The document discusses the challenges and changes in Irish agriculture and water management as of May 2018, highlighting a significant decline in water quality at river sites from 2001-2015. It outlines various environmental initiatives, such as the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) and the Rural Development Programme (RDP) funding. The document emphasizes the need for enhanced conditionality and balance between agricultural production and environmental sustainability.

1. Agriculture and water
EPA water conference
Galway May 29th 2018

2. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

3. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

4. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

5. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

6. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

7. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Nitrates and the WFD: Irish context
• In 2001-2003 82 river sites had highest water
quality status, in 2013-2015 this was only 21

8. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

9. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

10. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

11. Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS)
• 16,600 km watercourses protected from bovines
• 4,900 using low emission slurry spreading
• 24,800 ha wild bird cover
• 281,600 ha low input permanent pasture
An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Rural Development Programme (RDP 2014 – 2020)
Total RDP
Funding
€4bn
GLAS
Funding
€1.3bn

12. 12
An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

13. How will the new green architecture change?
Reward for
doing more
Eco schemes in
Pillar I
Agri-environment-
climate schemes in
Pillar II
Cross Compliance
Greening in Pillar I
Agri-environment-climate
schemes in Pillar 2
Strenghtened Conditionality
Current Structure Proposed Structure
Mandatory
for DP
Mandatory for
DP
+
Mandatory
for full DP
Reward for
doing more
An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

14. New, enhanced conditionality
(on climate/environment, 14 practices built on EU standards (related to climate change, water,
soil, biodiversity and landscapes) and requirements from Nitrates Directive, Water Framework
Directive and Natura 2000 Directives)
Eco-schemes in
Pillar I
Environment and
climate schemes in
Pillar II
Area-specific
disadvantages
Investments
Innovation
Knowledge
transfer
Farm
advisory
services
Cooperation
THE NEW GREEN TOOL BOX
An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

15. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
The Challenge
• Animal numbers increasing
• Fertiliser efficiency not optimised
• GHG and ammonia reductions required
• The natural world is not improving
Need a balance between production and environment

16. “We must, indeed all hang together or, must assuredly,
we shall hang separately” Benjamin Franklin
An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara │ Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Conclusions