Written Answers Nos. 466 - 485
467. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will details of any regulations or orders or policy papers issued or signed by him in 2012 in relation to the allocation of herring quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41582/12]
View answerIn 2011, I asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on the future management arrangements for all Irish herring fisheries, the Celtic Sea stock, the stocks off the North West coast and the Atlanto Scandian stock. The objective of the review was to deliver a policy which would ensure an economically and biologically sustainable fishery. I received over 20 sets of proposals and comments in relation to herring stocks management. It was very clear from these documents that there was no agreement within the industry as to how the future herring fishing opportunities should be managed. I asked my Department to examine the proposals received and to prepare for me a number of options, which as far as practically possible, took the views of stakeholders into account while delivering proper and effective management.
On 22 December 2011, I published a draft policy document on the matter which I believed meets the objectives to the greatest extent possible. I consulted and met industry regarding the draft policy and again there was no consensus. Having considered all views and having regard to the sustainability of the fisheries, I came to a decision which I believe provides for the proper and effective management and conservation and rational exploitation of the herring stocks. On 8 June 2012 I published a policy, based on giving access to each of the fisheries to those with recent track record in that particular fishery. The track record involves vessels having landed a minimum of 5 tonnes of herring in 2009 or 2010 or in 3 of the 5 years during the period 2006 to 2010. In addition, there are some very limited specified circumstances where an earlier track record may be taken into account.
These are the criteria under which future herring authorisations will be granted and I believe that these track record criteria are objective, transparent and non-discriminatory. The only exception to track record relates to small vessels in the Dunmore area for the Celtic Sea fishery where a small scale local fishery is permitted in line with the Rebuilding/Management Plan for the fishery. The policy also provides for a modest restricted quota for smaller vessels without a track record in both the Celtic Sea and Area VIa.
The decision made was based on a clear, detailed and objective assessment of the fisheries in recent years. This policy is intended to ensure the long term sustainability of the herring fisheries by limiting participation in the main fisheries to those vessels which have participated in the fishery, in the 5 years prior to the commencement of the review, even at a low level. I set down this fishing boat licensing aspects of this policy in Policy Directive 1 of 2012 which I issued to the Registrar of Sea Fishing Boats on 19 September 2012.
468. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding an application under the dairy equipment grant scheme in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41585/12]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant under the Dairy Equipment Scheme and submitted an application under the tranche which closed at end-July 2012. As the Scheme remains over-subscribed, a selection process is required in order to determine those applications which are to go forward to the approval procedure. The applications received under the end-July tranche are currently being processed and the selection procedure will be completed as soon as possible.
469. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if the sow housing welfare scheme will be awarded subject to planning permission being granted by an Bord Pleanála. [41623/12]
View answerThe revised TAMS Sow Housing Welfare Scheme which was introduced by my Department in July 2012 closes for valid applications on 31 October 2012. Under the terms of the Scheme, a valid application must be accompanied by all the specified documentation, including full planning permission where this is required. Applications which do not include full planning permission by the closing date will therefore be ineligible for grant-aid.
470. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when an agri environment options scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41691/12]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and full payment totalling €1,666.66 issued in respect of 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue.
Payment in respect of the 2011 Scheme year is subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investment through checks on receipts. During these checks a discrepancy was discovered in respect of the claimed areas on the Species Rich Grassland action. My Department has investigated this issue which resulted in a monetary penalty being imposed on the application. A letter detailing this penalty will issue to the person named and payment in respect of the 2011 scheme year will issue at the earliest opportunity.
471. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will acknowledges that due to disproportionate cuts of 17% on farm schemes in Budget 2012 which was nearly five times the 3.5% cut made across all Government Departments and allied to this a combination of disastrous weather, soaring import costs and falling prices, if he will prioritise the maintenance of funding for farm schemes in Budget 2013. [41703/12]
View answerI am very conscious of the significant problems and pressures that the very heavy rainfall this summer has caused for farmers. I am very conscious that farmers need money in their hands because of the poor summer and because of cash flow problems that some are experiencing at the moment and I am responding to these pressures within the funds available to me.
Last week I announced the re-opening of the Agri-Environmental Options Scheme, AEOS, to new entrants. I am providing €20 million for the AEOS scheme which will open shortly for applications. The scheme will build on the success of both the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and both AEOS 1 and 2 in delivering an annual income to farmers in return for farming to high environmental standards. A maximum payment of €4,000 per annum will apply to individual applicants under the re-opened scheme. As the average payments in the past have been lower than the maximum, I am confident that up to 6,000 new participants can be accepted into the scheme.
I received EU approval for the advance payment of the 2012 Single Farm Payment. This will enable payment to issue immediately following 15 October and will represent the early payment of some €600 million to farmers.
