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Thursday, 16 May 2013

Written Answers Nos 229-239

Land Parcel Identification System

Questions (229)

Tom Barry

Question:

229. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the cost, requirements and term of the contract for digital mapping. [23452/13]

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Written answers

As part of the underpinning of the area based support measures, which deliver some €1.6bn annually to Irish farmers, my Department is required, under relevant EU legislation, to maintain a detailed database of individual land parcels. This is known as the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) which currently records, electronically, some 1.3 million individual parcels and which is required to be kept updated, based in particular on individual claims submitted from farmers and the results of inspection activity carried out by my Department for verification purposes. Because of the database’s highly specialist nature, it has been necessary, since the inception of area based direct payments which have and will continue to be critical to the development of the Irish agriculture and food industries, to engage an external contractor to assist in this process. The Department’s systems in this critical area must meet demanding EU and national audit requirements.

This contract is awarded on the basis of a competitive tendering process in accordance with standard EU Public Procurement Procedures. The most recent tendering process commenced in December 2012 when my Department posted, on the e-tenders website, a ‘Request for Tenders for the provision of Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) Update and Maintenance’. Following an adjudication process, a contract was awarded to the successful tenderer.

The requirements of the contract can be summarised as follow:

1. Update the LPIS database as requested by applicants under the Single Payment Scheme.

2. Update the LPIS database following annual reviews of land parcels as required under the European Union’s Integrated Administrative and Control System, governing the implementation of the Single Payment Scheme and other area related schemes.

3. Update the LPIS database with the results of Ground Eligibility inspections.

4. Carry out an annual Quality Assessment of the LPIS as required under EU legislation.

5. Update the LPIS database as required under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme and the Agri-Environment Options Scheme.

6. Digitising required by the Forest Service.

7. Provide Geographic Information System technical support required by my Department.

It is intended that this contract shall be for a one-year period, with an option to extend, on an annual basis, for a further two years. The estimated total value of the contract is in the region of €1.5m.

Forestry Management

Questions (230)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

230. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a copy of the Principles of Sustainability with which Coillte should adhere in order to comply with their commitment to sustainable forest management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23458/13]

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Written answers

Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of the forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.

Coillte’s forests are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), under which, I understand, Coillte are required to comply with a number of principles and criteria. The FSC was established in 1993 as an international voluntary non-profit making organisation, to support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests. They developed a set of 10 international principles and criteria (P&C) for responsible forest management. In many countries, these international P&C have been adapted locally and developed into National P&C. The Forest Stewardship Council (Ireland) website contains the Irish FSC standard (May 2012) available for download.

In addition to the requirements associated with FSC certification, Coillte are required to comply with felling licence conditions. All tree felling is regulated by the Forestry Act 1946 and woodland owners are required to comply with best forest practice and environmental guidelines.

Food Labelling

Questions (231)

Clare Daly

Question:

231. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to insist on the fattening country on labels, along with birth country/country of origin for all beef products entering Ireland so that consumers can make ethical choice, in relation to for example, rain forest cleared land. [23461/13]

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Written answers

Food production and labelling in EU Member States operates in accordance with harmonised rules. Regarding beef, in particular, there are comprehensive regulations governing the identification of bovines and the labelling of their meat. These provisions were introduced in the wake of the BSE crisis to improve traceability.

In general, all fresh, frozen or minced beef marketed in the EU (with the exception of offal) is subject to a mandatory system of origin traceability and origin labelling. The purpose of these rules is to ensure that beef on sale can be traced back to the animal or group of animals from which it came.

There are two elements to the beef labelling regime which apply to all parts of the supply chain; the compulsory system, which requires food business operators to label their beef products (unless cooked or processed) with certain prescribed information up to and including the point of sale to the consumer; and the voluntary system, which covers any other labelling claim that processors or retailers wish to make concerning the origin, characteristics or production methods of the beef they are supplying. The claims made on product labels, marketing material or point of sale notices must be clear and cannot be misleading.

The rules already require that beef labels indicate the country or countries where the animal (or group of animals) from which it was derived was born, reared and slaughtered. Where beef is derived from an animal (or group of animals) born, reared or slaughtered in a single country, this information may be grouped together under the heading ‘Origin:’ followed by the name of the relevant Member State or third country.

Food Safety Standards Regulation

Questions (232)

Clare Daly

Question:

232. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations dealing with fish, pig, cow and poultry food manufacture, with particular reference to whether cow brains and spinal cord are permitted. [23462/13]

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Written answers

Detailed EU Regulations relating to food safety, animal by-products (ABP) and TSE govern the production of food of animal origin and the use or disposal of ABP. Specified risk material (SRM), which is classified as a Category 1 or higher risk ABP, includes the tonsils, intestines and mesentery of all bovine animals, the skull including brain and eyes, the spinal cord of bovine animals over 12 months and the vertebral column including dorsal root ganglia of bovine animals over 30 months.

