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Farmers in Seagahan, Co Armagh, are working with NI Water, NIEA, DAERA, CAFRE and the Voluntary Initiative on a project aimed at improving water quality through the use of weed wiping.
High levels of grassland pesticides, including MCPA, were found in the water. This was linked to rush control by farmers using a boom sprayer.
The water met all drinking water quality standards, but a multi-agency approach was taken to tackle the pesticide issue.
Free weed wiping
The project offered farmers a free weed-wiping service using glyphosate, as an alternative to spraying MCPA, to demonstrate an alternative effective rush control method which causes less pollution.
A farm liaison officer works with farmers and land managers to manage the weed-wiping and provide accurate advice on handling, applying and disposing of grassland sprays, guidance on mechanical control of rushes and improving land condition to addressing the underlying causes of infestations.
The overall aim is to show that pesticide levels can be reduced in the reservoir without the need for more expensive water treatment processes.
MCPA
MCPA and other pesticides have been detected in water supplies all over Ireland and there is a growing focus on the best ways to reduce them.
The EPA has warned that unless there are reductions, MCPA could be banned from use.
Rush control using a weed wiper and glysphosate has been shown to be very effective, as demonstrated in this video:
Positive outcome
The Ulster Farmers’ Union says the results from the weed-wiping project in the Seagahan catchment area demonstrates the positive outcomes that can be achieved when public bodies and farmers work together.
UFU president Ivor Ferguson said: “The project has been very successful and has helped to improve water quality.
“It is a testament to the farmers in the area who embraced this technology and to NI Water, NIEA, DAERA, CAFRE and the Voluntary Initiative for using a collaborative approach rather than regulations and penalties.”
It is a great example of what can be achieved when we work together constructively.
The UFU president said he hopes to see more of this type of partnership in future.
“Caring for the environment is an important job for farmers and we take it seriously. I would hope to see the weed wiping project extended to other areas.
“This collaborative approach is working well and I think we can learn lessons from it when tackling other environmental issues such as ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions,” said the UFU president.
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