Tuesday, 24 Jun 2014

Written Answers Nos. 400-424

Beef Technology Adoption Programme Payments

Questions (400)

Frank Feighan

Question:

400. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) will receive any of their payments, which have been held up to date, in the near future. [26579/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In order to qualify for payment under the 2013 Beef Technology Adoption Programme participants were required to attend six meeting and satisfactorily complete two Tasks, chosen from a menu of 10 Tasks. One of the two Tasks chosen by the person named (Task 4, relating to soil sampling) did not comply with the requirements of the Programme, as the person named was also a participant in AEOS 2. The Terms and Conditions of the 2013 Programme clearly precluded AEOS 2 participants from selecting Task 4 as one of their qualifying Tasks under the 2013 Programme. Accordingly, no payment is due to the person named under the 2013 Programme.

Rural Development Programme Funding

Questions (401)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

401. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will put in place a special package of measures to assist young farmers who missed out on installation aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26593/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The consultation paper prepared by my Department in relation to the proposed measures for inclusion in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020 includes a commitment to the introduction of an enhanced grant scheme for young farmers who invest in farm infrastructure, with a specific grant rate of 60 per cent compared to the standard grant rate of 40 per cent which will be generally available under other on-farm investment schemes.

Within the limits of the EU provisions governing the new Rural Development Programme, I will be endeavouring to ensure that as many young farmers as possible can avail of the enhanced grant scheme when the national measures are introduced following receipt of the required EU Commission approval for the Programme. However, where young farmers do not meet the conditions laid down for the enhanced grant scheme, such farmers will be eligible to apply for grants at a standard rate under the other on-farm investment schemes which are made available under the new Programme. Additional top-up measures will also be available for qualifying young farmers under the proposed direct payments scheme.

Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme

Questions (402)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

402. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to hold a consultation process on the new GLAS schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26594/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I announced details of the new GLAS (Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) on 14 January 2014 as part of a suite of proposed measures under the new Rural Development Programme (RDP). GLAS will provide significant funding to farmers who undertake environmental actions in line with national and EU environmental objectives. It will contribute to the overall public good and will build on the success of previous agri-environment schemes.

Stakeholder consultation has been a central element in the development of the new RDP, and has been ongoing for almost a year. In that time, a number of different formal and informal consultation processes involving the farming organisations have taken place. The most recently completed stakeholder consultation centred on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). As part of this process I published a consultation document on the new Rural Development Programme, which sets out the range of proposed measures in considerable detail. Once the inputs from the final round of public consultation have been assessed, I will move to finalise the detail of the scheme. At that stage I envisage further discussions with the various farm bodies.

Beef Industry

Questions (403)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

403. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to promote Irish beef; his views that not enough is being done to promote Irish beef domestically and internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26595/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

One of my priorities since taking office has been the continued development of the beef sector. The broad outline for developing the beef industry in Ireland was set out in my Department’s Food Harvest 2020 (FH2020) strategy. The recommendations for development of the sector included the identification of “target markets for which access for Irish beef, beef offals and breeding stock should be secured”.

My strategy for implementing this recommendation is to constantly develop relationships in existing and in new and expanding international markets, raising the profile of Ireland and increasing international confidence in Irish production and control systems. Since taking office I have led trade missions to China, the US, Algeria and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the Middle East. Last saw year saw yet another increase in the value of our beef exports, which rose to almost €2.1 billion.

Ireland is more than six times self sufficient in beef and therefore the promotion of Irish beef on external markets is critically important to the sector. There is a strong demand for meat globally and my focus is aimed at enabling 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 market access from authorities in Japan, Singapore, Egypt and Iran. This year to date we have agreed access terms with the Lebanon and Namibia. In 2013 the value of beef exports is estimated to have increased by 10%, driven by a 5% rise in output and a similar jump in average prices.

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. Last week saw a return visit from Mr. Vilsack where we again discussed the issue of Irish beef access to the US. As part of the visit we had the opportunity to visit a beef farm in Co. Kildare to impress upon him and his officials the high quality standards which apply to beef production in Ireland. We now expect an audit team from the US in early July after which they will inform us of their decision regarding re-entry to the market.

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.

