ASSAP & Water Quality Overview

Tirlán & Assap

Tirlán has assigned Agricultural Sustainability Support Advisory Programme (ASSAP) advisors to cover Tirlán’s supplier catchment area. The aim for the entire ASSAP programme is to improve water quality throughout Ireland. In 2024, 599 ASSAP visits were completed as part of our Living Proof Plan. This new collaboration between dairy coops and family farms is based on improving local water quality within their area. Some areas are classed as Priority Areas for Action (PAA’s) where these catchments have been selected because they are not meeting their water quality targets and are at risk of further decline. When a Tirlán ASSAP visit is conducted, advice is provided on areas including land management, nutrient management and farmyard management. During an ASSAP visit, pollution impact potential maps (PIP maps) are provided to the farmer to identify key areas of their farm that is more susceptible to loosing valuable nutrients i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus. Frequent water quality testing is conducted by the local authorities water programme (LAWPRO) where they can identify catchments of poorer water quality. This unique collaboration helps ASSAP advisors visit higher risk catchment areas based on data.  LAWPRO conduct chemical testing for Nitrogen, Phosphorous and sediment, as well as a kick sample to determine the biological status of the catchment. This enables the catchment scientist to assess the status of the waterbody, which can range from high to bad. If an agricultural pressure is identified during testing, a written referral is sent out to the local ASSAP advisor. When an ASSAP visit is conducted the correct agricultural mitigation measures are advised to address the issue concerned with the river. The ASSAP programme is a free confidential advisory service, which has 20 Teagasc ASSAP advisors and 42 Dairy Coop advisors. Tirlán recognises the importance of water quality and has committed to having water quality remediation plans in place to all our family farms in Priority Area’s of Action by 2025.

What is ASSAP?

ASSAP  is a collaborative initiative which is led between Teagasc, Dairy Industry Ireland (DII) & LAWPRO. ASSAP stands for Agricultural Sustainability, Support and Advisory Programme. Its aim is to support the implementation of the best agricultural practices at farm level in areas with poor or substandard water quality in Ireland. These areas are also known as PAA’s or (Priority Area’s of Actions).

Farming for Water EIP

The €60 million Farming for Water (FFW) project is a new initiative under the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI). The aim of the project is to drive improvements in water quality with co-benefits for climate change and biodiversity. This can be achieved through the adoption of innovative practices in nutrient management, the application of nature-based Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) and other measures at farm level following the principles of Integrated Catchment Management. Participating in the water quality EIP is a sustainable action in the Tirlán Sustainability Action Payment. Measures will be designed and implemented, in collaboration with farmers, and will be targeted specifically to address local challenges. It is important to note that losses of phosphate as small as <0.5kg/ha/yr are sufficient to impact on the health of a river system so the task is not easy but with spatially targeted, well-designed mitigation measures the loads of N, P and sediment can be significantly reduced.

The Water EIP is designed to implement specific measures aimed at minimizing the loss of nutrients, sediment, and pesticides from agricultural areas, effectively disrupting their flow & pathways into water bodies. The programme was launched in 2023 and is set to provide funding until 2027. The initiative will concentrate on regions requiring urgent intervention to protect  water quality. Maintaining high water quality offers numerous advantages, such as ensuring clean drinking water, supporting livestock, enhancing tourism, recreation, and various industries. It also plays a vital role in preserving wildlife habitats and is essential for fostering local economies and promoting community well-being. 

EPA Water Quality Update

Earlier this month, we saw the EPA providing a positive message to the farming community on early indications of reductions in nitrogen concentrations over the last 12 months showed to be lower than the previous year. Based on data from 20 major rivers, it shows that Nitrogen concentrations have decreased to their lowest levels since 2016. This shows the progress of the adoption of improved farm practices and more conscious environmental actions that are being taken on farm along with the advice from initiatives like ASSAP and the new Farming for Water EIP.

Sustainability Action Payment

Tirlán has committed to assist our dairy suppliers in reducing the carbon footprint, enhancing water quality and improving air quality and soil health of farms in line with our sustainability strategy, Living Proof. Having a ASSAP water quality remediation plan on farm is one of the list of measures that can be taken to qualify for the full Sustainability Action Payment. The Water Quality EIP and Fencing off watercourses are also part of Tirlan’s Sustainability Action Payment to help protect and improve water quality on-farms nationally.

First Published April 1st 2025