SCEENE EIP Official Launch
PRESS RELEASE
on behalf of -
Loop Head Together CLG
Launch of the SCEENE EIP
- ‘Soil Carbon Enhancement for Excess Nutrients Elimination’ –
co-funded by the European Commission and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, under the European Innovation Partnership, as part of the CAP Strategic Plan.
Project Duration: July 2025 – Dec 2029
Excitement was mounting on the Loop Head Peninsula, in West Clare, as the innovative Soil Enhancement Project ‘SCEENE- EIP’ was officially launched in the beautiful surroundings of the Diamond Rocks Café, Kilkee on Friday the 17th April.
The SCEENE EIP stands for – Soil Carbon Enhancement for Excess Nutrient Elimination and is a regenerative farming research project, based on the Loop Head Peninsula. It will be looking at sustainable, agricultural practices, with a circular bioeconomy approach, which could prove to be very beneficial, both environmentally and economically for farmers and rural communities going forward.
SCEENE EIP Project Manager, Brendan Molloy, addresses the crowd at the project launch on Loop Head.
The Loop Head Peninsula was highlighted as being at the forefront of this agricultural sustainability research, following the Government Announcement last year, of €1.75 million to roll out this SCEENE-EIP, which is co-funded by the European Commission and the Irish Government under the CAP Strategic Plan.
This innovative research on soil carbon enhancement, which is being led by voluntary, local development group, Loop Head Together CLG, aims to determine the feasibility of specialised farming practices, with the goal of restoring soil health in coastal farming regions of Ireland.
Loop Head Together CLG, will be working closely with TUS (the Technological University of the Shannon), the local farming community on Loop head, and with a wider operational group which includes other academic institutions, and industry and climate experts such as UCD, MTU, Kracken Seeds, EIT Climate Kic, Arigna Fuels, agricultural consultants Damien Coyne Ltd and Clare County Council.
The SCEENE-EIP aims to take local organic waste from participating farms, to produce a biochar, through pyrolysis, which would then become a valuable carbon and nutrient rich, soil amendment. This amendment in the form of biochar, is redistributed on those farms with the aim of soil carbon enhancement, a reduction in nutrient run offs, a reduction in the need for chemical fertilisers and the potential for circular bio economy solutions in agriculture.
The research will be carried out on real working farms on the peninsula; with the aim of hoping to improve not just the soil but also the long-term viability and sustainability of farming and agriculture generally.
Attending the launch, in the beautiful and scenic setting of the Diamond Rocks, Kilkee, were local politicians, residents, members of the local farming community, farming group representatives and the research team from TUS. Also in attendance were delegates from the Department of Agriculture, Clare County Council and industry experts from around the country. The project team were particularly happy to see 19 of the local Ag Science students from Kilkee Community College and their teacher Ms Kearse attending, and taking such an interest in the project.
Speakers on the day included Minister of State at the Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Timmy Dooley; The SCEENE Project Manager Brendan Molloy, Chairperson of Loop Head Together CLG, Margaret Cotter, Dr Lena Madden from TUS, Dr Douglas McMillian from Green Restoration Ireland, Ruairi O Conchuir from LawPro and Laura Foley from Wild Atlantic Hemp.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of State, Deputy Timmy Dooley, said “this project, with its focus on exploring a circular bioeconomic solution to improving soil health on the Loop Head Peninsula, aligns closely with the priorities of my department. It showcases all that is best about the EIP model, which seeks to encourage innovation and collaboration among farmers, the local community and research bodies in seeking to make farming more environmentally and economically sustainable in the future. I very much look forward to seeing the learnings that will emerge as the project progresses”
Minister of State at the Dept of Agriculture Food and the Marine, Deputy Timmy Dooley addressing the crowd at the SCEENE EIP Launch on Loop Head
Minister Heydon sent his congratulations to the Operational Group responsible for the SCEENE EIP saying "it's great to see a voluntary group such as Loop Head Together engaging with farmers and working together to explore solutions to local environmental challenges. I am confident that this innovative project will have positive outcomes across the whole community of Loop Head and beyond”.
Fine Gael Deputy, Joe Cooney, was also very complimentary of the community on the Loop Head Peninsula. “I’m delighted to see Loop Head Together CLG getting acknowledged at Dept level in this way, for the innovative and strategic approach they have taken in tackling some of the challenges that face coastal farming communities.”
Although much vital background work on SCEENE EIP has already taken place, the official launch date was a wonderful milestone for this local, voluntary group, Loop Head Together CLG and indeed for their wider community on the Loop Head Peninsula.
Margaret Cotter, Chairperson of Loop Head Together CLG, says of their involvement in the project.
“Our goal with this project as a group is to support our local farming community in finding solutions to the challenges presented by climate change,” said Ms Cotter. “The two principal economic drivers in Loop Head are tourism and agriculture, and we are acutely aware as a community of the need to support both to ensure the sustainability of our locality into the future”.
Margaret Cotter, Chairperson Loop Head Together CLG - addresses the crowd at the SCEENE EIP Launch on Loop Head
Ms Cotter went on to point out that the project would not have been possible without ongoing collaboration with TUS and in particular Dr Lena Madden. “Lena has brought with her the extensive expertise of her colleagues and professional acquaintances who form the operational group for the project. We are also very grateful to the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine for their guidance and support throughout this process”.
Loop Head Together CLG were keen to thank their local community on Loop Head for always supporting their efforts to work together towards protecting our farms, our communities, our environment and in promoting the potential for circular bioeconomy solutions that will help keep our rural communities thriving into the future.
Photo Credits: Dermot Mahony
_________________________________ Contact Details below:
For further information:
Project Manager: Brendan Molloy – (087) 4070681 - brendanm@loopheadtogether.ie
Loop Head Together CLG – loopheadtogether@gmail.com
Margaret Cotter, Chairperson Loop Head Together CLG – (087) 9105065
Dr Lena Madden TUS – (087) 6683079