Tuesday, 26 Mar 2013

Written Answers Nos. 465-481

Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations

Questions (465)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

465. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the recent agreement on EU level on fish discards; if he will confirm that up to 7% of all fish caught may be discarded, after a phase-in period that allows for 9% for two years and then 8% for two more years; if he will also report on the upcoming negotiations between the European Council and the EU Parliament on the basic regulation of the Common Fisheries Policy and in particular the proposed policy on discards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14725/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

At the Council of Fisheries meeting on 26th of February, following a long and challenging set of negotiations, I successfully brokered the political agreement of the EU Fisheries Council for the introduction of a Europe wide discards ban. The Council general approach allows for some practical measures that will support the effective implementation of the discards ban. In relation to de-minimis, it provides that the de-minimis exemption shall apply in specific situations such as: i) where scientific evidence indicates that increases in selectivity are very difficult to achieve; or ii) to avoid disproportionate costs of handling unwanted catches, for those fishing gears where unwanted catches per fishing gear do not represent more than a certain percentage, to be established in the plan, of total annual catch of that gear.

This exemption shall not exceed a total of 7% of the total annual catches of the species concerned. But for a transitional period of four years the percentage of the total annual catches referred to under de-minimis shall increase: (i) by two per cent (to 9%) in the first two years of application of the landing obligation; and (ii) by one per cent(to 8%) in the subsequent two years. The European Parliaments position which is set down in its First Reading (6 February 2013) does not provide for a de-minimis option. A first round of trilogues with Parliament and the European Commission took place on the Basic Regulation on the 19th of March. As Presidency, we have in place a schedule of further trilogues planned over the coming weeks with the aim of having political agreement by the end of June.

Common Fisheries Policy Reform

Questions (466)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

466. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the European Maritime Fisheries Fund; if he will outline the measures available to support Irish fishermen through this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14726/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Commission published its proposals for a new financial instrument for the period 2014 – 2020, the European Maritime & Fisheries Fund, in December 2011. The fund will help to deliver the ambitious objectives of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and will assist fishermen in the transition towards sustainable fishing, as well as coastal communities in the diversification of their economies.

At the October 2012 Fisheries Council, the Cyprus Presidency secured agreement on a “partial” general approach on the financial instrument. The PECHE Committee of the EU Parliament is currently examining the Commission proposal and expects to adopt its position by the end of May. All the proposals are subject to negotiation and adoption through the co-decision process involving both the EU Fisheries Council and the EU Parliament. In light of the Parliaments timetable, it is now expected that trilogues with the Parliament and Commission will fall into the Lithuanian Presidency.

The new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will be structured around 4 pillars, a) Smart, Green Fisheries, b) Smart, Green Aquaculture, c) Sustainable and Inclusive Territorial Development and d) Integrated Maritime Policy.

Of key importance to Ireland is a reasonable and fair share of the EMFF funding available. Ireland is supportive of the proposal in relation to the provision of funding for aquaculture, seafood processing, measures that support job creation and the rebuilding and conservation of stocks, including the implementation of the discards ban. Ireland welcomes the new elements proposed in the partial general approach including giving Member States the option of funding restructuring/decommissioning of the fishing fleet, engine replacement in limited circumstances and support for young fishermen.

Sheep Technology Adoption Programme Eligibility

Questions (467)

Dara Calleary

Question:

467. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider allowing all sheep farmers on offshore islands to join the sheep technology adoption programme scheme irrespective of the amount of breeding stock they have, due to the marginal and exposed location of the farms. [14743/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The sheep sector is a key part of the Agrifood sector, especially in marginal land areas and there is huge scope to improve farm incomes through focusing on issues such as grassland management, financial management, breeding, health and welfare and environmental efficiency.

The Sheep Technology Adoption Programme (STAP) is intended to provide participants with the knowledge and the skills necessary to improve on-farm technical efficiency in a number of key areas.

I am aware of the difficulties faced by sheep farmers on offshore islands. However funding for the STAP is capped at €3 million for 2013. The Programme was conceived to cater for approximately 3,000 participants with a maximum annual payment of €1,000 per participant. As approximately 4,900 applications have been received for 2013 under the STAP, based on the qualifying criteria applicable for established producers, the Programme is currently oversubscribed. Therefore it is not possible this year to make provision for the inclusion of sheep farmers from offshore Islands who have less than the requisite breeding stock.

Single Payment Scheme Eligibility

Questions (468)

Finian McGrath

Question:

468. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify an issue in regard to the recognition of entitlements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14748/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the original Commission proposals, existing payment entitlements in Member States such as Ireland who applied the Single Payment historic model will expire on 31 December of the year before the first implementation of the new CAP regime. It is now recognised that the first year of the new regime will be 2015. Farmers will apply in that year for an allocation of new payment entitlements.

