The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) will host a farm visit for members of a European Union (EU) Commission delegation currently in Ireland, tomorrow (Wednesday, September 18).
Its purpose is to demonstrate what is happening in Ireland at farm level to improve water quality.
IFA president, Francie Gorman commented:
“This follows-on from a visit made by IFA officials to Brussels back in July. It’s all very positive.
“While out on farm, the Commission officials will also have the opportunity of meeting with representatives from the six stakeholder organisation engaged in the ongoing campaign to improve the quality of Ireland’s water courses.”
Ireland’s current nitrate derogation remains in place until the end of 2025, and Gorman firmly believes it can be retained beyond his date.
“But water quality is only one aspect of the nitrates’ debate. What’s up for grabs, is the future financial sustainability of Irish agriculture across the board.”
According to the IFA president, the Irish government must actively campaign for the retention of the nitrates derogation.
“The onus is on all stakeholder organisations to make the same level of commitment,” he added.
Meanwhile, Teagasc’s Prof. Pat Dillon has confirmed that every farmer in Ireland must play his or her role in improving the country’s water quality standards.
He gave the final presentation at the launch of the Better Farming for Water programme, focusing on actual steps that will be taken in 2024 by all relevant stakeholder organisations.
According to Prof. Dillon, Ireland’s water quality “is already better, on average, than is the situation across Europe. But, we can do better”.
“Water quality is agri-food. The future reputation of Ireland’s farming and food sectors is dependent on us improving our water quality standards.
“Building on initiatives already in place is critically important in this regard, and the new campaign will draw all these strands together,” he continued.
According to Teagasc’s director of research, campaigns of one form or another have helped drive real progress within Irish agriculture.
“A top-down approach does work. The creation of a high level steering group to drive the new programme is important.
“I was involved with the steering group involved in the co-ordination of Food Harvest 2030. It was this group that developed an implementation plan, which was then disseminated out to the various stakeholder groups.
“Of equal significance, was the establishment of a time frame for the completion of the various action points that have been identified,” the professor said.