Programme to 'enhance' water quality in River Blackwater catchment
A new collaborative programme, led by Dairygold, designed to enhance water quality across the River Blackwater catchment area has been officially unveiled today (Thursday, April 3) in Co. Cork.
The three-year programme will bring together a number of government-funded organisations and industry leaders to work on a series of "projects, actions and activities to engage farmers and processors" to implement best farm practices to improve water quality.
The River Blackwater is 170 kilometres in length and has a surrounding catchment area of 3,310 km2 .
The catchment is also home to more 100,000 people, over 1,600 milk suppliers to Dairygold, North Cork Creameries, Tirlán and Kerry Co-op and also boasts a number of beef, pig and tillage family farms and enterprises.
According to Dairygold the new partnership programme primarily recognises "the importance of the River Blackwater to the farming sector and everybody in the region and seeks to enhance the water quality for everyone’s benefit".
The programme will see the dairy processor partner with Teagasc and the Local Authority Water Programme (LAWPRO).
Other key industry stakeholders including Dairy Industry Ireland, Meat Industry Ireland, Irish Grain Growers, ABP, Dawn Meats, Kepak, Kerry Co-op, North Cork Creameries and Tirlán are also backing the prorgamme.
Speaking today near the shores of the river Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, praised the "all of industry approach to the issue of water quality along one of Ireland’s largest rivers".
The minister added: "Raising awareness and fostering a collective approach among farmers, processors, and industry stakeholders is crucial to achieving real and lasting change.
"This programme presents a huge opportunity for all parties involved to play a pivotal role in driving positive and long-lasting change across a huge swathe of one of Ireland’s most fertile regions.”
Meanwhile the chief executive of Dairygold, Michael Harte, also highlighted that "protecting and improving water quality" is key to what he described as the continued success of Irish agriculture.
"The River Blackwater and its tributaries are an important source of fresh water in the catchment and we believe it is vitally important that we do all we can to protect and enhance it.
"This partnership approach is the best way to achieve that objective, and we are pleased to facilitate that collaboration.
"The River Blackwater Catchment Programme is an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate what can be achieved when we work together," Dairygold's CEO said.
The programme will be underpinned by Teagasc’s Better Farming for Water campaign which identifies eight Actions for Change farmers can take to enhance water quality.
Frank O’Mara, director of Teagasc, believes that uniting key stakeholders to work together and apply these actions on the ground "can make a meaningful impact in safeguarding our water resources for the future.”
Throughout the three-year programme, a steering group will oversee the deployment of key measures, including catchment meetings, ASSAP water quality farm visits, nutrient balance awareness training, and upskilling events across the catchment.
Changes to water quality metrics will be monitored to inform and improve the programme as it progresses.
Additional reporting by Hugh Harney
