Barrow ‘Better Farming for Water – 8 Actions for Change’ Action Plan Officially Launched
The River Barrow Better Farming for Water - 8 Actions for Change, Action Plan was officially launched today, Wednesday, 4 March at Teagasc Oak Park.
Pictured at the Launch of the Better Farming for Water Campaign, Barrow River Catchment are (L to R): Professor Pat Dillon, Director of Research, Teagasc, Noel Meehan, Head of Knowledge Transfer Water Quality Department, Teagasc; Sandra Hayes, Regional Manager for Laois, Kildare and Offaly, Teagasc; Ciaran Sheelan, Catchment Coordinator for the Better Farming for Water Campaign, Barrow River Catchment; Siobhan Walsh, Chair of Barrow River Catchment Implementation Group; Fintan Conway, Tillage Industry Ireland (TII); and John Spink, Head of Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme, Teagasc.
The plan aims to accelerate the adoption of the 8 Actions for Change on farms across the Barrow catchment to improve water quality in areas where agriculture has been identified as a significant pressure.
A healthy Barrow River catchment delivers high-quality drinking water, supports agricultural livelihoods, and sustains recreational activities such as angling and water sports. It is also vital for biodiversity, enabling the plants, fish, insects and wildlife that depend on clean water to thrive.
The River Barrow is one of eight priority catchments, alongside the river Slaney, Suir, Boyne, Nore, Blackwater, Lee and Bandon–Ilen. These catchments were identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as “catchments of concern”. Each of these catchments will have tailored action plans with clear targets and timelines to deliver measurable improvements in water quality. Collectively, these initiatives are central to improving both local and national water quality outcomes.
A Barrow Catchment Implementation Group has been established to oversee delivery of the Action Plan. The group is chaired by Siobhán Walsh, a tillage farmer in the catchment, with Tillage Industry Ireland acting as industry lead. Additionally, the initiative brings together a broad cross section of stakeholders, including farmers, agri-food businesses, Teagasc, the Agricultural Consultants Association (ACA), the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), local authorities and the wider community. The programme is supported by a dedicated Teagasc Catchment Coordinator, Ciarán Sheelan.
At the core of the plan is the implementation of the 8 Actions for Change, which focus on improved nutrient management, enhanced farmyard management, and strengthened land management practices to protect and enhance water quality.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Pat Dillon said: “Farmers have a critical role to play in protecting and improving water quality in our rivers. In recent years, farmers have put in place many initiatives to improve water quality on their farms. However, there remains an urgent need to put in place further initiatives to reduce nutrient losses, and every farmer has a part to play.”
Achieving this will require continued changes in on-farm practices, including the widespread adoption of the 8 Actions for Change.
Today’s launch of the Barrow Better Farming for Water Catchment Plan marks an important step forward. This tailored action plan sets out clear targets and timelines for implementing practical water-quality improvement measures. I would like to acknowledge the members of the Barrow Catchment Implementation Group Oversight Committee, particularly its Chair, Siobhán Walsh, who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to support delivery of this plan.”
Chair of the Barrow Catchment Implementation Group, Siobhán Walsh, added: “As Chair of the Barrow Catchment Implementation Group, I am very conscious of the many farming families who work with pride and dedication throughout the catchment and who act as custodians of its lands.
I was pleased to accept the role at this critically important time for Irish agriculture. This initiative is focused on supporting and accelerating the adoption of practical, on-farm actions that will improve water quality in the River Barrow catchment, where agriculture has been identified as a significant pressure.”
Fintan Conway, Tillage Industry Ireland, said: “Tillage Industry Ireland are delighted to act as joint industry lead for the Barrow Better Farming for Water- 8 Actions for Change Action Plan. The Barrow catchment, accounts for a significant portion of the €1.9 billion annual contribution that the tillage sector makes to the Irish economy. The sector provides vital straw, grains, and high-quality animal feed for the local livestock industry, as well as ingredients for the food and drink sector. Tillage is noted as having the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per hectare of any agricultural sector, playing a crucial role in the sustainability profile of the region.”
A comprehensive booklet was also launched, outlining the six pillars underpinning the Barrow catchment programme stakeholder engagement through a multi-actor approach, building awareness using detailed water quality mapping, upskilling programmes for farmers, advisors, teachers and industry professionals, a targeted Knowledge Transfer (KT) programme, a supporting research programme and a coordinated communications plan. Together, these pillars provide a structured and collaborative framework to deliver measurable improvements in water quality across the Barrow catchment.
The full Barrow catchment plan can be viewed here
Watch the video below to find out more about the Barrow Catchment