticide use in these actions results less chemicals entering watercourses as runoff. Minimum Tillage by not inverting the soil there is less chance of nutrient runoff into watercourses. Low Emission Slurry Spreading more controlled and more efficient slurry spreading results in less nutrient runoff.

21 Targeted additional measures TAMS improving nutrient management and nutrient use efficiency 190m allocated to LESS and Animal Welfare, Safety & Nutrient Storage Scheme

22 Targeted additional measures Knowledge Transfer improving understanding of environmental and economic efficiencies 100m allocated from RDP aimed at adoption of best practice 27,000 farmers

23 Targeted additional measures Locally-led Agri-Environmental Schemes Burren Farming Programme Freshwater Pearl Mussel

24 Nutrient Management Planning Critical for Protection of water Improved productivity Effective use of valuable and costly nutrients Reduced fertiliser costs Implementation of NMP in past was poor

25 Irish soil fertility trends 10% of soils good overall fertility 70% of grassland soils require lime 55% very low to low P status (M Plunkett Teagasc)

26 New NMP On-line - Developed by Teagasc - Open to all users - Aim is greater implementation by farmers - User friendly recommendations - Colour coded maps 26

27 Summary Water quality is good, however challenge to achieve WFD obligations Nitrates regs and other targeted support measures have been effective Nutrient Management Planning is critical Engagement process with farmers to find specific solutions will be important in the future

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