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The Water Framework Directive
Farming Responding to the Challenge
Thomas Ryan, Environment & Infrastructure Executive
Tuesday, 2nd September 2008
~ Overview ~
• IFA Structure
• Agri- Environmental Legislation
• Water Quality in Ireland
• The Role of Farming & the WFD
~ IFA Structure ~
945Branches
29 CountyExecutives
13 National Committees
5 ProjectTeams (Water)
85,000Farmer
Subscribers
12 Regional Offices
HQExecutives
20
Brussels 1 Executive
General Secretary
ExecutiveCouncil
53 Members
ExecutiveBoard
8 Members (6 dir. elected)
President
~ Live as if you are going to die tomorrow.
Farm as if you are going to live forever ~
• Bernard Llewellyn, 2007
groundwatersurface water
Agriculture
Agri - Environmental Legislation
Kyoto protocol→
Thematic Strategy on Air PollutionNational Emission Ceiling DirectiveIPPC -DirectiveCLRTAP-Gothenborg ProtocolAir Quality Directives
←Cross Compliance← Animal welfare← Rural Development← Soil Strategy← Birds and habitats directives
↑Nitrates Directive ↑Water Framework Directive ↑Groundwater Directive
↑Nitrates Directive ↑Water Framework Directive
~ Implementation of WFD ~
Ireland has implemented over 96% of the administrative requirements of the Directive (EU average 78%)
Ireland has over 75% of the initial characterisation work completed (EU average 64%)
EU Commission Report on WFD Implementation (March 2007)
~ Water Quality in Ireland ~
• 90% of rivers and streams are unpolluted or slightly polluted
• 92% of lakes are unpolluted • 36% estuarine and coastal waters unpolluted• 85% of Fish Kills due to NON agricultural
sources
Water Quality in Ireland 2006. (EPA)
~ Public Water Supplies – Enforcements by EPA ~
• 0.5% all boil notices due to Nitrates in water
• 5.0% of notifications to EPA due to Nitrates
• 20% of directions issued by the EPA due to Nitrates.
The Provision & Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland 2006 - 2007. (EPA)
~ Fertilizer N use in Ireland ~
1998 - 2005• 100,000 tonne decrease (-22%)
Value
• €78 million
• 2008 - Spend of €1.1bn to comply with the capital investment requirements of the Nitrates Regulations
~ Agriculture & WFD ~Water Matters Have Your Say !
– Causes of Water Problems• Eutrophication • Organic Pollution from animal slurry/manure and silage effluent.
– Controls in Place• 2006 Nitrates Action Programme• REPS – 65,000 farmers (Target)• Inspections – DAF, DEHLG, EPA, Local Authorities and Fisheries
Boards• Cross Compliance – GAEC + SMR’s
Controls are adequate to protect most waters subject to
enforcement.
Sean O Breasail, SWRBD, Water Conference 2nd October 2007
~ Agriculture & WFD ~
Future Action• Agricultural Mini- Catchment Programme
– Stakeholders• Farmers, Department of the Environment, Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food and Teagasc.
– Key objectives of this Programme are:
• To establish baseline information on farming and the Nitrates Directive (and the Water Framework Directive),
• To scientifically evaluate the effectiveness of the Nitrates National Action Programme (NAP) measures, &
• To provide a basis for modification of the NAP measures, if necessary.
~ Agriculture & WFD ~
Future Action
• Supplementary Measures – Premature
• A similar programme should be developed for industrial and other service sectors:
to monitor discharges and the impact on
water quality, in particular the contribution to the nutrient load.
~ Agriculture & WFD ~
~ Water Matters Have Your Say! ~1 Additional Challenges
• Leisure activities such as boating and recreation on rivers and lakes
• Waste Water and Industrial Discharges• Road Building where there is no adequate drainage and
water quality monitoring• Lack of coherent town planning to allow for storm
water and discharge management.• Lack of monitoring of discharges by large ships and
transporters
~ Water Matters Have Your Say! ~2. Actions – Water ManagementWater-Charging• Livestock do not require ultrvoilet & chlorinated treated water.• Livestock rate will reflect the water requirements of livestock.
Water Conservation & Farm Improvements • Re-opening the Farm Improvement Scheme – Comply with
Nitrates Requirements• A water harvesting scheme.• Improved feed-in tariff price for the production of renewable
energy by anaerobic digestion.
~ Water Matters Have Your Say! ~2. Actions – Water Management
Water Quality Inspections• Present level of bureaucratic gazing excessive.
• The Department of Agriculture and Food will be responsible for carrying out compliance checks each year..
Nitrates Action Programme
~ Water Matters Have Your Say! ~3. Waste Water & Licensed Discharges
The EPA and Local Authorities issue over 2,000 discharge licenses.These discharges can result in increased eutrophication of waters andcontamination of soils.
IFA seek• Detailed study of the vulnerability of ground water and general
water quality from licensed discharges • A prudent approach to the location of new housing in rural
Ireland for members of farm families, particularly where adequate sewage and wastewater systems are installed.
• Funding to be made available to rural dwellers who wish to improve and upgrade their existing sewage facilities.
~ Water Matters Have Your Say! ~4. Physical Modification
National River Maintenance Management Programme
~ Conclusion~Ireland’s Water Quality is of a High Standard
Agriculture• Adequately regulated & supplementary measures
unnecessary.• Participating in Sector Specific Mini-Catchment
Study.• Water Charging Policy must reflect Need.• Re-open farm improvement scheme.• Streamline Inspection Regime.• Water-harvesting
~ Conclusion~
Other Sectors• Mini Catchment Studies?
• Estuary Pollution ?
• Impact of Discharge Licenses on Water Quality?• N & P Load