Annex 7.3.2: After-LIFE Communication plan – LIFE 10INF/MT/092

The InfoNitrates LIFE+ project (LIFE 10 INF/MT/000092) focused on the delivery of an extensiveinformation and communication campaign for the proper use and management ofnitrates in agriculture and livestock breeding in the Maltese Islands. The principle objectives of InfoNitrates LIFE+ project were to train and educate the farming community on the Nitrates Action Plan (NAP). This national action plan was drawn up according to Council Directive 91/676/EECof 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused bynitrates from agricultural sources and is better known as the ‘Nitrates Directive’.

A post-project action plan was set up by the InfoNitrates managing team and the Directorate of Agriculture, so as to build on the results achieved through the InfoNitrates educational campaign. The project was completed on 30th June 2014, in time for the Nitrates Action Unit (NAU) to take over in the implementation of the NAP with the farming community. This unit was set up on purpose by theDirectorate of Agricultureto control and monitor farmers and livestock breeders in ensuring that the application, transport and storage of fertilisers is done in compliance with all provisions laid down in the Nitrates Directive, and more specifically, the transposed national legislation (Legal Notice 321 of 2011 and Nitrates Action Plan for Malta).

Upon their visit with farmers trained through InfoNitrates project, NAU personnelare already finding fertiliser plans being applied on certain parcels. After being exposed to the application of a fertiliser plan, farmers are in a position to comprehend its dynamics and provide suggestions for technical improvements. Moreover, the NAU can bridge the training gap left after the completion of the InfoNitrates campaign by referring farmers to the Farm Advisory Services Consortium (FASC). The latter has been set up for the purpose of providing advice to farmers and livestock breeders in respect to cross compliance and the application of fertiliser plans.

Apart from creating the structure and momentum to implement the NAP, InfoNitrates trainers were pioneers in working with the software to produce fertiliser plans. Hence, through the creation of two thousand, four hundred and forty seven (2,447) fertiliser plans, the InfoNitrates project exposed the technical updates required in this software so as to cater for the range of inputting requirements within the Maltese context. Various crops that were not included in the annex of Legal Notice 321 of 2011and were not catered for in the software system and thus fertiliser plans could not be issued on these crops. These shortcomings are being catered for by the Directorate of Agriculture with the creation of a separate software programme which can additionally cater for the calculation of inorganic fertilisers and irrigation methods used.

LN 321 of 2011 implies the setting up of a Nitrates Database, in which all the parcels not registered on the IACS system were to be registered in the database. TheDirectorate of Agriculture, being the competent authority, has established a centralised system in ensuring that the Nitrates Database could be compiled in its entirety. In this regard a Front Office in which farmers arerequested to register their entire holdings has been set up. To date there have been 4,182 holdings that have been registered, covering a total of 17,033 parcels and an area of 2,869 hectares. Throughout the registration process,farmers are briefed on their obligations through the legal provisions of the Nitrates Registry, such as the provision of their information to registered Farm Advisory Service entities.

An essential lesson learnt through the implementation of the InfoNitrates project was that in order to provide accurate NPK data for the creation of fertiliser plans, one would need to analyse the soil using the laboratory method. This is time consuming and requires experience in working on multiple tests with large number of soil samples concurrently. Thus, both the NAU and the FASC discussed these issues with the InfoNitrates team to get advice on carrying out bulk soil analysis tests as well as interpreting results. Following the learning curve on testing two thousand, six hundred and seventy seven (2,677) samples, InfoNitrates also served to demonstrate and transfer knowledge for proper follow up post-project.

Through LIFE+ funding, InfoNitrates project served as a vital communication tool delivering the fundamental messages of the NAP to the farming community. This project was also the driving point behind an intensive training campaign that will serve as a backbone for the implementation of the NAP. Officials of the NAU visiting farmers and breeders are being faced with an easier task to communicate the implications of the NAP as the basis was laid through the communications campaign. Thus, action by the relevant authorities was facilitated through the training campaign as well as through the informative material disseminated throughout the project. Moreover, dissemination of InfoNitrates brochures and DVDs will be sustained during inspection visits as well as in events organised by the NAU, FASC and the Agricultural Directorate.

Monitoring and controls done by the NAU is structured in a way where a sample of farmers is extracted following a risk analysis exercise annualy. Farmers selected through this annual sample are inspected on the spot and any breaches noted are communicated in writing to the farmers. Then, farmers are given a total of two (2) warning letters, which if not rectified, would result in an administrative penalty as well as possible further legal action. However, with the informative resources published through the InfoNitrates project and the farmers being exposed to their obligations through the NAP, the control duties carried out by the NAU are being facilitated. In conclusion, the InfoNitrates campaign did not only serve its’ objectives throughout the project lifetime but its effects have exceeded expectations and will be felt through the farming community for years to come.

In line with article 13.4 of the Common Provisions, the continuation of the project website will remain active through reference to the project’s blog which will be operational for the next five (5) years). On the same lines the free-phone service 8007 4441 will also remain active with officials from the Nitrates Action Unit to respond to any queries pertinat to the implementation of provisions of the Nitrates Directive at farmer level.

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