The River Suir Surface Water Working Group established under the aegis of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement has prepared this guidance leaflet for the farming community. Water and habitat quality is being adversely impacted in many areas as a result of livestock access to waters. This has significant potential implications in terms of public health, safety of water supplies and fisheries and wildlife issues. From the farming perspective, it is essential that Ireland’s reputation of quality food production from a healthy environment is maintained.
This leaflet describes the problems as a result of livestock access to waters. It identifies benefits to the farming and the wider community. For those agencies and authorities charged with responsibility for environmental and habitat quality protection and improvement and for provision of water supplies, it is intended to assist in delivery of Ireland’s obligations under the Water Framework Directive. The leaflet contains practical recommendations and provides advice on reducing and where possible eliminating livestock access to waters.
Download the document: Guidance for the farming community on protection of water resources and habitat quality from impacts due to livestock access to waters [.pdf, 750KB]