Farmers at a Lakeland Dairies event on Tuesday (December 3) were told that the €60 million Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) is “a game changer” in improving water quality.
Almost 100 Lakeland farmer suppliers have applied for the EIP with an average payout of nearly €10,000 per farmer.
The most popular items currently chosen by Lakeland Dairies suppliers included the bucket and brush yard cleaning apparatus, solar-powered water pumps, nutrient management plans, the planting of multi-species swards and hedgerows.
Lakeland Dairies event
The event took place on the farm of Sean and John Gilsenan in Moynalty, Co. Meath and was organised by the milk co-op with support from Teagasc, Tirlán, Kepak, Dairy Industry Ireland (DII) and the Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO).
Lakeland Dairies has chosen the Moynalty Catchment as a ‘Champion Catchment’ to act as an example for farmers across the region to drive water quality improvements in their area.
The Farming for Water project aims to support water quality improvements. Measures are designed and implemented in collaboration with farmers and will be targeted specifically to address local challenges.
Group head of sustainability with Lakeland Dairies, Rory Farrell told the farmers in attendance that the EIP can build on strong efforts already taking place on farms.
“It was really heartening to see the huge crowd in attendance at our Farming for Water event. There was a huge level of interest from farmers who are looking to invest in technologies and practices that will improve water quality on their farm.
“That is why the €60 million EIP is a real game changer as it is backing farmers’ ambitions with real actions.
“Over the course of the last year, the dedicated Lakeland Dairies’ water quality team has carried out over 1,000 farm visits aimed at maintaining and improving water quality.
Between this and the EIP, it clearly shows that Lakeland Dairies and our farm families are playing a real leadership role in this space. We are driven by a single-minded determination to make further improvements in this space.”
