Cattle trained to pump own water in drive to clean up rivers in North Cork

Cattle are being trained to pump water for themselves as part of a unique project which could lead to clean rivers and the green light for further residential and industrial development in North Cork.

The EU has issued a protection order on the freshwater pearl mussel, which is present in large numbers in the River Blackwater and its tributaries.

There are fears that excess silt in the rivers and below-standard sewage treatment plants are affecting the mussels’ breeding and as a result planned residential and industrial development has been put on hold.

However, IRD Duhallow is trying to develop a sustainable future for river life, agriculture and human development through its Life Project on the River Allow, between Freemount and Kanturk.

Fran Igoe, who is co-ordinating the project, said silt build-up in the river was primarily due to cattle trampling the river banks when they came to drink.

“We have fenced off 30kms of the bank on the River Allow and are providing farmers with alternative solar-powered pumps which the cattle can operate themselves,” he said.

In areas where the river banks have been severely damaged the project team have planted willow trees, Christmas trees and other plants to bind the soil back together, thus preventing silt from getting into the river.

They are also employing silt traps in farm drains to prevent it getting into the river system.

“We are working with farmers to reduce riverbank erosion. We are getting the whole ecology back, but also protecting farming,” said mr Igoe.

Students from the Agricultural College in Clonakilty are visiting the Life Project today, where they will see at first hand the work done by the team on a local farm.

It is part of the team’s drive to educate farmers about solutions to ecological problems.

Mr Igoe said project teams were going to advocate that their measures be adopted on a wider scale throughout Ireland and they will be bringing a report to the Department of Agriculture on it shortly.

The EU has also licensed the IRD Duhallow project in the hope it could be a major solution to river water quality.

Mr Igoe said there was broad agreement that an agri-environment scheme, designed and developed with and by the landowners, with good scientific input and support, will achieve the best possible outcome.

“This kind of joined-up approach was praised by the European Commission during their recent visit [here] and we hope that the relevant Irish statutory agencies will also lend it their full support,” he said.

“We have made the argument to the Department of Agriculture that local knowledge of farming and the environment is key to the success of any new programme.

“We would like to thank all of the farmers and landowners who have been so supportive and taken part in the process. Let us hope that all of our efforts will be successful.”

Cork County Council planners are concerned that their vision for increased population targets along the Blackwater Valley will have to be put on hold indefinitely until a solution to the pearl mussel is found.

Andrew Hind, the local authority’s senior planner, said that the council would be bringing together a multi-agency taskforce to tackle the issue.

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