Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 July 2008
578 Deputy Seán Connick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress to date in implementing the recommendations of the Cawley report; when he expects the recommendations to be fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29018/08]
View answerThe Seafood Strategy Implementation Group (SSIG) was set up in March 2007 under the chairmanship of Dr. Noel Cawley to oversee implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group: Steering a New Course.
Dr Cawley presented a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations to my predecessor in February in accordance with the terms of reference of the SSIG. The progress report covers the period up to 31 December 2007. The appendix to this reply contains a tabular representation of the progress reported. Since January 2008 additional progress has been made including:
tendering process in train to appoint consultants to carry out benchmarking for Step Up Programme,
a number of seafood companies took part in BIM trade mission to Italy,
lobster management plan Managing Access to the Irish Lobster Fishery published and put out for consultation.
Substantial progress was also made with the launch in February of the whitefish decommissioning scheme for boats over 18 meters in length. Applications have now been processed and the first payments are expected to be made in the next few weeks.
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Recommendations |
Leader |
Implemented |
Progress to date |
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Core Theme 1: Market Development |
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1.1 Invest further in market research and intelligence |
BIM |
UK market development well advanced. Italian market being explored, possibility of organising trade fair being examined. Competitor/product analysis being undertaken, market report bulletins issue monthly, planning to launch Seafood brand at an early date |
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1.2 BIM to focus marketing support in a targeted fashion on key export markets in addition to the domestic market |
BIM |
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1.3 Establish a “Seafood Island” identity for Irish seafood. |
BIM |
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Core Theme 2: Market Led Innovation |
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2.1 Adopt a structured approach to providing services for commercially focused R&D/NPD effectively through BIM’s Seafood Development Centre |
BIM |
Expertise within and outside industry being used to develop Seafood Development Centre |
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2.2 Adopt a twin-track approach to innovation in the pelagic sector |
BIM |
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2.3 Invest in identifying the potential usage of fish and marine biodiversity in functional foods |
MI |
Tender process has taken place Contract negotiations underway Research programme underway |
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Core Theme 3: Processing Sector Restructuring and Development |
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3.1 Processing Restructuring & Development — prioritise support for businesses with good potential |
EI, BIM & Una |
Benchmarking tender parameters drawn up, document will go to tender by end of January |
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3.2 Encourage investment in seafood processing from the wider food processing sector |
EI, BIM & UnaG |
Food companies being engaged |
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3.3 Increase State and industry focus on improving competitiveness and performance |
EI, BIM & UnaG |
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3.4 Co-ordinate State support to the processing sector |
DAFF |
Joint (BIM, EI and ÚnaG) call for submissions for Seafood Processing |
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Core Theme 4: Fleet Restructuring and Development |
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4.1 Extend and develop whitefish decommissioning scheme for >18m vessels |
BIM & DAFF |
State Aid Approval granted by EU Commission. Tax implications being decided by Dept of Finance |
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4.2 Investigate the need for a targeted decommissioning scheme for vessels under 18m |
BIM & FIF |
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4.3 Pelagic RSW Fleet Restructuring |
Not Assigned |
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4.4 Undertake restructuring of polyvalent pelagic fleet |
FIF, IFO |
Pelagic capacity being addressed under decommissioning scheme |
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4.5 Review entry/exit regime for all fleet segments |
Not Assigned |
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4.6 Establish a Register of Commercial Sea Fishermen |
BIM |
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Recommendations |
Leader |
Implemented |
Progress to date |
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Core Theme 5: Fisheries Management |
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5.1 Implement a new and devolved fisheries management regime |
FIF in consultation with Inshore |
FIF are taking a lead role. Proposals being developed for submission to Minister |
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5.2 Establish an industry based legal entity to oversee quota management |
FIF in consultation with relevant parties |
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5.3 Update fisheries management objectives |
Not Assigned |
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5.4 Update Fleet Management Policies |
Not Assigned |
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5.5 Enhance institutional support for inshore fisheries |
DAFF & BIM |
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Core Theme 6: Aquaculture Development |
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6.1 A sustained, fact based communications programme, run by State development agencies with industry support to engender greater acceptance of aquaculture |
