Wednesday, 15 May 2013

Written Answers Nos. 230-238

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (230)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

230. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider allowing farmers the option of an early draw down of part of their payment under the disadvantaged area scheme in view of the fodder crisis in view of the fact that many farmers need cash flow and have extended their credit as far as they can with co-ops and banks, similar to the provision he has made for 2,100 payments the under agri environment option scheme as not every farmer is in AEOS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23121/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Mindful of ongoing difficulties, I have decided that a formal request should again be made to the EU Commission seeking agreement to pay an advance from 16 October of the 2013 Single Farm Payment which, being the first day of the new EU financial year is the earliest potential payment date and almost two months ahead of the standard timeline. It will be recalled that my successful approach to Commissioner Ciolos for agreement to making an advance payment of the 2012 Single Farm Payment was prompted by the very wet weather experienced throughout last summer.

My Department will continue to make every effort to ensure that payments under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commence as early as possible in September, while taking into account of the need to adhere to the requirement in the governing EU Regulation, which provides that all eligibility checks must be finalised before full payments can commence.

In light of the difficulties experienced by farmers in sourcing fodder supplies, I announced the allocation of €1 million to fund the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme, which is designed to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage) from outside the island of Ireland. In light of the continuing difficulties being experienced, I extended the duration of the scheme to Friday 24 May, a broadening of its scope to include maize silage and a doubling of the budget to €2 million. I am pleased to note that since the introduction of this Scheme that significant quantities of fodder have been imported and are reaching those in most need.

Following the issue of approximately 1,500 AEOS payments valued at €1.6m over the last two weeks, close to a further 600 AEOS payments valued at close to €1.5 million will issue this week. Both AEOS 1 and 2 payments will continue to issue in the weeks ahead as outstanding queries are resolved. This will bring the total paid out in respect of the 2012 application period to just over €40m.

To date approximately 29,200 of the remaining 30,200 REPS 4 participants have been paid a total of €167m in respect of the 2012 application period. An additional €1m will issue this week to a further 200 REPS 4 farmers.

I am, of course, keeping the situation under review in light of the ongoing situation.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (231)

Michael Creed

Question:

231. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing an agri environment option scheme payment to a person (details provided) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23131/13]

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 full payment totalling €1,294.73 issued 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. These checks have been successfully completed for 2012 and 75% payment totalling €2,913.14 issued to the person named on 13th May 2013. The balancing 25% payment will issue shortly.

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Questions (232)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

232. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the sale of the harvesting rights of Coillte, the impact, if any, that this will have on the people's millennium forests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23145/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The People’s Millennium Forests Project was a flagship Millennium project sponsored by the National Millennium Committee and AIB and managed by Coillte in association with Woodlands of Ireland. This was the largest ever project directed at the expansion and enhancement of our native woodlands.

There were 16 sites involved in this project, 14 of which are in the Republic of Ireland and two in Northern Ireland. The mission of the People’s Millennium Forests Project was to ensure that all future generations can enjoy the benefits of Ireland’s native forests. I am aware that 12 of the 16 sites involved in the People's Millennium Forest Project form part of the Coillte forest estate.

Further to the Government’s decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be considered for sale, NewERA, Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and this Department have worked to examine the financial and other implications of developing the potential of Coillte’s forest assets. This examination included the identification of the forestry assets involved, the determination of their value and the consideration of a number of issues associated with the proposed sale of the harvesting rights. The protection of the People's Millennium Forests was one such issue. The overall analysis on the proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights is currently being finalised. As I advised last week, a report on the process to date will be considered by the Government shortly.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Questions (233)

Noel Harrington

Question:

233. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a REP scheme 4 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23169/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named commenced REPS 4 in December 2007 and received payments for the first three years of their contract.

