Written Answers Nos. 181-190
181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which, in line with EU fisheries agreements, the dumping of surplus catch has been curtailed in this country and throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20596/14]
View answerDumping of ‘surplus catch’ or ‘discarding’ as it is more usually referred to is a complex global problem where unwanted catches are returned to the sea as a result of a number of factors including quota restrictions, high grading, minimum landing sizes, and market conditions. Levels of discards in the EU vary depending on the size and nature of the fishery.
Ireland has been to the forefront in the drive to reduce and eliminate discards for many years and I was delighted to launch an Irish “discard” atlas in 2011, which is a detailed compendium of discards by the Irish Fleet targeting whitefish on a stock by stock and area by area basis. This was the first publication of its kind and placed Ireland firmly to the fore in the debate on eliminating discards and assisted in advancing the case for a phased elimination of discards as part of the CFP reform package.
Finding practical and implementable solutions to the wasteful practice of discarding fish was a major component of the negotiations for the reform of Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which were concluded under the Irish Presidency in 2013. To this end I was pleased that agreement was finally reached whereby a practical and phased discards policy or landing obligation will be introduced, beginning in 2015. The phasing in period means that fishermen will have time to adjust and implement changes that will allow for the avoidance of non target species where there are particular problems with the relevant by-catch (such as that the stock is overfished and needs to be allowed to rebuild).
In that context, I have established a national Discards Implementation Group, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Noel Cawley, to advise on the issues arising in the effective implementation of the new policy and to recommend practical solutions and arrangements that take into account the situation of the Irish industry. The primary aim of the group is ensure that the Irish fishing industry are fully prepared for, and engaged in, the implementation of the discards ban.
The work of Dr. Cawley’s group also contributes directly to the work of the regional group of Member States (Ireland, Belgium, France, UK, Netherlands and Spain) who have the primary responsibility in the development of specific ‘Discard Plans’ for fisheries in north western waters. The first of these, for pelagic fisheries, is expected to be presented to the Commission for adoption later this year and will come into effect on 1 January 2015.
182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons currently employed in the food producing sector [20597/14]
View answerThe latest data from the CSO’s Quarterly National Household Survey (Q4 2013), showed that 52,100 people were employed in the Food & Beverage processing sector.
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which legislation and regulations in respect of labelling of food and food products is observed fully in all European countries without exception; the extent to which such regulations have applied to imports from third countries with particular reference to meat, meat products and other non-animal generated food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20598/14]
View answerFood production and labelling in the countries of the European Union operates in accordance with harmonised rules and member states controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. The FVO also audit the controls of the importing countries for equivalent standards before that country is authorised to import meat into the EU. Such products are required to comply with EU labelling legislation.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), under the aegis the Minister for Health, has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety and labelling requirements in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies including the Health Service Executive (HSE), Local Authority Veterinary Service and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. Inspections to ensure compliance with traceability and labelling legislation are carried out by inspection services provided by these agencies under the aforementioned contracts.
The enforcement of food law, including food labelling is a matter for the control authorities in each Member State (MS). Data on the extent of compliance or detected non compliance is currently not gathered centrally, but may be reflected in the separate annual reports of each MS in respect of its multi annual national control plan. The European Commission, through the annual audit programme of its Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), has oversight of the work of the control authorities, which does include checks on enforcement of labelling rules by the Member States. A Member State is obliged to take corrective actions in the event of any deficiencies being noted by the FVO.
EU rules on food labelling apply equally to foods produced in the EU or imported from third countries. Products of animal origin from third countries enter the EU via the official Border Inspection Posts and can therefore be subject to checks at that stage. Products of non animal origin are subject to spot checks during import and distribution. Finally, and without prejudice to the framework of public controls described above, primary responsibility to ensure compliance with food labelling rules throughout the food chain rests with the food business operator - such as the producer or importer.
184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which direct payments to the agricultural sector continue to focus on production with particular reference to those with a high dependency on the farm enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20599/14]
View answerDirect payments received under the Single Payment Scheme in 2014 continue to be based on the reference period of 2000 to 2002 and reflect production at that time. However when making the transition to the new Basic Payment Scheme in 2015, it is no longer possible to justify the significant differences in the level of support per hectare granted to farmers based on the use of such historical references.
