THE FARMING FOR WATER EIP IS AN AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY
FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME FROM 2023-2027
The EIP is open to farmers with land in priority catchments where
targeted water quality improvements are needed. Farmers located in
these priority catchments are potentially eligible for EIP funding and
the catchments are identified in the map below.
To check if you are in the priority catchment area go to Areas for Action – Farming for Water EIP and enter your Eircode in the search bar.
WHAT IS FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR?
Funding is provided for measures that are over and above regulatory requirements, i.e. supplementary measures like sediment traps, riparian areas, catch crops, etc.
WHAT DO FARMERS NEED TO DO?
Each applicant receives a farm visit and rainwater management plan on application. The rainwater management plan is a simple map drawn by the ASSAP advisor with the famer, showing where rainwater moves across the farm during wet weather. This helps identify direction of waterflow across the farm to highlight areas at risk of nutrient, sediment or pesticide loss. This informs where measures like riparian buffers or hedgerows, to intercept phosphorus, are placed. These measures, on agreement are then added to the plan.
CAN FARMERS PARTICIPATE IN OTHER SCHEMES AND EU FUNDED PROJECTS?
Yes. Participation in ACRES and other EU funded schemes where they apply, is encouraged to maximise environmental benefits. Note, double funding is not allowed – i.e., measures such as riparian buffers, can only be paid for once, irrespective of schemes. Talk to your advisor for more information.
AVAILABLE MEASURES FUNDED
The measures available will depend on what is impacting water quality. Where nitrate is the nutrient of concern the key actions include:
• rainwater management plan
• farmer training course
• nitrogen surplus calculations
• multi species swards
• nutrient management planning
• cover/catch crops
• slurry testing
Where phosphorus and sediment is the nutrient/issue of concern the key actions include:
• rainwater management plan
• farmer training course
• nutrient management planning
• wetland ponds
• riparian areas and strips
• earthen bunds
• hedgerow and tree planting
• sediment traps
• culverts/bridges
• settlement tanks
• willow filter beds
• vegetated bunded drains
• livestock exclusion from streams
• alternative water supplies
• swales
Measures to help reduce pesticide and sheep dip losses to water are also available. In some cases, the EIP will accept applications for ‘bespoke measures’, agreed between the farmer and advisor, which have a water quality benefit.
EXAMPLE OF PAYMENT TO FARMERS
Rainwater management plan (€250) + nitrogen surplus (€250) + training course (€156) = €656 Additional measures to protect water quality from agricultural impacts, identified in the rainwater management plan, are each funded separately.
Areas for Action
Click on the link to check if you are in the Areas for Action identified by the Farming for Water EIP: Areas for Action – Farming for Water EIP
BOOKLETS AND LEAFLETS
MEASURES INFORMATION BOOKLET
A €60M FARMER AND ADVISORY LED PROJECT
TO PROTECT AND RESTORE WATER QUALITY
FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME FROM 2023-2027
Click on the link to go to the Farming For Water EIP page to download the Measures Information Booklet: Measures-Booklet-Single-sheet.pdf
Farming for Water Information Leaflet
Click on the link to go to the Farming For Water EIP page to download the Farming for Water Leaflet DY2669_LAWPRO_FarmingForWater_A4-Flier_V2_FA.pdf
Rainwater Management Plan
A rainwater management plan is a detailed evaluation of a farm,
designed to map water flow across both the farmyard and the
surrounding land, following the ASSAP assessment methodology.
This assessment identifies areas where nutrients, pesticides, and
sediment are at risk of entering nearby rivers and drainage systems.
It plays a vital role in determining the most effective locations for
implementing mitigation measures. The assessment is conducted
in collaboration with the farmer to ensure its accuracy. The plan
also considers extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and
cloudbursts, to ensure resilient water management strategies.
Click on the link to go to the Farming For Water EIP page to download the Rainwater Management Plan: Rainwater-Management-Plan.pdf
Click on the link to go to the Farming For Water EIP page to download the FARMER TRAINING COURSE: Farmer-Training-Course.pdf
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please email Inishowen Rivers Trust’s Agricultural Community Animator John Doherty: [email protected]
Or
Email the EIP office: [email protected]