The Environmental Challenge for Irish Dairy- A Common Proposal National Dairy Sustainability Initiative 6 April 2017
Overview - Current Positions National economic development international market growth agriculture Food Wise 2025, Origin Green EU, Dept of HPCLG and LG- the Water Framework Directive Nitrates Dgtn EPA Report on the State of the Env - Evidence Base - Catchments.ie Dept of Agriculture/Teagasc ACP Programme Teagasc Nutrient Management Planning Teagasc Soil Fertility Improvement Proposal for an integrating framework all positions
Food Wise 2025 Market Growth Strong focus on Sustainability in Food Wise 2025, recognition of significant challenges of agri-expansion in meeting national and international targets for air quality, bio-diversity and water quality. Strategies outlined to address and surpass significant challenges for air quality, bio-diversity and water quality, if economic gains to be achieved. Identification of need for significant effort recognition that environmental sustainability and economic sustainability are complementary scientific evidence based data to underpin Origin Green Ambition for Ireland to be world leader in sustainable agriculture as a differentiating market growth strategy
Ecological status across the EU (2012)
Context: River Water Quality, past, now, future? 100 Expenditure 2000-2014 billion? 95 Farm Buildings % river channel length at satisfactory status 90 85 80 75 70 65 1987-1990 REPS Water Urban Waste Water 1998-2000 1995-1997 0 1 2 3 4 5 2010-2012? 2015? 2021 2027 60 Challenging in the context of FH2020/Food Wise2025 strategies, 8bn for 5% improvement. Needs a new approach increasing population and implications of climate Slide source: Pat change. Duggan
80% agriculture areas not at risk, 31% river and lake WBs At Risk of not meeting WFD objectives
NITRATES TIMELINE By end 2017, the Environment Committee (Member States representatives) at DG Environment in the EU Commission will adjudicate on Ireland s application for a nitrates derogation Dept of HPCLG and Dept of Agriculture will make a case for the continuance of the existing derogation - public consultation re Nitrates Action Prog Q1/Q2 2017 Some four meetings will take place at which Ireland will makes its case to the Env Ctte The Env reps of Member States will vote/decide by qualified majority EPA believes that the continuance of the derogation will be at risk if water quality objectives are not being met and if trends are downward problems in Netherlands, Denmark and UK It is possible that there will be conditionality to any nitrates derogation continuance in the light of agri-expansion
Dairy Sustainability Initiative 1 2 3 Recognizing that environmental sustainability and economic sustainability are complementary First Industry sustainability initiative involving Whole of Government and Whole of Sector Address: Water, Soil & Air quality, Climate change targets on a multi annual basis to achieve Food Wise Sustainability objectives
Overview - Dairy Sustainability Initiative - an Integrating Framework Pro-active partnership, Collaborative, Whole of Sector, Whole of Govt, Industry led working with all stakeholders to address and seek to improve soil fertility/ nutrient management planning/water quality/climate change/clean air/ bio-diversity over a 5/6 year period. National Dairy Sustainability Forum, Technical Working Group and Farm Pilots Group to develop and implement the Integrating Framework. Phase 1 being implemented focus on water quality, climate change and ecology. Phase 1 promotion of on farm best practice by the Co-ops on NMP and on best farmyard practice and implementation farm pilots by six Co-ops with Teagasc. Later phases with greater focus on Climate Change, Clean air and Bio-diversity.
Overview - Dairy Sustainability Initiative an Integrating Framework Dairy Sector Participation in New River Basin National Mgt Structures, launched Feb 2017 Roll out by Co-ops of learnings from pilots on a phased basis. On-going evaluation of learnings. Supporting Water Framework Directive, Climate Change, Bio-Diversity and Clean Air. Supporting Food Wise, evolution/development of Origin Green.
IDIA Primary Processors
IDIA Secondary Processors
Dairy Sustainability Sectoral Working Group (Monthly Meetings) IFA ICMSA Macra ICOS IDIA Teagasc Bord Bia DAFM Aurivo,Carbery,Dairygold, Glanbia, Ornua, Lakeland, Kerry, NDC Dairy Sustainability Forum (4 meetings a year) IFA ICMSA Macra ICOS IDIA and 6 Co-ops DAFM DHCPLG EPA Teagasc Bord Bia, NDC, Local Authorities
Company Sustainability Farmer Incomes Environmental Outcomes
Promotion - Soil Nutrient Management Planning/Soil Fertility Improvement Promotion Best Practice Farm Yard Waste Water 30 Pilot Farms x 6 IDIA Companies learnings from Teagasc programmes -underway Funding of 1.6m for a 5 year programme being sought Climate change strategy being prepared
Proportion of soils from Dairy Farms in 2015 in each Soil P Index Tipperary Dairy Farms (n = 1734 soil samples) 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 29% 30% 23% 10% 18% 5% 0% Index 1 Soil P fertility: Very Low Source; Teagasc, Wall,D.P. 2016 Index 2 Index 3 Low Optimum Index 4 High
Economics and Finances Dr D Wall of Teagasc estimates that there are significant financial/productivity benefits with a grassland soil fertility improvement/nutrient management planning programme. Economics are compelling boost grass dry matter production, reduction in fertiliser use, reduction in use of meal/concentrates, boost profitability. Nutrients to where needed in soil not to water.
Content by Ger Shortle and Teagasc team Best Practice Farm Yard Waste Water- Content agreed by Working Group and DSF Best Practice Messaging Content agreed Working Group and DSF Communication and Promotion Integration with NMP
Approach agreed 30 Pilot Farms x 6 IDIA Companies learnings from Teagasc programmes Aurivo, Carbery, Dairygold, Glanbia, Lakeland, Kerry Significant undertaking Underway
Funding: EIP applications, Life, RDP Implementation Water Quality and Climate Change
Market growth sustainability factor On-farm productivity improvement Regulatory risk/requirements