Written Answers Nos. 82-89
82. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures to be put in place in the event of Ireland facing a substantial superlevy fine, in the order of €100 million; if Ireland stays at 6% over quota when the milk quota concludes on 31 March 2014. [4246/15]
View answerThe total volume of milk supplies up to the end of December 2014, taking into account the relevant butterfat adjustment, leaves Ireland 5.93% over-quota. This figure continues the downward trend in the over-quota figure which was 7.15% and 6.51% in October and November respectively. However, it is still significantly above the 1.63% over-quota position of this time last year.
This downward trend in the over-quota figure is welcome as it reduces the exposure of farmers to super levy payments. I note that the monthly intake of milk in December was 18% down on the same month last year and this suggests that farmers are continuing to take the necessary on-farm measures to stay close to quota limits.
I would encourage prudent management by farmers of their output in these final three months of the quota regime to help ensure that they enter the quota-free world with as little debt as possible.
I have, on numerous occasions, called on the Commission to take action to mitigate the impact of superlevy fines, primarily via utilisation of an adjustment to the butterfat coefficient, as this would not have required an amendment to existing regulations. However, this proposal has not enjoyed the support of a majority of MS, some of which have gone so far as to seek to link the issue to possible measures to regulate supply after quotas are gone. Due to this opposition there is no realistic prospect of any movement on the amount of super-levy to be paid. This is also true of a butterfat adjustment, and coming into the final months of milk quotas, farmers should manage their milk supply with this in mind.
I am continuing to work closely with other EU Ministers and with Commissioner Hogan to examine if measures can be taken at EU level to minimise the impact of the superlevy bill. I have already secured the Commission’s agreement to allow for phased payments by farmers over a number of years if their co-op is willing to facilitate this. At the Council of Agriculture Ministers’ meeting this week, the Commissioner committed to a further discussion in March when a clearer picture emerges of the extent of the superlevy bill.
At national level I have impressed on the major banks the need to show flexibility in their dealings with farmers experiencing temporary cash flow difficulties in 2015. Following on from an agreement secured with the EU Commission, Co-ops may have a role in mitigating the impact of the global price downturn on their suppliers, with some flexibility in relation to the phasing of superlevy bills to farmers. Furthermore Teagasc has recently commenced a series of dairy seminars throughout the country to help dairy farmers manage through 2015, while also planning the efficient development of their dairy business in a non-quota environment. It should also be noted that the Single Farm Payment will also provide a measure of income stability during the forthcoming period.
The superlevy bill for 2015 will of course, be the last such bill and I expect all of the relevant shareholders to do what is necessary to assist farmers through this temporary difficulty.
83. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of dairy farmers out of the total number of dairy farmers around the country who are over quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4247/15]
View answerThe milk quota year ends on 31 March 2015. Milk Purchasers are obliged, within the following six months, to establish what suppliers have exceeded their quota and forward the appropriate super levy payment to the Department. The Department will not be in a position to establish the percentage of suppliers who are over quota in the 14/15 quota year until that stage. For the 13/14 quota year, 50% of dairy farmers exceeded their available quota.
84. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the various roles of fishing producer organisations; the oversight and control exercised over them; in what circumstances a fishing producer organisation will be excluded and-or disqualified from its role under the Common Fisheries Policy or other legislative provisions; the circumstances in which they will be shut down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4249/15]
View answerThe role of Independent Fisheries Producer Organisations or (POs) is a varied one. Apart from the obvious function of representing their members' interests at annual EU fishing quota negotiations in Brussels etc, POs are also an increasingly important element in terms of delivering on the EU's objectives for the recently reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The role of POs is recognised as being integral to achieving the objectives of the new CFP in terms of such important aspects as promoting the viable and sustainable fishing activities of their members, eliminating discards by helping members to avoid and reduce unwanted catches, contributing to the traceability of fishery products and the elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing etc. The organisations also play an important role in improving the conditions for the placing on the market of their member’s fishery products, maximising economic returns for the industry while contributing to the production of a high quality, safe food source. Other functions may include playing a role in reducing the environmental impact of fishing and, managing temporary storage for fishery products (where relevant).
It is important to note that Producer Organisations are primarily independent representative organisations operating on behalf of their members, in common with organised representative organisations throughout the Irish economy. While the State does not have a primary oversight or control role in terms of the day to day operation of these organisations, there is regular interaction via such processes as annual quota negotiations, quota management meetings and (W.E.F 2015) the new requirement for POs to produce and submit annual or multi annual Production and Marketing Plans (PMPs). The latter may attract funding via the new EMFF (European maritime fisheries fund) and any such funding will therefore be subject to the rules and procedures governing such funds, which will be announced by my Department later this year.
