Vol. 1065 No. 3
7. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will again be supporting a national organic food fair which took place in Merrion Square in 2024; whether smaller fairs might be supported in other smaller Dublin or urban parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13804/25]
I congratulate the Minister and all the other Ministers on their roles and wish them well in their brief. They might not see me here much but this is an issue of interest to me. It is about the farm-to-fork philosophy. A very successful organic food fair was run in Merrion Square last year. My question is on whether it will be funded again this year. Second, can the type of funding that went towards that fair be extended to parks and other urban areas, not just in Dublin?
Go raibh maith agat, Deputy Geoghegan, for the question. I am a great supporter of the farmer markets and organic food markets.
In 2023 the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine awarded €1.1 million to 12 projects to promote and develop the organic sector over 2023 and 2024. One of the successful applications was to hold an organic food fair in Merrion Square, and this was a well-attended event that took place on 31 August and 1 September 2024.
In 2024, the Department held a call to promote and develop short supply chains. There were five themes to the call, one of which was “Encourage and support local authorities to expand the number of farmers’ markets, farm shops and food emporiums, and support the formation of community-owned markets in all towns, showcasing local food produce from local farmers, growers and food producers". There were over 90 applications, and 16 successful projects were announced in January this year. Many of these will be supporting local food markets, but none is Dublin based, unfortunately.
A total of €920,000 in funding has been allocated for 2024 and 2025, inclusive.
Earlier this year, I announced a €3 million call for projects to promote and develop the organic sector over the period 2025 to 2027. The call looked for projects that would align with the EU action plan on organics, and allowed for proposals to develop national and local food fairs. A total of 25 applications were received. These will be evaluated, successful applicants notified and projects published before the end of April. Given the ongoing process, I am not in a position to state whether or not any of the applications relate to national or Dublin-based food fairs but over the past number of years every opportunity has been provided for groups and individuals to apply for funding to support food fairs.
I thank the Minister of State and I welcome his support for the funding of farmers' markets and organic food fairs. In all seriousness, these fairs are a very good way of bridging some of the differences and divides between rural and urban Ireland and fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of rural Ireland in urban environments but crucially, there is a real economic value to this. Most of the new restaurants that emerge in Dublin or Cork or wherever are built off the ethos of farm to fork. That is where the punters are going. That is where they are spending their money.
Other European countries are very proud of promoting the food manifesto. In particular, one of the ways the Nordic countries have to encourage people to visit is the thriving restaurant sectors they have. We know the challenges the restaurant sector right across Ireland faces and that is why this Government has committed to reducing the VAT rate to 9% in the lifetime of this Government. That will be a very important measure as they deal with their cost of business. Equally, it is about promoting the philosophies that underpin these restaurants as well.
I thank the Deputy for his comments. It is great that a Dublin TD is talking about farmers' markets, which is very important. I spoke about this in my first speech to this Dáil when a number of the TDs from Dublin were talking about the farming community. Farmers put an awful lot into the economy in Ireland and I am great a supporter of farmers' markets. We have very successful ones in Galway and Galway City Council tries to support an organic farmers produce sales in the Black Box Theatre, which has been very successful.
As I said, there is an application in place. It is in process and I hope the Merrion Square project will be successful and I hope that if it is, I will be there to visit it. I thank the Deputy for the question and I hope the application will be successful.
Are you happy, Deputy?
I thank the Minister and it is great to hear that. It is important to reiterate the importance of the funding for projects right across the country, including ones that will take place in my own constituency in Merrion Square. Ultimately, if we want to have a successful, thriving food culture and a thriving restaurant sector in Dublin, it is about promoting these farmers' markets everywhere. It is something the Department could perhaps look at to not just target the major events like a park in Merrion Square that everybody is visiting but perhaps the smaller parks.
In the Dublin City Council area, lots of markets take place every weekend such as in Herbert Park or St. Anne's Park, which are not in my constituency. A lot of the people who are attending those parks to sell their goods are selling organic produce and perhaps there is more the Department could do to fund smaller projects like that.
I agree with the Deputy on that and I will look at it, along with my colleagues here. The second call closed on 7 March and relates to a €3 million fund to develop and promote our organic sector to cover the period of 2025 to 2027. The applicants were asked to submit their applications for that. It is in process at the moment and the announcements will hopefully be made by the end of April. I hope more organic markets like this will be in our towns and villages around the country but it would be great to see more of them within the major cities and the likes of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway where farmers come in to sell their produce, as we see all over Europe.
I came back from Vietnam recently and there is a market on every street. It is maybe something we could see if we could grow more here. I thank the Deputy.
9. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has, in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, considered a policy around land use and development due to the increased competition for arable land in areas such as north Kildare, for new technologies such as solar farms. [13821/25]
I congratulate the Minister on his appointment. As a fellow Kildare man, we are obviously having more success off the pitch than on it but well done to him.
Have the Departments of agriculture and local government considered a policy on land use development due to the increased competition for arable lands in areas such as north Kildare - I use my own rural constituency as an example - for new technologies such as solar farms?
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and the specific example of north Kildare, an area I obviously know well and is close to my heart.
As the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I am committed to driving sustainable agriculture practices that underpin Ireland's food sector and contribute more broadly to food security through an export market valued at €19 billion. The tillage sector is an important and integral component of Ireland's agrifood industry. The Government is committed to growing a vibrant tillage sector, as set out in the programme for Government, aligning with the roadmap set out in the Food Vision Tillage Group report, which was published last May.
A vibrant and sustainable tillage sector is central to increasing our food and feed security while also contributing to our climate objectives. My Department also supports the production of indigenous renewable energy. As set out in the Food Vision Tillage Group report, there are opportunities for tillage farmers to contribute to renewable energy. On-farm renewable energy generation activities offer farm diversification and income opportunities. Earlier, we discussed the challenges of generation renewal and at its heart is an impediment for younger farmers taking over the family farm and it can be that piece around income.
Elements that can drive the diversification of income and provide additional income opportunities are important. Measures taken during the previous Dáil included taking away the requirement for planning permission for solar panels on roofs of sheds. Farmers' core activity of producing top quality, safe and nutritious food continued. The income they derived from the cattle, sheep or grain that was in that shed continued, yet they got to supplement their income by having solar panels on the roof of their sheds.
