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Tuesday, 4 Mar 2014

Written Answers Nos. 328-344

Farm Retirement Scheme Eligibility

Questions (328)

Dan Neville

Question:

328. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will issue a letter giving details of the date of the last payment of farm retirement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; if the letter will confirm that no further payments of farm retierment issued after the said date [10403/14]

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Written answers

My Department issued a letter to the above named on 27th February, 2014 confirming that the date of his final payment under the Early Retirement Scheme from Farming was 30th April, 2013.

Beef Data Programme

Questions (329)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

329. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the payments for the suckler grant 2013 will be paid; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10407/14]

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Written answers

Payment under the Beef Data Programme cannot be made until all of the data required has been received. It is anticipated that complete data will have been received from most participants by the end of March and so payments will commence in late May 2013 to those farmers who have met all of the Scheme requirements.

Food Safety Standards Regulation

Questions (330, 331, 332, 333)

Michael McNamara

Question:

330. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the standard to which non-pasteurised, Irish-produced cheeses are tested in Ireland differs from other EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10412/14]

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Michael McNamara

Question:

331. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if PCR testing is carried out on non-pasteurised imported cheeses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10413/14]

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Michael McNamara

Question:

332. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which Irish cheese producers are selected for PCR testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10414/14]

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Michael McNamara

Question:

333. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legal basis for PCR testing on cheese; if this is required by EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10415/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 to 333, inclusive, together.

The detection of pathogenic bacteria in food, including raw (unpasteurised) milk cheeses, is an important element of the food safety framework. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is currently the most technologically advanced test for initial detection of verotoxigenic E.coli , known as VTEC. PCR is a rapid screening test and is now the official ISO method used for the initial detection of food borne VTEC. The PCR testing method was recently introduced in some Health Service Executive (HSE) laboratories for this purpose. It was first used by my Department for testing raw milk cheese in July 2013.

VTEC, if present, poses a significant health risk, particularly for children, pregnant women and elderly people. The major advantage of the PCR method over the traditional immunomagnetic separation methodology is its ability to detect all toxin producing serogroups of VTEC and therefore it provides better protection of consumer health. As more E.coli have taken on the genetic material that enables them to produce the toxin that can cause illness, what was once a problem confined to VTEC O157 is now much wider, with many other VTEC serogroups becoming a threat to human health (e.g. O26, O111, O103, O104 etc). The PCR testing method can detect all E.coli that have a gene that codes for toxin production, not just those for E.coli O157. It is used as a screening test only. Where a positive is found using PCR, the laboratory then attempts to isolate and grow the specific bacteria before the presence of VTEC can be confirmed.

Under EU Regulations, the onus is on every food business operator (FBO) in Ireland, as in every other Member State, to put measures in place to produce safe food. Risk assessments are carried out annually. The level of sampling required is based on the results of this risk analysis and compliance history.

My Department does not currently carry out routine PCR testing on raw milk cheese produced by Irish cheese makers, or on imported cheeses made from raw milk. Imported cheese is tested at retail level by the HSE either as part of a national survey or in the course of routine sampling.

However, during 2013, PCR testing was carried out in two cases where an identified risk existed. In one case, raw milk cheese previously made by the producer involved was associated with a food-borne outbreak of VTEC and in the other there was previous evidence of potential contamination of the raw milk with VTEC. In both cases the initial PCR screening indicated VTEC contamination, and critically, this was confirmed by subsequent isolation of VTEC in the cheese concerned.

While there is no specific legal requirement for cheese producers to test cheese for VTEC, EU Regulations require FBOs to produce safe food, to identify food safety hazards in the food they produce, to identify measures to control these hazards and to verify that these controls are working. One such measure of verification is microbiological testing.

