Phase 5 Objectives

Establish baseline data on water quality/quantity, greenhouse gas/ammonia emissions, and soil carbon sequestration across the ACP
Extend the current baseline monitoring of water quality from multiple contaminants
Provide a scientific evaluation of existing measures
Provide all reporting required by the Derogation Decision (EU C (2022) 2596) and specifically:
- Monitor and report on soil solution, surface water and groundwater on selected derogation and non-derogation farms
- Model N and P loss to water from derogation and non-derogation farms
Contribute to Article 10(6) of Commission Implementing Decision 2022/696 by contributing data and model-based calculations of the size of nitrate and phosphorus losses. This to be completed in collaboration with a DAFM convened EPA-Teagasc-Uisce Éireann national modelling group
Model trends and future scenarios for both water quality and gaseous emissions
Upscale detailed, process-based understanding from ACP catchments to larger river basins using national data
Model greenhouse gas and soil carbon sequestration on ACP farms
Investigate future mitigation strategies at varying Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) within the existing catchments at a localised/sub-catchment scale and report on their efficacy and Policy Readiness Level (PRL) and Social Readiness Level (SRL)
Model the emerging mitigation strategies under changing climate and land diversification scenarios
Conduct a meta analysis on nutrient and sediment mitigation strategies to inform future policy advice
Engage more closely with policy makers at the research-policy interface
Collect farm level economic and sustainability data from ACP farms
Investigate farmers’ attitude to changes in the NAP and the financial cost of doing so
Provide national focal points for technology transfer and education
Provide the scientific basis for the development of national policies on sustainable production
Collaborate with Knowledge Transfer professionals to disseminate findings from the ACP to influence the uptake of best management practices by farmers