Dairygold are urging farmers in the Shournagh and Awbeg sub-catchments to take part in the Waters of LIFE agri-environmental programme.

The co-operative welcomed the EU-funded project to a meeting of suppliers in Blarney this week. Waters of LIFE have extended the deadline for expressions of interest for farmers who would still like to get involved.

Farmers can leave their contact details with the project by completing an online form or by contacting their local catchment scientist.

There is no up-front commitment and the project will make contact with each farmer to discuss what they could expect to earn through the programme.

The new deadline is Friday December 20th.

Ciara Donovan, Business Manager Farm Sustainability, opened this week’s meeting in Cork.

“We’d encourage everyone to join if you can at all,” she told local suppliers. “It really is important from a Dairygold perspective that everyone can work together and it will put some more money in your pocket too.”

“If everyone does a little bit on the water quality side of things, it will make a difference. Water quality is essential. For all of us and for the industry.”

The call from Dairygold comes after further support for the programme from industry representatives.

Dairy Industry Ireland Director Conor Mulvihill made the call to farmers to contact the project and ‘be part of the continued movement of Irish farmers leading on water protection.’ DII are actively engaged with Waters of LIFE through its stakeholder advisory group.

 

Great article on front of @irishexaminer farming section calling for a further 600 farmers for the funded @EUWatersofLIFE project.

If you are in of of the 6 catchments- contact them and be part of the continued national movement of Irish farmers leading on water protection 👇🐮 pic.twitter.com/DHhQjxzrLS

— Conor Mulvihill 🐄 (@conormulv) November 28, 2024

The IFA also came out with a statement urging farmers to engage with the programme.

 

Click here to register to register your interest in the programme.

 

Contact details for Waters of LIFE Catchment Scientists in Cork:

Awbeg (Kilbrin), Co. Cork (Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District) 

Click here for Awbeg (Kilbrin) Map: https://www.watersoflife.ie/catchments/awbeg_kilbrin

Catchment Scientist: Philip Murphy 085 8320877; philip.murphy@housing.gov.ie

Shournagh, Co. Cork (Macroom / Cork City North West)

Click here for Shournagh Map: https://www.watersoflife.ie/catchments/shournagh

Catchment Scientist: Ciarán Sheelan  086 1987889; ciaran.sheelan@housing.gov.ie