These can contribute in a positive way to the decarbonisation of the energy system. The solar capital investment scheme for example, one of the measures in TAMS, provides support to farmers wishing to invest in renewable energy making use of existing shed roof space. Government policy was to do away with the requirement for planning permission for that as well.
I welcome the Minister's response. He mentioned a number of topics and the very positive innovation introduced in the previous Dáil, which means there is no need for planning permission for the installation of solar panels on barns and sheds around the country. That has been really positive. Through the TAMS process, a lot of people continue to take advantage of that. That is something of which I am very complimentary.
At the heart of the response was that discussion about the competition between the importance of the land for tillage and the question around solar farms. That is where we are seeing it arising. As someone who was a councillor for many years, I have been through a lot of county development plans, zonings and everything else and where solar farms fit in that. We are very clear on certain segments and certain sections, be it commercial land, but we are now seeing solar farms. That is why it has become a very hot topic in our area.
I understand that concern among farmers who see highly productive agricultural land have ground solar put in and that land come out of food production or definitely reduced. As landowners subject to planning and other considerations, farmers have property rights which are protected by the Constitution and a legitimate interest in maximising the income from their holdings. However, it is important that food production is not negatively impacted by the development of solar farms.
The programme for Government has committed to introducing planning guidelines for solar farms and to provide certainty in the development of solar energy in agriculture. While issues regarding planning fall under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, my Department will input into the development of these guidelines due to the potential impact on agricultural land. In the meantime, my Department will continue to support farmers to ensure that Ireland maintains its position as a producer of sustainable food with a global reputation for quality.
I thank the Minister again for his response. This Government and in fairness, this country, has always had a very strong agricultural backbone. It is hugely important to our name around the world and that is why we are here on both sides of the House to support it. In this time where renewables are changing and the world is changing around us, we have to take every positive step both from a renewables perspective and an agricultural perspective.
This is about setting out the plans such that, into the future, they meet holistically and well and that we are actually planning for the future as opposed to having something meet us afterwards and deciding we could have done something better. I know the Minister is on top of this and I know it is something he is dealing with, but it is important for us all to discuss it, to raise it and to see how we can progress it best into the future. I thank the him for his time and the detail he has given.
I thank the Deputy again for raising this. There are two points at the heart of his question. One is the importance of our tillage sector, on which I absolutely concur with him. There is a reason my Department has had a number of interventions to support the tillage sector, which has come through a couple of really difficult years, from straw incorporation and protein aid to the tillage payment, which I was delighted to be able to sign off on early into my term. These are the supports for a tillage sector that is absolutely vital. I have always made the point that agriculture and all the different enterprises within agriculture are like a gearbox and each enterprise is dependent on the other. The livestock, dairy, beef and sheep sectors and beyond are very dependent on the tillage sector and vice versa, so it is really important that we mind all those sectors when they go through those rough times but also recognise the fact that there are opportunities for diversified income for farmers from alternative renewable energy sources. It is good for farmers to be able to maximise those returns while also not losing sight of the very important role we have in producing food.
10. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being made by his Department to prioritise improvements in farmer mental health and well-being supports, in particular supports for rural mental health programmes, recognising the unique challenges faced by those in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13798/25]
What efforts are being made by the Minister's Department to prioritise improvements in farmers' mental health and well-being supports, in particular supports for rural mental health programmes, recognising the unique challenges faced by those in the sector, and will the Minister make a statement on the matter?
I thank the Deputy for raising this question on such an important issue. Farm safety, health and well-being is a priority for this Government. There is a specific focus in the programme for Government on farmer mental health and well-being, recognising the unique challenges faced by the sector.
I secured dedicated funding of €2.5 million in budget 2025 to build on previous efforts of my Department to improve the safety, health and well-being of our farming community. This funding will be used for the continuation of existing initiatives and to develop new initiatives for 2025.
One example of such initiatives is the farmers' physical and mental health awareness programme On Feirm Ground 2, which my Department is cofunding along with the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health. This expanded programme is providing training for agricultural advisers, vets, Department staff, members of farming organisations and other agricultural professionals and service providers, to signpost farmers to health and well-being supports.
Last year, I supported 20 farm safety, health and well-being projects under an open call. More than half of these projects focused on farmers' mental health and well-being and provided a range of approaches to supporting farmers. Projects that engaged directly with farmers through physical and mental health checks proved particularly successful.
I am also supporting research into farmer mental health. Examples of projects include the DCU-led FarMHealth research project, which examined farmers' mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviour to inform the development of an educational mental health intervention for farmers, and the UCD-led Farming Minds: Developing evidence-based interventions to enhance farmer mental health.
My Department distributed the Health and Safety Authority's farm safety partnership booklet, Farmers' Health and Wellbeing - A Guide to Staying Healthy While Farming, in the BISS packs in 2023. This year, the HSA's Guidance on Managing Fatigue with Farm Work booklet will be distributed in the 2025 packs.
Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, Minister of State with responsibility for farm safety, health and well-being, and Department officials are currently developing further initiatives for this year, which will be announced in due course.
A recent study - and there have been a number of them - by agri-mental health group Farming Minds in UCD found that 23.4% of farmers are considered at risk of suicide, 50% of farmers are currently experiencing moderate to extremely severe depression and almost 40% of farmers are experiencing moderate to extremely severe anxiety and stress. That report and other reports have been produced over recent years and highlight this, but other health areas need to be highlighted as well. I came across someone recently in their early 30s who suffered a severe stroke, so this is about not just mental health but also other health issues. We need to make sure we get the information out there but also work for farmers, working in particular with the farming organisations - the IFA, Macra na Feirme, the ICMSA and all the others - on getting information out there. The big issue with people being at risk in farming is that they work alone for quite considerable periods.
