Written Answers Nos. 541-559
541. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if EU wide DNA testing of meat will be made a permanent feature of the meat processing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18786/13]
View answerThe adulteration of beef products with horsemeat was initially discovered by the official control regime in Ireland, where advanced DNA testing methods were used in a Food Safety Authority of Ireland survey on meat authenticity. The presence of equine DNA discovered in a single burger here ultimately uncovered a pan European problem. I arranged, in my role as President of the Agriculture Council, to have the matter discussed at EU level and the Commission promptly proposed the EU testing programme, the results of which were published on 16 April.
The results show that, across the EU, there were 4,144 tests under the equine DNA programme of which 193 were positive. In Ireland, all of the results of the 50 DNA tests on Irish beef products under the EU programme were negative. In addition there were 7,951 tests reported for equine DNA carried out by food business operators across the EU, of which 110 were positive. Under the Irish national DNA testing regime the results of 2,185 DNA tests published by the FSAI to date showed only a small number of positives (32 representing 9 products), all of which were published previously and related to products withdrawn from the market.
Consideration is being given at EU level to the outcome of these tests to determine what further action is required. In the meantime, DNA testing is being carried out under national protocol by food business operators in Ireland and the results are being published by the FSAI.
542. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri environment options scheme application for 2012 in respecet of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and when remainder of payment will issue. [18794/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €1,073.47 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 which includes verification of capital investments through checks on receipts. These checks are currently being finalised by my Department and I expect payment for the 2012 scheme year to issue shortly.
543. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an application for a fencing grant in respect of a person (details provided) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18823/13]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under the TAMS Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme. His application is currently being processed and a decision will be made in regard to the issue of an approval as soon as possible.
545. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form the number of civil/public servants under the remit of his Department who earn more than €500,000, between €400,000-€500,00, €300,000 - €250,000, €250,000 - €200,000, €200,000 - €150,000, €150,000 - €100,000, €100,000 - €80,000, €80,000 - €60,000, €60,000 - €40,000 and less than €30,000. [18862/13]
View answerThe number of staff currently on the payroll in my Department whose annual salary fall into the various ranges is set out in the following table:
|
Band |
Number of Staff |
|
More than €500,000 |
0 |
|
€400,000 - €500,000 |
0 |
|
€300,000 - €400,000 |
0 |
|
€250,000 - €300,000 |
0 |
|
€200,000 - €250,000 |
1 |
|
€150,000 - €200,000 |
1 |
|
€100,000 - €150,000 |
45 |
|
€80,000 - €100,000 |
320 |
|
€60,000 - €80,000 |
262 |
|
€40,000 - €60,000 |
1430 |
|
€30,000 - €40,000 |
816 |
|
Less than €30,000 |
596 |
|
Total |
3471 |
546. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of stocking rates in respect of the years 1997, 1998 and 1999 for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [18879/13]
View answerAccording to our records the stock held by the person named for the years in question were as follows:
|
YEAR |
SUCKLER COW |
OTHER CATTLE |
|
1997 |
37 |
38 |
|
1998 |
36 |
39 |
|
1999 |
4 |
4 |
547. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of suckler cows in the national herd in each of the years 2000 to 2012. [18882/13]
View answerData on the national herd published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) categorises cows as either dairy or other cows with the latter essentially kept for beef production. The statistical trend for beef cows in the period from 2000 to 2012 is presented in the table below. The figures show that the size of the suckler cow herd has remained relatively stable over the last 12 years albeit with a gradual decline recorded in the overall population. However, the December 2012 results show a 4% increase in the numerical strength of the herd relative to 2011 as high cattle prices in recent years have encouraged beef producers to restock their herds.
|
Year |
Beef / Suckler Cow Herd ‘000 head |
|
2000 |
1,155.2 |
|
2001 |
1,159.7 |
|
2002 |
1,150.8 |
|
2003 |
1,144.2 |
|
2004 |
1,150.8 |
|
2005 |
1,150.0 |
|
2006 |
1,128.8 |
|
2007 |
1,117.4 |
|
2008 |
1,175.0 |
|
2009 |
1,134.9 |
|
2010* |
1,090.8 |
|
2011* |
1,083.0 |
|
2012 |
1,127.9 |
Source: CSO December Livestock Survey
*Revised data.
548. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep in the national herd in each of the years 2000 to 2012. [18883/13]
View answerThe following table shows the number of sheep in the national flock in December for each of the years specified, according to the December livestock surveys completed by the CSO. The figures show that there was a steady decline in the size of the national flock between 2000 and 2010. However, the trend has been reversed in recent years, with increases for 2011 and 2012 reflecting the impact of positive measures which have been introduced in order to arrest the decline in the sector.
|
Year |
Sheep ‘000 head |
|
2000 |
5,056.0 |
|
2001 |
4,807.0 |
|
2002 |
4,828.5 |
|
2003 |
4,850.1 |
|
2004 |
4,556.7 |
|
2005 |
4,257.0 |
|
2006 |
3,826.3 |
|
2007 |
3,530.5 |
|
2008 |
3,422.9 |
|
2009 |
3,182.6 |
|
2010 |
3,122.0 |
|
2011 |
3,321.3 |
|
2012 |
3,430.3 |
Source: CSO December Livestock Survey
549. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri environment options scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [18885/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 September 2011. 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. During these checks an overclaim was identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Natura Owned action which resulted in a area reduction on the application. The 75% payment totalling €999.99 in respect of the 2011 scheme year issued on 7 December 2012 and the balancing 25% payment (net of reduction) of €325.98 has recently issued. Payments in respect of the 2012 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process. Following the payment for 2011, this process will now get under way in respect of 2012.
550. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18898/13]
View answerAll Single Farm Payments in respect of the 3 years referred to have already issued. Details are as follows:
- 2009 - Payment totalling € 87,339.65 issued in two instalments; advance of €61,242.75 on 19 October 2009 and the balance of €26,096.90 on 1 December 2009:
- 2010 - Payment totalling € 75,709.49 issued in three instalments; advance of €41,578.07 on 11 November 2010; second instalment of € 24,706.84 on 1 December 2010 and the balance of €9,424.58 on 24 February 2011:
- 2011 - Payment totalling € 67,950.29 issued two instalments; advance of € 34,200.14 on 17 November 2011 and the balance of €33,750.15 on 1 December 2011.
551. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is any impediment to a person (details supplied) in County Galway, joining the new agri-environment options scheme, in view of the fact that they were previously involved in REP scheme but that has ceased since October 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18920/13]
View answerAn application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 29 November 2012 and an acknowledgement letter has issued to the person named. It is a requirement for the AEOS III scheme for applicants who have previously participated in the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme to have completed their REPS contract on or before 31 December 2012. The processing of all applications is nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to inform all applicants of the outcome in the next few weeks. In the event that any queries arise on the application of the person named during this process officials in my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.
552. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures put in place by his Department to deal with Clostridium Esterthetitm which is an agent of spoilage in meat one of the causes and agents of blown pack spoilage, which represents a significant commercial loss to meat processors; and if there is an established framework put in place, which can deal with such outbreak; if there is a particular body or person, who industry personnel can contact; if he will indicate the level of losses associated with such incidences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19024/13]
View answerClostridium estertheticum spoilage is a food quality issue rather than a food safety matter. The EU Food Hygiene regulations which are the principal basis of our food safety system do not cover food quality issues and do not mention food spoilage or this organism. Accordingly this is not a focus of official controls in approved meat plants and in the circumstances responsibility for dealing with the matter rests with industry.
In October 2009 Teagasc published a report on the Control of Blown Package Spoilage in Vacuum Packaged Meat. This report concluded that: "Blown pack spoilage (BPS) represents a significant commercial loss to Irish meat processors. This research discovered that the organisms causing BPS are ubiquitous in the abattoir environment, making eradication very difficult. The risk of BPS is best managed through a process of regular treatment of plant and equipment with a sporicidal agent such as peroxyacetic acid, good hygiene to minimise carcass contamination and removal of the heat shrinkage stage during vacuum packaging as this activates the spores and reduces the time to spoilage."
