The Blackwater Catchment Action Plan, as part of the Teagasc ‘Better Farming for Water’ Campaign, was officially launched at the Firgrove House Hotel in Mitchelstown, county Cork today, Wednesday, 18th March. The aim of the Action Plan is to encourage the early adoption of the 8-Actions for Change on farms all across the catchment to improve water quality.
The Blackwater is one of eight priority catchments, along with the Boyne, Slaney, Barrow, Nore, Suir, Lee, and Bandon-Ilen rivers, highlighted by the EPA as a ‘catchment of concern’ where tailored workplans will set clear targets and timelines for implementing water improvement measures. The EPA highlights reducing nutrient and sediment losses will greatly contribute towards water quality improvements in both the long and short term.
The campaigns that will be run in each of these catchments are very important in the efforts to improve local and national water quality through farmer engagement, knowledge transfer, and cross-organisation collaboration.
A Blackwater Catchment Implementation Group has been set up to oversee and coordinate the Catchment Action Plan. The group will consist of an independent chairperson, catchment-based industry representatives, farmers, regulators, and advisors.
The Chairperson of the Blackwater Implementation Group is Kevin Twomey, a well-known dairy farmer in the area. Dairygold will be the industry lead and will act as a champion for collective action and to foster collaboration among stakeholders. Philip Murphy, Teagasc, has been appointed as the Blackwater Catchment Coordinator and will act as secretary to the group. The purpose of the Blackwater Catchment Action Plan is to support farmers to adopt the 8 Actions for Change with the aim of improving water quality in the Blackwater Catchment where agriculture is a pressure.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc said: “Success depends on a collaborative, multi-actor approach involving farmers, advisors, industry, and regulators working together toward shared goals. This level of engagement is essential to deliver practical solutions that balance improvements in water quality with agricultural productivity. I wish to convey my thanks to all who have contributed to the development of the Blackwater Catchment Action Plan, especially the Water Quality team in Teagasc. I further wish to acknowledge the members of the Blackwater Catchment Implementation Group, whose generous commitment of time and expertise has been instrumental in supporting the formulation of this plan.”
Speaking about the launch, Michael Harte, Chief Executive of Dairygold Co-Op, said: “Improving water quality is a shared responsibility, and it is only by working together that we will deliver real and lasting progress. This programme reflects a true multi‑stakeholder approach, bringing farmers, industry, local authorities and researchers together to deliver meaningful, science‑based actions on the ground. Our farmer suppliers are already implementing practical measures that reduce nutrient and sediment losses. This Catchment Plan will help to accelerate that momentum. As we look towards the next Nitrates Derogation review in three years’ time, it is vital that all stakeholders remain focused on the measures that improve water quality, prevent nutrient loss to watercourses and reduce emissions, safeguarding our grass‑based farming model.”
At the launch, a comprehensive booklet was described as outlining the 6-Pillars of the Blackwater Catchment Action Plan that includes stakeholder engagement using a multi-actor approach, building awareness using detailed maps on water quality, upskilling programmes for farmers, advisors, teachers and industry professionals, an impactful Knowledge Transfer programme, a supporting research programme and a communications plan.
View the Blackwater Catchment Action Plan at https://teagasc.ie/publications/better-farming-for-water-blackwater-catchment-action-plan/
View the Blackwater Catchment Action Plan video at https://youtu.be/mApIPvjXLck
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