The Deputy is dead right. The work is isolated in nature. I know that from my time farming at home. The days were long. If I was in the tractor on my own all day doing a job or out tending to fencing or to livestock, I could have too much time with my own thoughts, I used to find. It does not happen in politics much; we tend to be much busier and kept well distracted. I am being flippant about what is a very serious issue here. The truth is that there is that isolated nature of the challenges, and if that person tends to live on their own or does not have the family support network, it can be an even greater risk. In many respects what we are talking about here is the people themselves identifying that they are under pressure. They might not realise they are under as much pressure. They might not realise that the fact that they have not been sleeping right or that they are not eating right has all contributed to this buildup. A lot of what On Feirm Ground is about is training those people who engage with farmers or who meet them such as their advisers, the vets and the feed merchants who come into the yard. When they identify that the farmer is struggling, they can signpost supports that exist for them.
It is important to highlight this issue, as I said, with the farming organisations but also to work with other groups in rural areas. There was a time when if you were, say, a dairy farmer, you went to the creamery and you met others at IFA meetings, Macra meetings or ICMSA meetings. However, a lot of meetings now are held on Zoom so there is not the same social contact. That is why it is important that we work together to try to provide support, making sure that people do not feel alone, that if they do have challenges, there is someone there to give them help and support. We need to do a lot of work on this over the next few months, in particular because of the price reduction in a number of areas. It is important that this support be given.
Exactly. There are a lot of pressures in farming from price to weather to rushing around and all those different elements. The pandemic really brought home the fact that the lockdown took away the key social engagements that farmers had that they really depended upon such as the trip to the mart, maybe the trip to mass or religious service at the weekend, a trip to a pub or a trip to a local sporting event. That was the only break away from the farm where they could meet other farmers and share their experiences and concerns, whether it was a local farm organisation branch meeting or whatever, and realise that the pressures they were feeling were the same as everybody else's. The area of mental health is directly linked to farm safety.
As regards the fund available to the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, this year, I know he is looking at a number of projects there around engagement and social isolation and to support farmers in their mental health. I will absolutely support those endeavours because this is key. The heart of Food Vision 2030 is about minding our farmers as our primary producers.
We have two supplementary questions.
Has the Minister considered using the mart and the farm walks as a platform for reaching out to farmers and delivering services or access there? He almost referred to it earlier when he spoke about people working very much on their own for days, maybe even for several weeks, when the silage campaign is on or during lambing. People can be very much isolated when they are farming, yet we see people will gather together at the mart. After the pandemic, it was very evident because even though the online option was available, people still gathered in to the mart. The Alzheimer Society or maybe the Garda often use the mart as a platform for meeting with farmers. Similarly, people are gathering together on the farm walks and they are obvious platforms that would be available. Has the Minister considered using those platforms to deliver support?
As a proud rural TD representing the constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, I am acutely aware that there are many stresses for farmers a lot of which are outside their control. As a result, farmers are considered a group at risk of developing mental health issues. With the pressures of farming increasing, one in four farmers faces burnout. These are all over my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny in the likes of Glynn, Ballymurphy, Kilmaganny, Bennettsbridge, Drummin, Ballyragget, Stonyford and Hugginstown. Last year DCU's farm health project and Teagasc exposed worrying trends in farmers' mental health. In a survey of 351 farmers, 71% said they would seek professional help if they were experiencing a mental health challenge but 54% do not know how to contact the local mental health clinic.
Some 25% do not know where to go to receive health services, 24% do not know how to get the number of a suicide prevention hotline and 22% do not know where to get information about mental illness. Farmers feel that the mental health supports that are available are often unsuitable for farmers. As the Minister will know, it is a specific measure in the programme for Government to put a specific focus on farmers' mental health and well-being. I look forward to working with the Minister on implementing those ambitions.
I thank Deputies Moynihan and Cleere for raising very valid points. To respond to Deputy Moynihan first, I am looking at every engagement farmers have whether on the farm when someone like the AI man, the milk collection, the vet or the farm adviser visits or on the knowledge transfer walks. The Deputy talked about farm walks. Knowledge transfer groups are a great way of addressing farmer mental health and well-being. I take great heart from having seen farmer mental health and well-being becoming more prominent at the agriculture shows I have attended in recent years. There are now stands at those shows. This is not about having a day when farmers go to talk about their mental health; it is about incorporating it into everything they do. That is key.
The same point applies in responding to Deputy Cleere's contribution. On Feirm Ground is about advisers identifying farmers who are showing signs of distress. These are farmers the advisers know well who, in conversation when leaning over a gate, might say they are not feeling right. It is about equipping people like vets and officials in my Department to signpost supports to farmers because not knowing where to go can be a challenge. It is about making sure they are well equipped to point out and signpost those supports.
11. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application (details supplied) to the European Innovation Partnership under call 6; when funding announcements will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13801/25]
I do not know which Minister is answering this question but it relates to the Irish wool industry and a farmer-led initiative that will be a crucial lifeline for rural areas. It specifically relates to the status of an application under call 6 of the European Innovation Partnership. I have provided the details. When will funding announcements be made? Can the Minister give any further details?
I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this important point. European Innovation Partnership projects, EIPs, are locally led innovative projects developed by operational groups acting collaboratively towards a common goal. They are a fantastic vehicle and one I used in my previous role as Minister of State. We use such projects across a range of areas within the Department of agriculture. EIPs represent a really important funding model that bring together innovation actors, including farmers, advisers, researchers, businesses and NGOs, to work together to address local challenges through innovative solutions that can more easily be put into practice on farms.
Together with my Department, the EU co-funds EIP projects as part of the CAP strategic plan 2023-2027. Under the CSP, an open call for proposals for European Innovation Partnership projects on the overall theme of environmental sustainability was launched on 5 November 2024 with an associated budget of €17.5 million. This was an extremely important EIP call which sought solutions for sustainable agriculture, soil health, horticulture, organics, the circular economy and the bioeconomy.
I was delighted with the response rate with 96 applications being received as part of the phase 1 process. Of this total, 27 applicants were selected to submit a more detailed project proposal under phase 2 of the competition, which closed on 24 February 2025. These detailed project proposals will be evaluated in April, this month, by an expert evaluation committee comprising internal and external experts. I look forward to announcing the successful projects under the EIP environmental sustainability call once the work of the expert committee has been concluded. As the evaluation process is still ongoing, I am not in a position to comment on any particular application.