The Canadian Food inspection Agency (CFIA) visited Ireland in early February 2014 to inspect the control systems in place at national and food business operator level. A positive outcome to the visit could lead to export opportunities to this premium market in the near future.

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.

This year, I hosted two round-table discussions with the key stakeholders in the beef sector. An important promotional measure that I announced of foot of these discussions is the allocation by Bord Bia of an additional €0.5m to intensify its marketing of Irish beef in the UK, Netherlands and Germany and I understand the bulk of this money will be spent between now and the peak autumn cattle supply period. An additional €85,000 will go towards the UK market, bringing Bord Bia’s total spend for marketing Irish beef in the UK to €0.4 million. The additional expenditure will contribute towards an online promotion on well-known food websites, as well as profiling Irish beef through recipes and competitions.

A manufacturing category study is also being carried out to reaffirm the position of Irish beef alongside British beef as an ingredient in value-added ready meals. This €0.5m allocation is in addition to the €9m budget spend per year by Bord Bia on marketing of Irish beef internationally.Domestically, Bord Bia will spend €170,000 this year in the promotion of Irish beef, to reinforce consumer purchasing of beef with the Bord Bia Quality Mark. This is achieved through initiatives such as the airing of television adverts, sponsorship of cookery programs on television such as ‘Nevin Maguire’s Home Chef’, cookery demonstrations at events such as ‘Bloom’ and also in schools, as well as publication of recipes in consumer leaflets and on Bord Bia’s website.

I am sure the Deputy will agree that there are very substantial resources dedicated to the promotion of Irish beef, both home and abroad. The export performance of Irish beef has been one of the major success stories of the Irish agrifood sector in recent years and I expect that our export performance will continue to improve.

Agrifood Sector

Questions (404)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

404. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on below-cost selling of agricultural produce; the way producers could be protected from this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26596/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fairness in commercial dealings is a key ingredient of a sustainable and well functioning food supply chain. I do not have a role in setting prices or the details of commercial arrangements in the food supply chain but I am concerned about fairness and sustainability.

The Consumer Protection and Competition Bill published by my colleague Minister Bruton provides for statutory regulation of certain practices in the grocery sector in the form of regulations with associated sanctions and new investigation and enforcement powers. The regulations will prohibit many unfair practices including the compelling of payments for the allocation and retention of shelf space and compelling a supplier to obtain any goods or services from particular third parties.

Sustainable food production requires access to a wide range of markets, competitiveness, adding value and innovation. The resources of my Department and its agencies are deployed to support and develop quality production systems, deep market insight, understanding of buyer and consumer needs and facilitating varied routes to market. I support initiatives which partner retailers, food producers and agencies in improving routes to market. In the beef sector I have recently hosted two round table meetings to facilitate improved communications between processors, farmers and other stakeholders and in the interests of a more balanced food supply chain I am examining possible legislation to support the development of producer groups in the beef and dairy sectors, to allow for collective action in order to give farmers scale and market presence, and potentially as a vehicle for facilitating technology adoption and the development of quality or other standards.

I believe that operators along the supply chain must acknowledge their interdependence and work together to develop a supply chain model which sustains agricultural production at a time when global demand for food is increasing and Ireland is positioned to grow the value and volume of agrifood products and exports.

Beef Industry

Questions (405)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

405. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the price of beef; the way he will assist farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26598/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am acutely aware of the importance of the beef sector and sensitive to the concerns of farmers at this time. The current downward pressure on Irish beef prices is of course replicated in the UK, which is our main export market, and in other key EU markets. That said beef prices in Ireland remain above the average of the EU-15 MS and the price differential between the Irish and UK markets has narrowed substantially in recent months. However as the Deputy is aware, it is not within my gift or that of any Minister for Agriculture to become involved in the issue of beef prices, as this is one between suppliers and processors.

