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EPA Issue The National Agricultural Inspection Programme Summary Report 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published the 2024 Summary Report for the National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP).

The Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) is a key component of Ireland’s strategy to protect water quality from agricultural pressures. Under the Fifth NAP, an enhanced compliance and enforcement framework is required, expanding the EPA’s oversight role in relation to local authority agricultural inspections. The EPA’s strategic focus is to increase the level of compliance and strengthen enforcement activity to reduce agricultural pressures on water quality. This will be achieved by increasing the number of agricultural inspections by local authorities, addressing non-compliances in a consistent manner, and taking appropriate enforcement actions.

Inspection Activity and Compliance Trends in 2024

In 2024, the local authorities carried out 2,598 initial inspections under the GAP Regulations which is more than double the number of inspections completed in 2023 (1,137 inspections carried out in 2023). The rate of non-compliance for initial GAP inspections was 42% in 2024. The number of follow-up GAP inspections remained relatively consistent, with 576 conducted in 2024 versus 556 in the previous year. Compliance rates for follow-up inspections remained relatively stable for both years as 54% of farms were found to be compliant.

Infographic summarising 2024 farm inspection data under the National Agricultural Inspection Programme. It includes figures on inspection numbers, non-compliance rates, enforcement actions, and penalties. Key issues include soiled water and manure management. The image uses icons and brief text blocks to present findings from local authority and DAFM inspections. — The National Agricultural Inspection Programme Summary Report 2024 – Highlights and Key Findings

Key Causes of Non-Compliance

The top four reasons [for non-compliance] were the control of soiled water, management of farmyard manure, discharges with potential to impact water quality, and slurry collection and storage. Non-compliances for the control of soiled water and for other issues with potential to impact water quality increased by 3% in 2024 when compared to 2023. Many of the non-compliances identified during the initial inspections are management issues that can be resolved without significant expenditure, as evidenced by the fact that over 54% of non-compliant farms achieved compliance by the time of the follow-up inspection.

Bar chart comparing the top reasons for non-compliance during initial GAP inspections in 2023 and 2024. Categories include soiled water control, manure management, and slurry storage. Each reason is shown with two bars—orange for 2023 and blue for 2024—indicating percentage of non-compliance, with values ranging up to 40%. — Types of the enforcement actions taken by local authorities in 2023 and 2024.

Read the full National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP) Summary Report 2024 here

Catchments.ie – Impacts of Agriculture on water quality

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