The Commission proposals have been the subject of negotiations at official and political level in the Council of Ministers over the past 18 months culminating in an agreed Council position which was reached at the Council on 18/19 March. Under the proposals agreed by the Council of Minister, the number of entitlements to be allocated in the first year of the new regime can either be based on the total number of eligible hectares declared in that year or, alternatively, a Member State may decide that the number of entitlements will be confined to the number of eligible hectares declared in either 2012 or 2013. While this is an option for Member States it is too early yet to say which option will be exercised by Ireland.

Member States are also allowed to confine the allocation of payment entitlements to those farmers who received a payment under the existing Single Payment Scheme in either 2010 or 2011. Where a Member States exercises this option, the European Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts to determine how entitlements are to be allocated to farmers who apply in the first year of the new regime but who did not receive payment in either 2010 or 2011. Again, it is too early to say whether Ireland will exercise this particular option.

I should also point out that the next step in the negotiations involves reaching agreement between the three European Institutions i.e. the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the Commission. It is therefore too early to speculate on how the final outcome will affect individual farmers.

Food Safety Authority Reports

Questions (469)

Clare Daly

Question:

469. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the recommendations of the Fish Mislabelling Report 2011 have not been implemented. [14789/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is responsible for the enforcement of food labelling legislation in this country. My Department is not aware of a report with the title referred to in the Question by the Deputy but I am advised that the FSAI did carry out a Fish Labelling Survey in 2011.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals

Questions (470)

Dan Neville

Question:

470. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the case against a person (details supplied) in County Limerick regarding penalties applied to their 2011 REP scheme 4 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14800/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The agricultural advisor of the person named has recently submitted an appeal to the Department in relation to the penalty applied in this case. The appeal is being examined with a view to issuing a response to the person named as quickly as possible.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications

Questions (471)

Noel Coonan

Question:

471. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when agri-environment option scheme payments for 2011 and 2012 will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [14813/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €1,217.05 in respect of 2011.

Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. Payments in respect of the 2012 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process. These checks are now finalised in respect of this case and I expect 2012 payment to issue shortly.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Questions (472)

Joe Carey

Question:

472. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the 2012 disadvantaged areas scheme programme in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14852/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of six consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. While the holding of the person named was confirmed as having satisfied the twelve-month average, it did not satisfy the six month minimum requirement. Therefore, unfortunately, no payment is due under the 2012 Scheme.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Questions (473)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

473. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the disadvantaged areas scheme payment for 2012 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14864/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the holdings of eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of six consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year.

While the holding of the person named was confirmed as having satisfied the six-month minimum stocking requirement, it did not, on the basis of the information available, satisfy the twelve-month average. Therefore, as of now, no payment is due. However, my Department has been in direct contact with the applicant in regard to her obligations under the Agri-Environmental plan for her holding. Following clarification on this aspect, the application will be further reviewed.

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (474)

Billy Timmins

Question:

474. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding national reserve entitlements in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14948/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2012 National Reserve. The 2012 National Reserve caters for farmers who commenced farming after 17th May, 2010. Applicants are required to submit a 2012 Single Payment application form detailing all lands which they are currently farming. In addition, applicants are required to meet certain criteria with regard to income limits and educational qualifications. Off-farm income cannot exceed €30,000 and total income, including farm income, cannot exceed €40,000. Applicants must have obtained a FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture or its equivalent.

The person named was deemed ineligible as his off-farm income exceeded the upper limit of €30,000. The person named subsequently submitted an appeal outlining a change in his financial circumstances, due to the fact that he no longer has off-farm income. The appeal was successful and the person named will be notified in writing of this decision.

Farm Inspections

Questions (475)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

475. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a fine in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14965/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The inspection process identified an over claim of 2.16 hectares in this case. Where an over claim of greater than 3% but less than 20% is identified, as was the case here, the governing EU Regulations require that a penalty of twice the difference between the area claimed and that found must be applied. The person named appealed the penalty. This appeal has been processed with no change in the original findings. The applicant has been advised of this position and that he may further appeal to the independent Agriculture Appeals office.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (476)

Micheál Martin

Question:

476. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on any meetings he has attended at which the horse meat fraud was discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9699/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I refer the Deputy to my Dáil statement of 14th March and the report which I released on the same day on the ‘Equine DNA and Mislabelling of Processed Beef Investigation’. That report provides a full update on the investigation into this matter and outlines the conclusions and recommendations which can now be drawn. During the course of the intensive investigation of this matter I arranged and attended many meetings, both nationally and at EU level, in my role as President of the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers, and the report gives details of the outcomes of a number of those meetings.

Forestry Sector

Questions (477)

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

477. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to publish the report on the consultation on the strategy plan on forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15066/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

A review of forestry policy undertaken by my Department is currently in the process of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), which includes consultation with statutory bodies and the general public. It is anticipated that the process will be concluded by the end of July after which it is planned to issue the report, taking account of any further inputs received during the SEA process.

