SWAN submission on Environmental Analysis of Scenarios Related to FH2020

Response to Public Consultation on Environmental Analysis of Scenarios Related to Implementation of Recommendations in Food Harvest 2020 strategy.

Sustainable Water Network (SWAN)
Response to Public Consultation on Environmental Analysis of Scenarios Related to Implementation of Recommendations in Food
Harvest 2020 strategy.

Meeting the requirements of the Water Framework Directive is an important challenge that will deliver benefits in terms of enhancing our rivers, lakes, wetlands and coasts for farming, tourism, business and the enjoyment of local communities. According to the EPA State of the Environment report launched last week, it is important that "we protect this strategic resource for future generations." and also "..vital that future agricultural practices be developed and implemented to be fully sustainable, and not prevent Ireland from meeting its EU obligations in relation to water". A full strategic environmental assessment of Food Harvest 2020 is necessary to assess the degree to which FH2020, a significant strategic national plan, meets these criteria and is environmentally sustainable. In the interim, the terms of reference of the current analysis must be sufficiently broad to assess the impacts of the FH2020 growth targets and the government must be open to reviewing and amending the targets if they are shown to be environmentally unsustainable. A further public consultation on the Draft Analysis Report once it is delivered to the Department should be conducted, which provides more time and information for meaningful stakeholder participation in the development of the Final Analysis Report.