Other Questions
6. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to encourage the slaughter of surplus horses; the way he intends to encourage the slaughter of surplus young horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29376/13]
View answerFirst, I am glad this issue was raised because, as the Deputy is aware, we have had a challenging year in terms of horsemeat entering the food chain. I believe we have got through that successfully and have been Europe's leaders in exposing the problem and in putting in place policy initiatives to ensure it does not happen again. However, one consequence has been a dramatic reduction in the number of horses slaughtered in Irish slaughtering facilities this year. Thus far, the figure is approximately 5,500 whereas last year, the figure would have been nearly four times that.
What was the figure for last year?
Last year the figure was four times that at approximately 24,000. There are a number of reasons for that, and people should not necessarily draw the conclusion that the number of horses slaughtered last year, which is different from the number for this year, are horses that should not have been slaughtered. That is not the case. The main reason the number of horses slaughtered this year is dramatically decreased is that we shut down facilities. For a number of months this year there were no facilities to slaughter horses. As a result of that we have a problem because there are many low-value horses for which there is no market that would have found their way, through various different systems in terms of transporting horses or slaughtering of horses, out of the system last year. Now, because we are strictly imposing the rules, as we must, to guarantee we can stand over everything that goes into the food chain we must deal with a by-product of that, which is that there are many unwanted horses, and there is animal welfare concern around that population of horses.
There is also a problem in that EU regulations do not allow horsemeat into the pet food chain, in other words, rendering. We are examining that with the Commission to see whether that may be an outlet for horses. Horse owners who do not have identification for their animals would not have the full costs of getting their horse slaughtered and disposed of through a knackery and so on.
We have an open mind on this issue but I want to state clearly that we should not and will not simply look for a derogation to allow all these horses into the food chain because we have a problem with them. That would send out all sorts of negative messages in terms of Ireland's attitude towards food safety, and we cannot allow that given where we have been this year, but we will examine other solutions that are practical and make sense.
I thank the Minister for the reply. He has outlined the problem very well. He has not given much indication in regard to solutions. I wonder what the Minister intends to do to deal with this problem because we have a real problem. I agree with him that we must be sure about standards but has he any proposals, for example, to introduce a scrappage scheme through which money would be made available to take the surplus horses out of the system? Surplus horses, some owned and some not owned, are a major problem around the country.
On a related matter, there are a number of reasons the numbers have dropped significantly. A major problem arose post the boom in that there were a huge number of horses in the system that became surplus to requirement. With the passing of the animal health and welfare legislation, before they are released horses that are impounded should be micro-chipped and anybody who reclaims them must have a name and address to ensure that in the event they are re-impounded, we can take decisions on whether they should be released or taken out of the system.
This is a serious problem across the country. In the area I come from there is a large number of horses with which nothing can be done, and many of them are going hungry on the side of the road. Some type of scheme must be put in place, perhaps a scrappage scheme as suggested by Deputy Ó Cuív, or a grant aid scheme to ensure something can be done about the problem.
I take the opportunity to welcome the new Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, to the House. Comhghairdeas. Regarding a potential registration waiver, which I have raised with the Minister previously, I understand where Deputy Ó Cuív is coming from on that but the difficulty is that the registration sometimes costs more than the cost of the horse. A prohibitive cost issue arises in that horses are being dumped because the owners do not want to register them. I do not seek a response today but I ask that consideration be given to some form of waiver for registration because of the prohibitive cost of registering.
I want to be clear on a number of points. Even if one registers one's horse it does not solve the problem. The Deputy's point is a fair one. We are trying to find a solution that will encourage people to abide by that solution and ensure it does not cost them a fortune. Otherwise, we will have concerns about animal welfare, and I have seen photographs of horses that have been dumped, abused and so on.
It might be helpful if I were to come into committee on this issue where we could discuss in detail some of the options rather than giving a short soundbite here. This is a difficult problem. We have outlets for unwanted horses. We pay local authorities a good deal of money, and they are disposing of very large numbers of horses but that is probably not enough to deal with the current significant problem that has arisen as a by-product of the horsemeat crisis and the fact that many of the factories were closed to horsemeat. Two factories are now open again and they are slaughtering quite large numbers of horses but we still have a glut of horses to deal with, and many of them will not be allowed past the door of a factory.
We have to find a solution for that but it is also important in a debate like this one to remind people who own horses of their obligations. The idea that it is somehow the Government's problem to deal with the disposal of an animal that they own and have responsibility for because it now appears it is more expensive to dispose of that animal is wrong. It is important in that context to remind people of their obligations when they own an animal, but we need a detailed discussion on this issue.
