Teagasc launches Blackwater Catchment Action Plan
(Left to right) Pat Clancy, chairperson of Dairygold, Philip Murphy, Teagasc Blackwater Catchment co-ordinator, Michael Harte, chief executive of Dairygold, Professor Pat Dillon, Teagasc director of research, Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc director, Billy Cronin, Dairygold head of Member Services and Engagement, Orlaith Tynan, Dairygold head of Sustainability and Environmental Strategy, Dr Stan Lalor, Teagasc director of Knowledge Transfer and Liam Herlihy, Teagasc chairman in Mitchelstown, Co Cork, at the launch of the Blackwater Catchment Action Plan. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.
The Blackwater Catchment Action Plan was launched this week as part of the ‘Better Farming for Water’ Campaign by Teagasc.
The purpose of the Blackwater Catchment Action Plan is to support farmers to adopt the eight Actions for Change with the aim of improving water quality in the Blackwater catchment, where agriculture is a pressure.
The Blackwater is one of eight priority catchments, along with the Boyne, Slaney, Barrow, Nore, Suir, Lee, and Bandon-Ilen rivers, highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a ‘catchment of concern’ where tailored work plans will set clear targets and timelines for implementing water improvement measures.
The EPA highlights that reducing nutrient and sediment losses will greatly contribute towards water quality improvements in both the long and short term.
A Blackwater Catchment Implementation Group has been set up to oversee and co-ordinate the plan. The group will consist of an independent chairperson, catchment-based industry representatives, farmers, regulators, and advisors.
The chairperson of the Blackwater Implementation Group is Kevin Twomey, a dairy farmer in the area. Dairygold will be the industry lead and will act as a champion for collective action and foster collaboration among stakeholders.
Teagasc’s own Philip Murphy has been appointed as the Blackwater Catchment co-ordinator and will act as secretary to the group.
At the launch, a comprehensive booklet was described as outlining the six Pillars of the Plan that includes:
- stakeholder engagement,
- building awareness using detailed maps on water quality,
- upskilling programmes for farmers, advisors, teachers and industry professionals,
- an impactful Knowledge Transfer programme,
- a supporting research programme
- a communications plan.
Speaking at the launch, director of Teagasc, Professor Frank O’Mara, said: “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.”
Also speaking at the launch was chief executive of Dairygold Co-Op, Michael Harte, who said: “Improving water quality is a shared responsibility, and it is only by working together that we will deliver real and lasting progress… Our farmer suppliers are already implementing practical measures that reduce nutrient and sediment losses.
“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.”
The booklet on the Blackwater Catchment plan and other river action plans are available on the Teagasc website.
