Tirlán launches new ‘River Slaney Project’ to enhance water quality
Tirlán, Ireland’s leading farmer-owned dairy and grain co-operative, has today launched the Farming for Water: River Slaney Project, a collaborative initiative designed to enhance water quality across the Slaney River catchment area in counties Wexford, Carlow, and Wicklow.
Farmers encouraged to continue efforts to enhance water quality and make best possible case to retain nitrates derogation
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue says “collaborative project can serve as template for rest of country”
The River Slaney Project is closely aligned with the Government’s €60 million European Innovation Partnership (EIP) ‘Farming for Water’ project aimed at improving water quality at local, catchment, and national levels. This is crucial to help make the best possible case for Ireland to successfully retain the Nitrates Derogation from 2026.
The multi-year programme will include a series of combined projects, actions and activities led by Tirlán in collaboration with key stakeholders including Teagasc, professional services firm ifac, Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), County Councils and the wider community.
The project will follow a whole of sector and local Government approach with the aim of enhancing water quality through impactful actions across all farming enterprises, dairy, grain and drystock, and in the wider communities. A team of Tirlán farm advisors will utilise best practice advice and focus on improving farm economic and environmental performance to address water quality challenges, while protecting biodiversity.
The advisory service will focus on better nutrient use, improved milk solids, farm infrastructure and slurry storage capacity.
It aims to transform the Slaney from one highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water testing programme as a ‘catchment of concern’ to one that provides best practice in how partnerships and collaboration can deliver real and meaningful changes and improvements that work for farmers, local communities, and the wider environment together.
In recognition of this, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, launched the River Slaney Project in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Minister McConalogue called for a collective effort to make real improvements to water quality in key regions to ensure Ireland and Irish farmers secure the Nitrates Derogation from 2026.
Minister McConalogue commented: “I am delighted to launch ‘Farming for Water: River Slaney Project’. This very welcome Tirlán initiative is aligned with the Government’s wider Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project that brings together a range of national agencies, authorities, and industry groups. These pioneering projects are working in partnership with farmers to implement targeted actions to reduce nutrient losses and improve water quality.
“Farming for Water and the River Slaney Project are examples of a collective effort to address water quality and support Ireland in securing a further nitrates derogation that is crucial to farmers and Ireland’s wider dairy, drystock and tillage sectors.
“I want to congratulate Tirlán for the leadership role they are taking in addressing water quality challenges in this manner. This collaborative approach whereby farmers work alongside communities and authorities to improve water quality provides a framework for how we can work together to deliver on our regulatory and environmental responsibilities, and for the benefit of all people and nature in the area.”
John Murphy, Tirlán Chairperson, added: “The Slaney River is the lifeblood of the South-East and is a crucially important river catchment for our communities and our farms. In turn, as custodians of the land we take our responsibility seriously to ensure our actions work to preserve and enhance our local environment, for the economic and environmental benefit of all.
“Working together, as part of a collaborative project, we believe that we can make a difference and enhance water quality. We want to ensure that Tirlán, alongside our farmers, do everything we can and make the best possible case for Ireland to successfully retain the Nitrates Derogation into 2026 and beyond. We believe that the River Slaney project will show that it is possible to farm at current levels and maintain good water quality.”
Jim Bergin, Tirlán CEO added: “The River Slaney Project is a significant project for Tirlán to undertake and is aligned with the goals set out in both the national Farming for Water project and our Living Proof sustainability strategy.
“Our advisors will be working closely with our suppliers as part of our new Farm Support Service to create individual, tailored plans and provide advice on efficient nutrient use, on farm productivity and assessing farmyard and infrastructure issues.
“I welcome the support that we have received to date, and am calling on our dairy, grain and drystock farmers, local communities, authorities and other partners to join with us in this collective effort to enhance water quality throughout the region and protect these critical farming sectors for generations to come. This is a collaborative multi-agency exemplar project and it is vital that the whole agricultural sector joins together to deliver meaningful and lasting results on our river catchments.”
Speaking the launch event via video, Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach to delivering results.