There is a lot of interest in this particular question. I call Deputy Ó Cuív and Deputy Mulherin and ask them to be brief.
I welcome the indication from the Minister that he will come into the committee. The Chairman is sitting behind him and I am sure he will be amenable to that proposal. We look forward to that debate.
When the Minister comes into the committee there is one issue that deserves serious consideration, and it is an EU issue. Why is it that the standards that apply within the European Union regarding horsemeat for human consumption are higher than the standards the European Union applies to imports of horsemeat from the United States of America for the same purpose?
To add to that, a resources issue does arise here. I welcome the Minister's indication that he will attend the committee. Whether it is horses or other animals that are abandoned, the problem is finding the owners. There is a major problem with finding resources for voluntary animal welfare and rescue organisations that are inundated and carrying the heavy load for local authorities. Notwithstanding the moneys the Minister is giving to those local authorities, it is not enough and I ask him to address that issue.
On that, we have also increased the funding available to animal welfare organisations. Despite the fact that we have had to reduce expenditure on practically every heading for the reasons with which everybody is familiar, animal welfare organisations have seen a significant increase in the amount of financial supports they get, and it is because they need it. In the middle of a recession animals often get abused, and welfare organisations are busier now than they have ever been in the past.
On the standards issue, there are no horses slaughtered in the US. They are either taken up to Canada or down to Mexico. Large numbers of horses are imported from the US into Europe for the human food chain. My understanding is that they have to pass a series of tests before they enter that human food chain but we can only control the slaughtering facilities we have in the European Union through EU regulations. The inter-trade negotiations we have with the US are a different matter, but I agree with the Deputy that we should insist on a common standard.
It is a human health issue.
It is, yes.
7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the legislation to implement the EU timber regulation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29378/13]
View answerThe new EU timber regulation is now in effect. It does not require any further national legislation to become law in this country. It is part of a package of measures aimed at ensuring all products containing wood placed on the market in the EU are from legally harvested timber. It applies to wood and wood products being placed for the first time on the EU market. It counters the trade in illegally harvested timber and timber products by imposing three key obligations on the sector: placing illegally harvested timber and products derived from such timber on the EU market, for the first time, is prohibited; those EU operators who place timber products on the EU market for the first time are required to exercise due diligence; and those traders who buy or sell timber and timber products already on the market are required to keep information about their suppliers and customers to make timber easily traceable.
Each member state is, however, obliged to introduce national legislation that will lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of the regulation. This process is at an advanced stage in my Department and I can assure the Deputy that I will lay out effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, where appropriate, to ensure compliance.
I have charged my officials with carrying out a number of functions over the coming period to ensure compliance with these new rules. They will provide information and guidance to the industry through use of the web and seminars or talks. They will gather technical data to provide a knowledge database to take informed decisions and to advise on compliance. They will plan for enforcement though various actions such as site visits and information sampling. They will co-operate effectively with both the European Commission and other member states to combat cross-border infringements.
As the Deputy can appreciate, the process is at an early stage with only four countries now with the national penalties specified. My officials have been in close contact with key players across Europe already with a view to establishing best practice in a number of areas. Department officials have established strong links regarding information sharing with two key trading member states and are committed to adding to this number shortly. Ireland, like all member states, will be asked by the Commission to account for its implementation of the process by a formal reporting and review procedure laid down in the regulation.
I should point out that it is expected that for the majority of those affected, this regulation will simply involve the reaffirmation of their current business practice. It will primarily require them to ensure their paper trail is in a format which can be checked to verify compliance. The key change this regulation will bring about is to impose a greater responsibility on those placing timber on the market to ensure their products have been legally harvested.
I wish the Minister of State good luck in his new position. I hope the senior Minister, Deputy Coveney, makes the right decision on the proposed sale of the harvesting rights of Coillte. The Government is aware of the huge opposition to the plan to sell off the harvesting rights and I hope the Government has listened to the views of the public that have been clearly stated on that.
The Minister of State is aware the EU timber regulation came into force across Europe on 3 March to deal with the problem of illegal logging, with all the subsequent problems it causes in deforestation and climate change, not to mention tax revenue being lost to states, which has further implications in these difficult financial times. This regulation is important and Ireland must implement it as a matter of urgency. Oddly, given this is a country that can grow trees very quickly and that should have a higher level of afforestation, we import about €500 million worth of timber annually. There is significant potential, therefore, for this country to import illegally logged timber, with all the consequences that can have for us economically.