EU Regulations explicitly require Competent Authorities within Member States to assess FBOs’ food safety management systems and again microbiological sampling can be used for this purpose. Such sampling may be done to test for certain pathogens for which legal criteria have been set in Regulation 2073 of 2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs. Sampling may also be done to test for a pathogen for which no criterion is set but which is a hazard that is associated with a particular food (e.g. VTEC and raw milk cheese).

Member States are also required to investigate food-borne outbreaks and to periodically monitor for pathogens that could be passed from animals to humans through foods of animal origin by sampling animals, food and feed, as appropriate. VTEC is an example of such a micro-organism, as it is associated with cattle and is known to periodically contaminate raw milk.

I regard food safety as the platform upon which the Irish agri food sector is built, and in this regard my Department will continue to fulfil its statutory obligations and to maintain the highest standards using the best available technology to ensure that Irish food maintains its deserved reputation for safety and quality.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Eligibility

Questions (334)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

334. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a derogation will be provided to farmers who were adhering to REP scheme plans and were unable to maintain areas of their lands and subsequently have been penalised for ineligible area in their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10455/14]

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Written answers

I understand the Deputy’s question refers to the maintenance of areas listed as habitats in REPS farm plans. There are two issues here:

(1) If a farmer had an area designated in his REPS plan as a habitat he is required to leave it intact for the duration of the REPS contract. This area is eligible for a payment under both REPS and SPS. When the REPS period of a farmer, who had declared a REPS 3 or REPS 4 new habitat expires, he or she has the possibility of declaring that habitat as a “Designated Habitat”. This means that if the habitat is maintained, the area will continue to be eligible for payment under the Single Payment Scheme.

(2) Outside of habitat areas listed on the REPS plan there is a requirement that the remaining land will be maintained in GAEC (good agricultural and environmental condition) which includes ensuring there is no encroachment of scrub. If the area outside the habitat area is found to have reverted to scrub because, for example, of failure to maintain the land in GAEC, it will not be eligible for payment under SPS. It is not intended to provide a derogation to farmers if this area is not maintained.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals

Questions (335)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

335. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a REP scheme appeal submitted on 21 October 2013 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10457/14]

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Written answers

The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and has received payments for the full six years of their contract.

REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme, 2007-2013, and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before payments can issue. Following the discontinuation of a Rental Agreement in 2012 a clawback of monies was applied to the REPS Year 6 payment for 2013 which is now the subject of an Appeal. This Appeal is now under review by my Department and a decision will issue to the person named shortly.

European School Fruit Scheme

Questions (336)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

336. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase Ireland’s participation in the EU’s school fruit scheme from the current provision of fruit for just 16 consecutive days to the EU Commission evaluation recommendation of a distribution of fruit for 35 school weeks or more. [10529/14]

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Written answers

The Commission report to the European Parliament and the Council on 18th December 2013, on the European School Fruit Scheme notes that there are various approaches and conceptual designs for implementing a well-run scheme, that schemes may differ even within a Member State or region and that the external evaluation established that there is no easy way of calculating the most efficient scheme as several results could be used as performance indicators.

The main aim of the report was to establish if well functioning School Fruit Schemes have been established in MS. In this context, Ireland received a positive narrative, particularly in the area of accompanying measures. The report noted that “research conducted in Ireland demonstrates that their Food Dudes Programme, which is based on strong accompanying measures, is essential for a sustainable increase in children’s fruit and vegetable consumption. For other Member States which adopt different approaches, the overall short-term impact of the accompanying measures is difficult to evaluate at this juncture”.

The overall conclusion of the Commission report is that it is still too early to draw definitive conclusions, particularly with regard to its sustainable impact on children’s eating habits. However, its report enumerates recommendations from various evaluations, including by external consultants, which were put forward to the Commission. These included higher EU co-financing, aiming at a sustained distribution for 35 school weeks or more, diversity of offer (at least 5 to 10 different products), continued distribution free of charge, high frequency of offering, ideally three times a week, extending the target group, reducing the administrative burden, encouraging more accompanying measures and making these eligible for EU aid. Some of these recommendations were adopted in the context of CAP Reform i.e. increasing the budget and the rates of EU co-financing and making accompanying measures eligible for co-financing under certain conditions.