Against the background of the current concerns, I met separately with representatives of the farm organisations (IFA, ICMSA, ICSA) and meat factories (MII) in February and March this year. More recently, I invited key stakeholders, including farm organisations, beef processors and relevant state agencies, to a round table discussion on the future development of the beef sector on 17 April and chaired a second meeting on 3 June. There have already been a number of initiatives in the wake of this forum. These include:

- The Beef Round-table discussions will reconvene quarterly to exchange intelligence on market developments and forecasts particularly in relation to supply, demand, prices, product specifications, retail changes etc;

- I have committed to launching a ‘Beef Pricewatch’ online tool to make price information more accessible and free of charge to farmers. Work has commenced and already as an initial step the department has improved its website in order to make price information more user friendly for farmers;

- My Department is examining the possibility of legislating for the recognition of producer organisations in the beef sector. This initiative could provide a vehicle for collective action by farmers in a way that can give them the advantages of scale and market presence, as well as a useful vehicle for transferring technology and expertise to improve profitability at farm level;

- My Department will prioritise its targeted on-farm capital investments for suckler farmers through the new Rural Development Programme;

- Bord Bia has allocated €0.5m to expand and target promotion of Irish beef through its campaigns in the UK and in certain continental markets.

During the first beef forum, I had requested Mr. Michael Dowling, Chairman of the Beef 2020 Activation Group, to review the implementation of the Group’s report, after intensive consultation with all stakeholders. That report has been delivered, and I have asked round-table participants to reflect on its recommendations.

As the Deputy is aware this year I announced details of an investment package worth up to €40m to beef farmers in 2014, aimed at sustaining a critical mass in the suckler cow herd, the seedbed for our beef industry. This package includes:

- €23m for the Beef Genomics Scheme;

- €10m for the Beef Data Programme;

- €5m for the Beef Technology Adoption Programme; &

- €2m in residual payments under the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme.

I also announced details in relation to the financial allocations for the new Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP) as well as outlines of the proposed measures for inclusion. The development of a new RDP will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agrifood sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas.

Under the new RDP, beef suckler farmers will be eligible for participation under a range of measures, including:

- 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 known as Areas of Natural Constraint) to the tune of about €195 million per year;

- incentives for on-farm capital investment, including support for the expansion of the dairy sector following the abolition of milk quotas in 2015;

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

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

- a separate strand of the support for on-farm capital investment will be ring-fenced for young farmers at a higher rate of aid intensity of 60%; &

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

The Government is confident that this range of measures will, when taken together with other Pillar I direct payments, assist suckler farmers to improve their on farm viability.

Forestry Premium Payments

Questions (406)

Pat Breen

Question:

406. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when forestry payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26606/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The application is being processed and every effort will be made to expedite the processing of the application for payment.

Fishing Industry Development

Questions (407)

Clare Daly

Question:

407. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to securing €148 million in EU funds for the seafood industry, the steps he will take to tackle unemployment in small coastal communities. [26612/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The EU Regulation establishing the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund was published on 20 May 2014. Following months of intense lobbying and negotiation, I announced on 12 June 2014 that I had secured €148 million from the new Fund for the period 2014 to 2020 for the development of the Irish seafood industry and the coastal communities that depend upon it. This funding is more than double the amount that was available to Ireland during the last Common Fisheries Policy and will ensure a strong seafood industry in Ireland that can grow and expand to meet its potential up to 2020. Ireland’s EMFF allocation is to be provided through 5 discrete funding envelopes, namely €71 million for investment in the seafood industry, €32 million for data collection, €37 million for control and enforcement, €5 million for implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy, and €1.3 million for storage aid. I will be discussing with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the near future Exchequer matching funding, having regard to the general budgetary situation for the coming years.

The EMFF Fund will provide support for our fishing fleet to meet the challenges of the new discards ban. It will support the development of the seafood processing sector, a sustainable aquaculture industry and the communities that depend on a vibrant seafood industry.

My Department has been working since 2013 on developing a new Operational Programme setting out the arrangements for spending Ireland’s allocation under the Fund and has engaged with stakeholders on a number of occasions to date. Further public consultation and strategic environmental assessment will take place over the summer 2014. The new Operational Programme must be submitted to the European Commission for adoption before the end of 2014.

Many investment measures that may be included within the new Operational Programme have the potential to contribute to job creation in peripheral coastal communities, including in particular capital grants to support growth and expansion of seafood processing and aquaculture enterprises and capital allocations to Fishery Local Action Groups for dispersal to projects within their coastal areas. Any allocation to these measures is subject to final decisions on overall priorities for the seafood sector and to ex-ante evaluation by independent consultants of the appropriateness of such measures.

