Dairygold Paperless
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Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon launches River Blackwater Catchment Programme to enhance water quality
Thursday 3rd April 2025 – Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon today launched the River Blackwater Catchment Programme, a collaborative programme led by Dairygold, designed to enhance water quality across the River Blackwater catchment area.
The three-year programme will see the dairy processor partner with Teagasc and the Local Authority Water Programme (LAWPRO), as well as with other industry stakeholders such as Dairy Industry Ireland, Meat Industry Ireland, Irish Grain Growers, ABP, Dawn Meats, Kepak, Kerry Co-op, North Cork Creameries and Tirlán on a series of combined projects, actions and activities to engage farmers and processors and implement best farm practices to improve water quality.
The River Blackwater is 170 kilometres in length and has a surrounding catchment area of 3,310 km2 . The catchment is home to over 100,000 people and more than 1,600 Milk Suppliers from Dairygold, North Cork Creameries, Tirlán and Kerry Co-Op, together with beef, pig and tillage farming enterprises. This partnership programme recognises the importance of the River Blackwater to the farming sector and everybody in the region and seeks to enhance the water quality for everyone’s benefit
Launching the programme, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon T.D. said: “It is great to see an all of industry approach to the issue of water quality along one of Ireland’s largest rivers. Raising awareness and fostering a collective approach among farmers, processors, and industry stakeholders is crucial to achieving real and lasting change. This programme presents a huge opportunity for all parties involved to play a pivotal role in driving positive and long-lasting change across a huge swathe of one of Ireland’s most fertile regions.”
Speaking about the launch, Michael Harte, Chief Executive of Dairygold said: “Protecting and improving water quality is key to the continued success of Irish agriculture. The River Blackwater and its tributaries are an important source of fresh water in the catchment and we believe it is vitally important that we do all we can to protect and enhance it. This partnership approach is the best way to achieve that objective, and we are pleased to facilitate that collaboration. The River Blackwater Catchment Programme is an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate what can be achieved when we work together.”
The programme will be underpinned by Teagasc’s Better Farming for Water campaign which identifies 8 Actions for Change farmers can take to enhance water quality. The programme will be supported by LAWPRO’s Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) and will focus on three critical areas – nutrient management, farmyard management and land management.
Frank O’Mara, Director, Teagasc said: “Teagasc is delighted to support the River Blackwater Catchment Programme. A key element of this programme will be the implementation of the Teagasc Better Farming for Water – 8 Actions for Change, which provides practical, science-based solutions to help farmers adopt best practices for improved water quality. By working together and applying these actions on the ground, we can make a meaningful impact in safeguarding our water resources for the future.”
Anthony Coleman, Director of Shared Services, Local Authority Waters Programme said: “LAWPRO is proud to support the River Blackwater Catchment Programme. Water is a vital natural resource that connects us all, and this collaborative and forward-thinking initiative demonstrates the shared commitment of all stakeholders to enhancing water quality. The Farming for Water EIP Project, a €60 million European Innovation Partnership scheme, will provide funding to farmers across the Blackwater and other catchments to implement a variety of measures aimed at improving water quality. We look forward to working with our programme partners and farmers in supporting better sustainability across the River Blackwater Catchment.”
Throughout the three-year programme, a steering group will oversee the deployment of key measures, including catchment meetings, ASSAP water quality farm visits, nutrient balance awareness training, and upskilling events across the catchment. Changes to water quality metrics will be monitored to inform and improve the programme as it progresses.
