Dairy co-operative and processor Tirlán has highlighted its farm water quality programme to a team of officials from the European Commission.
The team from the commission is in Ireland this week to discuss water quality, the EU Nitrates Directive, and the nitrates derogation. It is hoped that this engagement will work in Ireland’s favour when it comes to retaining the nitrates derogation.
Tirlán joined other organisations from the agri-food sector to highlight Ireland’s “collaborative approach” to enhancing water quality and supporting the retention of the nitrates derogation.
The importance of the derogation for both sector and wider economy was highlighted during meetings with the commission representatives.
The processor was involved in meetings which also included the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; industry representative bodies; farmer and co-operative organisations (as well as individual co-ops); the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO); and An Taisce, as well as several other organisations.
Speaking after the meeting, Tirlán CEO Seán Molloy said: “Tirlán and our farm families are fully engaged and firmly behind Ireland’s collaborative approach to improving water quality through Ireland’s Farming for Water EIP (European Innovation Partnership).
“Our significant investment in our progressive River Slaney Project shows our commitment to practical science-based action across our catchment area and it is part of a national drive to deliver change, with activity by co-ops and other organisations right across the country,” Molly added.
“We are acutely aware of the importance of the nitrates derogation, not just for dairy farmers, but for all of the agri-food sector and the impact its loss would have on the sustainability and viability of small family farms.
“Equally, we are fully aware and determined to continue our work to improve water quality into the future. It is important to deliver policy certainty and clarity for farm families at this time,” the Tirlán CEO commented.
The team from the commission visited the farm of Cheryl and Alan Poole near Gorey, Co. Wexford, who are part of Tirlán’s River Slaney Project, which is aimed at improving the catchment running through Ireland’s south-east.
The programe is part of Ireland’s overall Farming for Water EIP and is aligned with the Teagasc Better Farming for Water programme.
Tirlán’s chairperson John Murphy said that the work seen on this farm was reflective of work underway on other farms around the country.
“Tirlán and its farmers remain committed to improving water quality in river catchments as it is the right thing to do for our land and rivers, our families and our communities. Tirlán has invested significant resources to deliver our water quality programmes based on best practice,” Murphey said.
He added: “We have always found our farmers to be highly adaptable and have shown they want to do their best for their lands and their communities. However, it will take time for the best practice measures to be fully reflected in water quality data capture.”