The report provides guidance to industry on minimising the risk of this problem. The research, which was funded by my Department and carried out by Teagasc, discovered a new Blown Pack Spoilage Clostridia species (C. ruminantium); delivered key data and demonstrated the detrimental effect of vacuum packaging heat shrinkage in spore activation. As a result of this work, Teagasc's food research centre in Ashtown, Co. Dublin developed a PCR assay to detect the problem and is now offering a testing service to the meat industry and other food industries.
In addition, my Department is about to fund a new research project which will include an investigation of issues associated with C. estertheticum and to develop and validate a rapid real time PCR assay capable of detecting and enumerating C. estertheticum, C. gasigenes and C. ruminantium .
553. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he has put in place to ensure that large foreign registered vessels, commonly referred to as super trawlers, do not engage in illegal practices while fishing in Irish waters, such as high-grading; if he intends to make provision for the inspection of such vessels upon entry into Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19032/13]
View answerControl of the vessel within Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone is a matter for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service.
554. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to any infringements or related penalties registered under the national register of infringements against vessels which have been made against a private company (details supplied) in accordance with Article 93 of the EU Control Regulation 1224/2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19033/13]
View answerControl of the fishing within Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone is a matter for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. The prosecution of infringements which are an offence under national legislation, implementing EU fisheries regulations or otherwise are carried out on behalf of the State by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
555. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of pelagic trawlers, such as the Annelies Llena and the Naeraberg, have fished inside the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone in the past 24 months; the timeframe each such vessel spent fishing in the Irish EEZ in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19034/13]
View answerControl of the fishing activity within Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone is a matter for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I have asked the SFPA to respond directly to the Deputy's request subject of course to Data protection legislation.
556. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will assist contracted growers of miscanthus elephant grass to source alternative markets in view of the fact that that they been left with significant acreage of the crop to harvest due to the industry price becoming unviable. [19054/13]
View answerSince 2007, my Department's Bioenergy Scheme has provided support for farmers who wished to establish the energy crops miscanthus and willow by offering grant-aid of 50% of the cost of establishing the crops. The scheme was initially Exchequer funded under a pilot scheme from 2007-2009 and has been co-funded by the EU under the Rural Development Programme since 2010. My Department has no role in relation to commercial arrangements between individual farmers and contractors for the end use of their energy crops. The pricing of product is also a commercial matter.
In February 2012, my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, T.D., introduced REFIT supports for bioenergy, including tariffs to support Biomass Combined Heat and Power and Biomass Combustion. These tariffs are designed to provide financial incentives for the end use of energy crops, including miscanthus. In December 2011, I amended the terms and conditions of the Bioenergy Scheme so as to remove the obligation on growers to maintain the crop for seven years as a condition of retaining grant-aid. This afforded an opportunity for growers who wished to exit the scheme to do so without penalty and was available to all growers including those who had established crops since the commencement of the scheme in 2007.
557. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19067/13]
View answerAn application under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named and the joint holder of the herd number on 15 May 2012. My Department was informed on 15 August 2012, by the legal representative of the person named, that there is an ongoing dispute between the joint applicants of this Herd number with regard to the payment of the 2012 single farm payment. Accordingly, the joint applicants and their legal representatives were written to by my Department on 21 August 2012 informing them that payment under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme cannot issue until my Department receives specific written instructions from both parties. To date my Department has not received any such written instructions.
558. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an area aid payment issue remains unresolved (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19084/13]
View answerThe holding of the person named has recently been confirmed as having satisfied the minimum stocking density requirements of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, taking account of the agri-enviroment restrictions on the holding. Payment issued directly to the nominated bank account on 19 April 2013.
559. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made with regard to an area aid payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [19085/13]
View answerThe holding of the person named has recently been confirmed as having satisfied the minimum stocking density requirements of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, taking account of the agri-enviroment restrictions on the holding. Payment issued directly to the nominated bank account on 19 April 2013.
