Laois woman takes helm of River Barrow clean water project

A Laois woman is looking forward to leading a new group tasked with improving water quality in one of the two big rivers that flow through Laois.

Siobhán Walsh, a Ratheniska tillage and beef farmer, is the chair of a new group responsible for implementing the blueprint called River Barrow, Better Farming for Water- Eight Actions for Change, Action Plan which was officially launched on  Wednesday, March 4, at Teagasc Oak Park.

In a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live Teagasc say the plan aims to accelerate the adoption of the eight actions on farms across the Barrow catchment to improve water quality in areas where agriculture has been identified as a significant pressure.

The farming agency says the core of the plan is the implementation focused on improved nutrient management, enhanced farmyard management, and strengthened land management practices to protect and enhance water quality.

Teagas believes a healthy Barrow catchment delivers high-quality drinking water, supports agricultural livelihoods, and sustains recreational activities such as angling and water sports. They also say it is vital for biodiversity, enabling the plants, fish, insects and wildlife that depend on clean water to thrive.

Ms Walsh, who is Chair of the Barrow Catchment Implementation Group, spoke about the challenge ahead. 

“As Chair of the Barrow Catchment Implementation Group, I am very conscious of the many farming families who work with pride and dedication throughout the catchment and who act as custodians of its lands.

"I was pleased to accept the role at this critically important time for Irish agriculture. This initiative is focused on supporting and accelerating the adoption of practical, on-farm actions that will improve water quality in the River Barrow catchment, where agriculture has been identified as a significant pressure,” said Ms Walsh, who also writes for the Farmer's Journal. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Pictured at the Launch of the Better Farming for Water Campaign, Barrow River Catchment are (L to R): Professor Pat Dillon, Director of Research, Teagasc, Noel Meehan, Head of Knowledge Transfer Water Quality Department, Teagasc; Sandra Hayes, Regional Manager for Laois, Kildare and Offaly, Teagasc; Ciaran Sheelan, Catchment Coordinator for the Better Farming for Water Campaign, Barrow River Catchment; Siobhan Walsh, Chair of Barrow River Catchment Implementation Group; Fintan Conway, Tillage Industry Ireland (TII); and John Spink, Head of Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme, Teagasc.

Teagasc say Tillage Industry Ireland will act as an industry lead in the initiative which brings together a cross section of stakeholders, including farmers, agri-food businesses, Teagasc, the Agricultural Consultants Association (ACA), the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), local authorities and the wider community. It is supported by a dedicated Teagasc Catchment Coordinator, Ciarán Sheelan. MORE BELOW VIDEO.

 Professor Pat Dillon said Farmers have a critical role to play in protecting and improving water quality in our rivers.

"In recent years, farmers have put in place many initiatives to improve water quality on their farms. However, there remains an urgent need to put in place further initiatives to reduce nutrient losses, and every farmer has a part to play,” he said.

He spoke about the plan and the role of Ms Walsh in realising its aims.

"This tailored action plan sets out clear targets and timelines for implementing practical water-quality improvement measures. I would like to acknowledge the members of the Barrow Catchment Implementation Group Oversight Committee, particularly its Chair, Siobhán Walsh, who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to support delivery of this plan,” he said.

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Fintan Conway, Tillage Industry Ireland, outlined the Barrow's importance to tillage.

"The Barrow catchment, accounts for a significant portion of the €1.9 billion annual contribution that the tillage sector makes to the Irish economy. The sector provides vital straw, grains, and high-quality animal feed for the local livestock industry, as well as ingredients for the food and drink sector. Tillage is noted as having the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per hectare of any agricultural sector, playing a crucial role in the sustainability profile of the region,” he said.

Teagasc say a comprehensive booklet was also launched, outlining the six pillars that it says underpin the Barrow catchment programme stakeholder engagement. It says these pillars provide a structured and collaborative framework to deliver measurable improvements in water quality across the Barrow catchment.

The full Barrow catchment plan can be viewed here https://teagasc.ie/publications/better-farming-for-water-barrow-catchment-action-plan/