Teagasc Claims A Shared Water Quality and Nitrates Responsibility for All Irish Farmers

Why Every Farmer Must Prioritise Water Quality: Insights from Teagasc

Teagasc and the Better Farming for Water Stakeholder Steering Group have reaffirmed that all Irish farmers—not just those operating under the Nitrates Derogation—must take responsibility for protecting and improving water quality if Ireland is to retain its current Nitrates derogation status.

This message follows a recent meeting of the Better Farming for Water Stakeholder Steering group in Oak Park, Co. Carlow, as Ireland faces increased scrutiny from the European Commission under both the Nitrates Directive and the Habitats Directive.

Why Water Quality Matters Now More Than Ever

The Nitrates Derogation allows intensive livestock farmers in Ireland to exceed the standard stocking rate of 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare—up to 220 kg—under strict conditions. However, this flexibility is under threat due to ongoing water quality concerns.

Ireland must demonstrate measurable improvements in water quality and show full compliance with EU environmental legislation to maintain the derogation. As such, this is not a challenge for derogation farmers alone, but for every farm enterprise across the country.

The ‘Better Farming for Water’ Campaign

Teagasc’s Better Farming for Water: 8 Actions for Change campaign forms the core of the national response. These eight actions focus on:

1. Nutrient Management: Reduce purchased nitrogen and phosphorus surplus per hectare

2. Nutrient Management: Ensure soil fertility is optimal for lime, phosphorus and potassium

3. Nutrient Management: Ensure application of fertiliser and organic manure at appropriate times and conditions

4. Farmyard Management: Have sufficient slurry and soiled water storage capacity

5. Farmyard Management: Manage and minimise nutrient loss from farmyards and roadways

6. Land Management: Fence off watercourses to prevent bovine access

7. Land Management: Promote targeted use of mitigation actions such as riparian margins, buffer strips and sediment traps to mitigate nutrient and sediment loss to water

8. Land Management: Maintain over-winter green cover to reduce nutrient leaching from tillage soils

This action-based framework provides farmers with practical, evidence-based solutions to reduce nutrient loss and improve water quality outcomes.

Campaign Objectives

The campaigns objectives will be implemented through 6 key pillars:

1. Stakeholder engagement through Multi-Actor approach
2. Building awareness by acquisition and utilisation of water quality data
3. Upskilling farmers, advisors, teachers, industry professionals and students
4. An impactful knowledge transfer programme
5. A supporting Research programme
6. A strong communications plan

Progress and Farmer Engagement

Encouraging signs are emerging. Over 3,895 farmers have already applied to the €50 million Farming for Water EIP (European Innovation Partnership) fund. Among them are many tillage farmers planting catch crops to absorb surplus nitrogen during winter.

Teagasc is also leading the establishment of catchment implementation groups in eight priority river catchments and their sub-catchments. These groups will bring together stakeholders from farming organisations, the dairy, meat, and tillage industries, advisory bodies, and local communities to coordinate locally relevant actions.

EU Requirements and Compliance Pressures

The European Commission now treats nitrates derogations as ‘projects’ under the Habitats Directive, meaning they must be assessed for potential impacts on protected habitats. The Department of Agriculture’s proposed catchment-based approach—focusing monitoring on 600 sites—is part of a strategy to provide evidence of progress.

Jim Bergin, Chair of the Better Farming for Water Stakeholder Steering Group, noted the importance of a whole-of-sector and whole-of-government response. He stressed that the future of Ireland’s derogation, and the broader sustainability of Irish agriculture, hinges on sector-wide alignment and measurable environmental results.

Collective Action is Key

According to Teagasc, ‘Responsibility for this object rests with with all farmers, regardless of farm enterprise and not just derogation farmers.’ This shared accountability will be essential for Ireland to:

• Meet Water Framework Directive and Habitats Directive obligations

• Retain the Nitrates Derogation

• Sustain Ireland’s international reputation for environmentally responsible food production

What Farmers Can Do

Farmers are encouraged to:

• Engage with Teagasc advisors and attend training on nutrient and land management

• Follow soil testing and fertiliser plans based on scientific advice

• Implement catch crops, buffer strips, and improve farmyard runoff systems

• Participate in catchment implementation groups in their areas

Conclusion

Improving water quality is a national priority—and it requires every farmer’s participation. Whether dairy, tillage, beef, or mixed enterprise, each farm plays a role in protecting water bodies and demonstrating Ireland’s environmental credentials.

The path to a sustainable future lies in cooperation, science-led actions, and a shared commitment to safeguarding our natural resources—for the sake of Irish farming and future generations.

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