REPS 4 is a measure under the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. These checks have been completed in this case and the 2012 75% payment amounting to €7,048.35 issued for payment on the 25th April 2013. The 25% balancing payment amounting to €2,349.44 issued for payment on the 01st May 2013.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (234)

Tom Fleming

Question:

234. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite an agri-environment option scheme 2 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23273/13]

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 €1,319.00 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. The person named was selected for a ground inspection which took place on 15th November 2012. During this inspection, areas of non-compliance with the terms and condition of the scheme were noted in relation to the Natura option which will result in a penalty being imposed. On 7th February 2013, a letter issued to the person named outlining the nature of the penalty and the appeal option. To date, no appeal has been received by officials in my Department. Accordingly the application will now be processed for payment on the basis of the inspection findings.

Food Safety Authority Investigations

Questions (235)

Martin Ferris

Question:

235. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the costs incurred by his Department in investigating the recent horsemeat scandal. [23278/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The following direct costs have been incurred, to date, by my Department arising from the recent investigation:

DNA testing	€83,714;
Phenylbutazone (bute) testing	€67,495;
Travel and Subsistence	€40,917;
Incidental expenses	€1,886.

Overtime costs of approximately €5,000 have also been incurred. In addition the Department diverted a very significant level of resource from other tasks to this investigation.

It is envisaged that DNA testing costs and expenses arising from additional official controls relating to the detection of non-compliances will be recouped from the food business operators concerned.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (236)

Tom Fleming

Question:

236. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will open temporary offices in all towns in County Kerry in order to allow farmers to submit their single farm payment applications in view of the fact that it will speed up the process, as farmers are under pressure as a result of the fodder crisis, many of whom currently travel very long distances to be able to hand in their forms to his Department in Tralee; if he will take into consideration that the online service is not a viable option for a large number of farmers who need a Department office within a realistic commutable distance for applications as complex and as important as the single farm payment and many are not computer literate and others due to poor health and medical conditions cannot travel to Tralee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23281/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In order to improve its service to farmers, the Department has decided that it will acknowledge – either by text message or by post – all SPS application forms received in 2013. This is intended to assist those farmers, who had forgotten to submit their application as happens in many instances every year. In some instances, farmers are unaware that they had forgotten to submit their application until they are informed that no application has been received when they make enquires about the non-issue of their payments during the autumn.

In order to be in position to carry out this process, it was necessary to provide that 2013 SPS forms together with entitlement related applications should be submitted directly to the Department’s Single Payment Unit, Portlaoise.

Forms may be submitted on-line and an increasing number of farmers are availing of this option by submitting their application themselves or by using an agent approved by the Department. Such agents are either staff of Teagasc or agricultural consultants. In 2012 over 65,000 on-line applications were received and it is likely that over 70,000 will be received this year. I strongly urge farmers to use this option themselves or with the assistance of an approved agent. Such applications are easily traced, are acknowledged electronically and are more readily processed for payment

In addition applications may be hand delivered or returned by post to the Single Payment Unit in Portlaoise in the pre-addressed envelope sent out to every 2012 applicant under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme. An Express Post receipt is attached to each return envelope sent out and provides an acceptable proof of postage for retention by the applicant. A registered post receipt is also an acceptable proof of postage if such is required by my Department. The option of posting the application form in the return envelope provided is available at all Post Officers throughout the country. The Single Payment Unit in Portlaoise will remain opened until midnight tonight to accept applications.

I am very aware that some farmers seek information from my Department when completing their SPS application forms. Anyone with a query of this nature should contact the designated lo-call number for their county as printed in the Terms & Conditions of the SPS circulated to all 2012 applicants at the beginning of April. Farmers are well aware of these numbers and thousands of queries are received every year on the Department’s lo-call numbers during the period from the issue of the blank application forms until the closing date for the receipt of applications on 15th May .

The change in the procedure for the submission of paper applications will mean that many application forms will be received on an earlier date in the Single Payment Unit than in previous years. This in turn will greatly assist the early scanning of forms and the issuing of acknowledgements to farmers and indeed the processing to completion of such applications.

Animal Mortalities

Questions (237)

Michael Creed

Question:

237. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has conducted any analysis on the level of animal mortality over the past number of months due to the extended winter and poor quality feeding; if there is any analysis into the prevalence of fluke in the national herd; and the steps he proposes to take to address this matter. [23291/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The number of cattle mortalities in the first three months of this year was up 26% on the same period last year. It should be noted that the operation of the National BVD Eradication Programme would have been responsible for some of this increase.