In Ireland the EU school fruit /Food Dudes scheme uses the principles of repeat tasting together with rewards and the use of role models in the form of Food Dudes characters to encourage primary schoolchildren to develop a taste for fruit and vegetables. The focus is on presenting an attractive package to children to encourage consumption of fruit and vegetables in a way which appeals to them, rather than on simply making fruit and vegetables available over a prolonged period. Published studies have shown that this is effective in achieving a sustained increase in consumption of fruit and vegetables and Ireland received a World Health Organisation award. The repeat tasting of four fruit and four vegetables over a period of 16 days gives schoolchildren an opportunity to develop a taste for a variety of fruit and vegetables.

Surveys of parents and teachers show satisfaction rates of over 90% and an evaluation in 2011 showed primary schoolchildren bringing on average 20% more fruit and 42% more vegetables to school in their lunchboxes and consuming them.

In the context of the reformed CAP and other emerging Commission proposals, and following the completion of the National roll out of the current programme in 2014, my Department will be examining a follow on Food Dudes programme in due course.

Single Payment Scheme Appeals

Questions (337)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

337. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a ground survey inspection will be carried out by his Department in County Limerick (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10533/14]

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Written answers

The verification visit in question will be conducted shortly by a Departmental Inspector. The necessity for this visit follows the appeal of the person named against the findings of the review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, which revealed that one of the land parcels declared the person named contained ineligible features. As the person named disputes the area of ineligible land, a visit by a Department official to verify the position on the ground is necessary to resolve the matter.

Sheepmeat Sector

Questions (338)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

338. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding sheep farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10539/14]

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Written answers

Given the range of issues raised by Comharchumann Uan Chiarraí Teo, my intention is that a comprehensive written response be prepared, addressing all the matters raised, which will issue shortly to the named representatives and copied to the Deputy.

Rural Development Programme Projects

Questions (339)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

339. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports he will provide to farmers whose lands have been sterilised because of the hen harrier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10550/14]

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Written answers

The designation of land under the Birds Directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. However, under the new GLAS Scheme which I announced on the 14th of January 2014 as part of a suite of proposed measures under the new Rural Development Programme, a range of options will be available for farmers who wish to enhance the biodiversity value of their farms. This would include the development of appropriate habitats and conditions for endangered bird species.

I invited written submissions on the proposed Scheme as part of the ongoing consultative process which has been in place since December 2012. The final date for receipt for written submissions was the 19th February 2014. The submissions received are currently being assessed and will inform decisions on proposals for inclusion in the new Scheme.

Beef Data Programme

Questions (340)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

340. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional supports will be provided to farmers of suckler cows on top of the €80 proposed in new common agricultural policy pillar 2 payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10551/14]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware to support the beef sector I recently announced the operational details of an investment package worth up to €40m to beef farmers in 2014. Among the measures in this investment package are €23m for a Beef Genomics Scheme, €10m for the Beef Data Programme, €5m for the Beef Technology Adoption Programme and €2m in residual payments under the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. The Government’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in the suckler beef sector. It exemplifies the smart, green growth initiatives envisioned in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy and, coupled with additional support measures under the new Rural Development Programme, will underpin the development of a sustainable beef sector with long-term growth potential.

No final decisions have yet been made on the measures to be included in the new Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020. The new RDP will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas.

However, I have recently published a consultation document on the new RDP, which sets out a range of proposed measures for inclusion.