Why has there been such a delay in fully implementing this timber regulation? When asked in March about it, the Minister said legislation was being prepared but the Minister of State's reply seems to suggest there will not be legislation, so perhaps he might clarify that. When can we expect the introduction of a penalties regime to be brought in so operators who are not scrupulous in ensuring they use legally felled trees will be penalised for doing so? Can the Minister of State give an assurance that the competent authority that was supposed to be set up, but which has not been set up, will be adequately resourced to ensure the proper implementation of the timber regulations and the proper supervision of the industry?
The Deputy remarked that the Minister will make the decision but the Cabinet will make the decision shortly on the future of the harvesting rights of Coillte. Every consideration has been given in the past while to the decision the Cabinet is about to make.
Let us hope it is the right decision.
I am sure people will be happy. I came into the job in the past two weeks and I do not know what answers were given. I did not go through the file to see what answers were given to the Deputy's questions in the past week. New regulation is not needed. We must implement what is in place now. The officials have been tasked with that job and told to do it as a matter of urgency. They are to provide guidance to the industry though the use of the Internet, seminars and talks, and to gather technical data to provide a knowledge database to take informed decisions on compliance. The plan is for enforcement through actions such as site visits and information.
Last Friday, I toured three counties that had sites where a lot of forestry work was being done, and I saw there was huge potential for the industry. I was in Fermoy, where a private company employs 100 people in a very modern factory producing timber and boards at high speed for the market, replacing imported products and even exporting, which the company hopes to do because it sees a gap in the market. I toured the hills where the timber was growing and saw the efficiency with which the work was being done. The whole industry has a great future. We did not pay the necessary attention in recent years but I believe there is a growing commitment on the part of all those involved to ensure this project is safeguarded.
I welcome the commitment to the development of Irish forestry but we are a long way from where we should be. Afforestation levels are the lowest in Europe. We are importing €500 million worth of timber that we should not have to import. That makes us vulnerable to illegally logged timber, which is bad for our economy, for the developing world and for climate change. I hope the Minister of State will commit to stringent implementation of the EU regulations and ensure the necessary resources are provided to do so.
I am giving the commitment. The officials have been asked to do that and everyone involved in the industry is genuinely committed to making the industry more effective. I have no doubt we will achieve that.
8. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has studied the submissions received from the Irish Farmers Association and other farm organisations setting out the various preferred options in the context of the Common Agricultural Policy reform; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to achieve the objectives set out; the degree to which he expects to be in a position to ensure that the Irish and European food producing sector is adequately safeguarded and promoted in view of the pivotal nature of the industry and its major economic significance and if he expects the CAP reform provisions to remain constant in the course of any subsequent World Trade Organization negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29339/13]
View answerThe Minister, Deputy Coveney, has taken careful note of the submissions received from all the farming organisations and, indeed, from all stakeholders. They have been useful in highlighting the main concerns and preferred options of the farming and wider agrifood sector. Of course, there are variations between the positions taken by different stakeholders and it is the job of the Minister to steer a course that will deliver a policy that will be fit for purpose and that will underpin the future of Irish and European farming.
Let me remind Deputies that Ireland's priorities at the outset of these negotiations were to ensure, in so far as possible, sufficient Common Agricultural Policy financial resources to support sustainable food production in the EU and in Ireland; flexibility for member states on farm payment models and transition arrangements; and a rural development policy that effectively supports competitiveness and sustainability. I am pleased to state that substantial progress has been made in delivering on all these priorities. Although the budget agreement has yet to be endorsed by the European Parliament, there is no question but that a substantial budget has been secured for the CAP, including in excess of €11 billion for Ireland over the coming period.
As to the other elements, next week in Luxembourg and Brussels, the Minister will seek to achieve political agreement between the three EU institutions on the Common Agricultural Policy reform package in order to deliver a rural development regulation that will provide the scope for Ireland to implement a rural development programme which targets support to Irish farmers to assist them in increasing their competitiveness and improving their sustainability and deliver a payment model that is fair to Irish farmers and supports sustainable intensification and active farming by ensuring a fairer distribution of direct payments while avoiding abrupt, large losses to higher paid farmers.
As to the effects of future WTO negotiations, with the current round of negotiations stalled, it is difficult at this point to imagine a situation in which a WTO outcome will have a major impact on the current CAP reform package.
