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

International Conference on EU Water Framework Directive in Dublin

THANK YOU