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Roadmap to Improving Farm Efficiency and Profitability
Setting the Scene
Brian Ervine,
Environmental Policy, DARD
Roadmap to Improving Farm Efficiency & Profitability
Focus
Issues
Biodiversity
Phosphorus Surplus
Agri Land Mgt Strategy
GHG Mit and Adapt - Nitrous Oxide
– Methane
Ammonia
-Animal Housing
-Slurry storage
-Slurry spreading
Habitats Dir
Water Quality
-NAP
-WFD
Water Quality ↔ Nutrient Management Nutrients – in manures and chemical fertilisers
Nitrogen and Phosphorus – impact on water quality
Enrichment of rivers and lakes primarily by
Phosphorus is the widespread problem
Water Quality ↔ Nutrient Management
Efficient use of Nutrients:
- lowers nutrient surplus
- reduces pressures on water quality
Other Agricultural Pressures on Water:
- Point Source Pollution from farmyards
- Sedimentation
- Pesticides in some catchments
Water Quality : EU Directives
Nitrates Directive
- Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) and
Phosphorus Regulations
- Reviewed every 4 years
- Current NAP 2015 – 2018
- Applies to all farms in NI
Water Quality : EU Directives
Water Framework Directive
- River Basin Management Plans
- 2nd Cycle 2015 - 2021
- NAP and Phosphorus Regulations are the basic Agricultural measure for WFD
Water Framework DirectiveObective : “Good” Ecological status for all water bodies by
2015
Water Bodies Failing WFD Good Status
Country %
NI 62
ROI * 48
Scotland 38
Wales 50
England 78
EU Average 47
* Rivers only
How does the EC see us?
Nutrient enrichment – widespread problem in NI Acknowledges good progress since NAP in 2007 Concern that intensification could cause a reverse Short of meeting WFD objectives More regulation? Tools and levers
Phosphorus Use – Chemical Fertiliser
Year Kg/P/ha
2009 2.5
2010 3.9
2011 3.0
2012 3.3
2013 4.8
2014 4.1
Incident Source 2014*
36%
22%
14%
14%
13%
1%
Farming
Other
Industry
Domestic
Northern Ireland Water
Transport
* Source NIEA - data is in draft form
Incident source 2009 – 14*
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20140
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Farm Other Industry
Domestic Northern Ireland Water Transport
* Source NIEA - data is in draft form
Water Quality – Monitoring and Reporting Data reported to EU Commission annually
NAP and WFD - review cycles
Previous reviews - positive trends
→ stable or improving water quality
→ reducing nutrient surplus
However, decline in Water Quality → Risk
Water Quality – the way forward Acknowledge problems → take action
Government and Industry → partnership approach
Voluntary action preferable to Regulation
Roadmap for farm efficiency and profitability