Written Answers Nos. 89-96
89. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appeal has been received by his Department in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal regarding their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45663/14]
View answerIn order to comply with EU requirements, the 2013 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Area’s Scheme application of the person named was one of a number selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection resulted in findings of an over-declaration in area of greater than 20%. Based on the terms and conditions of the scheme this resulted in no payment in respect of the 2013 Single Payment Scheme. The person named was notified of this decision on 2 September 2014.
The person named has appealed this decision and this request is currently being examined. The person named will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as possible. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agricultural Appeals Office, within 3 months.
An application under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 10 May 2014. Following processing, overclaims were discovered on this application, and the person named was notified of this in writing on 19 September 2014. This overclaim exceeded 3% of the eligible area and the advance payment, inclusive of the appropriate reduction penalty, issued on 16 October 2014. A review of this overclaim is currently underway, and a member of my Department has been in direct contact with the person named to further clarify the position.
90. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the scheduling of a ground inspection in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be expedited in view of the fact the queries on their land parcels have been ongoing for two years and the delay in resolving the matter is causing financial hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45673/14]
View answerA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a number of the parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. Following the review of my Department’s decision, sought by the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position on the ground is now necessary. The person named will be advised, in writing, of the findings of the verification visit as soon as possible following the visit.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this verification check, the decision can be appealed to the independent LPIS Appeals Committee, within four weeks of the notification letter. An official from my Department will contact the person named to discuss the position in relation to his 2014 Single Payment Scheme application.
91. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the difficulties facing the pigmeat sector were discussed at the most recent EU Agriculture Council; if he put forward proposals at that meeting to provide specific assistance for this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45674/14]
View answerThe development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the crucial role which the industry plays in supporting approximately 7,000 jobs including production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. In 2013 export volumes were largely unchanged but values increased by 3% to over €520 million, continuing the growth seen in recent years. Pigmeat prices tend to be cyclical in nature with periods of lower prices and production followed by recovery and this has remained the case for many years.
My Department carefully monitors developments in the pig sector, both domestically and internationally. I also met with members of the IFA National Pigs and Pigmeat Committee last month to hear their views on recent developments.
In relation to the Russian ban on EU pigmeat exports, I am fully aware of the concerns Irish pig farmers have as a result of the closure of this market. At EU level the Commission has referred this matter to the WTO for resolution. I have called on the European Commission to monitor the developments on markets and where necessary, to quickly activate safety net provisions such as public interventions and/or private storage aid.
Indeed, at the most recent EU Agriculture Council meeting on 10 November, I supported a request from my Danish counterpart for the introduction of Private Storage Aid for the pigmeat sector. While this proposal had the support of a number of Member States, it was refused by the European Commission who nevertheless, pledged to keep the issue under review.
Support is provided by my Department for the pig sector in a number of ways. Firstly I have included provision in 2015 and throughout the whole RDP for an on-farm capital investments scheme, TAMS II, with an overall budget of €395 million across all sectors, with €37 million allocated for 2015. Amongst the areas identified for initial funding are investments on pig farms for energy, water meters and medicine dispensers. Other elements of the RDP, such as targeted on farm animal health and welfare scheme will also be of benefit to the pig sector.
Other supports for the sector come through Teagasc which, through its Moorepark pig research facility and courses in pig production, plays an important role in improving production at farm level. Through its Joint Research Advisory Programme, Teagasc will support Irish pig producers by providing advice, research and education across a range of issues of importance to the sector. The programme has enabled Teagasc to employ four additional advisors and researchers to support producers and the sector through advice, research and education across a range of issues of importance to the sector. The high level objective of the programme is to enhance the sustainability of Irish pig meat production, including improvements in economic, social and environmental standards. This will result in improvements in the production and marketability of Irish pigmeat.
I am also conscious of the need to promote the consumption of Irish pigmeat in domestic and overseas markets. Bord Bia provides assistance to the pigmeat sector through its marketing and promotional activities, and the pigmeat quality assurance scheme helps to consolidate the position of Irish pigmeat on the domestic market and helps expand its presence on EU and third country markets.
For my part, I have undertaken to ensure that as many alternative markets as possible are open to Irish Pigmeat processors. In this regard I was pleased to recently announce the opening of the markets in Vietnam and the Philippines for Irish pigmeat which will serve as valuable alternative markets to Russia for Irish pigmeat exports.
92. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45679/14]
View answerAn application under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named in my Department on 24 April 2014. Following processing, an error was identified in respect of one land parcel declared on the application. A query letter recently issued notifying the person named of the error and outlining what is required in order to finalise the application for payment.
Upon receipt of a satisfactory reply any payments due will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.
93. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a 2014 area aid appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45687/14]
View answerIn accordance with EU regulations a review of all land declared on applications for payment under the various direct payment schemes is being undertaken to ensure that ineligible features have been excluded from the land declared.
During the review of the land declared by the person named it was identified that ineligible features, namely roadways and scrub, had been included on the land declared and that these features had been included on the Single Farm Payment Scheme applications of the person named since 2009. This has resulted in an over - claim of €466.13 in respect of the years 2009 to 2012 inclusive and has been recouped from subsequent payments of the person named.
A letter and maps of the relevant parcels issued to the person named on 20 August 2013. Following an appeal from the person named my Department has carried out a review and has rejected the appeal submitted by the person named. The applicant was informed of the outcome of this review in a letter dated 10 October 2014 and advised of his right to appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee within three months of the date of the letter.
94. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an issue will be resolved regarding an agri-environment option scheme application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45702/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 2) with effect from the 1st September 2011 and full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Scheme years.
A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a number of the land parcels declared contained ineligible features. The person named requested a review, which required a site-inspection by a Department official to verify the position on the ground. This review is currently being processed and the person named will be advised of the outcome shortly. If they are not satisfied with the outcome of the review, the decision can be appealed to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee.
Further processing of the AEOS file will be carried out when the land parcel review process is complete.
95. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has their full single farm payment paid to them as same has been reduced by €3,000 due to a penalty imposition, which has arisen from digitation, whereby the person relied upon the ordnance survey to indicate their acreage at all material times; if same will now be rectified and the appropriate payment of €7,000 paid out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45708/14]
View answerAn application under the 2014 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 1 May 2014. Following initial processing, overclaims were discovered in respect of ten land parcels. The person named was notified of these overclaims and the application was processed further. The advance instalment under the Single Payment Scheme issued, less the appropriate reduction penalty, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 4 November 2014. My Department has written a further letter to the person named, informing him of the penalty, and of his right to have the matter reviewed.
96. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45710/14]
View answerAn application under 2014 Single Payment / Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 3 April 2014. Processing of the application has recently been finalised and payment of DAS will shortly issue, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
