Written Answers Nos. 208 - 220
208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Rural Development Plan 2014-2020 will receive formal approval from the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49001/14]
View answerThe overall objectives of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 are to enhance the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieve a more sustainable management of natural resources and ensure a more balanced development of rural areas. Ireland’s draft RDP was submitted to the EU Commission on 3 July 2014, a number of weeks in advance of the regulatory deadline. The proposed measures in the new RDP have been framed in light of the experience of the previous Programme and are based on an objective analysis of sectoral needs and priorities identified during an extensive consultation process that took place over a period of 18 months.
The Commission’s formal observations on the draft RDP were received on 20 October, and raised a number of informational, technical and policy matters. My Department issued a detailed response to the Commission’s observation letter on 11 November.
At present, my officials are in ongoing and intensive discussion with the Commission in order to seek a speedy resolution of outstanding issues. At this stage, it is difficult to be definitive about the duration of these discussions given the demands on Commission resources in dealing with 118 RDPs and the need for the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development to co-ordinate with the range of other Directorates General that have commented on the draft RDP. While all Programmes are subject to the same approval procedures, the timescale for approval will obviously vary depending on the complexity, scale and scope of individual Programmes. Following agreement on a Member State’s national or regional Programme, a draft RDP must go through a formal adoption process in the Commission.
Given the need for continuity in relation to RDP schemes between Programming periods, my priority now is to expedite the approval process. Ongoing bilateral discussions between officials of my Department and the Commission are being pursued as a matter of priority.
In recent discussions at EU level, a technical issue has emerged in relation to the need to amend the financial allocations in the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) for RDPs to be approved in 2015. This amendment could have delayed the formal adoption of RDPs. However, I have raised this issue with the Commission and I am pleased to report that they have agreed to put in place a procedure whereby a letter of comfort will issue to Member States who have informally agreed their RDP with the Commission but where formal adoption of the RDP will be delayed by the MFF amendment process. This letter of comfort will enable Member States to launch their RDPs in advance of the formal adoption process, and will ensure that the technical MFF issue does not delay the roll out of RDP schemes.
209. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the recent proposals he has submitted to the European Commission in relation to a possible adjustment of the butterfat coefficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49002/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the related issues of milk quota abolition, the “soft landing” and the butterfat coefficient correction have been the subject of much discussion at EU level over the recent past. Milk quotas will be abolished from the end of March 2015 and I have been very active in seeking to secure further measures to ensure a soft landing for milk producers in the period in advance of this. At numerous Agriculture Council meetings over the recent past, most recently at the beginning of this week in Brussels, the issue of additional measures to ensure a ‘soft landing’ to milk quota abolition in 2015 was discussed. Along with some other like-minded Ministers I have consistently called on the Commission to take action to ease the burden of the super levy in the final year of the quota regime, via the butterfat correction in particular.
However a number of other Member States are opposed to any action on the issue of further soft landing measures and have actively sought to link the issue to possible measures to regulate supply after quotas are gone. Amongst other options I deem feasible, I would certainly be strongly supportive of a facility to phase the burden of superlevy payments over an extended time frame, in what will already be a difficult year for the sector. My opinion is that this is the very least that should happen.
In preparing their enterprises for the post quota era, I have at all times urged that farmers have regard to the fact that milk quotas would remain in place until April 2015, along with the associated superlevy regime. I would again urge farmers to use the time between now and the removal of milk quotas to identify, with their dairy adviser, steps to manage both their milk supply and their dairy herds so that they have an efficient herd as they enter the post quota era.
210. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grant aid that will be made available for the pigmeat sector under TAMS II; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49003/14]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period was submitted to the EU Commission for approval in July 2014. In the case of the pig sector, it is proposed to provide funding in the initial stages of TAMS II for investments in relation to energy, water meters and medicine dispensers. The definitive list of investment items eligible for support under TAMS II will be made available when EU Commission approval for the Programme has been received.
211. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial assistance that will be available for the poultry sector under the next rural development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49004/14]
View answerThe new Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving a more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. The proposed measures in the new RDP have been framed in light of the experience of the previous Programme and are based on an objective analysis of sectoral needs and priorities identified during an extensive consultation process that took place over a period of 18 months. This design process has incorporated issues relevant to the poultry sector.
Relevant measures in the draft RDP include:
- significant support for on farm capital investment, included a strand of support for the pig and poultry sector, and
- a range of knowledge transfer measures including
- knowledge transfer groups in the poultry sector, and
- support for European Innovation Partnerships.
Officials in my Department are currently engaged in intensive discussions with the European Commission with a view to securing formal agreement of the RDP.
212. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions that have been held at political and official level in relation to sanctions imposed by Russia on food exports from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49006/14]
View answerThe main response to the sanctions imposed by Russia is being coordinated by the European Commission and has consisted of the introduction of a range of measures to support the markets most affected by the sanctions, i.e. the dairy market and the fruit and vegetables market. In addition, a package of direct aid has been introduced to assist milk producers in the Baltic Member States and Finland who are particularly affected by the sanctions. EU agriculture ministers have had the opportunity to discuss the matter at each EU Council meeting since September and I am pleased to say that, as a result of our strong and collective pressure, the Commission withdrew its proposal to finance these support measures from the 2015 agricultural crisis reserve.
At the most recent Council, earlier this week, I called on the Commission to consider all possibilities to stabilise EU dairy markets. In so doing, I emphasised the importance of deploying these measures both at the right time and at price levels that positively support the market. I also sought the introduction of a scheme of aid to private storage of pig-meat.
At a bilateral level, in October of this year, I met the Russian Ambassador with a view to working bilaterally to resolve some of the technical issues that have disrupted exports of certain agri-food products from Ireland to Russia. Specifically, we discussed ways in which restrictions imposed as a result of audits or animal disease outbreaks in other parts of the EU could be eased.
As a follow up to this meeting, the Irish Ambassador to Russia, accompanied by officials from my Department, has been invited to a meeting today with the Russian authorities in Moscow to progress these issues.
213. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the priorities in his Department for the remainder of the term of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49016/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine is extensive. As such, my continued focus as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be very broad and will encompass a wide number of areas of policy. I will continue to implement Programme for Government commitments, work with all state agencies, through the High Level Implementation Committee, and private sector groups in furthering the Food Harvest 2020 strategy for smart, green growth of the Irish agri-food sector. 2015 will be a very significant year for the dairy sector, presented by the ending of milk quotas in 2015 and this will be a key priority for me and my Department. I have recently appointed a Committee to work on the development of a new agri-food sector strategy to 2025 and this will be published in 2015.
Clearly, the implementation of the CAP pillar 1 basic and greening payments worth over €1.2 billion to Irish farmers will be a key focus for my Department in 2015. Equally, the approval and implementation of the new co-funded Rural Development Programme (CAP pillar 2 worth over €4 billion) will be at the forefront of the work taking place within my Department.
On the marine, the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy, negotiated during the Irish Presidency of the EU will be very important, as will the continued implementation of the Harvesting our Ocean Wealth Strategy, through the Marine Co-ordination Group.
There are a wide range of other developments taking place across my Department including but not limited to areas such as the new Forestry Programme 2015-2020, plant health, food and feed safety, continued development of the horseracing industry, trade developments, sustainability in agriculture, agri-food research, animal welfare and the continued development of an innovative agri-food sector which maximises its contribution to economic renewal and job creation.
I can assure the Deputy that my focus as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine will continue and I will ensure all aspects of my brief will continue to be supported and prioritised.
214. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaoil Talmhaíochta (AEOS) a íoc le duine i mo dháilcheantar (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [49036/14]
View answerCeadaíodh rannpháirteacht an duine ainmnithe sa Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaol Talmhaíochta le héifeacht ón 1 ú Bealtaine 2013.