The main areas proposed for support in the new RDP are:

- a substantial new agri-environment/climate scheme (GLAS), which will build on the progress made under REPS and AEOS. This will provide for a maximum payment of €5,000 for up to 50,000 farmers, and a further payment of up to €2,000 for a limited number of farmers who take on particularly challenging actions,

- continued strong support for disadvantaged areas (now Areas of Natural Constraint), to the tune of about €195 million per year,

- incentives for on-farm capital investment,

- knowledge transfer and innovation measures, aimed at underpinning farm viability, sustainability and growth through the adoption of best practice and innovative solutions, including the beef sector,

- a beef data and genomics measure worth up to €52 million per year aimed at improving the genetic quality of the beef herd, and

- other supports aimed at collaborative farming, artisan producers, organic farming, etc.

Suckler farmers will be able to apply for any or all of these measures over the lifetime of the programme, as suits their particular enterprise, once the draft RDP has been approved. In keeping with the timelines agreed at EU level, it is intended to submit a draft of the new RDP to the European Commission in the second quarter of 2014. This draft will then form the basis for detailed discussions over a number of months with the European Commission.

Forestry Sector

Questions (341)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

341. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if financial support will be provided to persons whose forestry was completely destroyed in the recent storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10588/14]

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Written answers

Early indications suggest that less than 1% of the forest area and approximately 1% of the forest volume was blown down in the storm of 12th February.

Whilst direct financial support is not being provided to those whose forestry was destroyed in the storm, a taskforce, chaired by Mr Tom Hayes TD, Minister of State, has been established to assess the damage nationally and to quickly identify the various issues arising as a result of this severe windblow event of the 12th February, and to agree on a course of actions to deal with these issues.

The taskforce has issued a guidance note for forest owners, laying down the steps to consider in safely harvesting and selling the fallen trees and giving advice on a range of other associated issues.

Teagasc forestry advisers are available to meet any forest owner in the Teagasc Office for advice. Forest owners are also urged to get professional advice from qualified foresters to guide them through this process.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Questions (342)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

342. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a REP scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the payment can be expedited due to financial hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10589/14]

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Written answers

The person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2008 and received payments for the first five years of their contract.

REPS 4 is a measure under the current 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. Following the administrative check an area discrepancy was discovered between the REPS Agri-environmental Plan and the Single Farm Payment application for 2013. This issue has now been resolved and the 75% Year 6 payment has been authorised for payment and should issue within the next ten days. The remaining 25% Year 6 balancing payment will issue shortly afterwards.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (343)

Denis Naughten

Question:

343. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive agri-environment option scheme payment; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10592/14]

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Written answers

The person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2010 and has received full payment in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years.

The holding of the person named was selected for ground inspection which took place on 30th September 2013 and was further selected for a re-performance inspection which was carried out on 10 December 2013. The inspection process is in the course of being finalised and the findings of the inspection will be conveyed to the person named within the next 7 days.

Harbours and Piers Funding

Questions (344)

Noel Harrington

Question:

344. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he intends to announce funding from his Department for annual repairs for piers and quays to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10643/14]

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Written answers

My Department administers the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. In addition to funding for Department owned harbours the programme provides funding for Local Authority owned piers and harbours subject to available funding.

As the Deputy will be aware, a significant amount of damage has been caused to the national piers and harbour infrastructure by recent storms.

As part of its overall co-ordinated response to the impacts of the recent unprecedented weather conditions, the Government has decided to allocate an additional € 8.8M for the repair the repair of the public piers, harbour and slipway network linked to fisheries and aquaculture. In light of the additional funds now available my Department has, as of February 18th, invited applications for funding from Local Authorities in respect of projects which relate to the repair of public Fishery and Aquaculture related harbours, piers and slipways damaged in the recent storm events. Closure date for applications was Friday 28th February.

This scheme will form an extended part my Department's 2014 capital programme which provides support for the maintenance and development of public piers and harbours on an annual basis. In 2014, priority will be given to projects which relate to the repair of public Fishery and Aquaculture related harbours, piers and slipways damaged in the recent storm events.

My Department is currently assessing the applications received from Local Authorities for funding under this Programme.

I expect to be in a position to announce the detail of the programme in the near future.

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