The Regulations provide that SRM should be removed in slaughterhouses, cutting plants or high risk processing plants approved by the competent authority and completely destroyed by means such as rendering in a Category 1 rendering plant to avoid any risk to human or animal health. The SRM or the digestate produced from rendering this material should not be placed on the market to be used in the production of food or feed.

The Regulations prohibit the manufacture of feed for fish, pigs, cows or poultry using material processed from animals of the same species, nor is it permissible to feed protein derived from mammals to ruminants. The inclusion of SRM in animal feedstuff is also prohibited.

Afforestation Programme

Questions (233)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

233. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in respect of lands that have some designations under the hen harrier (details supplied) his view regarding this land being planted under the afforestation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23474/13]

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Written answers

There are a number of Special Protection Areas (SPA) designated for the protection of the hen harrier where restrictions apply to afforestation and other types of development. Any future afforestation within the SPAs must take into account the results of recent Hen Harrier breeding and distribution surveys, the availability of suitable habitat, existing forest cover, age profile of existing forests, and the effects of other types of developments on hen harrier populations.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is in the process of developing a Threat Response Plan (TRP) for the conservation of Hen harriers. Forestry will form a significant element of the plan, particularly in relation to overall forest restructuring. My Department is working with NPWS in the development of the TRP which will determine the circumstances in which afforestation, if any, might be accommodated in Hen harrier SPAs without impacting on the conservation of the species.

Animal Identification Scheme

Questions (234)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

234. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an approved list of suppliers for the bovine identification electronic rumen bolus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23484/13]

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Written answers

Council Regulation (EC) No. 1760/2000 /EC requires that all bovines must be identified by two ear tags (one of which may additionally carry an electronic component if that is what the farmer desires). These regulations do not provide for identification by an electronic rumen bolus. However, farmers are free to use a bolus as a third and unofficial means of identification but the Department has not approved any company to supply such products.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Application Numbers

Questions (235)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

235. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons that have been paid under the new agri-environment option scheme 3 out of the applications applied for prior to Christmas 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23528/13]

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Written answers

A total of 9,689 applications have been received by my Department under the Agri-environmental Options Scheme. The selection process is almost complete and all applicants will be notified of the outcome very shortly.

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.

Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations

Questions (236)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

236. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at the 13-14 May meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council regarding the Common Fisheries Policy; if political agreement has been reached on a final compromise package to enable conclusion of negotiations with the European Parliament and the European Commission as part of the trilogue on CFP Reform during the Irish Presidency; when he expects that co-decision on this matter will be complete; if he expects it will be concluded during the Irish Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23543/13]

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Written answers

I am pleased to report that after some 36 hours of negotiations over Tuesday and Wednesday of this week 14th – 15th May, we have now secured a new mandate from EU Fisheries Ministers to enter final negotiations with the European Parliament on a reformed Common Fisheries Policy. This represents a major breakthrough in the negotiations and represents a considerable success for Ireland’s Presidency of the EU.

The new position drafted by the Council of Ministers is based on a revised 200 page compromise legal text which I presented to Fisheries Ministers early on Wednesday morning and I greatly welcome the support received from my EU Ministerial colleagues. This agreement follows very difficult and complex negotiations and amounts to a significant step forward on behalf of EU Fisheries Ministers. It enables further crucial negotiations with the European Parliament to take place which will hopefully lead to an agreed package of significant reforms being agreed in the coming weeks. This decision by the Council is a major conciliatory step in the direction of the European Parliament’s own position on the reforms and should hopefully pave the way for successful conclusion of the complex inter-institutional negotiations on the reform. It is evidence of the importance placed by Fisheries Ministers on ensuring that this radical package of measures is finally agreed.

The Irish Presidency has prioritised securing CFP reform before the end of its term and three-way talks (trilogues) between the Council, European Parliament and Commission will now continue with the aim of achieving that goal on the basis of this new position drafted by the Council of Ministers. The Council has recognised the practical challenges for fishermen and the potential socio-economic impacts in coastal communities during the negotiations over the past number of months. I believe that the historical package agreed with the Council of Ministers this week will prepare the way for a European wide discards ban, facilitate more sustainable fishing levels in addition to appropriate management of fleet capacity and a lead to a workable regionalisation policy. It will provide the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing while supporting the communities that depend on a vibrant fishing industry. The package agreed this week will allow us to rebuild fish stocks in European waters and will allow for setting TACs and quotas to reflect catches when a landing obligation is introduced on the basis that for the first and subsequent years, discarding of that stock no longer be allowed. In the longer term as fish stocks reach and are maintained at healthy levels, it will support increased fishing opportunities for our fishermen.