The original Commission proposal which involved a move to a ‘flat-rate’ payment by 2019 would have had a sudden and significant negative impact on agricultural production in particular for those with a high dependency on their farm related income. As an alternative my Department proposed the ‘Irish Convergence Model’ which while initially retaining the link with current payments under the Single Payment Scheme, gradually moves all farmers towards, but does not arrive at, a national average value by 2019. The purpose of this model is to achieve a phased redistribution of payments between those who currently hold high value entitlements and those who hold low value entitlements and consequently the link with the historical production reference will be gradually reduced over the five years of the new scheme.
The new scheme introduces a fair and equitable re-distribution of funds between farmers while avoiding the negative impact of a sudden and significant change in income support for individual farmers. An additional safety net is added for those with low value entitlements whereby by 2019 they are guaranteed that they will reach at least 60% of the national average entitlement value.
My Department has used stocking density as one measure of agricultural productivity. While stocking density does not represent all the elements of agricultural productivity, it is a tangible and precise measurement of activity where data from my Department is readily available. Previous analysis by my Department has found that, using average results per payment category, farmers on payment rates per hectare above the national average have roughly double the stocking density of those below the average. My Department is satisfied therefore that for most farmers there is a fundamental correlation between stocking density and the value of payment entitlements held under the current Single Payment Scheme.
However, our analysis also shows that the stocking density of farms on the very highest payment rates (e.g. over €500 per hectare) is not significantly higher than the stocking density of farms just above the national average. As there is no direct link between high value entitlements and high production, My Department has decided to apply a cap on the payment per hectare under the new scheme whereby by 2019 no farmer will receive a payment per hectare, consisting of his Basic Payment and Greening payment, of over €700.
The outcome is a reasonable and balanced compromise between the need for a fair redistribution of funds while ensuring that such distribution continues to reflect the realities of agricultural production in Ireland. The decision to apply the greening payment as a percentage of each individual farmer’s payment is based on the same principles.
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which new markets continue to be identified for beef, lamb, pig meat, poultry, venison or dairy products; the extent to which further expansion of such markets is likely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20600/14]
View answerI am constantly seeking to develop relationships in new and expanding international markets for all Irish meats and dairy products, raising the profile of Ireland and increasing international confidence in Irish production and control systems. My aim is to build long-term trading relationships into the future in these sectors, particularly in new and emerging markets and since taking office I have led trade missions to China, the US, Algeria and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the Middle East. In relation to the individual sectors, the latest position is as is as follows:
Dairy markets
Market analysis predicts that medium term prospects for global dairy markets are good, with growth in world population and wealth expected to stimulate strong levels of demand for dairy products. More than 85% of Irish dairy production is exported and Ireland has full market access to over eighty countries worldwide, with one third of the value of dairy exports going outside the EU. I am working with industry to raise the profile of the Irish dairy sector, and the Irish agri-food sector generally, in emerging markets in the Far East, North Africa, the Gulf States and elsewhere.
Ireland strongly supported the decision to abolish milk quotas with effect from 1 April 2015 on the basis that quotas were widely regarded by both the Irish dairy sector and market analysts as a brake on the potential of the sector to respond positively to market opportunities. I expect the abolition of quotas to facilitate an expansion in the sector and through the Food Harvest 2020 Report the industry has set itself an ambitious target for a 50% increase in milk production by 2020. For my part I have been working on a number of fronts to prepare the industry for the move to a quota free environment and equip it to respond to the market opportunities arising.
Of course, the industry itself has a responsibility to focus its efforts on market and product development. Supported by Government, the Irish dairy sector has succeeded in positioning itself as a major international player and we have seen industry announcements in relation to the development of supply arrangements between Irish companies and multinational players in third countries as well as the development of value-added products which can maximise the value of our dairy output. In that context, last week the Chinese authorities announced results of an audit of Ireland’s dairy sector, which means that Irish plants have been found to fully meet the standards of China’s new food safety laws. This approval will allow the Irish dairy sector to build on their formidable reputation in international markets, and in the increasingly important Chinese market, and to further capitalise on Ireland’s reputation for green, efficient, high quality dairy production.