Animal Identification Schemes

Questions (408)

Tom Barry

Question:

408. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) who had issues with animal identification on their holding where some animals were tagged incorrectly inadvertently. [26621/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person referred to has an active herd for bovines and ovines. My Department is not aware of any outstanding issues as regards tagging and registration in this herd. If he has concerns about issues relating to the incorrect tagging of animals in his herd, he should contact the DVO.

Dairy Equipment Scheme Applications

Questions (409)

Pat Breen

Question:

409. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 516 of 13 May 2014, when an application for a DES grant will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26632/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person concerned is an applicant under the TAMS Dairy Equipment Scheme and received approval to proceed with the investment works concerned on 16 May 2014. To date, my Department has no record of having received a payment claim from the applicant in respect of these works.

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Questions (410)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

410. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments of single farm payment 2012 and 2013, rural environment protection scheme 2012 and 2013 and suckler cow welfare scheme will be paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway now that a probate matter which was holding up the payments has been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26682/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named registered 21 animals under the 2012 Suckler Welfare scheme. Payment of €840 in respect of these 21 animals will issue shortly. The 2012 Single Farm Payment issued in two instalments in the name of the deceased husband of the person named, the first instalment issuing on 17 October 2012 and the balance issuing on 3 December 2012. The 2013 Single Farm Payment issued in one instalment to the person named on 19 June 2014.

The person named in the REPS contract commenced REPS 4 in May 2009 and received payments for the first three years of their contract. The person named as the holder of the contract died in October 2012 and their estate is currently completing the process of probate. Officials of my Department are currently in contact with the Planning Agency of the person named to establish whether the contract will be completed.

Island Communities

Questions (411)

Seán Kyne

Question:

411. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans, under additional funding for islands, to help farmers with privately owned Islands with the cost of transporting stock and equipment from the mainland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26724/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In recognition of the additional obstacles faced by those farming on off-shore islands, including transport costs, I have decided that an additional, top-up, payment should be made available under the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (heretofore known as the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme). My intention is to include this proposal in the draft Rural Development Programme 2014/2020, which is currently being prepared for submission to Brussels. Subject to EU approval and subject to the farmers in question satisfying the Scheme’s Terms & Conditions, this additional payment will be made to qualifying farmers when the general Scheme payments issue annually.

Animal Identification Schemes

Questions (412)

Finian McGrath

Question:

412. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department requires couples who are jointly registered as both herd owner and herd keeper to nominate only one person to be named as such when both have an equal stake and role in the administration and running of the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26865/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No. 1760/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000, which established a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and the labelling of beef and beef products, defines a “keeper” as any natural or legal person responsible for animals, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, including during transportation or at a market. In line with this definition, in circumstances where more than one person has an interest in a herd, my Department requires one person to be nominated as “keeper” to be the initial point of contact in regard to animal inspections, testing, identification, records etc. to sign documents pertaining to the identification of the animal and to be deemed legally responsible for the day to day care and welfare of the animals.

The designation of a person as “keeper” also places a responsibility on that person to notify the database of animal births, deaths and movements, to keep the herd register and to sign certain documents such as the animal passport when the keeper takes possession of an animal. The designation of more than one person as “keeper” would lead to general confusion, possible denial of responsibility, duplication of communication to all named parties and difficulties in prosecutions, all of which could delay immediate action in relation to the prevention of the spread of animal disease and the protection of animal welfare. I should emphasise that persons other than “keepers” who have a financial interest in the herd may register their interest in the herd as "herd owners" through Form ER1.1 and, accordingly, qualify for payment under the various schemes implemented by my Department.

Animal Welfare

Questions (413)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

413. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the continuing campaign to stop Irish and European companies trading with China for angora wool products which involves the live plucking of the fur of an angora rabbit every three months over a four to five year period; if his attention has been drawn to companies here still buying angora wool from China; his views on introducing regulations for businesses trading in animal products with other countries in order to prevent the exploitation of animals in those countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26893/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I have not received any representations on this matter. However I have asked my officials to investigate the extent of the trade in this activity and report back to me in the matter.