It is important to emphasise that we are under no illusions as to the scale of the final challenge facing us in securing agreement with the European Parliament. The strong compromise mandate given to me this week however places a responsibility on our co-legislators in the European Parliament to show reciprocal flexibility to facilitate a successful conclusion on the Common Fisheries Policy reforms, which is the objective of both institutions. I remain cautiously optimistic that final agreement can be secured by the end of the Irish Presidency.

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Questions (237)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

237. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at the 13-14 May meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council regarding the Common Agricultural Policy as part of the trilogue with the European Parliament and European Commission on CAP Reform during the Irish Presidency; when he expects that co-decision on this matter will be complete; if he expects it will be concluded during the Irish Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23544/13]

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Written answers

I used the opportunity of this week’s Council of EU Agriculture Ministers to bring Member State colleagues up to date with the progress of trilogue discussions with the Commission and the European Parliament on reform of the CAP. I outlined the positive and constructive nature of the negotiations between the three institutions, with good progress made on a number of issues across all four CAP reform dossiers. However, I drew Ministers’ attention to the fact that, notwithstanding this forward movement, the three institutions hold quite different views in a number of areas. These will require political input to resolve if the reform package is to be agreed by the end of June.

We had a discussion on some of the issues that have already presented themselves as politically sensitive in the course of the trilogue discussions. The first of these relates to the definition of ‘active farmer’, and particularly the concept of a ‘negative list’ of entities which would not be considered active farmers and would therefore not receive direct payments under the reformed CAP. Member States want such a negative list to be a voluntary provision, while the European Parliament would prefer it to be mandatory.

The second issue relates to the proposed young farmers’ scheme. Again, the discussion focused on the question of whether this scheme should be mandatory or voluntary for Member States. The Council’s view is that the scheme should be voluntary, while the Parliament prefers a mandatory approach. Similarly, on the small farmers’ scheme, although the Council and Parliament agree that the scheme should be voluntary for Member States, the discussion focused on whether a change proposed by the Commission would allow it to become a mandatory scheme for all Member States, which the Commission would strongly prefer.

I was pleased with the exchanges on all three issues. Member States had been asked to consider how an agreement with the Parliament and Commission might be achieved and I noted a broad sense of flexibility and openness from Member States.

The exchanges at Council represent the beginning of the final phase of negotiations and we are all conscious of the need for reasonable compromise if we are to get a deal agreed by the end of June. That requires movement from all three institutions and not just from the Council. I do not underestimate the efforts that will be required by all three institutions if we are to achieve our target but I am satisfied, based on progress to date, that we are on track to achieve political agreement between the three institutions on reform of the CAP by the end of June.

Single Payment Scheme Administration

Questions (238)

Denis Naughten

Question:

238. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the closing date for single farm payment applications in view of the impact the current weather conditions are having on normal farm practices and the decision by his Department not to allow applications to be accepted in local departmental offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23550/13]

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Written answers

Under the governing EU Regulations, which are directly applicable in the State, the latest date for receipt of applications under the Single Payment Scheme is 15 May; therefore, I do not have any latitude available to me to extend this date.

While the level of applications in respect of the 2013 Scheme received by midnight last night has yet to be definitely tallied, it is clear that the vast majority of applications were received by my Department on time. A feature of the 2013 campaign is the record number of applications lodged via iNet, my Department’s on-line application facility.

Also, in order to improve its service to farmers, it was decided to formally acknowledge – either by text message or by post – all SPS application forms received in 2013. This will assist those farmers, who may have forgotten to submit their application and who otherwise would not be conscious of this and who can still avail of late application arrangements for up to 25 days after the standard closing date, with a sliding scale of penalties; details of these are set out in the Terms and Conditions sent to all applicants and also available on my Department’s website.

However, in order to be in a 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 in Portlaoise, where extended opening hours operated in recent days to facilitate applicants.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility

Questions (239)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

239. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an area based payment has not yet been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if they are entitled to appeal this decision; if they are eligible to apply for the area based payment in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23560/13]

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Written answers

Under 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, there are two criteria to be satisfied in relation to equines. Firstly, the holding itself must meet the definition of an Equine Breeding Enterprise and secondly, horses, in order to be taken into account for stocking density purposes, must be aged one to five years and, where older, must be a breeding mare for the purposes of the Scheme.

While the person named submitted nine equine passports, none was in respect of a breeding mare which foaled in 2009, 2010 or 2011. Therefore, as the Terms and Condition of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme have not been satisfied, no payment is due for the year in question.

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