Written Answers Nos. 143-148
143. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not yet received their area aid or single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48477/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 18 April 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility/cross compliance inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named.
144. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not yet received their area aid or single farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48479/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application on 10 May 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of the schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area found, resulting in an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20%. Based on the Terms and Conditions of the schemes, this results in the 2013 payments being based on the found area having being reduced by double the difference between the area found and the area claimed.
The person named was notified of this decision on 11 November 2013. The person named was also informed of the right to seek a review of this decision. In the event that the person named in dissatisfied with the outcome of the review, the decision can be appealed to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
Processing of payments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme have recently been finalised and will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of person named.
145. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding single farm payment and area aid payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he will expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48511/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 19 April 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility/cross compliance inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named.
146. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the request from the Irish Draught Horse Society to seek the licence for the studbook of the Irish draught horse (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48522/13]
View answerI am aware of the recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The Department has recently considered an application to maintain a studbook for the Irish Draught horse breed from the Irish Draught Horse Society Ltd. This application has been refused as my Department is satisfied that approval of a second Studbook would dilute the genetic pool of elite breeding stock and dissipate the scarce available resources to promote the breed’s future development.
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is currently approved by my Department under the relevant legislation to maintain the Irish Draught Horse Studbook. HSI has been proactive in ensuring the breeding objectives and the breeding programme for the breed are appropriate, having already taken on board the views of breeders.
In 2008, HSI appointed a Task Force to advise on the appropriate breeding strategy for the Irish Draught Horse. The Task Force included representatives of Irish Draught breeders which were chosen by HSI for their knowledge of Irish Draught breeding and relevant organizations were also invited to contribute. The review included lengthy consultation with all involved in the industry and the Irish Draught Breeding Policy was published in 2010.
This year, Horse Sport Ireland has initiating a further review of its Irish Draught breeding policy in order to determine the effectiveness of the current policy and to make any amendments to the breeding programme which would be in the best interest of the breed. To assist this process, I understand that an Irish Draught Breeding Policy Review Taskforce is reviewing matters such as the breeding objective for the Studbook, the classification system, the inspection system and suggestions for studbook initiatives to improve the quality and marketing of the breed.
This forum is providing a significant opportunity for organizations like the Irish Draught Horse Society to offer its views and advice on future policies and strategies to preserve the breed. The Task Force is the appropriate forum to raise views regarding the adequacy of present policies towards the preservation of the breed. This Taskforce has held one meeting in October 2013 and a second meeting is being held in the next few days. I understand the Society was invited to be involved in this process.
147. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding area aid payments for 2012 and 2013 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48529/13]
View answerPayment under the 2012 and 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has not yet issued to the person named as the holding has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. As soon as the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.
148. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the standards which will be applied to Canadian beef and pork imports to Ireland as a result of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement signed between the EU and Canada last month. [48557/13]
View answerUnder the EU/Canada Trade agreement initialled last month by President Barroso and the Canadian Prime Minister, Canada was awarded a tariff rate quota for beef of 50,000 tonnes carcase weight equivalent. This equates to a quota of 39,000 tonnes of boneless beef. The quota is split between fresh/chilled beef comprising 31,000 tonnes, plus the existing 4,000 tonnes quota as part of the Hormones Agreement, and frozen beef comprising 15,000 tonnes. As regards pigmeat, Canada was awarded a quota of 75,000 tonnes.
The agreement has yet to be endorsed by the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. Moreover, certain matters, including details of the management of tariff rate quotas, have still to be finalised. However, I can tell you that under EU veterinary legislation the principle of equivalence will apply. This means that all imports of beef and pigmeat into the EU must be produced to standards equivalent to those applicable in the EU and in plants that are approved by the EU Commission. The regime is monitored by the EU Food and Veterinary Office.
In practical terms, any imports of beef and pigmeat from Canada will be accompanied by veterinary certificates issued by the Canadian authorities which will, inter alia, certify origin and that the animals have not been treated with hormones.
