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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has called on local authorities to increase the number of water quality inspections carried out on farms.
In its latest report on the performance of local authorities in enforcing environmental standards, the EPA said farm inspection rates had fallen nationally.
In 2018, 3,072 farms were inspected by local authorities, down from 3,745 farm inspections the previous year. The EPA recommended they be returned to previous levels, at a minimum.
It also recommended that farm inspections be targeted at areas where water quality is at risk.
While overall, local authorities achieved an ‘above target’ grade for water enforcement, in the area of farm inspections the grade was ‘below target’.
Cross-reporting
Along with a drop in the number of inspections the EPA report found there was insufficient cross-reporting of breaches in water standards on farms to the Department of Agriculture.
The report said: “Local authorities have stated that cross-reporting can result in loss of stakeholder engagement where financial sanctions are applied and that minor non-compliances can be resolved through section notices and re-inspection.”
However, the EPA said an increase in cross-reporting was required.
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