I thank the Minister. I have been following up on this for a number of years now. We got a report from the Agile Executive on the possibilities for wool. Like seaweed, this is an area we have utterly neglected despite the substantial potential for growth for indigenous industries. The report tells us that "Wool has a unique composition that makes it applicable to many markets including Horticulture, Packaging, Insulation, Textiles, Cosmetics, Filled Products and Composites" and many more. This is an initiative from farmers that would benefit the local community. What has happened with regard to that specific application? Is it one of the 27 the Minister said had been selected? If not, where should the proposers go? This is a fantastic initiative that builds up possibilities for wool. It needs help at some stage. Where are we with the application? Has it been selected?
The Deputy will understand that I am a step removed from the evaluation process and, as such, the straight answer to the Deputy's question is that I do not know. The group will know because, if it was involved in phase 2, it would have had to make a submission. I am happy to talk to the Deputy about that but, for very good reasons, I am a step removed from the evaluation process. It is based on objective criteria. EIPs are in great demand. That €17.5 million is in great demand and so there is a high bar to reach. That phase 2 process comprises my officials working with the groups to develop the projects so that those that are finally selected and allocated money will achieve the best return. I will come back to the point the Deputy has made about wool in general in my supplementary response but, by their nature, EIPs are designed to be locally led initiatives that we learn from. They are supposed to be models or pilots so that we can learn from their example, extrapolate from them and possibly include them in the next CAP on a national basis. That is the real strength of the EIPs. I will come back to the point on wool in my supplementary reply.
I understand the restriction on the Minister with regard to the evaluation process. I understand that but will he clarify the dates for me because I missed them when he was delivering his response? On wool in general, I am very concerned at how slowly progress is being made. It took us years to get the report that was commissioned. Some €100,000 was set aside. The report cost €70,000 while €30,000 went into the establishment of the Irish Grown Wool Council. I wish the council the best of luck but the Department has completely pulled back from it. I am a little concerned that I cannot see minutes anywhere. There are no minutes up on the website. I have asked about that repeatedly. I would be the first to support an open and accountable wool council that drives the wool industry so that wool is no longer a waste product. That is what wool is classified as. There might be scientific reasons for that but imagine that we are classifying wool as a waste product when there are so many possibilities for it. The Department and the Government should take a hands-on approach in light of the possibilities, particular given the urgent need to diversify our economy.
Absolutely. The programme for Government highlights the importance of the wool sector and how we want to help develop further opportunities for wool and examine the possibility of a scouring plant. We do not have one in Ireland and that is an impediment to further development. I remember a time when the shearing of sheep and the collection of wool was a really valuable part of a sheep farmer's activity. That cheque was a very important part of that overall activity. Not only is wool categorised as waste but, in terms of economic return, its value is not seen as worth the work and the strain. Shearing and collecting wool is very physical work. That is something we want to see change. In addition to adding value to lamb and sheep as a commodity and creating an extra income stream for farmers, wool demonstrates the circular nature of our food production system in that it has so many great uses including insulation and many others that have not been considered in the past. I very much want to work with the sector to see that developed.
I missed the dates.
The call was launched on 5 November 2024 and 27 applicants were selected to submit a more detailed project proposal as part of the competition with this phase closing on 24 February. These have been submitted and will be evaluated in the month of April.
14. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason mineral soils were included under GAEC 2, despite its intent to apply only to carbon rich soils, that is, peatlands and wetlands; if he intends to amend Ireland’s proposal to align with EU requirements and prevent detrimental impacts on small farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13802/25]
This is a very specific question. I know the Minister is very familiar with this because there was a protest outside the Dáil on the issue. I am not sure whether things have moved forwards or backwards. What is the reason that mineral soils were included under GAEC 2 and why was the percentage chosen despite the regulation being intended only to apply to carbon-rich soils? I fully support the provision regarding carbon-rich soils, that is, peatlands and wetlands.
I am delighted to again have the opportunity to speak on GAEC 2, which was raised in the House earlier. As a reminder, GAEC 2 is a baseline requirement under the CAP regulations for the protection of carbon-rich soils. It is legally required to be put in place for 2025 as part of the conditionality requirements for the basic income support for sustainability, BISS, payment scheme. The proposal my Department has submitted to the European Commission for approval aims to strike a balance between the vital protection of peatlands and wetlands and farmers' rights to continue with agricultural activity on this land.
With regard to the Deputy's question on the inclusion of some mineral soils, conditionality requirements must be controlled at land parcel level. Trying to isolate parts of the parcel where activities can or cannot take place is not practical and would be very difficult to control. If farmers believe their parcels should be split, they can do so as part of making their BISS application.
If a farmer believes that a land parcel has been incorrectly included in the standard, they can appeal to my Department. However, if 50% or more of the parcel is identified in the map it is in scope. To apply a different threshold than 50% for GAEC 2 would either bring in far more mineral soils into the standard or leave too much peat soil outside of the standard. As a result, I am of the view that this percentage strikes the right balance.
On the impact on small farmers, the proposal does not prohibit any of the common practices that are typical on these lands. There is a risk that this might be seen as something we really want to avoid, which is what farmers with carbon-rich peaty soils are feeling. However, the truth is that in the context of grassland, reseeding is still possible as are the maintenance and repair of existing drains. New drains are also allowed, subject to relevant planning legislation. That is already a requirement. I was determined that the proposal that went to the Commission, which was the subject of extensive consultation with all farm organisations, was set down on the basis that day-to-day farming activity on this type of land would not change. This is a baseline conditionality of the BISS. It is not a designation. It is nothing more than just that as part of this CAP strategic plan.
I understand the baseline conditionality. I am no expert on this, but I listened to carefully to what those who are experts are saying. It seems on the face of it that small farmers are disproportionately affected by the percentage employed. I can only tell the Minister what I have been informed of, which is that the Department has decided that if 51% of the parcel comprises peatlands and wetlands, the entire land falls under GAEC 2. This means that 100,000 acres of mineral sites are captured that were not meant to be captured. On the other hand, by using this percentage, if 49% is peatlands, it is excluded. That takes 200,000 acres of carbon out of it. I prefaced my remarks by saying that I am no expert, but questions have to be asked and answered in a way that reassures small farmers who clearly think they will be disproportionately affected compared with the larger intensive farms.