Beef Industry

Questions (414)

Noel Grealish

Question:

414. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason all beef factories quote the same price with no price difference between them; the reason one company is allowed to have control of over 90% of the rendering industry, which means no competition and results in price decreases passed on for animals to the farmers from factories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26916/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are a number of sources of information on the beef industry that are publically available, including animal births, prices, slaughter figures, carcase classification and farm income. Some of this information comes from my Department and others from different State agencies.

Within the publications on my Department’s website under the beef pricewatch heading, there is a wealth of information available to farmers, including the prices for Steers, Cows, Heifers and Young Bulls across the classification grid, for each DAFM approved factory. This data shows unequivocally that different factories are paying different prices to farmers for their cattle. I have also committed, as an outcome of the beef round-table discussions, to making this existing information even more user friendly and my Department is currently working on developing a Beef pricewatch app. This data should further inform farmers on where they could achieve the best prices.

My Department approves and supervises the operation of rendering plants under the terms of the EU Animal By-Products (ABP) Regulation (EC) 1069/2009. Such plants are approved to handle different classes of ABP, with Category 3 being low risk material and Category 1 being higher risk. There are 5 Category 3 and 5 Category 1 approved plants in the State at present.

With the exception of fallen animals collected and disposed of under the TSE Subsidy Scheme, which my Department operates to facilitate testing of over 48 month bovines as required by EU legislation, the rendering of material from meat plants and of fallen animal material is a matter for commercial arrangement between the parties. While my Department supervises the operation of such plants to ensure compliance with EU rules on Animal by-products, it has no role in relation to their ownership or commercial operations.

If the Deputy has information regarding anti-competitive practices, I would suggest that this information be addressed directly to the Competition Authority, which is the appropriate body to investigate such matters.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (415)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

415. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a repayment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26967/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named does not currently have an outstanding overpayment with this Department. She did, however, have approximately €4,000 deducted from her 2013 Single Payment advance in respect of a Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) overclaim. She subsequently appealed to this Department and the original decision was upheld. She was advised of the option to further appeal this decision to the independent Agricultural Appeals Office. To date no appeal has been received. As payment had not issued in respect of the ineligible areas the issue of phased repayment does not arise.

Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme

Questions (416)

Michael Lowry

Question:

416. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to tackle the unfair and discriminatory proposed entry requirements for the GLAS scheme for hill farmers on commonage; if he will take steps to reduce the 80% collective agreement clause that has been proposed before the final draft is agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26994/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Since I first proposed the 80% participation level on Commonages to qualify under Tier One of GLAS, I have further reviewed the position and I announced on 13 May 2014 that I was building in a second-tier access to the Scheme where a minimum of just 50% participation could be secured. The collective agreement will apply only to active farmers. I believe this will significantly ease the burden of securing agreements, while at the same time providing a critical mass for management of the commonage which can be expanded upon in future years.

Common Fisheries Policy Review

Questions (417)

John Deasy

Question:

417. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an initial breakdown of the €148 million secured for Ireland from the Common Fisheries Policy fund over the period 2014 to 2020. [27002/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following months of intense lobbying and negotiation, I announced on 12 June 2014 that I had secured €148 million from the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund for the period 2014 to 2020 for the development of the Irish seafood industry and the coastal communities that depend upon it. This funding is more than double the amount that was available to Ireland during the last Common Fisheries Policy and will ensure a strong seafood industry in Ireland that can grow and expand to meet its potential up to 2020. Ireland’s EMFF allocation is to be provided through 5 discrete funding envelopes, namely €71 million for investment in the seafood industry, €32 million for data collection, €37 million for control and enforcement, €5 million for implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy, and €1.3 million for storage aid. I will be discussing with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the near future Exchequer matching funding, having regard to the general budgetary situation for the coming years.

Many investment measures that may be included within the new Operational Programme have the potential to contribute to job creation in peripheral coastal communities, including in particular capital grants to support growth and expansion of seafood processing and aquaculture enterprises and capital allocations to Fishery Local Action Groups for dispersal to projects within their coastal areas. Any allocation to these measures is subject to final decisions on overall priorities for the seafood sector and to ex-ante evaluation by independent consultants of the appropriateness of such measures.

