Cavan catchment pilot sees farmers change pesticide usage
A pilot catchment programme in Co. Cavan focused on reducing pesticide usage is aiming to influence national policy as early indications show positive changes occurring in the area.
The Erne-Larah Water Source Protection project was designed to understand how landowners can prevent pesticides from getting into drinking water sources.
Thirty-five farmers with land in Co. Cavan have been implementing measures on their farms as part of the project.
Measures farmers have undertaken include creating and targeting buffer zones and tree/hedge planting along a watercourse to reduce sediment run-off; and mulching and weed wiping.
Other steps include stock-proofing watercourses with fencing and the provision of alternative drinking sources such as pasture pumps; and improving pesticide storage, spill kits, and drip trays.
One of the main goals of the project is providing evidence that managing water catchments is an effective way to protect water sources from pesticides.
The project also aims to test water source protection measures that can be rolled out on a wider scale as part of national policy.
According to Uisce Éireann, the Upper Erne catchment was chosen as a testing ground in part due to pesticide exceedances in local drinking supplies.
In addition, the catchment has a landscape representative of other water source catchments with pesticide exceedances, due to its agricultural intensity and the nature of its land (grassland dominated with poorly drained soils).
Pesticide of particular concern
Speaking at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Water Conference in Co. Galway today (Wednesday, 11) was Lorraine Gaston, integrated catchment manager with Uisce Éireann.
Gaston said: 'Back in 2020 when the project scoping was underway, there were 36 public water supplies with exceedances of pesticides nationally.'
However she noted that exceedance of pesticide in drinking waters in Ireland are not at levels that would pose a public health risk.
'At the time, a pesticide called MCPA was a particular concern because it accounted for 58% of the pesticide exceedances nationally.'
This is a selective herbicide, Gaston explained, designed to kill weeds whilst protecting crops, and commonly used for treating rush infestations.
'MCPA is highly soluble and it has a low affinity towards organic sediments. It can remain in soil for some time and it is persistent in water.'
Most of the measures were implemented on the farms as part of the project last year, with some to come this year, after which a preliminary project evaluation will be done.
The 35 farmers that signed up to the voluntary project all received a free water and environmental management plan along with free support and advice from an adviser.
'All farms that needed them received a pesticide storage unit, spill kit and drip tray,' Gaston explained.
'In terms of grassland management, 14 farms received mulching and a weed wiping service, 15 farms received stock-proof fencing and alternative drinking water points, and we also held a training event in the catchment to demonstrate riparian buffers and proper sprayer usage.
'Mulching can help suppress rushes by weakening the plants over time and stopping the spread of the seeds. We intend to do another round of mulching this year, followed by weed wiping – a targeted way of applying pesticides directly to the rushes rather than spraying.
'It also uses glyphosate instead of MCPA, which is lower risk to water compared with MCPA,' she added.
Additionally, farms were provided with solar-powered troughs and/or pasture pumps, depending on the particular needs on a farm.
Targeted buffer zones were created to intercept an overland flow pathway, and native trees were planted, acting as an additional buffer and helping to limit run-off whilst enhancing biodiversity.
Monitoring shows early indications that there is a positive outcome emerging for MCPA loads in the catchment.
A key outcome of the project for participants has been that 70% said they have changed the way they apply pesticides, and 59% are likely to reduce or stop pesticide use in the future.
'Given the nature of the land in this particular catchment, there is an understanding that many of the farmers won't be able to stop using pesticides altogether,' Gaston added.
With the pilot project due to finish this year, those involved are aiming to highlight the key learnings that could potentially be rolled out as part of a wider programme, and what findings could be used to influence policy.
Essential for food production
Opening the EPA's conference today, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan stressed that water is our 'most important natural resource', essential for growing crops and raising livestock.
Minister O'Sullivan added: 'Healthy ecosystems depend on clean water for plants and animals in so many ways; water is central to our economy and our way of life.
'Managed effectively, water plays a key role in strengthening the resilience of our social, economic and environmental systems.'
However, the minister said that significant improvements in water quality have not been delivered at the pace needed, despite 'best efforts'.
Ireland, nonetheless, remains above average in terms of compliance compared to the rest of Europe, with 54% of surface waters in Ireland are in good or high ecological status, compared to the EU average of 39%, the minister explained.
'We are facing many issues such as the resilience of our water supplies, the loss of pristine water bodies, the restoring of the natural functions of our rivers for biodiversity and flood protection,' he continued.
'It is imperative that we focus on meeting these challenges as a society, to put this country on a more sustainable environmental pathway.
'We have made very good progress in the last number of years. Governance has been strengthened, delivery programmes have been put in place and measures will be targeted locally to deliver positive environmental outcomes.
'However, in reality, we still have some distance to travel,' Minister O'Sullivan added.
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