Faoi Rialacháin an AE a rialálann an Scéim sin agus scéimeanna íocaíochta limistéir-bhunaithe eile, ní mór seiceálacha cuimsitheacha riaracháin, lena n-áirítear tras-seiceáil leis an gCóras Aitheanta Dáileachtaí Talún, a thabhairt chun críche sular féidir aon íocaíocht a eisiúint. Tá na seiceálacha sin tugtha chun críche go rathúil i ndáil leis an mbliain Scéime 2013 agus eisíodh an íocaíocht iomlán chuig an duine ainmnithe – an 9ú Meitheamh 2014 a eisíodh 75% den íocaíocht agus an 8ú Meán Fómhair 2014 a eisíodh an 25% eile den íocaíocht.
Tá an t-iarratas i ndáil le 2014 á phróiseáil ag mo Roinn faoi láthair.
215. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaoil Talmhaíochta (AEOS) a íoc le duine i mo dháilcheantar (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [49037/14]
View answerCeadaíodh rannpháirteacht an duine ainmnithe sa Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaol Talmhaíochta le héifeacht ón 1 ú Bealtaine 2013.
Faoi Rialacháin an AE a rialálann an Scéim sin agus scéimeanna íocaíochta limistéir-bhunaithe eile, ní mór seiceálacha cuimsitheacha riaracháin, lena n-áirítear tras-seiceáil leis an gCóras Aitheanta Dáileachtaí Talún, a thabhairt chun críche sular féidir aon íocaíocht a eisiúint. Tá na seiceálacha sin tugtha chun críche go rathúil i ndáil leis an mbliain Scéime 2013 agus eisíodh an íocaíocht iomlán chuig an duine ainmnithe – an 7ú Bealtaine 2014 a eisíodh 75% den íocaíocht agus an 8ú Meán Fómhair 2014 a eisíodh an 25% eile den íocaíocht.
Tá an t-iarratas i ndáil le 2014 á phróiseáil ag mo Roinn faoi láthair.
216. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht aonair agus na híocaíochtaí faoin Scéim do Cheantair faoi Mhíbhuntáiste agus faoi REPS 4 a íoc le duine i mo dháilcheantar, cén fáth nár íocadh na híocaíochtaí seo go dtí seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [49038/14]
View answerNíl aon taifead ag mo Roinn go bhfuarthas iarratas ar bith faoi Scéim na hAoníocaíochta/Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste/Scéim REPS 2014 ón duine ainmnithe. Chomh maith leis sin, níl aon teidlíochtaí ag an duine ainmnithe agus ní bheadh an duine ainmnithe incháilithe chun íocaíocht a fháil faoi Scéim na hAoníocaíochta ar aon nós. Sa chás gur sheol an duine ainmnithe foirm iarratais isteach, beidh orthu scríobh chuig Scéim na hAoníocaíochta – Roinn na Gaillimhe, Seanbhóthar Mhainistir Laoise, Port Laoise, ag míniú a gcás agus an t-admháil Phost Mearsheachadta nó Phost Cláraithe a iarrtar go sonrach i dTéarmaí agus Coinníollacha na Scéimeanna a chur faoi iamh.
217. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to approve the provision of further funding to Galway County Council for storm remedial and prevention works sent to the directorate for fire and emergency management on 7 April 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49041/14]
View answerMy Department provides funding, where exchequer funds allow, for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers and slipways under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. On the 20th March this year, as part of the Governments overall co-ordinated response to the damage caused by the winter storms, I approved funding in the amount of €2.016 million for a total of 15 projects for Galway County Council.
Applications for payment of grants have been submitted by Galway County Council for all 15 Storm Damage projects, the total claims amount to €1.948 million. My Department are currently processing these claims.
The Storm Damage Programme was an exceptional, once off measure as part of the Government’s overall response to the damage inflicted on our national piers and harbours infrastructure during the winter storms earlier this year and funding was approved for 2014 only. There are no plans to continue the funding of the Storm Damage Programme into 2015.
218. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount by which the milk supply was over quota at the end of November 2014; the projected over-supply of milk at the end of the quota year; the amount under quota the European Union was as a whole at the end of November 2014; the amount under quota the whole of the EU is projected to be at the end of the quota year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49063/14]
View answerThe estimated total volume of milk supplies up to the end of November 2014, taking into account the relevant butterfat adjustment, leaves Ireland at 6.5% over quota. This compares to being 1.4% over quota this time last year, but is down slightly from the 7.2% over quota at end of October. One of the positive factors coming from the November figure is that there is evidence that milk suppliers are taking steps to manage their milk supply in the final months of the quota regime. This is evidenced by the fact that there was a 13% drop in the volume of milk delivered in November 2014 when compared to the same month last year. I am heartened by this development and would encourage milk producers to continue this trend by urging them to use the time period between now and the removal of milk quotas to identify, with their dairy adviser, steps to manage both their milk supply and their dairy herds so that they have an efficient herd as they enter the post quota era.
Working on the basis that farmers have commenced taking steps to adjust supplies up to next April it is difficult to project what the quota position will be at year end. What is certain is that an over quota position of 6.5% will cost Irish farmers in the region of €100m in super levy payments.
At EU level, the end of the 2013/14 milk quota year saw total milk deliveries come in at 4.6% below quota, following being 6% below quota in the 2012/13 quota year. Again, while it is difficult to project what the end of quota year position will be in the EU next April, details taken from the Milk Market Observatory show that deliveries for the whole of the EU up to the end of September 2014 are about 5% above the same period last year. This would suggest that overall deliveries may be nearer to quota than in previous years, but the softening of milk prices may impact on this projection.
219. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of the recent Council of EU Agriculture Ministers meeting regarding the need to provide market supports for the dairy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49064/14]
View answerAt the Council of Ministers meeting held in Brussels earlier this week, I expressly called on the Commission to consider all possibilities to stabilise EU dairy markets. In so doing, I emphasised the importance of deploying these measures both at the right time and at price levels that positively support the market. It is my contention that while the positive underlying dynamic of increasing global population and demand remains, Irish and EU dairy farmers are vulnerable and acutely affected by temporary but significant market pressures. In such circumstances, instruments such as Aids to Private Storage, Intervention, Export Refunds and Exceptional Measures are designed to deal with periodic temporary troughs in price. These tools should be deployed, at the appropriate time, to ensure that they have maximum effect and that they place a real floor under the market, should that be necessary in the New Year.
Private Storage schemes for butter, cheese and SMP have already been introduced by the Commission in September in a move which I both advocated and welcomed. The Schemes have been extended to the end February for butter and SMP. The Private Storage scheme for cheese has been discontinued due to overuse by non Russian ban affected countries. Furthermore the commencement date under which intervention will be available in 2015 has been advanced to January 1st.
These steps already taken by the Commission, some of which have been utilised in Ireland, are certainly welcome, but all possibilities, including a targeted export refund mechanism, or potentially an increase in the intervention rate, need to be considered. In the context of Private Storage schemes, it is critically important to retain some flexibility around the release date to allow for market conditions.
The Commission remains vigilant, and has indicated that the relevant tools are available and can be deployed without delay if needed.
220. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding conditions governing participation in the GLAS and achieving relevant EU objectives the reason the date by which traditional hay meadows have to be topped has been moved back to 15 March in view of the AEOS date being 15 April and, having regard to land condition in many areas in springtime, the fact that the change to 15 March will make it impossible for many farmers to meet the requirements of the new GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49074/14]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme requires Member States to put in place an agri-environment measure which addresses, among other things, retention of biodiversity. In line with this the Traditional Hay Meadow action in GLAS, which attracts a payment rate of €314 per hectare, seeks to promote the maintenance of a traditional method of forage conservation that is beneficial to grassland flora and fauna and farmland birds. In order to achieve this objective, the topping date has therefore been set down as 15th March as birds may be nesting in some of these parcels after this date. After the 1st July farmers may top these parcels if they need to do so. While no specific topping date was laid down in AEOS, the meadow was to be closed off from 15th April.