I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. Can he give any indication to the House at this stage as to the extent to which the submissions received from the Irish farm organisations have been considered in the context of the CAP reform, the extent to which other farm organisations throughout Europe have also been considered in the context of the Irish Presidency and the extent to which it is expected that those who continue to make a contribution to agriculture, those living in rural areas and those farm families involved in agriculture can be assured as to their future prospects?
As to an assurance that everybody has been consulted, never before has there been so much consultation. The rural organisations, such as the Irish Farmers Association, the ICMSA, Macra na Feirme, the Irish cattle and livestock producers, all have been consulted. This House has been consulted on the ongoing negotiations.
On the fact that we held the Presidency and made such an impact, I was in Brussels only last week - I will be glad to be over there next week when these negotiations are being finalised - and due to the respect in which Ireland is now held because we have brought the matter from what was a difficult position some months ago to where we have it now, many of the worries and important issues for many throughout the country will be taken into account, particularly in regard to family farms and younger people. The Minister has emphasised always during the negotiations his commitment to bring about a position where increasing numbers of young people will take to the land. Only 9% of those involved in agriculture are under 35 years of age. That percentage must be increased and, hopefully, after next week it will be.
The Minister hopes people will be satisfied. Clearly everybody cannot be fully satisfied but we will be close to it.
Contrary to what the Minister of State stated here, I am on the record of the House, back at the beginning of these negotiations, in saying that any change had to take place over time and I was shocked and surprised at the Minister of State trying to infer that I ever stated anything else. Does he believe that the single payment in the long term should relate to the amount of land one has, to average productivity as it could not be individual productivity or to something that happened in the historic years of 2000, 2001 and 2002?
When discussing this and making a case for the retention or, as Deputy Ó Cuív has done, for a complete change in it, it is important to remember that there is a historic element to this. Over the past number of years, people have borrowed substantial sums. They have put in many buildings and done a great deal of farm programming and they must be treated the same as everybody else. It is important that there be fairness across the sectors. These are the issues: first, the historic commitment and, second, fairness for the individual farmers and producers across the country.
We have gained substantially from the Common Agricultural Policy. As a country, we have reacted to it. We are unique by comparison to other countries in that we have also increased our production. The response of the farming community to the agricultural programme we have in place with aims and objectives for 2020 has been unique by comparison to other European countries.
I am happy that the Common Agricultural Policy needs to remain in place. I am happy that our farmers are responding to it. They will understand that the changes, when they come, will be to the benefit of the agricultural community.
I call Deputy Durkan on a quick supplementary. We are over time and I would ask him to be brief.
We should keep going on this question. It is a good question.
Further to the Minister of State's already comprehensive reply, to what extent has there been unanimity or general agreement achieved among the Council of Ministers on the validity of the case for the future insurance of the agrifood producing sector and to what extent has this been recognised within the European Commission, with particular reference to ensuring that the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development is cognisant of the magnitude of the employment creation prospects and potential for the future of the agrifood sector?
I am cognisant of the time and I would ask the Minister to be brief.
I am sorry about the time. I tried to stop the clock but it would not stop.
I want to give an assurance that significant effort has been put into negotiation of this Common Agricultural Policy. There has also been considerable interest shown by many member states to make this deal happen but no member state has as much to benefit out of it as we have. Leaving aside uncertainty after next week, if we have not finalised this deal next week it may be politically opportunistic for some to state that we failed in negotiations but it is important for the future direction of this country.
On Deputy Durkan's question as to what efforts have been made with the Commission and the other member states, there has been a great deal of work done by the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and much negotiation. A great deal of time has been spent outside of the formal meetings.
Informal meetings have been held and he has put great effort into trying to find a negotiated solution.
May I ask another question?
We are moving on. We have given the question more than adequate time.
There is nobody here except ourselves.
There are a number of questions from other Deputies to be heard.
There is nobody else here.
The questions are from the Deputy's party.
They are my questions.
9. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received for the agri-environment options scheme 3 programme, and the number approved, broken down on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29362/13]
View answerI take the opportunity, at the outset, to again emphasise both my own and the Government’s commitment to the agri-environment schemes as operated by my Department. These schemes put environmentally friendly farming at the forefront and recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods and in protecting the environment and the natural heritage for the benefit of society as a whole. This commitment is evident in the fact that more than €750 million was spent by my Department on agri-environment schemes in 2010, 2011 and 2012 alone and also in the fact that, despite the financial pressures facing my Department, I provided for a further €200 million in funding in 2013 for expenditure under the rural environment protection scheme, REPS, and the agri-environment options scheme, which is commonly known as AEOS. I also decided to make €20 million available annually to reopen AEOS to new entrants in 2012. A total of 9,703 applications were received by my Department under the reopened scheme and 6,000 have now been approved to participate in the scheme.
