Latest news with #RiverBasinManagementPlan
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Government advised to set up slurry register
The Government has been advised to set up a slurry register, similar to the National Fertiliser Database already in place. Since last year, farmers who want to purchase fertiliser must register on the database, which records all fertiliser movements. After the fertiliser spreading season, farmers must report their closing stocks of fertiliser. There are similar record-keeping requirements for agri-merchants, including every consignment of fertiliser going to a farmer. Now, a report to the Government recommends it be used as a template for a wider organic fertiliser database. This arises from the 2022–2025 Nitrates Action Programme published by the Departments of Local Government and Agriculture, which required a review of sludges and biosolids applied to land, to be carried out by the National Technical Implementation Group (NTIG), which oversees implementation of the River Basin Management Plan (RBMP). While the initial review focus of an NTIG working group was on sludges, it became apparent to the group that a wide range of other organic fertilisers is applied to land, and it was agreed to extend their review to include other organic fertilisers. Now, its report says local authorities have difficulty enforcing regulations for land-spreading sludges and organic fertilisers, due to "the lack of timely information sharing". Hence, the working group's recommendation to develop a national register and database for sludges, biosolids, and other organic fertilisers spread on farmland. According to the report: "In the absence of a single national register for all land-spreading, there are gaps in chains of custody, which is problematic in terms of tracking loads being applied to lands from multiple sources, creating a risk of accumulation of contaminants, or a higher loss of nutrients locally. "The absence of a single database or formal process for data-sharing also creates potential for farms or individual fields to receive repeat or excessive loads from multiple sources, which could have a potential negative impact on water quality, and creates difficulties when responding to or investigating complaints. "The tracking and verification of movements requires simple and timely data-sharing amongst all relevant authorities. The need for a centralised organic fertiliser database was discussed by the working group. The new DAFM National Fertilisconer Database for tracking the movement of chemical fertilisers has proven to be successful and could act as a template for a wider organic fertiliser database."A national register and database should "include all steps in the chain, including primary producers, contractors, and importing farms". "It was agreed the DAFM would be best placed to develop this national register/database". But any solutions for the tracking and verification of land spreading "must not be overly burdensome". The NTIG working group also recommended training for local authority inspections should include reviewing and approving of Nutrient Management Plans. "It is imperative that local authorities are adequately resourced to undertake inspections and monitoring of land-spreading locations. An inspection regime to verify land-spreading locations should be incorporated into the local authority and DAFM GAP inspections". According to the report, of all the nitrogen that goes onto land, 57% comes from livestock manure, 38% from chemical fertiliser, and 5% from sewage and other sludges. The report says the new 2025 four-day notification period for movement of farmyard/livestock manures and slurries between farm holdings needs to be improved, for sharing of data with local authorities regarding the generator, contractor, and the receiving farm, and regarding compliance with Good Agricultural Practice. Recommendations were also made for the sewage and other sludges which supply 5% of the nitrogen that goes onto land. The main forms include sewage sludge from urban wastewater treatment plants, sludge from domestic wastewater treatment systems, pig slurry and poultry litter from EPA-licenced installations, anaerobic digestate, industrial wastewater sludges, dissolved air flotation sludge, paunch (organic waste from meat processing), manure from bedding, lairage slurry, dairy sludges, sludge from fish processors, spent mushroom compost, food waste compost, wash water, and contaminated milk. Already, farmers must keep a record of sludges, biosolids and other organic fertilisers imported onto their farms. Their use is controlled by local authorities through registers, inspection, and enforcement. Use of sewage-derived products is prohibited on Bord Bia Sustainable Beef & Lamb Assurance Scheme certified farms. However, local authorities say there is no way for them to check if a farm is Bord Bia-approved. Now, the NTIG working group has recommended closer contact between local authority environment sections with Uisce Éireann, the EPA, and Bord Bia. The Irish Grain Assurance Scheme Code of Practice also excludes grain grown on land treated with organic municipal and industrial material/sludges. The NTIG working group said recycling of sludges to land could be economically favourable for circularity of waste streams. But they may contain contaminants such as metals, pathogens, chemicals (including pesticides), microplastics and medicinal residues. Land spreading concentrated on a small number of farms may pose a more significant risk to individual water bodies. A national assessment of sewage sludge on farm was suggested, in the context of hazardous substances. It was noted some EU member states have more stringent national controls, and they dispose of sewage sludge via alternative routes, such as incineration or landfill. In Ireland, Uisce Éireann relies solely on land-spreading for disposal of biosolids from its plants. With volumes projected to increase, and only a small number of registered farms available, there is increasing pressure on the land bank, storage facilities, and receiving catchments. The impact on sludge storage capacity must be considered, because timing of land spreading is critical in order to minimise nutrient losses to water, with land-spreading on tillage land in the autumn presenting a higher risk. The working group recommended farmer training on use of sludge and other organic fertilisers, and that regulation ensure farmers receive only sludge that is beneficial to agriculture, with the nutrients stated, which does not exceed acceptable limits of contaminants or pathogens. The NTIG Sludges, Biosolids and other Organic Fertilisers working group had representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency; the Department of Agriculture; Department of Environment; Department of Local Government; Uisce Éireann; Local Authority Waters Programme; Food Safety Authority of Ireland; the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland; and the county councils of Kildare, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, and Roscommon. Read More From the stars to the soil... agtech taking inspiration from Nasa
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Future of Wicklow rivers in jeopardy as TD warns of weakened protections
Jennifer Whitmore says proposed changes to water quality standards could lead to pollution and long-term ecological damage in Vartry and Dargle rivers. Wicklow People A Wicklow TD with a background in ecology, marine science and environmental law fears that a recent government decision will weaken environmental protections which could have 'disastrous' consequences for Wicklow waterways such as the Vartry ad Dargle rivers. The draft River Basin Management Plan aims to set out the measures that are necessary to protect and restore water quality in Ireland. Under the draft River Basin Management Plan, protections for 456 water bodies nationwide are at risk of being diluted by being classified as 'highly modified'. If this goes ahead, it will mean that these water ways will no longer be subject to water quality standards. In Wicklow, rivers like the Vartry and Dargle, both currently rated as having 'good' ecological status, could face increased pollution and degradation if these changes are introduced.