I also fully appreciate the value and importance of the other scheme payments to farmers and I remain committed to ensuring that the maximum numbers are paid at the earliest possible date, mindful, of course, of the over-riding necessity to ensure compliance with the governing EU requirements. Payments worth some €159 million under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme have been issued since 26th September last. This funding will provide a boost to the rural economy and will benefit all areas of the country. REPS payments in respect of 2011 are up to date. A total of €64 million has been paid out to-date and these payments are continuing on an on-going basis. AEOS payments are well advanced and are being issued as quickly as possible. To date €23 million has been paid. My intention is to ensure that payments in respect of 2012 are made on the earliest possible date.
472. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if farmers who farm deer and those who breed horses will be considered as acting farmers in the proposals for the reformed single farm payment scheme currently being considered. [41723/12]
View answerThe definition of an active farmer is still the subject of substantial discussion in the CAP reform negotiations and there is no clear outcome as yet. Under the CAP reform proposals, the EU Commission has proposed to exclude from receipt of Single Farm Payment those whose annual direct payments are less than 5% of the total receipts they obtain from all non-agricultural activities or, if their agricultural areas are mainly areas naturally kept in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation, they do not carry out a minimum level of activity to be established by each Member State. The exclusion is not proposed to apply to farmers who received less than €5,000 in direct payments in the previous year.
There is substantial opposition from Member States to the Commission proposals particularly the intention to take account of receipts from non-agricultural activity. Many Member States have put forward alternative proposals to create a negative list comprising, for example, golf courses and airports, that would be excluded from payment. Other Member States have argued for a definition of active farmers that focuses on farming activity as measured through stocking density, crop production, etc. At this point it is too early to speculate on the final solution that may emerge.
474. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding a rural environment protection scheme repayment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [41770/12]
View answerThe REPS 4 agri-environment plan commenced on 1st June 2008 and the person named received full payments for the first three years of the contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before payments issue. Following an inspection in August 2011, the applicant was deemed to be in joint management and joint ownership with another REPS 4 participant.
Following a review of this case by my officials, it was decided to allow both to retain separate herd numbers, with the REPS payments under one of the herd numbers deemed an overpayment. Accordingly, a letter issued on 7th September 2012 indicating the total amount of the overpayment to be recouped was €23,562.84 with interest to be charged at the rate of 3% per annum in accordance with EU regulations. An arrangement to recover the amount due on a four year instalment basis of €491.13 per month was notified to the person named and my Department will make further contact to discuss the situation.
475. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding the headage payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41814/12]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Currently, this applicant is one of a number whose cases are impacted by a requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare and who have applied for a derogation in this regard. This application had not been determined in sufficient time to enable payment with the first tranche on 26 September. However, immediately a decision is reached, the person concerned will be notified in writing. Should the decision be negative, a fully independent appeals procedure is available.
476. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding a disadvantaged area scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41835/12]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Currently, this applicant is one of a number whose cases are impacted by a requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare and who have applied for a derogation in this regard. This application had not been determined in sufficient time to enable payment with the first tranche on 26 September. However, immediately a decision is reached, the person will be notified in writing. Should the decision be negative, a fully independent appeals procedure is available.
477. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the bays in County Kerry that are awaiting aquaculture licences; the status of each of these applications; and when is the approval for licences envisaged for each application. [41951/12]
View answer478. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licences for commercial processing of sea-food produce have been applied for in County Kerry; the number that have been approved; the number of applicants awaiting approval as each license granted has the potential to create up to 20 jobs; if he will expedite the processing of these applications [41955/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 477 and 478 together.
The number of aquaculture licence applications awaiting decision in respect of sites in County Kerry is 75. The vast majority to these sites are located in areas designated as ‘Natura 2000’ sites. All such sites are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Habitats/Birds Directives before licensing decisions can be made. The average timeframe for processing licence applications varies depending on location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of sites, potential visual impact etc. Other factors include consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period.
My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of ‘Natura 2000’ areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. Analysis of the data, together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives by the NPWS, will enable all new, renewal and review applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This work represents a significant financial, administrative and scientific investment by the State in resolving this issue. The Appropriate Assessment of aquaculture applications is being dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis. A comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives for Natura sites is ongoing and significant progress has been made.
In this regard the appropriate assessment process for Castlemaine has been completed and my Department expects to be in a position to proceed to the public consultation phase very shortly.
479. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the licensing of salmon farming off the Aran Islands in Galway bay; if his attention has been drawn to the possible threats to wild fish stocks due to possible disease or sea lice emanating from these farms. [41983/12]
View answerAn application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay has been received by my Department. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement is being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act which provide for extensive consultation with stakeholders, including Inland Fisheries Ireland, which has responsibility for wild salmon stocks. The legislation also provides for a period of general public consultation.
