A new self-assessment checklist has been launched to help farmers prepare for local authority inspections.

The checklist, compiled by Teagasc, aims to assist farmers in identifying potential issues on their farms that could impact water quality.

The practical guide is designed to be completed by walking the farmyard and checking each area against the list.

The list focuses on clean and soiled-water separation; dairy washings and slurry storage; farmyard manure; silage facilities and effluent; other pollution risks; and nutrient management and fertiliser use.

The checklist, available on the Teagasc website, can be completed by individual farmers, or with support from their advisor.

Teagasc said a useful tip is to walk the farmyard when it is raining as it is easier to identify water flow through the yard and runoff to drains.

The new checklist also provides guidance to farmers on what documents to have available at the time of inspection.

Local authority inspections

The National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP) is overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and carried out by Ireland's local authorities to protect water quality and enforce Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) regulations.

In 2025, Local authorities carried out 4,315 inspections, 96% of the annual target of 4,500.

Stan Lalor, director of knowledge transfer with Teagasc, said that "protecting water quality is a shared priority, and practical action on every farm matters".

"The checklist gives farmers a clear, structured way to review key areas, identify anything that needs attention and act before a potential problem reaches a drain or watercourse," he said.

Noel Meehan, head of the water quality knowledge transfer department in Teagasc added: "A careful walk around the yard, especially in wet weather, can reveal where clean water is mixing with soiled water, or where contaminated runoff could enter the drainage network".

Water quality

Ray Cullinane, programme manager in the Office of Environment Enforcement at the EPA welcomed the initiative from Teagasc.

"Protecting and improving water quality requires a strong focus on prevention and good environmental management at farm level.

"The EPA supports this self-assessment checklist as a practical tool to assist farmers in understanding their obligations, identifying potential issues before they arise, and maintaining compliance with environmental regulations," he said.

Increasing compliance with NAIP is a topic at one of the sessions at the upcoming Teagasc Water Quality Conference 2026 on November 24 in Co. Laois.