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National Agricultural Inspection Programme  (NAIP)

 

In 2022, the EPA was assigned expanded responsibilities under fifth Fifth Nitrates Action Programme regarding the oversight of local authority agricultural inspections. These responsibilities are set out in the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations 2022 (as amended) and associated DHLGH Circular (WQ 01/2022). The Circular highlighted a need for improved compliance with the Regulations and strengthened enforcement. The EPA, in consultation with the CCMA and other relevant bodies, was asked to develop, implement and oversee a local authority National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP) to protect water quality for the period 2023 to 2025. The NAIP has been established and is currently being rolled out and includes the development of:

  • A risk-based inspection plan.
  • Guidance and tools for selecting farms for inspection.
  • Templates and guidance for carrying out, recording and reporting on farm inspections.
  • Methodology for follow-up and closure on issues detected including promotional, monitoring and enforcement actions.
  • Templates and protocols for recording inspections and the outcomes of inspections to support local authorities complying with     the GAP Regulations.
  • A training programme for all local authorities for the implementation of these guidance and protocols.
  • Recommendations and requirements for an ICT system and support for the development of a system.
  • Completion of a report to the Minister on progress in implementing the GAP Regulations and recommendations for additional measures necessary to prevent/reduce water pollution from agricultural sources.

Through the NAIP the EPA’s overall strategic approach is to focus on strengthening the level enforcement to achieve a higher level of compliance and reduce the agricultural pressures on water quality. This includes achieving a national consistency for dealing with non-compliances using various enforcement tools, cross-reporting, and prosecutions to deliver protection and improvement of Ireland’s water quality.

Where to Inspect?

 

The Targeting Agricultural Measures map has been developed by the EPA to help address the specific water quality issues arising from agricultural activities in water bodies that are not meeting their water quality objectives. In particular, it highlights where targeted measures to address nitrate, phosphorus and sediment losses are required as well as potential farm point source issues. This map is based on the full national monitoring network and includes impacts from all types of farming activity. It will assist with targeting the right measure in the right place to achieve the water quality objectives of the WFD. The PIP maps will assist with highlighting the cause of an issue in a particular waterbody (diffuse, point source, nitrate, phosphorus or sediment). The maps are publicly available on the EPA Maps website and on Catchments.ie. A simplified map viewer for farmers and landowners to view water quality data and maps for targeting measures is available at EPA Maps/agriculture.

Risk-based Inspection Plan

The risk-based plan was developed in collaboration with the OEA Catchment Science Team and is informed by the requirements of the Water Action Plan 2024 which sets out a target of 4,500 farms to be inspected on an annual basis by 2025.  For 2024 and 2025, the EPA has allocated a specified number of agricultural inspections to each local authority, using the risk-based methodology, which ensures that inspections are focused in areas where water bodies are significantly impacted by agriculture. Further details on the number of agricultural inspections assigned to each local authority for 2024 and 2025 is available here .

Details on the inspection activities by the local authorities that have been undertaken as part of the NAIP in 2023 are available in the NAIP Summary Report for 2023 .