Vol. 462 No. 6
5 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for the Marine the reason his Department is not adopting a more proactive stance in relation to the development of the fish farming sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5213/96]
33 Dr. McDaid asked the Minister for the Marine the reason for the delay in amending the Fisheries Consolidation Act, 1959; and if his attention has been drawn to the implications of the delay. [2825/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 33 together.
I can assure the Deputies of my firm commitment to the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry and that the Department, together with BIM and the other State agencies, is working intensively on all fronts to support its continued development.
In line with overall policy objectives and with the Department's own strategic objective to improve service delivery to the sector, considerable technical and administrative resources are being devoted to tackling the critical priority issues facing the industry.
A sound legislative framework to underpin aquaculture development is the immediate and most urgent objective. The necessary draft legislation to amend the Fisheries Acts, 1959 and 1980 is well advanced and proposals will be brought to Government shortly. A thoroughgoing overhaul of the existing legislation is agreed by all interests to be essential, not least to address the highlighted deficiencies of licensing procedures but also to take account of new thinking on planning and environmental issues as well as significant technical advances in aquaculture itself. There are many complex issues involved and the process has taken longer than first envisaged. I hope, however, that the outcome will be seen to strike the necessary balance between the essential development needs of the industry and the acknowledged interests of concerned parties to ensure that development is planned and regulated in a sustainable way. The Department will continue to deploy the necessary resources to achieve enactment of this major and complex legislation at the earliest possible date.
In addition to delivering on the key legislative priority, the assessment and licensing of existing applications, where these can be progressed under the present legislative regime, is advancing as rapidly as possible.
Significant advances are also being made to bring about sustained improvements in fish husbandry and fish health and sea lice management strategies. The Department is actively committed to the implementation of fallowing and single bay management strategies which are already paying demonstrable dividends. Decisive action has also been taken to address biotoxin and other environmental factors affecting shellfish productivity. In this regard the recommendations of the Biotoxin Task Force, which I established in March 1995 and which reported to me last July, are being implemented and new strategies to address recurring problems are being put in place together with a financial aid package which is currently with the EU Commission for approval.
The Department and relevant State agencies and research institutions will continue to work with the industry to provide the necessary advice and support on technical, environmental and fish husbandry aspects of aquaculture.
Continued EU and State support for investment in the aquaculture industry is critical to delivering on economic potential and employment targets. Under the Fisheries Operational Programme total investment of £36 million is envisaged up to the year 2000 in new projects and the modernisation of existing facilities.
The investment strategies now in place under the Fisheries Operational Programme are designed to protect existing employment and production and to generate new jobs and economic activity through sustainable expansion. Since January 1995 over 100 aquaculture projects have been approved for over £4 million of EU and national assistance. Since the programme got under way it is very clear that the sector has an appetite and ability to utilise available funding quickly and effectively. The Department will continue to work closely with BIM and Údarás na Gaeltachta, which are the State agencies charged with developing the sector to maximise the benefits of available funding.
The EU market situation for farmed salmon continues to be of major concern. We are working closely with the Irish salmon farming industry to get concrete action by the Commission to address the recurring crisis brought about by the flood of low-priced Norwegian imports. I have also made it clear that the solution in the final analysis lies with the Norwegian Government and industry which must tackle its structural production problems. EU strategies must be geared to convincing the Norwegians to act themselves and we are working to bring this about.
The aquaculture industry has grown from small beginnings over 15 years to a position where it accounts for 25 per cent of the value of total fish production in this country. Employment in the sector, which now stands at nearly 3,000, continues to grow together with volume and value of production and exports. I trust that, in outlining just some of the initiatives currently under way, I have reassured the Deputies there is every commitment to deliver for the industry.
Will the Minister accept that he has no chance of reaching the targets in the Fisheries Operational Programme which envisages increasing the tonnage from the farm fishing sector from the present static 13,900 tonnes to 24,000 tonnes and that this is not attainable, in the absence of legislative reform? Last November the Taoiseach told Deputy Ahern legislation would be introduced in two weeks but the Minister of State indicated to Deputy McDaid that the legislation might not be ready this year. The lack of legislative reform is leading to frustration in the industry. Those who wish to engage in that sector experience long delays. Will the Minister of State admit that he failed to convince the EU Commission to do anything about the massive imbalance created by the Norwegians dumping fish farm products? They are in a position to paralyse the industry. Will he further admit that 20 jobs were lost in Donegal because it was impossible to obtain licences due to the cumbersome procedures in place?
The target set out in the fisheries operation programme for the salmon farming industry is 19,000 tonnes and not 24,000 tonnes as stated by the Deputy. I am confident the target will be met and may be surpassed. Complex and detailed legislation has been prepared by the Department of the Marine. I am sure the Deputy will agree it is desirable that sufficient care be taken in the preparation of legislation and that we have regard to the legal challenges mounted to the Fisheries Acts, 1959 and 1980, some of which are still subject to appeal in the Supreme Court.
On the Deputy's accusation that I failed to convince the EU that there is oversupply from Norway, we have been pursuing the issue with the EU for some time. The Minister raised it at the Council meeting in December and minimum import restrictions were introduced. Following that and on foot of a case made to the EU Commission and the Norwegian authorities, measures were taken by the Norwegian Government and industry to control matters. I am not happy that they are either sufficient or successful and I am pursuing with the EU other measures which require to be taken to prevent dumping by the Norwegian industry and protect our industry. I will meet Commissioner Bonino next Tuesday and pursue the matter further.
I need hardly remind the House that there is a rigid time limit for dealing with questions nominated for priority. This question has taken up half of that time. The need for brevity must be obvious.
I asked one supplementary question.
I know, but the Chair must contend with the time factor.
When will the legislation be introduced? Is it true there is a delay of two or three months following application for veterinary certificates for the transfer of smolts from fresh water to the sea? It is proposed to introduce single bay management to deal with sea trout problems. Is it true that there are delays as regards sites for fallowing? Can the Minister confirm that there is only one technical officer dealing with that matter?
I am not in a position to give the date on which the legislation will be introduced other than to state that it will be introduced as quickly as possible. It has been prepared and circulated and is being pursued as a matter of urgency.
Will it be in this term?
That is my hope. There will not be delays. The Department of the Marine works closely with the industry in agreeing following sites and single bay management strategies. The Deputy will appreciate that difficulties arise in identifying suitable sites for following purposes. As regards single bay management, where more than one farm is involved it is necessary that all the interests in the bay co-operate in its introduction. Several officers of the Department of the Marine, both technical and administrative, are involved in processing these applications and in day to day discussions with the industry.