I listened carefully to the Minister's answer to my colleague Deputy Kenny. The principal issue of the categorisation of the land parcels still stands. The measure aims to protect peat but the classification of all parcels of land with more than 50% peat soils being subject to GAEC will severely disadvantage farmers across Mayo and the western seaboard. I heard the Minister deny that but 100,000 ha of mineral soils are being wrongly classified. Commission officials whom the INHFA met last week confirmed that this type of classification is not legally required. Will the Minister and his Department find a solution to this major issue? The Commission said it could be redlined and managed differently. Will the Minister submit an amendment to address these well-founded concerns? Will he commit that the Department will create an appeals process?
The Minister made a point to Deputy Connolly about farmers making applications and splitting parcels of land. If a parcel is more than 50% peatland, can a farmer split it and section it off at application stage? Is that what the Minister said? Is that part of a solution he is offering? Will there be an appeals process such that if a person feels their land parcel is unduly designated, they can appeal the decision? Will the Minister provide clarity on that matter?
I cannot do this in a minute. I will start by taking grave exception to the phrase Deputy Conway-Walsh. She stated that what is proposed will "severely disadvantage" farmers in Mayo or anywhere else in the context of GAEC 2. That is not the case. Day-to-day farming and agricultural activity will continue.
On the basic point made by Deputy Connolly, and following on from Deputy Kenny's point about splitting parcels of land, I have dealt with the INHFA. It proposed alternative wording in a footnote. It asked me to include that in the proposal to the Commission, which I have done. I am working with it. The Commission requires us to put it in. It then audits it afterwards. If we are wrong and if we cannot control it, that is when the disallowance arises. We could be in breach of up to a €100 million of a fine recurring on the single farm payment if we get this wrong. We have to have a small controllable area. The alternative to having 50% peat is having 100% in the land parcel. That would bring in 880,000 ha of mineral soils. I am striking the balance right while also saying that farmers' activity will not change. Their day-to-day activity can continue. This is not a designation like some people outside of this House are scaremongering about. I reassure farmers that their day-to-day activity will continue.
I have no intention of scaremongering.
I was not suggesting that.
I do not think the Minister was. I do not think the farmers who were up here protesting were scaremongering either. They were clearly setting out their concerns. I have set them out as best I can in the context of the two percentages being used. The percentage for mineral soils and the percentage for wetlands and peatlands could be clarified in simple terms. I accept the Minister's bona fides in the context of what he said, but farmers tell us in serious representations that they are worried they will particularly affected on the west coast - Galway, Mayo, Donegal and so on. I can only listen to them and do my best to understand. It seems that there is huge scope and flexibility for the Department to comply with the regulation to protect wetlands and peatlands while not including the mineral soils that have been included. The Minister met those involved. Is another meeting scheduled that will clarify this to avoid continuous misunderstandings?
We want to work with the Minister on this matter, but he must understand that there is a legacy of mistrust. I come from a severely designated area where people now cannot get planning permissions. It is getting worse with planning permission refusals these days because something is an NHA or an SAC. Parts of Mayo, including lands around Carrowteige and the Mullet Peninsula, for example, are being actively depopulated. I do not want the same thing to happen again.
Will the Minister clarify that the parcels can be split on applications?
No wonder farmers are concerned. Deputy Conway-Walsh can only raise those concerns and I can only answer back on numerous occasions in this House, in the media and , at farming organisations' public and private meetings to reassure farmers that this is not a designation. When words like "designation" are used and references to planning are used, as was used earlier, that sets farmers' fear off. The only people who will know a land parcel is GAEC 2 is the farmer and the Department of agriculture. A local planning authority will have no idea of that. It will have no access to that map and will not know that. This does not impact planning. I cannot be any clearer than that in terms of reassurances.
Farmers can split parcels. A natural boundary is needed. It can be done as part of the BISS. An appeal is not needed to do it, but a natural boundary, such as a hedge, ditch, river course or whatever, is needed.
On to Deputy Connolly's point about the impact on small farmers, conditionality is applicable to all farmers regardless of size. However, those with farms of less than 10 ha in total area already exempt from controls and the penalties of conditionality. There will be an appeals mechanism through my Department which farmers can avail of.
16. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the development of wine production in Ireland; the supports available from his Department and agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13681/25]
I wish the Minister and the Ministers of State well in their important roles. On the diversification of farm activity, I was rather surprised that this question was chosen and that we have reached it. The question relates to wine production in Ireland. This is a growing activity. I would be grateful if the Minister of State would outline the approach of the Department and any supports that may be made available for those who choose to cultivate vines.
I thank Deputy Byrne for submitting this question. The Department operates a number of schemes in the horticulture sector. They may be availed of by wine producers in the context of the grape-growing aspect of their production. The two schemes are the scheme for investment aid for innovation and diversification in horticulture, which supports feasibility and desk studies, and the scheme of investment aid for innovation and diversification in horticulture, which provides funding for capital investment. These schemes are aimed at increasing innovation and diversification in the horticulture sector. The feasibility studies scheme is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, engaging in primary horticulture production which would like to innovate and diversity in the horticultural industry. The capital investment scheme is intended to assist in increasing innovation and diversification in horticulture with grant aid in capital investment and specialised plant and equipment to microenterprises and SMEs active in primary horticulture production. A number of vine growers have been supported under this scheme in the past.
A budget of €8.5 million was allocated for the implementation of these schemes in 2025.
The call for applications closed in February. Should these schemes reopen for applications in 2026, this will be widely advertised through the Department's website, on social media, in the farming press and through stakeholders such as Teagasc and An Bord Bia.
Additionally, I encourage producers to engage with their local enterprise offices. These offices are a valuable resource to local small businesses because they can provide advice and sometimes funding to assist in the development of businesses. It may also be of interest to producers to make contact with their local action groups in respect of the LEADER programme. These groups contain local representatives from the community, public and private sector and award funding to projects within their geographical area in accordance with their local development strategy.
