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.
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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please email Inishowen Rivers Trust’s Agricultural Community Animator John Doherty: [email protected]
Or
Email the EIP office: [email protected]
Scan the QR code or visit www.farmingforwater.ie