In very general terms any organised groups of fishermen or seafood related producers may apply to the European Commission via the Member State for official recognition as a fisheries PO. Before they can be recognised they must have a significant presence in the marketplace and meet the other criteria set down by the Commission for such recognition. These include, having a demonstrable functioning organisation and business premises, appropriate staffing, expertise and a genuine commitment to sustainable fishing practices etc. Thereafter such recognition can only be withdrawn if the organisation fails to fulfil its role or meet its obligations under the CFP (see above) or by not adhering to the practice and objectives of the CFP in terms of sustainable fishing and appropriate quota management fishing practices etc.
The policy of my Department is to encourage and enable existing Producer Organisations to achieve their objectives in terms of maximising their contribution to coastal economies particularly while respecting their independence as representative bodies working on behalf of their individual members. My Department welcomes applications from groups who may wish to consider becoming recognised POs provided they meet the criteria set out by the European Commission in this regard. In general any evidence of non compliance by POs with the conditions for recognition laid down in article 14 of EU Reg 1379/2013 or (W.E.F. 2015), obligations provided under Article 28 of EU Reg 1379/2013 regarding Production and Marketing Plans may result in the withdrawal of such recognition.
85. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the European and international legislative provisions and relevant sections of same under which fishing producer organisations operating here operate; if he will provide and list the associated provisions and sections of same in legislation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4250/15]
View answer86. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the State’s regulation of fishing producer organisations, if he will provide specific administrative arrangements or legislative specifications which differ from those in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4251/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.
Legislative matters in relation to fisheries policy in the European Union are under the sole remit and competence of the EU and its related institutions. Recognition of fisheries producer organisations in the EU is therefore governed by relevant EU legislation- (1) Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and (2) Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the common organisation of the markets (CMO) in fishery and aquaculture products.
87. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if membership of a fishing producer organisation is at individual boat level; if not, the level at which it is assigned; if he will identify any legislative provision here specifying this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4252/15]
View answerWhile individual Producer Organisations may have distinct membership provisions, in general ownership of a fishing vessel is not a necessary requirement to become a member of a fisheries Producer Organisation. Although in practice most members of POs would either own or operate a registered fishing vessel, others such as those involved in the Aquaculture sector may also be members of recognised Producer Organisations without being either owners or operators of fishing vessels themselves.
88. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria which must be met to qualify as a member of a fishing producer organisation; the legislative provisions specifying this; the categories of membership for fishing producer organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4253/15]
View answerThe criteria in relation to recognition of Producer Organisations are outlined in my response to the related Question No. 85. As such organisations are in essence independent representative bodies, the internal membership criteria which must be met to qualify or apply for membership of such organisations, would primarily be a matter for the organisations themselves to determine. Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 refers.
89. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the information provided to the European Commission on fish producer organisations concerning their funding, quota allocation, membership and landings; if he will provide a copy of the most recent set of such reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4254/15]
View answerThere are currently five officially recognised Fishery Producer Organisations (POs) in Ireland. POs are independent representative bodies who represent their members' interest in issues such as annual quota negotiations with the EU Commission etc. They are not currently in receipt of any State funding on an ongoing basis apart from an initial assistance from the EU Commission in relation to set up costs. These organisations may become eligible to receive funding under the provisions of the new EMFF (European Maritime Fisheries Fund) to fund a requirement of the new CMO (Common Organisation of the Market, Regulation) which will necessitate the compilation of annual or multi annual Production & Marketing Plans (PMPs) by these organisations. PMPs will provide details of the main marketed species (by PO) as well as details of plans to market these species etc. As these plans may also contain potentially important commercial information, there are currently no plans to publish them. The plans will not be submitted to the EC and will be examined and approved at MS level only. Full details of Ireland’s EMFF funding mechanisms will be announced by my Department in due course, a period of public consultation in terms of identifying national priorities will be a part of that process.
Fish quotas are a publicly owned resource in Ireland and catch limits are made available to vessel owners on a periodic basis in accordance with management policy. The arrangements for quota management have been set and developed over many years and changes to management arrangements are determined by the Minister following consultation with Producer Organisations and other industry representatives. POs represent the interests of the catching sector at monthly Quota Management Advisory Committee meetings. As far as possible, I take account of the recommendations for monthly regimes for particular stocks. Additional meetings involving POs are organised as required to discuss specific issues in particular fisheries that may arise, including in relation to pelagic stocks.