Meat Markets
There is a strong demand for meat globally and my focus is to enable Irish exporters to take advantage of the opportunities that arise. My Department engages on a daily basis with many countries, in collaboration with Bord Bia and Irish embassies’ personnel on market access issues. These initiatives have led to a number of notable successes in securing agreement to import from authorities in Japan, Singapore, Egypt and Iran which allow the import of Irish beef; with Singapore, South Africa, UAE, Canada and the Russian Federation-Customs Union for the import of Irish sheepmeat and with Australia and Serbia for the import of Irish pork. To date in 2014, the Lebanon has agreed to re-open its market to Irish beef, sheepmeat and cooked meats. A certificate has also been agreed with Hong Kong allowing for the export of Irish sheepmeat and agreement has been reached with Namibia on a certificate for the export of beef, sheepmeat and goatmeat.
In November 2013, the US lifted its ban on the importation of beef from the European Union. This was one of my priorities the previous year when I visited the US, where I pushed the matter strongly with the US Department of Agriculture Secretary of State, Tom Vilsack and in meetings with Senators. My Department is working with the meat industry to advance the various technical requirements to ensure commencement of the trade at the earliest possible date.
In December 2013, a delegation from my Department visited China for discussions with authorities there on the lifting of the beef BSE ban which prohibits imports from any EU country. While there are a number of stages to go before Ireland secures access for beef to China, I am hopeful that these can be progressed further in 2014.
Irish beef is now listed with more than 75 high-end retail chains across EU markets. This wide portfolio of customers has contributed significantly to higher returns for Irish beef in recent years and reflects the success of Bord Bia’s differentiation and premiumisation strategy which focuses on the key attributes of Irish beef: environmentally sustainable, grass-based production systems, full traceability, quality assurance at all stages and superior eating quality. Among Bord Bia’s key initiatives this year is the continued development, global promotion and marketing of its Origin Green initiative, designed to establish Ireland as a world leader in sustainably produced food and drink. Over 200 companies are currently working with Bord Bia to develop, and commit to, sustainability plans setting out clear targets in emissions, energy, waste, water, biodiversity and corporate social responsibility activities.
186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the prices paid to farmers for beef with particular reference to the need to ensure stability in the market and return for investment in line with that in other European countries; if efforts continue to be made to ascertain the reason producers in other jurisdictions continue to be paid more for their product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20601/14]
View answer187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the prices paid to beef producers in this country remain below those prevailing in adjoining jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20602/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.
My Department collates the prices paid for domestic cattle on a weekly basis and reports this data to the European Commission in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1249/2008 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 148/2014. To ensure price transparency, results for Members States are published on the DG Agriculture & Rural Development website. The published weekly data includes market prices for carcasses and live animals as well as information on production and herd inventories. This publicly accessible information allows stakeholders to monitor the evolution of the market situation in each Member State.
The inherent nature of cattle farming with its long production cycle makes it difficult to control and predict beef supplies and prices. In Ireland, these inherent characteristics are further complicated by the influence of export trading conditions and underline the need for the timely communication of market intelligence between the various actors operating in the supply chain. The recent roundtable discussions with representatives of all stakeholders in the beef sector, that I convened and chaired before Easter, were designed to facilitate such a process. It is my intention to hold these roundtable discussions on a quarterly basis.
The primary determinant of prices in any market is the relationship between supply and demand. Price variations in different EU beef markets reflect prevailing internal and external factors. With regard to the price differential between Irish and UK cattle, a number of factors have been identified to explain why Irish-born cattle command lower prices than their British equivalents. These include a British consumer preference for indigenous product as well as additional transport and processing costs in supplying that market. Ireland’s trade with Britain accounts for 53% of our beef export volumes, worth €1.1 billion and, at around 250,000 tonnes in 2013, is equivalent to 750,000 cattle with a high level of penetration in the multiple retail sector.
Supply and demand developments on the key export markets for Irish beef in 2014 will determine the cattle prices for Irish beef farmers. In the short run, the outlook for finished cattle supplies and for beef supply are determined by the current inventories of animals aged 1-2 years. Inventories of these animals in Ireland and the EU are higher than in 2012, indicating that the EU and Irish beef production will be higher in 2014 that in 2013. Given the short-term increase in beef production, the outlook for EU finished cattle prices depends on the prospects for demand in the EU. All other things being equal, an increase in supply would be associated with some decline in prices. The extent to which this outcome is avoided in 2014 will depend on whether European demand for beef grows and the magnitude of that growth relative to forecast growth in supply.