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Future of Wicklow rivers in jeopardy
The draft River Basin Management Plan aims to set out the measures that are necessary to protect and restore water quality in Ireland. Under the draft River Basin Management Plan, protections for 456 water bodies nationwide are at risk of being diluted by being classified as 'highly modified'. If this goes ahead, it will mean that these water ways will no longer be subject to water quality standards. In Wicklow, rivers like the Vartry and Dargle, both currently rated as having 'good' ecological status, could face increased pollution and degradation if these changes are introduced. Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore said: 'This is yet another hit to our natural environment. We've already seen consistent degradation of our rivers and government inaction on it. Now, they're trying to quietly lower the standards for water quality across the country, not because it's the right thing to do, but because they're failing to meet the standards we already have. Rather than trying to address the problems head on, it feels like government are throwing in the towel on our rivers.' Deputy Whitemore gained two diplomas at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and Ecology from the University of Ulster. During the ten years she resided in Australia, she studied Environmental Law at the University of Sydney. She has particular concerns over the potential impact on the Vartry and Dargle rivers. 'The Vartry and Dargle are vital arteries in Wicklow's ecosystem,' she said. 'They support biodiversity, provide clean water, and are central to our tourism and recreation. Weakening protections now will only lead to long-term damage that will be far more costly to fix. We've seen what happens when we don't take water quality seriously. Lady's Island Lake in Wexford is a cautionary tale, where pollution and mismanagement have led to serious ecological decline. We cannot let that happen here in Wicklow. 'The government's approach is not just short-sighted, but dangerous. This is about more than just water. It's about our health, our environment, and our future. Every time the government chips away at environmental protections, they're making it harder for us to meet our climate and biodiversity goals.' She is calling on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to immediately halt any plans to lower water quality standards and instead invest in proper monitoring, wastewater treatment, and nature-based solutions to restore and protect Ireland's rivers and lakes. 'We should be strengthening protections, not weakening them. We should be restoring our rivers, not polluting them. And we should be listening to communities who care deeply about their local environment, not sidelining them,' added Deputy Whitmore. 'The people of Wicklow want clean rivers, healthy ecosystems, and a government that takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. It's time for the government to stop making excuses and start protecting what matters.'
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
North Kerry public will have chance to ask questions on local water quality at upcoming meeting
The meeting is being held to make more people aware of work to improve water quality in the area and to encourage engagement on the subject from the community, agencies and groups. The event has been organised by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), which works on behalf of Ireland's local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in rivers, lakes and estuaries, ground and coastal water. LAWPRO experts will take attendees through the work that has been carried out through its River Basin Management Plan and what is being planned for the future in Listowel Municipal District. Those in attendance will have opportunities to ask questions and talk to members of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme and the LAWPRO Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership project team. Ahead of the public meeting, Anthony Coleman, director of services with LAWPRO, said that his organisation would like to take the opportunity to welcome members of the public to come and find out more about what is happening in their local waterbodies and river catchments. 'We hope to engage as many people as possible at this meeting in Kerry because public participation and support is key to achieving water quality improvements,' Mr Coleman said. 'We would also like to thank all those whether in a voluntary or paid capacity, working in their local areas to help make a difference to their natural waters and the biodiversity that live in and around them.' The information meeting will take place from 7pm to 9.30pm at Kerry Writer's Museum on June 10.
Agriland
22-04-2025
- General
- Agriland
Public meetings organised to discuss water quality in Connemara
Community information meetings which aim to encourage all 'stakeholders' to participate in helping make water quality improvements are set to take place in Co. Galway. The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), is holding two community information meetings on water quality in Furbo and Letterfrack, Co. Galway on April 24 and April 29. The two community information meetings are being held to increase awareness about work in the area, and to encourage as much engagement as possible with all stakeholders across the community. LAWPRO works on behalf of Ireland's 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality throughout Ireland. Under the Water Action Plan 2024, LAWPRO carries out work in areas identified as having poor water quality – known as priority areas for action (PAAs) – to support targeted water quality improvements by state bodies and local authorities. Water quality Since 2018, LAWPRO has been working in Connemara North as part of delivery under the second cycle of Ireland's River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021. At the upcoming meetings, LAWPRO catchment scientists will take participants through the work that has already been carried out, and what is being planned under the third cycle of the Water Action Plan 2024, including expanding into Connemara South. There will also be opportunities for the public to ask questions and talk to members of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory programme (ASSAP) and the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project. Regional coordinator with LAWPRO, Dr Bernie White said: 'As we are coming to the end of second cycle work in Connemara and expanding our plans for further work in the area under the Water Action Plan, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome members of the public to come along and find out more about what's happening in their local waterbodies. 'We hope to engage as many people as possible at the two meetings, as public participation is key to helping make water quality improvements.