IFA Aquaculture |
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6.2 Review the current licensing and regulatory regime |
DAFF & IFA |
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6.3 Implement an Aquaculture Industry Development Programme |
BIM |
Being developed as part of OP |
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Core Theme 7: Enhancing Competitiveness |
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7.1 Establish efficient (i) landing and (ii) distribution infrastructure |
DAFF |
(i) Harbour User Forums in place, business plans drawn up |
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7.2 Implement more effective and co-ordinated arrangements for first-point-of sale (FPOS) for seafood |
BIM, FPOS, IFPEA and FIF |
Being progressed as part of Step Up Programme |
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7.3 Proactively support cost reduction and performance improvement |
BIM in consultation with FPOS and FIF |
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7.4 Enhance onboard improvements |
BIM in consultation with FPOS |
Ongoing programme of onboard technologies in place |
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7.5 Substantially enhance quality throughout the full food chain |
BIM in consultation with FPOS |
(Programme in place aimed at supply chain (onboard and auction centres) |
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7.6 Engage in succession planning and attract and retain new entrants |
BIM in consultation with FPOS |
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7.7 Introduce a tax incentive for commercial sea fishermen |
Dept of Finance |
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7.8 Introduce a tax life for qualifying fishing vessels |
Dept of Finance |
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7.9 Publish and adhere to a grant-aid decisions timetable |
DAFF, BIM, MI & Údarás |
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Recommendations |
Leader |
Implemented |
Progress to date |
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Core Theme 8: Marine Environment and Conservation |
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8.1 Increase awareness and response to environmental policies |
BIM |
Ongoing |
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8.2 Promote local area management and the Costal Zone Management |
Not Assigned |
Will be bringing forward proposals in line with Natura 2000 for aquaculture etc in 2008 |
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8.3 Promote the introduction of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) |
MI & BIM |
Beaufort Awards in conjunction with MI for research on ecosystem approach to Marine management |
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8.4 Ireland to take a lead role on Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) and DAFF and industry to improve performance on conservation |
BIM |
Irish industry at forefront of RACs. A number of projects are being implemented under Science/Industry partnership focusing on discards |
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8.5 Develop management strategies that specifically aim to reduce discarding in fisheries |
BIM |
A number of projects are being implemented under Science/Industry partnership focusing on discards |
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8.6 Promote the development and uptake of environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient fishing gear |
DAFF & BIM |
Environmentally friendly pelagic net being trialled |
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8.7 The industry and DAFF to take a joint proactive approach at EU level to ensure EU wide compliance is enforced |
DAFF & Industry |
Electronic logbook critical tool in promoting a level playing field. Minister continues to push this agenda in EUNew provisions in place on frozen fish |
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Recommendations |
Leader |
Implemented |
Progress to date |
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Core Theme 9: Education and Training |
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9.1 Increase investment in education and training for the seafood industry and others directly interacting with it and improve industry participation in commercially focused training programmes |
BIM |
Business training programmes will be expanded through strategic training alliances e.g. new BASS supervisors’ course run through Tallaght IT in Castletownbere. New mobile Engineering Costal Training Unit to be launched in Wexford in February 2008. |
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9.2 Increase the focus on training and qualifications in the inshore and costal sectors |
BIM |
New mobile Costal Training Unit delivered in 2007 |
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9.3 Provide increased training to the aquaculture sector |
BIM |
Aquaculture training increased by one third in 2007, through delivery of new FETAC training modules. Graduate Placement Programme being developed |
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9.4 Provide increased training to the shore-based sector and establish a Graduate Placement Programme |
BIM |
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9.5 Make grant aid conditional on a training audit |
Not Assigned |
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Core Theme 10: Industry Relations |
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10.1 Establish a single representative organisation for the fisheries sector |
FIF in consultation with relevant parties |
Formation of FIF |
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10.2 Appropriately structure and resource DAFF |
DAFF |
Being pursued within DAFF |
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10.3 Co-ordinate the provision of all support by the State to the industry |
DAFF |
Being carried out |
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10.4 Ensure effective and prompt implementation of the Strategy Review Group’s recommendations |
DAFF |