Beef prices are a barometer of supply and demand but what is critical to farmers is the margin at which they produce their animals. For example, better grass utilisation and better breeding decisions by producers will improve the output of their production systems. The ongoing work of Teagasc and ICBF is critical to addressing the challenges of improving efficiency, environmental sustainability and technology adoption in the suckler beef sector. In this regard, significant Government investment, which is worth up to €40m to farmers in 2014, is designed to improve market returns for primary production. Targeted supports such as, the Beef Genomic Schemes and the Beef Data Programme, Knowledge Transfer initiatives, together with the measures announced under the new RPD will enable beef producers to improve the physical and financial performance of their enterprises.
188. 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. [20605/14]
View answerI am pleased to report that the industry developed targets set out in Food Harvest 2020 continue to be achieved. The following table illustrates the progress achieved on the headline targets as well as the current position in each of the main sectors.
|
Headline Targets |
Baseline (2007-2009 Average*) |
FH2020 Target |
Latest Position |
|
Primary |
€4.596 billion |
€6.27 billion |
€6.13 billion |
|
Exports |
€8.298 billion |
€12 billion |
€10.29 billion |
|
Gross Value Added |
€6.053 billion (*2008 only) |
€8.57 billion |
€7.27 billion (2011 only) |
|
Sectoral Data |
|||
|
Milk Output Value |
€1.465 billion |
+50% |
+ 40% |
|
Cattle Output Value |
€1.552 billion |
+20% |
+ 38% |
|
Pigs Output Value |
€309 million |
+50% |
+ 53% |
|
Sheep Output Value |
€172 million |
+20% |
+ 26% |
These figures illustrate that the value of overall primary output is already more than three quarters of the way to its FH2020 target while the value of both food and beverage exports and GVA is half-way there.
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which all food production throughout Europe complies with the relevant regulations in respect of health, hygiene, husbandry and storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20603/14]
View answerFood production in the European Union operates in accordance with harmonised rules and member states controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. The rules governing food production in Ireland are managed by my Department and the Department of Health.
Primary responsibility under EU law for the safety and traceability of food placed on the market lies with food business operators. The role of National Competent Agencies is to verify compliance with this requirement. This is done by a combination of inspecting establishments and by auditing the food safety management systems which operators are required to have in place. These controls are applied at different stages in the food supply chain.
In Ireland, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), under the aegis the Minister for Health, has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety requirements in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies, including the Health Service Executive (HSE), Local Authority Veterinary Service and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.
190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which Common Fisheries Policy conservation measures continue to achieve their targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20604/14]
View answerThe new Common Fisheries Policy reform agreement, negotiated to completion under the Irish Presidency will mean real meaningful reform to how EU waters are fished in the future. The agreement is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters, utilising best scientific advice as a key determinant in setting annual fishing quotas in the future.
Setting fishing levels on the basis of the MSY Principle (Maximum Sustainable Yield) will lead to increased fish stocks and ultimately to higher quotas for Irish fishermen over time. It will end the practice of widespread overfishing and mean a more viable fishing industry for the longer term. Setting annual fishing quotas respecting best scientific advice will inevitably lead to increased fish stocks and more sustainable fishing patterns over time.
A practical and phased discards policy is being introduced where in early years of implementation, TACs and quotas will be set to take account of current levels of discards, should see quotas increase over time. This means that fishermen will have time to adjust and implement changes that will allow for the avoidance of non target species where there are particular problems with the relevant by-catch (such as that the stock is overfished and needs to be allowed to rebuild).
Technical measures are being introduced to avoid and minimise catches of juvenile fish and the reforms contain a commitment to continue and further strengthen conservation measures in the biologically sensitive area off the South and West coast of Ireland (new Irish box). The commitment to develop and strengthen biologically sensitive areas, with spawning grounds and high populations of juvenile fish will also protect the livelihoods of coastal communities by ensuring that fish are allowed to grow to maturity, are more plentiful and fished in a environmentally responsible manner.
The new policy puts fishermen at the core of developing new policies to protect juvenile fish and vulnerable fish species with a completely new regionalised decision making approach. This is a big change as up to now decision making was fully centralised in Brussels. The new CFP has moved away from the old system of an EU wide development and application of the rules, a one size fits all approach. I am confident that the new CFP will support a sustainable and profitable fishing industry into the future.
