Farming for Water project expanded to five more river catchments

The Farming for Water river Slaney project has now been extended to Nore, Barrow, Boyne, Blackwater and Suir river catchments, Tirlán has announced.

The move comes as €6m worth of water quality funding applications have already been submitted by Tirlán suppliers.

The co-op’s chairman John Muyrphy has said preparations for securing a post-2028 nitrates derogation should begin now.

“Planning for the next derogation starts now. This was my clear message in December when I spoke with senior European Commission officials and MEPs in Brussels,” Murphy said.

Tirlán’s chair pointed to the Farming for Water project as a “science-based blueprint for national water quality improvement”.

“The engagement by our co-op members to date has been very constructive and positive,” he went on.

“I know this will continue into 2026 as we all seek to address water quality challenges in our local communities and give ourselves every chance of the continuation of the derogation, post 2028.”

The co-op’s CEO Seán Molloy said that project has helped fund “practical measures that will make a direct impact on water quality”.

“These include training courses, nutrient use efficiency actions, fencing off water courses and solar-powered electric fences.”

Molloy encouraged those who have applied to the project for funding to review their applications and to ensure that the measures applied for are implemented on-farm, as he reminded suppliers that Tirlán’s agri sustainability team can assist them in doing so.

He also called on Government to satisfy the European Commission’s Habitats Directive demands and to ensure that Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes III grants remain available to farmers adding slurry storage.