Teagasc and the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) are deepening their long-standing working relationship through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement was signed recently by Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director and Koen Verbruggen, Director of GSI at the Teagasc Ashtown Research Centre, Dublin, Thursday, 20 October.
Speaking at the event, Professor Boyle said:”Looking ahead, the two organizations commit to working closely together on areas of common interest, including improved understanding of soil chemistry, using Tellus to better understand national soil variability and the implications for farmers to reach Food Wise 2025 expansion targets.”
Koen Verbruggensaid: “This agreement will facilitate further development of the Soil Information System for Ireland through improved data integration between Teagasc and the GSI and improved assessment of the effect of agriculture on groundwater and surface water quality through the spatial identification of farms in high-risk areas. We hope this will improve the understanding of areas where there is sufficient natural attenuation potential to protect our waters.”
Teagasc and the GSI have a long and productive association which goes all the way back to the production of the National Soil Survey of Ireland by An Foras Talúntais (AFT, Teagasc predecessor) in the 1980s. This has continued in recent years with sharing of data between the two organizations facilitating the production of a first national subsoils map. This was a key input to the Teagasc-led development of the national 1:250,000 scale Soils Map of Ireland.