Common Fisheries Policy Review

Questions (418)

John Deasy

Question:

418. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of stakeholder consultation that has taken place to date on the new Common Fisheries Policy Operational Programme 2014-2020; and the further consultation that is planned before the programme is submitted to the EU Commission in October. [27003/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The EU Regulation establishing the European Maritime and Fisheries, published on 20 May 2014, requires Ireland to prepare an Operational Programme in order to avail of co-financing from the Fund. Following months of intense lobbying and negotiation, I announced on 12 June 2014 that I had secured €148 million from the new Fund for the period 2014 to 2020 for the development of the Irish seafood industry and the coastal communities that depend upon it. This funding is more than double the amount that was available to Ireland during the last Common Fisheries Policy and will ensure a strong seafood industry in Ireland that can grow and expand to meet its potential up to 2020.

My Department has been working since 2013 on developing a new Operational Programme setting out the arrangements for spending Ireland’s allocation under the Fund and has engaged with stakeholders on a number of occasions to date including stakeholder meetings in November 2013 and more recently on 20 May 2014. Further public consultation and strategic environmental assessment will take place over the summer 2014. The new Operational Programme must be submitted to the European Commission for adoption before the end of 2014.

Animal Welfare

Questions (419)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

419. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if animal welfare groups were included in the consultation process undertaken by his Department and stakeholders on the use of animals in circuses; his plans regarding the publishing the draft code of practice for the use of animals in circuses; the way he will ensure a code of practice will be adequate in the protection of animals used in circuses; if he considered the concept of banning the use of animals in all circuses here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27010/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has met with circus representatives and with representatives from the ISPCA and the DSPCA to discuss the use of animals in circuses and to prepare a Code of Practice for circuses to be adopted under Section 25 of the new Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. I have no plans to introduce a ban on the use of animals in circuses but I am keeping the matter under review.

Milk Quota Trading Scheme

Questions (420, 421, 422, 423, 424)

Martin Ferris

Question:

420. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will name the persons who are to carry out the independent milk verification process with regard to the milk quota re-allocation from dairy farms (details supplied). [27138/14]

Martin Ferris

Question:

421. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of litres of milk involved in the re-allocation from dairy farms (details supplied); and the total monetary fine imposed by the EU because of this re-allocation. [27139/14]

Martin Ferris

Question:

422. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the report of the independent milk verification process will be sent to the Office of the Chief State Solicitor for consideration. [27140/14]

Martin Ferris

Question:

423. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that there is a transparent electronic and paper trail available regarding milk quota re-allocation and if his Department's special investigation unit milk quota team has identified any other milk quota irregularities in its detailed audit of a company (details supplied) or any other milk suppliers since the start of this year. [27141/14]

Martin Ferris

Question:

424. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are food safety and milk traceability issues involved in milk quota re-allocations; his views on the implications this would have for the reputation of Irish milk as a pure, green quality brand across the island of Ireland; and his plans to resolve this problem. [27142/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 to 424, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department has carried out investigations into allegations that milk collections from a milk supplier were credited to another milk supplier which was facilitated by the milk purchaser concerned. Where allegations of non-compliance are made, my Department investigates such matters to ensure that the obligations of all parties under the Milk Quota Regulations are being met, that any levies are paid in full, that the systems and procedures underpinning the operation of the regime are robust and to ensure that there are no financial losses to the Exchequer or the European Union arising from any non compliance.

On the question of possible food safety issues, the investigation has shown that the actions in this case related to an internal alteration of records and that all activities in relation to the collection, transportation and processing of the milk concerned were carried out in full compliance with the relevant regulations insofar as these relate to food safety matters. I am satisfied therefore that there were no food safety or traceability issues involved.

As I have previously outlined to the House, the investigation carried out by officials in my Department is now complete. At my request, corrective actions have been completed by all parties concerned, including the reallocation of milk to the original supplier; the payment of the super levy fine by the supplier concerned; and the distribution of the unused quota though the ‘flexi milk’ scheme. I am currently making arrangements with the parties concerned to have these actions independently verified.

I have also as indicated, requested that the relevant papers be sent to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office for advice on whether any further action is warranted, having regard to the provisions of the Milk Quota Regulations or other legal provisions. As this matter is now under consideration with that Office, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the case at this time.