I thank the Minister of State. Unfortunately, or fortunately, because of climate change the possibility of growing vines in Ireland has become more extensive. We are fortunate that parts of the country have a similar terroir or soil type to parts of northern France. Indeed, just outside my hometown of Gorey, La Kav vineyard is producing some very fine wines. The Ceann Comhairle will know about the Old Roots vineyard, which is located not far from her-----
You have me there, Deputy.
They are producing some very fine wines. Indeed, right around the country now quite a number of boutique vineyards are starting to produce wine in greater quantities and of higher quality. There is an opportunity to actively support those farmers and those involved in horticulture who want to move into the sector. In that context, I welcome the statement by the Minister of State.
It is important to note that my officials participated in the European Commission high-level wine group last year. This group was established to develop policy recommendations to address issues in the European wine sector. While primarily aimed at reducing burdens currently impacting larger wine-producing countries, the final recommendations document produced by the group also recognised the importance of new and emerging wine producing countries, including Ireland. This may present an opportunity for further expansion in the cultivation of vineyards for wine production in Ireland. My Department will continue to monitor the pace of growth in this sector and is happy to engage with producers wishing to pursue this as an agrifood business, as part of the horticultural strategy. I would be delighted to sit down with any producers the Deputy would like to introduce to me. If there is any help or support we can give them, we will do so.
It is important that we support this growing sector. I welcome the supports that are available already. We also need to promote the development of Irish wines, perhaps through Bord Bia. As the quantities start to increase, there will be an export market for some of these wines. I am very happy that officials are actively engaged on the issue.
One of the first meetings I had when I was appointed was with Bord Bia. I was very impressed with the organisation. It has 14 offices around the world. We export to 114 countries and many of those exports are drinks that are produced in Ireland. If we can promote the wine industry here, I am sure Bord Bia will be delighted to do so. I will be happy to work with Deputy Byrne to ensure that happens.
19. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken to ensure no outbreak of bluetongue in Ireland on foot of recent outbreaks in the UK and Europe; if testing has been carried out on animals in Ireland due to these outbreaks in the UK and Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13741/25]
Will the Minister outline the efforts being made to prevent the spread of bluetongue to Ireland in view of the fact that it is in the UK and on the Continent? We are moving towards warmer weather, longer days and possibly an increase in the mobility of the midge population, which is potentially carrying bluetongue disease.
I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this really important issue. Our livestock sector faces ever-increasing animal health threats. Diseases such as bluetongue threaten our cattle and sheep. I take the threat of bluetongue virus, BTV, very seriously. My Department carries out post-entry sampling of all ruminant animals and camelids from mainland Europe for BTV regardless of the bluetongue status of the country of origin. This mitigates the risk of the disease being inadvertently imported with live animals. The EU TRACES system indicates that no such animals have entered Ireland from mainland Europe this year. No susceptible species have been permitted to be imported into Ireland from Great Britain since late 2023, when the first cases of bluetongue serotype 3 occurred in England.
My Department carried out active surveillance for bluetongue in the east and south east of the country in the summer of 2024. Four farms in each of five south eastern counties were targeted, with 15 animals per farm sampled. A total of 300 animals were tested and all were negative. This followed an earlier enhanced surveillance effort in spring 2024 during which 205 animals were tested, again with negative results. This provided assurance that bluetongue was not already present in Ireland. My Department's regional veterinary laboratory network also routinely samples malformed foetuses for bluetongue testing as this can be an early indication of infection in a herd or flock.
I recognise the importance of communication and engagement with stakeholders on this issue, which is why my Department convened a number of meetings on the threat of bluetongue during 2024 and earlier this year. Department officials have spoken at meetings of farmers and veterinary practitioners to raise awareness of this threat. There has been regular engagement between my officials and their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs under Minister Muir regarding proposed disease control measures for BTV, given that the island is one epidemiological site. Given that we are entering a higher risk period, as the Deputy has outlined, for possible bluetongue incursion, I urge all herd owners and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and aware of signs of the disease and to report any suspicions of the disease in their livestock to my Department without delay.
I thank the Minister for the details of the various efforts that have been made over the last number of years on this. I ask him to outline whether tests have been carried out on livestock this year. In addition to livestock, trucks and various other vehicles would be travelling back and forth between the UK and the Continent as well as across the Border with the North. Are tests being carried out on them or are they being monitored to ensure they are not carrying midges or infected livestock? What efforts are being made to ensure vehicles are disease free when they are crossing the Border?
We have enhanced biosecurity measures at our ports for vehicles coming in. Ireland is currently BTV free. An outbreak of BTV in Ireland would have a significant impact on animal welfare, the Irish livestock sector and trade. It is important to state that Bluetongue does not impact human health or food safety. However, the bluetongue virus serotype 3, BTV-3, has spread widely across northern and western Europe in 2024, while serotype 12, BTV-12, has also been detected in the Netherlands and eastern England. BTV-3 vaccines have been developed and have been in use in EU member states affected by the disease in Great Britain. There are no vaccines for BTV-12 at present.
As the Deputy outlined, we are now heading into the high risk period. Prior to April, the risk from midges was greatly reduced. From here on, however, the need for vigilance on the part of farmers, everybody who deals with livestock, my Department officials and others continues to be a top priority.
On the question of vigilance within the farming community, if a farmer identifies the disease that means it is already here. My focus is on preventing it travelling to us here, whether on vehicles going back and forth on ferries or across the Border. Are efforts being made to ensure that those vehicles do not bring the virus with them? The Minister briefly referred to the possibility of vaccines. Is he going to make vaccines available to people who want to vaccinate livestock?
On the last point, as I outlined, there is no vaccine for BTV-12 but there is one for BTV-3 and that remains under consideration. On the Deputy's main point, the answer is that we are doing everything we can to try to keep this out. Obviously, we are not importing risk animals from risk areas. There is a risk, at the height of the season in high summer, of midges travelling over themselves from England and that is something we cannot mitigate against. In terms of identifying if it is here, doing so early is really important in order that we can put exclusion zones in place.
That is mitigation. We do not want it to happen and we are making every attempt to ensure it does not get here at all. However, it is important to have plans in place in order that, if it is here, we know as quickly as possible where it is. That is where the vigilance aspect comes in. There are enhanced biosecurity measures at our ports for vehicles coming from at-risk areas. Those efforts are continuing. We are doing everything we can to protect Ireland from what is a notifiable disease that would have a big impact on our trade.
23. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is implementing to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the tillage sector in Ireland, considering recent financial challenges and the sector's environmental significance. [13749/25]
What measures is the Department implementing to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the tillage sector in Ireland, considering recent financial challenges and the sector's environmental significance?
Deputy Aird and I attended the Irish Grain Growers AGM earlier this year, where we heard at first hand the challenges and opportunities for the tillage sector, which is an integral part of Irish farming and makes a significant contribution to overall agricultural output. The Government recognises the importance of the tillage sector and wants to grow the area under tillage crops in the years ahead.
The report of the food vision tillage group, which was published in May last year, sets out a roadmap for sustainable growth and development of the sector. It is a comprehensive report that identifies opportunities to grow the sector and further improve its environmental footprint. Work is ongoing to progress the actions in the report. That work was discussed at a meeting on 7 February of the food vision tillage group. My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders to progress the implementation of the actions in the report. This will require collaboration and commitment from many stakeholders across the sector.
My Department has provided significant direct supports to tillage farmers. The financial allocation for coupled support under the protein aid scheme was increased to €10 million annually from 2024. The straw incorporation measure, which was first introduced as pilot scheme in 2021 and 2022, is now included in the current CAP strategic plan, with an allocation of €50 million over five years. The tillage incentive scheme was introduced in 2022 in response to the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, with €20 million allocated over the lifetime of the support measure. The tillage capital investment scheme under TAMS provides support for a broad range of investments to support farmers to achieve improved competitiveness, increased efficiency, growth and environmental benefits.
The 2023 and 2024 growing seasons were challenging for growers. In response to those challenges, the Government provided additional direct financial support. More than €14 million was paid out in January 2024 to support growers with unharvested crops in 2023 by way of an unharvested crop support scheme as a one-off flat-rate payment. In February this year, I was delighted to announce €32.4 million of payments under the tillage and horticulture support scheme, which was the Government's response to the difficult position in which the tillage and horticulture sector found itself.
I emphasise the urgent need for continued and enhanced Government support for Ireland's tillage sector. It is vital to our agricultural landscape and is currently at a critical juncture, as the Minister knows well. Without strategic investment and targeted policies, its survival and development are at huge risk. The tillage sector is the backbone of sustainable farming in Ireland. It provides essential grain for food production, animal feed and the growing demand for renewable energy sources such as biofuels. However, Irish tillage farmers are facing mounting challenges, including rising input costs, market volatility and the impact of climate change.
Tillage is important for food security. With global supply chains increasingly uncertain, a strong domestic tillage sector ensures Ireland's ability to produce high-quality grains and reduce reliance on imports. Supporting local grain production is critical to maintaining a stable food supply.
The sector has a role in regard to climate and sustainability. Unlike other agricultural sectors, tillage farming has a low carbon footprint. Encouraging tillage expansion can contribute to Ireland's climate targets under the climate action plan by promoting sustainable crop rotation.
I agree with Deputy Aird. One of the areas that is critical in implementing the tillage strategy is enhancing markets. Part of that is the development of a commercial flour mill. As the Minister and his officials are aware, the Kavanagh brothers in Ballycarney, County Wexford, have advanced proposals and are planning to develop a commercial flour mill. I would be grateful if the Minister continued what his predecessor did in indicating the support of the Department for that initiative. With the development of the mill, we will see a market for tillage farmers. It is critical to support tillage farmers in the work they do but if we can develop a commercial flour mill once again in Ireland, it would be very welcome, particularly in the post-Brexit context. Will the Minister meet in due course with the consortium behind the flour mill and visit the location in Ballycarney?
I will go down to visit the flour mill and Deputy Byrne can get me a couple of boxes of Wexford wine while we are there.
We will look after the Minister.
At the Mallow festival, I was presented with Wexford wine and it was very impressive. I am delighted to see that market go from strength to strength.
The programme for Government includes support for the development of knock-on industries from the tillage sector. That value-added factor is important, in addition to the basic fundamental of the sector that Deputy Aird articulated so well.
It is estimated that the tillage sector contributed €1.9 billion per annum to the Irish economy in the period from 2018 to 2022. The sector is estimated to support more than 11,000 full-time equivalent jobs. The overall area of tillage crops in 2024 was more than 332,000 ha, which is a reduction of less than 2% from 2023. Overall, since 2020, the tillage area has increased by more than 19,000 ha, or approximately 6%. We need to continue to support it. I am determined to work on a cross-Government basis to do that.
There must be economic stability for farmers in this sector. The cost of the inputs such as fertiliser, fuel and seed has skyrocketed, putting immense pressure on the tillage farmer. Financial support, including grants and price stabilisation mechanisms, is essential to prevent further farm closures and safeguard rural employment.
Diversification and innovation are important. Government investment in research and innovation can help farmers to adopt new technologies, improve yields, explore alternative markets such as protein crops and regenerate farming practices.
Alignment with EU policy is important. The EU's push for greater sustainability through CAP reform presents both challenges and opportunities. Ireland must ensure tillage farmers receive adequate support to transition to more sustainable practices while remaining competitive.
The tillage sector holds immense potential for the future of Irish agriculture. Targeted policies, including direct financial aid, incentives for land use in tillage and investment in research are crucial to sustaining and growing this vital industry. By acting now, we can secure the future of tillage farming, strengthen rural communities and contribute to Ireland's long-term food and environmental resilience.
I could not agree more. I have said previously in the House that I see agriculture as a gearbox within which all the different enterprises, including tillage, dairy, beef, sheep and pigs, are interlinked and interdependent. Should one sector of that gearbox stop working, it impacts on everything else. Tillage is a key component of that. The sector has been through a tough time. To be a tillage farmer involves a massive outlay on machinery costs. There are big overheads and margins have been extremely tight.
We want to continue working with the sector to support it and grow the value-added opportunities in this space. The Deputy mentioned the nearly carbon-zero nature of tillage farming. The sector has a great story to tell in terms of its carbon footprint, its positive role in regard to cover crops and the role it plays in helping us reach our climate targets. We will continue to support the tillage sector throughout this term.
27. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers still awaiting payment for ACRES for 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13629/25]
I raise an issue the Minister has heard about many times, as did his predecessor. I refer to ACRES. Many thousands of farmers across the country are still awaiting payment for 2023 and 2024. I ask for an update on where we are at in this regard. We have been told that the reason for the delays is to do with problems with processing and IT. The difficulty, as the Minister knows, is that a farmer who walks into the co-operative to buy a bag of meal and then says he or she cannot pay for it because of an IT issue will not be given much of a hearing. Farmers need to get their money.
When I came into this role ten weeks ago, I looked at the situation with ACRES. It is unacceptable that 2,800 of the farmers who signed up to a contract back in 2023 have still not had their applications processed and that there are problems with the system. In 2024, there were 14,500 farmers who had not had their advance payments issued. That was unacceptable.
I worked with the officials to look at the challenges in the system around the very complex nature of processing these new applications and getting the new system in place. It was an ambitious approach to move to a results-based environmental system but, ultimately, farmers are delivering for us in a significant way. They are delivering for our environment and they must be supported. That is why I put an extra focus on this. I sought extra staff to be allocated. I visited the unit in Johnstown Castle in Wexford to support the staff and officials there who were working in very difficult circumstances dealing with farmers who were frustrated, and rightly so.
I understand the frustration there. My determination has been to fix this for them as quickly as possible.
A total of €247.4 million has been paid to 42,631 participants, or 95% of all ACRES participants, in respect of their participation in the scheme in 2023. A further 2,302 farmers - although these figures are from last week's issue because that is now down to 1,800 farmers - who participated in 2023 have yet to receive their final payments because we did a payment run on the 2023 ones last week. We are in a space now where we are at 9,300 for the 2024 payments and we are making weekly payment runs. Since I took office almost ten weeks ago, we have reduced it by almost 40%.
I understand where farmers are at. It is a continuing priority for me that we continue to work and I hope to have the vast majority of farmers sorted by the end of May, with the most difficult cases ended by the end of June.
I thank the Minister, and I appreciate that progress has been made. It has not been an entirely bad news story but it came from such a poor start. Farmers went out and expected that this scheme was going to be - it was sold as this - very similar to the old REPS that we had years ago. It was to be simple and easy to manage, it would be easy to meet the requirements and they would get paid promptly. That has not been the case and many farmers feel very disillusioned. In some cases, they feel they were sold a pup. They kept up their side of the bargain, yet they find they cannot get their money.
The scoring mechanism that was put in place and the delays in getting those scores to work have posed a serious problem because many farmers have waited for a long time and they still do not know what score they are going to get. There is also the issue that, around the end of 2023, there was supposed to be a mechanism whereby they would have the non-productive investment, and if they put up gates or took certain measures on the farm, they could increase their scores. Many farmers still do not know what those measures can be, how they assist to get their scores up and how they can assist to get an improvement in the amount of money they are going to get out of the scheme. They still feel frustrated about all of that.
While some are getting their payments, there is still an awful lot of work to be done. This is a point about all schemes that come from the Department of agriculture. There always seem to be problems and major issues with them, particularly around IT. This needs to get sorted out.
There is no doubt that, when a new agri-environmental scheme commences at the start of a CAP process, it brings a lot of teething problems. I remember that GLAS in 2015 struggled in that first year. It is a big undertaking. We had a number of different measures coming together at this one time.
Let me be clear. While I am pointing to the momentum I have managed to build in this process in the ten weeks I have been in my role, I will not rest until every farmer is sorted. I want to see that happen. We are on track to make the balancing payments that are due to be paid in May. I am going to make sure that they are done as well and that the vast majority of farmers outstanding will have their issues resolved and payments made by the end of May, with the most difficult cases to be fixed by the end of June.
The solutions I am looking to put into place are permanent ones whereby these problems for farmers will not recur. The IT functionality is built around these solutions so that they are not one-off interventions. I want to restore farmers' confidence in ACRES.
I appreciate that but at the same time, restoring their confidence is going to take an awful lot of work. We all know that because confidence in this scheme has been dented significantly. We are now in 2025 and this scheme started in 2023. I know there can be teething problems but they should not go on for this long. Many is the animal out there that has a full set of teeth grown and has gone to slaughter since this started. The Minister cannot just put it down to teething problems. There are serious and recurring difficulties in the Department of agriculture when new schemes are rolled out. Every time, there are issues. Farmers get delays, penalties and all kinds of issue like that, but we should not have those.
The Minister cannot control the prices - we talked about this earlier - that farmers get for their produce. We understand that. He can help make the markets better and so on but he cannot control the prices. He cannot control the weather, which is a big issue for farmers. However, the one thing the Department of agriculture can control is the schemes it designs, and those schemes should be efficient and effective. They should pay farmers when farmers are owed money, and if everyone does what he or she is supposed to do, it should work smoothly and effectively, but it does not. It never has. I am not blaming the Minister. It has been the same under every other Minister for agriculture that I have seen. These schemes have never worked properly, and it would be a major job of work to change that and get them to work right.
The Deputy is articulating the frustration that is felt by many farmers across the country. The points he raised are not ones I am hearing for the first time. We will have the Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026, and in my determination as Minister, right at the time of the AGRIFISH Council when the other 26 ministers for agriculture are all looking to agree the new CAP, Ireland will have significant influence in those negotiations.
At the heart of the new CAP that I want to see developed is simplification. I know it has been talked about a lot in the past, but it has not been delivered. We are quite constrained by the costs incurred-income forgone model, which is an impediment. That is not what REPS was. I was in REPS; I remember how great it was. It was on a whole-farm basis. The costs incurred-income forgone model restricts how we can design schemes, in that we cannot pay farmers unless there is additional conditionality. That has meant, in terms of the beef, sheep and agri-environmental schemes, that there is conditionality if we are to get money to farmers. That is a significant impediment. It is something I would love to revisit as part of CAP reform.
On the basic point about ACRES, we will get there, and I want to see ACRES farmers paid, able to commit fully to the scheme and see it developed strongly into the future.