The approval of applicants was determined by the level of funding available and on the basis of certain priority selection criteria as set out in the published scheme documentation. Applicants within a targeted area of the Boora region of County Offaly who select wild bird cover option B - grey partridge - will get first access; applicants with eligible Natura land are the next to get access; applicants with at least half a hectare of utilisable agricultural non-Natura commonage land are next; and these are followed by farm partnerships, those with previous participation in REPS, those with farms of a particular size based on the utilisable agricultural area, favouring smaller holdings, and farms located in less favoured areas.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
All approved applicants have been accepted with a commencement date of 1 May 2013. The new contracts will run for a period of five years and eight months, which will extend their duration beyond the expiry of the current programme period of 31 December 2013. Participants in the scheme will be offered the opportunity to adjust their commitments for the remainder of the period of their contract to the legal framework of the new programme period. The policy framework that will apply in the next period is under discussion at EU level. If such an adjustment is not acceptable to the participant, he or she may withdraw from the schemes without any requirement for reimbursement of aid already received.
A total of 4,483 applicants selecting grey partridge, Natura and commonage actions were approved for the scheme and the remaining 1,517 applicants selected had all previously participated in REPS and had a reference area of 22.06 ha. or less on their 2012 single payment scheme application. The table sets out the number of persons in each county who were recently approved to participate in the agri-environment options scheme.
Approvals to participate in AEOS, May 2013
|
County |
Total |
|
Carlow |
25 |
|
Cavan |
139 |
|
Clare |
357 |
|
Cork |
317 |
|
Donegal |
1061 |
|
Dublin |
5 |
|
Galway |
1007 |
|
Kerry |
619 |
|
Kildare |
16 |
|
Kilkenny |
31 |
|
Laois |
26 |
|
Leitrim |
279 |
|
Limerick |
116 |
|
Longford |
42 |
|
Louth |
23 |
|
Mayo |
997 |
|
Meath |
32 |
|
Monaghan |
68 |
|
Offaly |
68 |
|
Roscommon |
275 |
|
Sligo |
220 |
|
Tipperary |
92 |
|
Waterford |
54 |
|
Westmeath |
58 |
|
Wexford |
27 |
|
Wicklow |
46 |
|
Total |
6000 |
Considering the expenditure on the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, and the rural environment protection scheme, REPS, one can see that the expenditure for 2010 - the last full year we were in Government - was €321 million, and it fell to €275 million in 2011, €253 million in 2012 and an estimated €200 million this year. Based on the Minister of State's estimates, it will only be €171 million next year.
My question is quite simple. It would cost approximately €10 million to approve the remaining valid applications under the AEOS. This year saw an unprecedented crisis in farming, so farmers need every bit of support they can get, particularly in maintaining good environmental practice. As there would be no cost implications this year because payment would not be made until next year, will the Minister of State consider allowing the remaining 3,000 farmers into the AEOS?
I accept this has been a very difficult year, with farmers encountering many difficulties, particularly in March, April and well into May. Problems arose because the weather did not improve and dealing with the consequences was difficult for many people, which I accept and understand. The Deputy referred to the funding of AEOS. My understanding is that when this Government came to power, despite the fact that the previous Government had made commitments, there was no funding for the AEOS and the incoming Government could not implement it. Through negotiations within the budget, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, found the money for the scheme. I am amazed that the Deputy is asking for more funding in that respect. It is difficult to get funding at any stage so I wonder where the Deputy would get it.
Will the Minister of State confirm that in 2011 there was an underspend of €200 million in the Estimate of the Department?
I would have to check that as I have just come to the Department. I remind the Deputy that the funding was not available for the AEOS. I do not know how the Deputy is able to perform addition when he is not in Government but could not do so when he was part of the Government. Where would the Deputy get the funding?
I will explain. In its first year, the Government underspent by €200 million. If it had made the AEOS payments in 2011, there would have been a knock-on effect in every other year. The previous Government is irrelevant to the process, as this Government had the money but gave it back to the Exchequer. Even if the Government allowed the remaining 3,000 applicants into the scheme, the total cost would be approximately €10 million and the budget for AEOS next year would be €20 million less than this year and more than €100 million less than in 2010. Will the Government allow the remaining 3,000 applicants into the AEOS?
I assure the Deputy that if money can be made available for schemes, it will be made available. We must verify that funding is available, and I will check it out for the Deputy.
That would be very welcome.
