EPA wants increased farm checks

These inspections come under the heading of Pressures from Agriculture (Farmland), an area where inspection and surveillance activity by local authorities in farmland areas was notably low in 2022, said the EPA, with only 38% of local authorities achieving the required inspection performance.

Under the specific headings of Pressures from Agriculture (Farm Yards), and Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) Regulations, 41% of local authorities achieved the required standard of inspection (2,200 inspections of 1,600 farms), with the number of inspections increasing by 22% compared to 2021. Most of these inspections were undertaken in farmyards. The EPA said local authorities must increase the number of farms inspected annually, to drive compliance with the GAP regulations.

“Inspections must be risk-based and targeted at specific pollutants of concern (phosphorus, nitrogen and organics), using the EPA’s Pollution Impact Potential Maps and EPA’s Targeting Agriculture Measures Map.”

Inspectors will be helped by the National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP), which commenced in 2022, with more data being collected on compliance levels, issues detected, follow-up actions, and effectiveness of measures.

“The NAIP will bring a consistent approach across the country and greater awareness of the GAP Regulations requirements,” said the EPA.

Dr Tom Ryan, director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said no significant improvement in water quality was recorded in 2022, and more local authority farm inspections and enforcement are needed to reduce the impact of agricultural activities, which is significant for water quality in 25% of Ireland’s waterbodies.

The EPA’s Targeting Agricultural Measures Map shows local authorities where they should prioritise their inspections to mitigate the specific pollutants of concern. The main areas of non-compliance are the management of soiled water, slurry, and fertilisers. Increased focus is needed to ensure they are used effectively without undue loss of nutrients to our waterways, said the EPA.

Just over half of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters are in satisfactory condition. Agriculture continues to have a significant impact on water quality.