Fishing Industry Development

Questions (478)

Michael McNamara

Question:

478. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that the deferral of further development of increased productive capacity for salmon set out in the Irish Seafood National Programme 2007-2013 is still applicable having regard to the fact that in their statement of 29 of November 2012, the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland has stated that concerns remain about the impact of salmon farm generated sea lice on wild salmon and sea trout based on scientific reports by respected authors and knowledge of the impact of existing fish farms on salmon and sea trout populations off the west coast of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15103/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Irish Seafood National Programme 2007-2013 is a framework programme under the National Development Plan covering supports to the seafood sector that are not co-funded by the EU. Most support to the seafood sector is co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund and is covered by the Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013.

Financial supports for the construction, installation and modernisation of aquaculture enterprises are provided by BIM and Údarás na Gaeltachta through the Commercial Aquaculture Development Scheme. This Scheme was originally part of the Irish Seafood National Programme, but was moved into the co-funded Seafood Development Programme in 2012, as part of a revision of that Programme following its 2011 interim evaluation.

As part of the original development of both programmes, a strategic environmental assessment was conducted. During the course of the public consultation on that SEA, the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards (now Inland Fisheries Ireland) raised concerns about the possibility of sea-lice emanating from salmon farms negatively affecting migrating wild salmon. The Minister for Communication, Energy and Natural Resources supported these concerns. Rather than delay the finalisation of the programmes, it was agreed to exclude salmon farms from financial support under the Irish Seafood National Programme until such time as the sea-lice issue has been satisfactorily resolved. This temporary restriction on development grants was included in the text of the Irish Seafood National Programme (page 99). However, there is no restriction on the development of the salmon farming sector itself.

With the transfer of the Commercial Aquaculture Development Scheme into the co-funded Seafood Development Programme in 2012, the text of that Programme was amended to provide for the continuation of the temporary restriction on financial support to the salmon farming sector. The temporary restriction was also included in the eligibility criteria approved earlier this month for the next call for applications under the Commercial Aquaculture Development Scheme.

My Department’s policy on sea lice controls is strictly evidence based. The control protocols are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced that 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.

In 2008, the State introduced a new Pest Management Strategy, supplementing the control regime already in place. This has resulted in a steady decline in average sea lice numbers on farmed salmon since its inception.

The protocols have been the subject of detailed investigation and testing by the EU Commission in response to a complaint from a member of the public in respect of the effects of sea lice on wild salmon. On 11 October 2012, the Commission closed its investigation of this complaint in the State’s favour following its examination of all relevant matters. The Commission has also indicated that it regards the sea lice protocols operated in Ireland as representing best practice internationally.

Aquaculture Development

Questions (479)

Michael McNamara

Question:

479. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of his statement in the Dáil on 6 March 2013 that Food Harvest 2020 constitutes a Government strategic plan he will now have its aquaculture proposals subjected to Strategic Environmental Assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15104/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

All applications for aquaculture licences are dealt with under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act, as amended. The provisions of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations are applied to such applications where appropriate. Following assessment by my Department of an application for the cultivation of finfish in Galway Bay it was deemed not to require a Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Fishing Industry Development

Questions (480)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

480. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his vision for the future development of the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14595/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My present plans for the development of the seafood sector are set out in the Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013, and the complementary Irish Seafood National Programme 2007-2013, which identify the investment priorities for the development of the sector up to 2015. The Seafood Development Programme includes the overwhelming majority of initiatives for the development of the sector. That Programme is co-funded by the European Union under the European Fisheries Fund. It was considerably updated in 2012, following an interim evaluation of its progress. The Programme identifies the development needs of the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors and the measures that will be implemented to address those needs.

The complementary Irish Seafood National Programme is the framework programme for a small number of measures that are not eligible for EU co-funding and thus cannot be included in the main programme.

A new EU Regulation is presently being negotiated to replace the European Fisheries Fund from 2014 to 2020. My Department has commenced preparation of a new operational programme to cover investment needs for that programming period. As part of that process, my Department will shortly be initiating a stakeholder consultation to identify the investment needs of the sector. My Department is aiming to have that new Programme completed early in 2014.

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Questions (481)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

481. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has studied recent submissions from the Irish Farmers' Association and other farming organisations in the context of the implications for the agricultural sector arising from common agriculture policy discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14597/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I want to assure the deputy that throughout this CAP reform process I have continuously engaged with all relevant stakeholders. I try at all times, subject to diary and time constraints, to meet any and all interested parties to discuss issues of mutual concern and when I am not available, senior Department officials are always available to hear concerns and proposals that stakeholders may wish to bring to my attention. You will be aware that my Department implements a formal consultative process through the CAP Consultative Committee which is comprised of a full range of stakeholders from across the agriculture sector including the Irish Farmers Association. This Committee is meeting today to hear an update on the negotiations and to allow all interested parties to give their reactions.

As is the case with all submissions from stakeholders, I and my officials have carefully studied the content of the recent IFA paper. While I do not share all the views expressed by the IFA, we share common ground on many issues.