The deadline is approaching for up to 600 farmers to join the EU-funded Waters of LIFE agri-environmental programme for water quality.
Only five sub-catchments in the country are eligible for the pilot in Cork, Claure, Galway, Roscommon and Wicklow.
These include the Awbeg (Kilbrin) and the Shournagh; The Graney covers Clare; the Islands is in Galway and Roscommon; while the Avonmore is in Wicklow.
Farmers can express their interest online before the deadline of Saturday, November 30 or by contacting their local catchment scientist of advisor.
There is no up-front commitment and the project will make contact with each farmer to discuss what they could expect to earn through the programme.
Water quality
The programme focuses on greater outcomes for water quality under Ireland’s river basin management plan. It begins in early 2025 and will run for three years.
Waters of LIFE has introduced a payment rate of up to €2,000/ha/yr for a riverside habitat. It applies to a 10/10 score for a fenced or uncultivated strip on improved grassland or tillage plot. The maximum width is 20m.
Farmers who don’t have river frontage can be paid up to €400/ha for species-rich grassland, woodland and peatland. A riverside bonus of up to €3.20/m for a 10/10 plot is also paid out on these habitats.
All participating farmers can also receive payment through general actions, supporting actions and training.
General actions include runoff risk assessment, nutrient management planning and nutrient surplus recording.
Farmers can also be paid for supporting actions including fencing, livestock drinking facilities, riverside tree planting, spatially targeted buffers, drain blocking, minimum tillage and catch crops.
Project manager with Waters of LIFE, Anne Goggin said: “We’ve been actively engaged with the community in recent months through consultations and public meetings. It was really encouraging to see how many farmers came through the door and uptake on the programme so far has been good.
“You don’t need river frontage to be a part of this programme. We want all farmers in our sub-catchments to play their part and be rewarded for making a difference to local water quality.
“All we’re looking for at this point is an expression of interest. It’s a three-year programme so now is the time. From there, we can contact farmers and walk them through the next steps.”
The first contract offers will be issued in January 2025. Paid training and farm visits will commence in the spring with habitat scoring to take place over the summer.
Advisors will have an important role to play and the project is also encouraging locally based advisors to make contact. Payments to advisors will be administered directly by the programme to ensure farmers are not out of pocket.
Farmers can express their interest and view a detailed information booklet for the programme at Waters of LIFE website.