The objective of this project is to do a rapid evidence assessment (REA) of the role of CAP in the condition of Irish watercourses and frame the analysis within the existing government policies of the River Basin Management Plan (2018), National Biodiversity Action Plan (2017) and ‘Ag-Climatise’ A Draft National Climate & Air Roadmap for the Agricultural Sector (2019) as well as existing legislation and The Water Forum strategy.

Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, this project will seek to understand if - and how - the CAP improves Ireland’s agricultural impact on water quality. It will also look at how different farm enterprise types impact on water quality; examine the barriers prohibiting farmers from undertaking measures to avoid, minimise, or mitigate negative impacts on water quality; how barriers can be overcome through policy change; how different regulations and policies interlink with the CAP; and the socio-economic implications of potential changes to the CAP which may lead to water quality improvements.

Ultimately this project will use this evidence to outline implementable proposals for An Fóram Uisce to bring forward to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, to inform the Irish negotiating position as part of the European Commission's reform programme of the CAP after 2020.