new fence along river

Sustainable Catchment Programme — Northern Ireland

The Rivers Trust, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and funded by the Green Growth Investment Programme, has been pioneering the Sustainable Catchment Programme (SCP) in Northern Ireland. 

The Rivers Trust, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and funded by the Green Growth Investment Programme, has been pioneering the Sustainable Catchment Programme (SCP) in Northern Ireland. With a significant investment exceeding £2.5 million, this innovative, ongoing initiative is dedicated to enhancing the sustainability of local farms and the health of freshwater environments across targeted catchments.

Programme Objective

The SCP aims to address agricultural pressures on water quality through independent, non-regulatory advice and grant support for farmers. The programme leverages the expertise of dedicated Water Friendly Farm Advisors to guide personalised, effective, and funded interventions on agricultural land and farmyards designed to reduce nutrient and soil runoff to nearby rivers and streams. These simple but effective on-farm actions reduce water pollution and runoff at source, protecting the freshwater environment and wider biodiversity habitat.

Such interventions can also support farm businesses by reducing costs and increasing their sustainably.

new fence along river
Fencing is a simple way to prevent livestock from accessing the river which can improve water quality

Implementation

The Rivers Trust’s Water Friendly Farm Advisors meet with farmers on their lands to develop bespoke Water Environment Management Plans (WEMPs). These plans identify water quality protection opportunities and outline eligible SCP-funded measures. The focus of the plans is ensuring the right measures are in the right places to maximise water quality and farm benefits. Interventions have included riverbank (riparian) buffer zone creation, livestock exclusion fencing, installation of alternative livestock watering facilities like solar-powered pump troughs, and clean and dirty water separation measures on farmyards.

Innovative Collaborations

A recent collaboration with Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has introduced a Woodlands for Water Officer to The Rivers Trust’s team in Northern Ireland, enhancing the programme's scope with strategic tree and hedge planting to combat nutrient and sediment runoff, aiding in carbon sequestration, and fostering biodiversity.

Case Study Highlights

  • In the Dundrum catchment, County Down, impactful on-farm improvements were achieved, including 4,754 meters of riverbank fencing, 1,403 meters of hedging and 70 trees planted for riverbank stabilisation.
  • In the Tirnaskea sub-catchment of the Ballinderry River in County Tyrone, over 13,120 meters of riverbank fencing and 2,666 meters of native hedgerows, along with alternative livestock watering facilities, have been installed.
  • In the Shanrod sub-catchment of the Upper River Bann, the SCP saw the integration of advanced solar pumps and tree planting on 16 farms to combat riverbank erosion and improve environmental health. 35,349 meters of riverbank fencing, and 9,846 meters of hedgerow were installed.
trough and concrete base
A solar pump

Outcomes

The SCP has delivered numerous water protection measures that also generate co-benefits for society and the environment. Farmers have reported opportunities to increase sustainability and a better protected freshwater environment. The SCP's work contributes to reducing nutrient pollution in rivers and loughs and helps in mitigating harmful algal blooms in key water bodies like Lough Neagh.

Future Plans

The Rivers Trust is set to roll out additional grants in 2024, with up to 75% funding for interventions expected to protect water quality. This includes the addition of farmers in the upper reaches of the Owenkillew River catchment in County Tyrone. The expansion offers an unprecedented opportunity for farmers in further selected catchments to participate in actions that preserve the integrity of water sources and advance the welfare of their farmland.

“The Rivers Trust is committed to supporting farmers as the direct custodians of our land. We believe in working together to enhance water quality, protect biodiversity, and ensure the prosperity of farm businesses while protecting and improving the health of our rivers and loughs. Through collaboration and support, we can achieve a sustainable economy and a flourishing environment enjoyed by all”

Mark Horton
All-Ireland Director, The Rivers Trust

The Sustainable Catchment Programme Report

Find out more on how this programme is reducing the adverse impacts of agriculture on water quality across several key catchments in Northern Ireland.

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