The Slaney catchment farmers are rightly very proud of the Slaney’s rich heritage. Rising at Lugnaquilla Mountain, Co. Wicklow, the Slaney is approximately 118 kilometres long along with a network of 129 smaller waterbodies. The land area drained by the Slaney and its tributaries is approximately 1,981 square kilometres of lands owned and farmed by generations of farming families.
Apart from its unique historical links with our ancestors, it has an untapped social and economic potential to be a hugely valuable amenity for fishing, leisure, health and sporting activities for the communities living in its catchment area. This potential can only be unlocked if a concerted effort is now made by all the Slaney stakeholders to elevate its water quality by implementing the Teagasc Better Farming for Water campaign (BFFW).
Tirlan has a well-established track record in the food industry, and we have played our role in growing the domestic and international reputation of Irish Agriculture and its food products. We are fully committed to supporting our suppliers and their communities in adopting the BFFW Programme.
Currently, nitrate level in the Slaney River catchment is 31% too high and 40 of its 111 river water bodies are not reaching their water quality targets. Diffuse nutrient losses to waters can be reduced by farmers implementing the Teagasc 8 Actions for Change programme. Achieving an acceptable water quality status requires the support of every landowner. As guardians of these lands and rivers in our localities, we should be proud to pass them on to future generations in the best possible condition.
Read more about the Better Farming for Water campaign in the Slaney catchment in the Slaney Catchment Action Plan.