04 May 2025
Accelerating water quality improvements – a year of the Farming for Water: River Slaney Project
The pace of action on farms and in the community to enhance water quality has accelerated in the 12 months since the launch of the Farming for Water: River Slaney Project – a collaborative project, involving Tirlán, Teagasc, the Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO) and ifac.
Since its beginnings in April 2024 in the Bann sub-catchment, a key area of concern on the Slaney, the project has worked to provide practical advice and support to protect and enhance water quality across the catchment.
Growing numbers of farm families are working with the co-operative’s dedicated Farm Sustainability Advisors, attending discussion groups, farm walks and workshops and taking science-based actions on farm and in the community to improve water quality and enhance biodiversity.
Some notable outcomes include the completion of over 2,000 on-farm sustainability engagements across the Tirlán supply catchment. Additionally, 256 Tirlán supplies have applied for funding of over €1.5 million to the Farming for Water EIP fund for dedicated water enhancement measures on their family farms, a number which is expected to grow over the coming months.
Farmers attending a Farming for Water: River Slaney Project. Image source: Tirlán
Commenting on the progress to date, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, TD, said: “It is great to see an all of industry approach to the issue of water quality along one of Ireland’s major rivers. Raising awareness and fostering a collective approach among farmers, processors, and industry stakeholders is crucial to achieving real and lasting change.”
Echoing Tirlán’s commitment to long-term programmes to support farmers to protect their lands and water for the future, Tirlán Chairperson, John Murphy said: “Tirlán has invested significant resources to deliver our water quality programmes, based on best practice.
“We have seen a high level of engagement with this programme and hit many milestones over the past year. The willing engagement of our farmers with the Farming for Water programme shows they want to do their best for their lands and their communities. It will take time for the best practice measures to be fully reflected in water quality data captured.”
Reaffirming Tirlán’s and its farmers stance on delivering the best possible case for Ireland’s retention of the Nitrates Derogation, Tirlán CEO, Seán Molloy said: “The months ahead are a crucial period for Ireland to maintain momentum. Our ask is that all farm families continue their good work and engage with us and our partners, with our dedicated teams and ASSAP advisors.”
Commenting on Teagasc’s involvement in the Farming for Water: River Slaney Project, Director of Teagasc, Professor Frank O Mara said: “We are delighted to be working with all the stakeholders as part of the Better Farming for Water Campaign, and in particular with Tirlán through the Slaney Project to address the main issues in the catchment.
“We have put a major focus on promoting catch crops with our tillage and drystock farmers, as a means of reducing nitrate levels in the Slaney and surrounding areas.
“While the ecological status of the waterbodies making up the Slaney Catchment is good, or high, for over 60% of the catchment which compares very well nationally, the high nitrate levels continue to be the main challenge. Further work and collaboration needs to happen to make progress in addressing this issue.”
For more information on the Farming for Water: River Slaney Project visit the Tirlán website.
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