The control protocols in respect of sea lice are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:
- the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry
- data obtained as a result of inspections is published
- treatment trigger levels are set at a low level
These controls are generally regarded as representing best practice internationally.
480. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will confirm the plans to relocate the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, AES, veterinary office from Dockgate buildings in County Galway; the timeline for relocation and the new locations under consideration. [41985/12]
View answerTogether with the Office of Public Works my Department is reviewing the accommodation requirements for the Department’s staff based in County Galway. This review is ongoing.
481. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he has engaged in discussions with Egypt and Libya and the Lebanon on the issue of live cattle exports. [41990/12]
View answerMy Department has already reached agreement with the Libyan and Lebanese authorities to the opening of their markets to cattle from Ireland. In the case of Libya, my Department is working closely with the Libyan veterinary authorities to have the age limit of animals, which currently stands at 24 months, increased to thirty months. My Department has also secured the opening of the Egyptian market to fattening cattle under 20 months and slaughter cattle under 30 months. The opportunities available in these markets is now a matter for Irish exporters to develop.
482. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if there are any grant schemes to assist the production of bio ethanol from grain. [42002/12]
View answerThere are currently no grant schemes available from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to support the production of bioethanol from grain. The Deputy may be aware that the Biofeuels Obligation Scheme was introduced in 2010 by the then Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to contribute to achieving the renewable transport target under the Renewable Energy Directive. The Scheme currently obliges that the amount of biofuel brought to the market is not less than 4.166% of the relevant disposal of petroleum road transport fuels. In 2011, the biofuel obligation resulted in 145 million litres of biofuel being placed on the market. The rate of obligation will increase over time and by 2020 it will require suppliers of road transport fuels to make certain that even higher volumes sold are biofuel. This will ultimately create a market size approaching 500 million litres of biofuel.
483. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the number of the 618 aquaculture licence applications awaiting determination by his Department on 17 July 2012 that have since been decided; the number of applications in total currently awaiting a decision; the average time taken to process these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42004/12]
View answer484. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications that have been awaiting a decision for more than one year; the progress being made by him to ensure that the applications are dealt with as promptly as possible in view of the potential for the growth of export-led business in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42005/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 483 and 484 together.
The number of aquaculture licence applications determined since 17th July 2012 is 9. The number of applications in total currently awaiting determination is 618. The average timeframe for processing individual licence applications varies depending on location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of sites, potential visual impact etc. Other factors include consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period. The number of licence applications awaiting a decision for more than one year is 528.
The number of licence applications awaiting determination largely arises because the majority of areas for which aquaculture licences are sought are located in areas designated as ‘Natura 2000’ sites. All applications in ‘Natura 2000’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Habitats/Birds Directives. An additional factor is that all aquaculture applications now undergo Environmental Impact pre-screening assessment which requires significant input from the Department’s scientific and technical advisors.
My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of ‘Natura 2000’ areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. Analysis of the data, together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives by the NPWS, will enable all new, renewal and review applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This work represents a significant financial, administrative and scientific investment by the State in resolving this issue. The Appropriate Assessment of aquaculture applications is being dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis. A comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives for Natura sites is ongoing and significant progress has been made.
My Department continues to make every effort to expedite the determination of all aquaculture applications having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all national and EU legislation.
485. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the steps being taken by him to support the shellfish farmers along the north and west coast who have seen significant proportions of their stock destroyed by the recent algal bloom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42006/12]
View answerPhytoplankton blooms such as the one that occurred this summer are naturally occurring and are an inevitable occasional feature of operating aquaculture farms in Irish coastal waters. The Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara are working closely together and with the affected farmers to render as much technical assistance as possible under the circumstances. The Marine Institute already provide a monitoring and forecasting service in relation to these naturally occurring algal blooms. I am also aware that personnel from both agencies have visited the affected sites to help assess and catalogue the impacts of the bloom on the oyster stocks and to gather as much environmental data as possible with a view to gaining a greater understanding of the dynamics of such an occurrence.
They will collate and analyse the data gathered which will hopefully lead towards the development of better future mitigation and management measures in the event of future outbreaks occurring. My Department is working very hard, within the constraints of the relevant EU Directives, to streamline the aquaculture licensing system which in turn will allow operators to spread their stock, and hence their risk, over a greater number of locations so that the detrimental effects of any future blooms might be reduced.
In conclusion, I should point out that the effects of the Karenia mikimotoi bloom have no implications with regard to human health issues and that Irish oysters should continue to enjoy a strong quality reputation in the market place and thus continue to attract premium prices, which in turn should help to mitigate the impact of the stock losses.