An increased incidence of liver fluke infection in sheep and cattle was anticipated in 2012 because of the increase in rainfall during the year. The risk was the subject of a liver fluke forecast and alert in a press release issued by my Department in October 2012 which is available on the DAFM website at:- http://agriculture.gov.ie/press/pressreleases/2012/October/title, 67193, en.html.

Losses in Sheep due to liver fluke infection, (accounting for 24.3% of cases submitted for post-mortem diagnosis to the Regional Veterinary Laboratories), were elevated this Spring when compared to previous Springs, bearing in mind that the peak incidence of deaths attributed to liver fluke in sheep occurs in the Autumn of each year. There was also an increased incidence of liver fluke infection in cattle, the more common effect of which is production loss such as reduced milk production and / or reduced weight gain rather than deaths.

The Department’s Veterinary Laboratory Service continues to be available to help farmers by providing diagnostic services on referral by private veterinary practices. In addition, in response to difficulties being experienced by farmers in sourcing fodder, I introduced a scheme on the 24th April last – the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme – to assist with transport costs in response associated with importation of forage from abroad. The scheme has been extended to 24 May 2013. Furthermore, emergency assistance continues to be made available under my Department’s early warning system to farmers whose animals are currently experiencing serious welfare issues and where the farmer him/herself is unable to cope with the situation.

Stocking Densities

Questions (238)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

238. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the bad weather this year, if he intends, on a one year only basis to relax the stocking density rule for the disadvantaged area scheme; if he will consider a stocking density of a 15Lu/ha for five consecutive months reasonable, averaged over nine months instead of 12 months; his views on whether this would help farmers who traditionally purchase stock in April to sell in November and are a vital part of the livestock trade and who will not be able to purchase livestock this year until June due to the weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23292/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am particularly conscious of the difficulties facing farmers, prompted by the prolonged period of adverse weather, which has cumulated in severe fodder shortages in many areas. In response, I have introduced a specific Scheme, the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme, designed to assist towards the transport costs of imported fodder and maintenance of stocking levels. The situation has prompted action by the wider industry and farm bodies, which is very welcome. In keeping the situation under constant review, I decided, given the ongoing shortages in some areas, to extend the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme to 24 May and to double the funding available to €2 million. Simultaneously, my Department’s Emergency Welfare System continues to respond to individual emergency situations.

Mindful of ongoing difficulties, I also decided that a formal request should again be made to the EU Commission seeking agreement to pay an advance from 16 October of the 2013 Single Farm Payment which, being the first day of the new EU financial year is the earliest potential payment date and almost two months ahead of the standard timeline. It will be recalled that my successful approach to Commissioner Ciolos for agreement to making an advance payment of the 2012 Single Farm Payment was prompted by the very wet weather experienced throughout last summer.

With specific regard to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the 2013 Scheme, as already announced, is focussed on the protection of the smaller and most disadvantaged. It must also be borne in mind that the minimum stocking density requirement is equivalent to one ewe per eligible forage hectare and can not in any way be regarded as onerous. It will be recalled that, in response to budgetary realities, it was decided to re-focus the Scheme, with greater consideration been given to those contributing most to achieving the aims of the Scheme, which are: ensuring continued agricultural land use, thereby contributing to the maintenance of a viable rural society; maintaining the countryside; maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems, which, in particular, take account of environmental protection requirements.

Given the restrictions faced by those farming in recognised Disadvantaged Areas and mindful of the aims of the Scheme, as outlined, it will be readily appreciated that appropriate stocking levels are crucial. In this regard, balance must be struck between the need to ensure that at least the minimum is done to ensure the land is adequately utilised and grazed, while at the same time being sufficiently aware of the natural constraints. In this regard, it is clear that the minimum stocking levels currently set under the Scheme achieve this twin objective. Thus, the terms of the 2013 Scheme remain as previously announced. Farmers with genuine fodder-related stocking difficulties may avail of the force majeure provisions of the Scheme.