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Wednesday, 5 Mar 2014

Written Answers Nos. 160-165

Irish Language

Questions (160)

John Deasy

Question:

160. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of his Department's expenditure in translating and printing Irish language publications, documents, advertisements, notices and bilingual signage in each of the past three years. [11042/14]

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Written answers

Expenditure in my Department on the translation and printing of Irish language publications, documents, advertisements and notices in the years in question is detailed below. No expenditure was incurred on bilingual signage.

2011

2012

2013

€11,985

€8,171

€6,906

Fisheries Protection

Questions (161)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

161. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the present difficulty being encountered by scallop fishermen as a result of exacting standards being enforced by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11060/14]

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Written answers

Control of the fishing within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone is a matter for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I have asked the Authority to reply directly to the deputy on the matter.

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (162)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

162. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the area claimed in single farm and disadvantaged area applications for the years 2012 and 2013 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11072/14]

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Written answers

Following direct contact yesterday by an official of my Department with the person named, copies of the applications in question have been posted to the person named, as agreed.

Fallen Animal Collection Scheme

Questions (163)

Denis Naughten

Question:

163. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the new regulations on the processing of dead animals in view of the fact that category two intermediate plants have increased their charge from €10 to €20 for taking in a dead ewe; if his attention has been drawn to the financial impact that this will have on sheep farmers, particularly during the lambing season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11107/14]

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Written answers

The TSE (Fallen Animal) Subsidy Scheme is an essential part of the infrastructure underpinning Ireland’s successful livestock and meat processing industries, which had an estimated combined export value of almost €3 billion in 2012. The Scheme ensures primarily that fallen bovine animals over 48 months, which must be BSE-tested in accordance with EU legislation, are disposed of in compliance with animal and public health and environmental regulations.

The Scheme subsidises the collection by animal collectors of fallen cattle over 48 months from farms and their transportation to Category 1 rendering plants. The rendering and disposal costs of over 48 month fallen cattle in Category 1 plants are fully covered by the Scheme. The subsidy has two components, €30 paid to the animal collector and €58 paid to the Category 1 renderer in respect of each animal. The collection charge to the farmer is capped at €54.03, including VAT.

The Scheme also allows for a payment to animal collectors for a certain number of sheep and goats over 18 months that are tested for Scrapie. The number of sheep and goats to be tested for Scrapie varies from year to year and a payment of €5 is made to animal collectors for the sheep and goats that are prepared on the knackery premises by the collectors for sampling, provided the samples yield a conclusive result.

My Department has recently examined the operation of the Subsidy Scheme and a number of changes have been introduced, with effect from 30th November 2013, in relation to fallen bovines over 48 months. These include enhanced compliance provisions and putting some limits on the distance material can be carried while maintaining choice. This examination took into account a number of factors, including budgetary considerations, TSE testing requirements, Animal By-Product (ABP) regulations, the need to maintain competition and the need for an adequate collection and disposal infrastructure. It is important to note that the rates payable under the Scheme have not changed.

Bovines under 48 months and all sheep and goats (with the exception of the €5 payment detailed above), are outside the remit of the Subsidy Scheme, and their collection and rendering is a matter for commercial arrangement.

Credit Availability

Questions (164)

Robert Troy

Question:

164. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had any discussions with the Department of Finance regarding facilitating progressive farmers who wish to modernise and expand their farms, with longer term loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11118/14]

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Written answers

As far as credit availability to farmers is concerned, I met the CEOs of the three main banks at the end of last year, and all emphasised that the banks are willing and anxious to lend to farmers seeking to expand. If a farmer has had an application for credit refused or reduced and feels that the bank’s decision is unjustified, he/she can seek to have the issue reviewed by the Credit Review Office.

In addition, my Department is represented on the SME State Bodies Group, chaired by the Department of Finance, which aims to increase new lending to SMEs, drawing on both bank and non-bank sources of funding. In this context, officials from my Department have raised the credit requirements for farm expansion in order to achieve the Food Harvest 2020 targets, and in particular farmers’ needs for longer term loans for capital investment.

In relation to State support for on-farm investments, the final tranches under the TAMS Dairy Equipment, Rainwater Harvesting and Sheep Fencing/Handling Schemes closed at end-December 2013 under the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme and my Department is currently processing the applications received.

A consultation paper in relation to the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme has also been prepared which sets out a number of priorities in the case of on-farm investment schemes under the new Programme, including further support to encourage investment in the dairy sector due to the forthcoming abolition of milk quotas and an enhanced scheme of grant-aid for young farmers with a special grant-rate of 60 per cent. The dates of introduction of these new schemes will be dependent on a number of factors, including the requirement to obtain EU Commission approval for the Programme concerned.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (165)

Tom Fleming

Question:

165. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the issues in correspondence (details supplied); and his views on each item by these concerned farmers. [11145/14]

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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.

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