Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 October 2008
6 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the agricultural policies as outlined in the programme for Government which have been implemented to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37476/08]
View answerThere are 94 commitments in the programme for Government for which my Department has direct responsibility. In the first year of the Government's five-year term, 67% of these commitments have been implemented or are, by their nature, being implemented on an ongoing basis. A detailed report on progress achieved is published on the web site of the Department of the Taoiseach, www.taoiseach.gov.ie. The following is a list of examples of major commitments that are being implemented.
The assignment to my Department of overall responsibility for the development and promotion of the agrifood sector is being strategically progressed through high-level interdepartmental groups and proactive sectoral policies. For the first time, the value of food and drink exports from Ireland reached €9.2 billion in 2007. The resources made available to Bord Bia have enabled it to exceed the Government target of doubling food exports to Asia two years ahead of target.
Grant assistance of €114 million is being provided for capital investment for the dairy processing sector. This will generate an estimated capital spend of about €286 million. Investment of €30 million has been put in place for innovative initiatives in the prepared consumer foods sector.
Significant funding has been provided to develop the competitiveness and sustainability of the overall agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector through the proactive implementation of the rural and national development plans. Payment levels under the rural environment protection scheme have increased by 17%. The average annual payment has grown from €6,170 to €7,220. Total payments in 2007 and 2008, to date, amount to €525 million. The provision for 2009 has been increased to €355 million. Almost €114 million was provided under the farm waste management scheme in 2007. Over €375 million will be spent on the scheme in 2008. This compares well to the agreed total allocation under the Towards 2016 agreement. The relevant section of that agreement states:
Payments under the new Farm Waste Management measure will be financed, at the rates already announced, from this funding package. A total of €350 million will be allocated for farm waste and other on-farm investment measures.
Advance payments of €532 million have already been issued under the 2008 single payment scheme, six weeks ahead of the normal commencement date. Balancing payments will commence on 1 December next and will continue as individual cases are cleared. In 2007, payments worth approximately €1.3 billion were issued under the scheme. A similar level of payment is expected under the 2008 scheme. The value of annual forestry premiums has been increased by 15%. The 100% establishment grants and 20-year payment period have been retained. Some €230.9 million has been spent on afforestation initiatives in 2007 and to date in 2008. The forestry provision for 2009 has been increased by 6% to €128 million. Some €42 million has been allocated for the voluntary fishing fleet decommissioning scheme to assist fleet restructuring and increase the level of fish quotas available for those remaining in the industry. In excess of €18 million was spent in 2007 on improving fisheries infrastructure and landing facilities under the fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure programme. A further €17 million has been provided to make progress with this work in 2009. This is an impressive list of achievements by any standards. It demonstrates the Government's commitment to the agri-food sector. We are keen to make progress with the commitments set out in the five-year programme for Government.
The original question was based on the premise that budgetary cuts have been applied across the board in the agriculture sector. This is the only opportunity available to me to highlight some of those cuts. For example, investment in research and training has decreased by 13%. Similar reductions have been applied in areas like food safety, health and welfare, plant health, income and market supports and income supports for disadvantaged areas. When one examines the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's entire programme of expenditure, one has to conclude that the Government's ability to implement the programme for Government is seriously hampered. Those of us responsible for the agriculture brief have not been given any legislation to consider since the last election. When will the animal welfare Bill be published, in line with the commitment in the programme for Government? The extensive consultation period in that regard does not seem to have come to a conclusion. On what date will it be concluded? I would also like to ask about the proposed establishment of an all-Ireland GM-free zone. When does the Department envisage that this process will be concluded and this policy will be implemented?
That will be interesting.
When does the Minister envisage that the target of dedicating 5% of acreage to organic farmland will be reached? The European Commission recently announced that it does not envisage that mandatory country of origin labelling will be introduced. The programme for Government states that mandatory country of origin food labelling will be extended to sheep, pig and poultry meat. Will that measure be implemented?
The forestry Bill is being prepared. The Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, who cannot be with us this afternoon because he has another commitment, has done extensive work on that Bill. Deputy Sherlock has asked about the animal welfare Bill on the Order of Business on a number of occasions. He is aware that a great deal of work has already been undertaken in that regard. Significant progress has been made with the drafting of the proposed animal health and welfare Bill. It is intended that the legislation will give effect to a number of the commitments outlined in the programme for Government.
The Deputy mentioned the process of public consultation on the draft Bill, which was initiated earlier this year. Almost 400 submissions, containing wide-ranging observations, were received during that process. They are being examined in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. If people go to the trouble of making detailed submissions and observations, it is only fair that they be given detailed and appropriate consideration. A number of those who made submissions subsequently contacted the Department to ask for meetings to be arranged to give them an opportunity to elaborate further on them. The drafting of the legislation is continuing. It is obvious that all the submissions will be taken into account during that process.
When I met representatives of various organisations, such as the Veterinary Council of Ireland and Veterinary Ireland, they indicated that they would like to meet departmental officials to elaborate further on their daily professional experience. I mention those two groups because I met delegations from them recently to discuss other matters. The representatives of the various bodies are keen to attend meetings so that these matters can be scrutinised in greater detail than is possible by means of written submissions of the type we all receive and sometimes make ourselves. I assure the House that substantial progress has been made with this important and complex legislation.
The Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, is actively promoting organic farming throughout this jurisdiction. The rural environment protection scheme makes provision for organic farming. Deputy Sherlock did not mention the substantial increase in expenditure under the scheme when he listed some of the matters which are covered in the Book of Estimates. The Minister of State has done exceptional work to encourage organic production in all parts of the country. Deputies will be aware that there have been huge attendances at the various farm walks and seminars which have been arranged to promote organic farming.
Deputy Sherlock also spoke about the issue of labelling. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Department of Health and Children, has undertaken extensive work on the matter over recent years. The Department of Health and Children, on behalf of the Government, has provided detailed submissions on the issue to the European Union. Our proposals have not been approved, unfortunately.
