Written Answers Nos. 192-198
193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which it has been possible to alleviate the extra transport costs imposed on the agri-sector arising from the maximum permissible vehicle height restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53582/13]
View answerIn light of the difficulties experienced by farmers in sourcing fodder supplies, earlier this year I announced the allocation of funding for an imported fodder transport scheme, designed to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage) from outside the island of Ireland. The aid substantially covered the cost of transport into the country, thus reducing the cost to farmers of a bale of hay by approximately one third.
While the scheme operated through the co-operatives, marts and other approved agencies, the actual beneficiaries are the individual farmers and primary producers who needed urgent supplies of feed. Operating the scheme in this manner was the quickest and most effective way of getting the fodder to those who needed it.
The Minister for Transport, who is responsible for road traffic law, introduced Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 which sets the maximum height limit of vehicles in this country at 4.65 metres.
Following public consultation undertaken by the Department of Transport, prior to the completion of the relevant Regulations in 2008, the intention to introduce a 4.65m limit was announced in January 2007. In response to representations from the haulage industry, it was agreed that a five year derogation from that limit would apply to vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1st November 2008. The derogation was introduced to allow a five-year period within which vehicles operating at heights in excess of the new limits could be withdrawn from use in Ireland in an orderly and planned manner, or to allow for the necessary height reductions by operators and would minimise the economic costs of the change. This derogation expired on 31st October 2013.
Given the lead-in time that this height limit has had, extending the derogation would have the effect of penalising those operators who have adjusted their fleet to ensure compliance with this well flagged law, while rewarding those that did not.
194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which pig and poultry producers have been able to upgrade their accommodation in line with animal welfare regulations; if any specific issues remain outstanding in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53583/13]
View answerThe new EU animal welfare rules for the pig sector came into force on 1 January 2013. Grant-aid was made available under the TAMS Sow Welfare Scheme in order to assist farmers to bring their facilities up to the standards required by the new rules.
As a small number of farmers were unable to complete the investment works concerned by the previous closing date of end-September 2013, I recently agreed to extend the deadline concerned until end-February 2014. This will be the final extension for completion of work and lodgement of a payment claim under the above-mentioned Scheme. Farmers will be aware that it is an offence to keep pigs in non-compliant housing after 1 January 2013.
195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which adequate provision has been made to ensure the survival of families dependent on the fishing industry in the context of EU fishing policy review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53584/13]
View answerThe new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) 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 will support the rebuilding of 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.
The commitment to develop and strengthen biologically sensitive areas, with spawning grounds and high populations of juvenile fish, will protect the livelihoods of coastal communities by ensuring that fish are allowed to grow to maturity, are more plentiful and fished in an environmentally responsible manner.
I am committed to continuing the path set out in Food Harvest 2020 for the development of the seafood sector in Ireland into 2014. The strategy set out in Food Harvest involves both the processing and aquaculture sectors and to date data from BIM indicate that added-value sales has increased by €50 million in 2013 alone.
I am fully supportive of implementing appropriate measures to achieve the objectives set out in the CFP reform and food Harvest 2020 which will bring real and meaningful reform and development in the seafood sector.
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which wild trout and salmon stocks continue to be safeguarded in the context of marine aquaculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53585/13]
View answerAll applications for marine based aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the following legislation:
- Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997,
- Foreshore Act 1933,
- EU Habitats Directive of 92/43/EEC,
- EU Birds Directive 79/409/EEC,
- Consolidated Environmental Impact Assessment Directives 2011/92/EU.
The legislation provides for both statutory and general public consultation. The statutory consultees include Inland Fisheries Ireland, which has specific responsibility for wild salmon and trout stocks.
All submissions received as part of both the statutory consultation stage of the process and the general public consultation stage form an integral part of my Department’s consideration of every application.
197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the targets set in Food Harvest 2020 continue to be met throughout each sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53586/13]
View answerI am confident that the industry developed targets set out in Food Harvest 2020 are achievable and can be met. The main targets in the Food Harvest report are by 2020 to increase the value of:
- Primary output in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by 33%;
- Value added production by 40%;
- Agriculture, food (including seafood) and drink exports by 42%.
In addition, a 50% increase in milk production and a 78% increase in the volume of aquaculture production is envisaged.
Progress on these targets and the 215 recommendations in the Food Harvest report are monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis by the Food Harvest High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC). The HLIC, which I chair, consists of the senior officials of all state agencies involved in the agriculture, food and fisheries sector. Their third report “Milestones for Success 2013 ”, published in September, showed that the sector had achieved growth in excess of 25% (primary production), 20% (value-added) and 13% (exports) by the end of 2012, compared to the baseline period.
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that any poultry or poultry products entering this jurisdiction comply with all Irish and or EU regulations in respect of hygiene, husbandry, production or handling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53587/13]
View answerInternational trade in agri-food products is a reality with which we must live and as a general proposition, as a country with a strong export focus, it is clearly in Ireland’s broader economic interests to ensure that there is a reasonably liberal, but balanced international trade environment.
To protect animal and public health and in accordance with international trade agreements, the European Union (EU) has set down the conditions for importation of consignments of products of animal origin from non-EU countries intended for release into free circulation in the EU. These import requirements are generic and applicable for all countries authorised to export to the EU. The legislation imposes a series of health and supervisory requirements, designed to ensure that imported products meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between Member States. Products must have originated in an area where there are no restrictions imposed under EU Safeguard measures and come from establishments which are under the supervision and control of the competent authorities. The products must be free from residues and contaminants, correctly labelled and travel with the specific health certificates or other documents conforming to the models laid down in EU legislation drawn up in conformity with the relevant model for the product, completed and signed on behalf of the competent authorities of the country of export. The EU's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carries out assessments of third countries wishing to export these products to the EU and submits for Commission approval those where the responsible authorities can provide appropriate guarantees as regards compliance or equivalence with Community feed and food law and animal health rules. Third countries and their establishments that are approved to export are audited and inspected by the FVO with regard to these guarantees and reports of the findings of inspections are published on its website.
Import controls on products of animal origin arriving from third countries must be performed at an EU Border Inspection Post approved for that category of product being presented. Consignments for import requiring veterinary checks must be notified in advance to the Border Inspection Post of import and presented on arrival for checks with all the appropriate documentation. Border Inspection Posts in Ireland are operated by my Department. The import controls procedures on products of animal origin are highly prescriptive and strictly audited by the FVO to ensure compliance. Again, reports of the findings of inspections are published on the FVO’s website.
In summary, the import of all products including poultry from third countries is governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by EU Member States in the first instance, and audited by the European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office, to ensure compliance with all of the relevant food safety standards. Finally, consumers wishing to purchase high quality Irish poultry products should look for the Bord Bia Quality Assurance mark.
