Written Answers Nos. 26-36
26. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is hoped to have the farmers' charter of rights published; the legal standing of such a charter of rights; the progress in discussions with the farm organisations concerning it; the reason for the delay in publishing it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18462/15]
View answerThe Farmers’ Charter Review Group is chaired by an Assistant Secretary General from my Department and comprises senior Department officials and representatives of the main farming organisations. The aim of the Review Group is to agree standards and delivery targets for the schemes and services, including on-farm inspections, provided by my Department to all its clients including farmers. These standards and targets form the basis of the Farmers Charter.
The relevant national and EU legislation are the legal instruments governing the various schemes and services. The Charter is effectively an agreement drawn up between the parties, which must fully respect and operate within these legal requirements.
Negotiations on the new Farmers’ Charter are at an advanced stage. However, there are a number of areas that require further discussion. My Department is endeavouring to achieve consensus with representatives of the main farmer representative organisations on these outstanding issues.
As you will be aware, a round of CAP Information meetings took place in the early part of the year throughout the country. These important meetings required the involvement of key officials from my Department and consequently progress in negotiations on the Farmers’ Charter was delayed somewhat. Furthermore, progress has also been slow due to difficulties in reaching agreement with the main farming organisations in certain areas but my Department remains hopeful that agreement can be reached on the outstanding issues and will immediately move to publish the Farmers’ Charter upon the achievement of consensus.
Upon finalisation of the new Farmers’ Charter, a Charter Monitoring Committee will be established under an independent chair to monitor agreed targets and standards.
27. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of applications which have been made under the new green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; the number and percentage of farms which have commonage lands which have submitted an application under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18675/15]
View answerFollowing successful negotiations with the European Commission, I opened the GLAS online application system on 23 February, 2015 for the preparation of applications, with the intention of activating the submit-facility once formal approval of the Rural Development Programme as a whole was notified. This has now been received, in the form of a ‘letter of comfort’ from the EU Commission. The ‘submit’ facility was activated last week and applications can now be formally submitted.
The total figure for applications created on the GLAS on-line system now stands at over 28,000. Of those, more than 20,000 have selected actions. This represents a very positive response to GLAS and is a remarkable achievement by all involved. The total number of applications actually signed-off and submitted since the submit-facility went live last week is 2,000. It is likely that most applications will be formally submitted nearer to the closing date of 22 May, 2015.
As regards commonages approximately 4,300 applications have commonage land, which represents about 32% of commonage shareholders eligible to join GLAS, and of those 3,380 have already selected actions. This is represents a solid response by commonage farmers to a measure which will deliver significant benefits for Ireland’s uplands. It should be recognised, of course, that many commonage farmers are already in an existing agri-environment scheme, AEOS, and will opt to see out those contracts before embarking on a new one under GLAS. That is something we have specifically provided for in the design of the GLAS measure. However, I anticipate that the take-up by commonage farmers will continue to increase before the closing date of this first tranche of GLAS, and that in future tranches more commonage farmers will take the opportunity to join existing Commonage Management Plans.
28. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that fertiliser prices are at record highs, even though manufacturers' costs continue to decline; in view of recent falling oil and gas prices, the reason there has not been a similar drop in the price of fertiliser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18707/15]
View answerNo fertilisers are now manufactured in Ireland, resulting in indigenous fertiliser companies being price-takers, dependent on global supply and demand and subject to Euro exchange rates against the US dollar and other currencies.
Nitrogen, in the form of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN), Phosphorous and Potash constitute the vast majority of fertiliser nutrients used in Ireland and since all fertiliser used in Ireland is imported, Irish fertiliser companies have little control over the price at which they buy their products on the global market.
On-farm prices range from €330 to €450 /tonne depending on type and nutrient content. Fertiliser costs are among the highest input costs in Irish agriculture at 20% on average and can amount to double this for certain tillage crops.
Currently, Europe is only 80% self-sufficient in fertiliser production and must import 20% of its requirements. As such, European and Irish fertiliser prices are strongly linked to global prices and heavily influenced by supply and demand. With global demand outstripping supply, Irish fertiliser prices have increased by 6-8% so far in 2015. It is anticipated that world demand will continue to increase into the future maintaining upward pressure on prices to the final consumer in Ireland.
The advice from Teagasc is for farmers to keep in contact with merchants as prices often spike at periods of high demand when European order books are full. Purchasing fertilisers at off-peak periods will help minimise prices. Teagasc further advises that finding alternative sources of major nutrients will save money and farmers should consider the use of slurry applications to minimise expenditure on chemical fertilisers. In addition, soil testing will prevent unnecessary applications.
29. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of the types of sanctions imposed on greyhounds that tested positive for banned substances in 2013 and 2014 and to date in 2015; the number of these that consisted of fines; the amount of each fine; the names and quantities of the substances found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18671/15]
View answerThe control and administration of greyhound racing, including the matters referred to by the Deputy, are a matter for Bord na gCon.
The Control Committee and the Control Appeals Committee of Bord na gCon were established under the Greyhound Industry (Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee) Regulations 2007 (S.I. Number 301 of 2007).
Under that legislation, full details of any laboratory findings can only be published at the conclusion of the proceedings by the Control Committee and the Control Appeals Committee.
I understand from Bord na gCon that in all, a total of 93 Control Committee sanctions were imposed on greyhounds that tested positive for banned substances in 2013, 2014 and 2015. These included 91 monetary fines which ranged from €100 to €2,500 across the 3 years. Regarding monetary fines there were 56 cases in the €100-€150 range, 15 in the €200-€250 range, 6 in the range €300-€400, 5 in the range €500-€750, 9 cases in the range €1,000-€2,500.
In addition, two testing orders were imposed whereby greyhounds in the ownership or care of a transgressor are subjected to sampling for a given period of time when they are presented for racing at stadia.
In 2013, the Control Committee applied 16 sanctions in relation to positive laboratory findings involving 11 different substances.
In 2014, 68 sanctions were applied by the Control Committee arising from positive laboratory findings relating to 23 different substances.
Up to the end of March of this year, the Control Committee applied 12 sanctions in relation to positive laboratory findings involving 9 different substances. [ Full details are supplied in the Annex].
Bord na gCon also informed me that in 2014 sanctions were imposed in relation to the obstruction of a steward (€250), non-co-operation with a steward (€1000), inappropriate behaviour towards a steward (€2,500) and a breach of article 32 of the Racing Regulations 2007 regarding ownership registration (€2500).
In 2015 (to date) there has been one breach regarding alteration of an identity card (€2500).
I understand that BNG is currently conducting a comprehensive review of all aspects relating to integrity, including its sampling and analysis procedures for prohibited substances and medication control. The objective is to strengthen regulation so that the highest standards in relation to integrity are achieved.
Annex
|
Substances |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
Substances |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Acetaminophen |
1 |
7 |
2 |
Hydroxyamphetamin |
1 |
||
|
Amitryptylline |
1 |
Ibuprofen |
2 |
9 |
2 |
||
|
Amphetamine |
2 |
2 |
Ketoprofen |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Caffeine |
2 |
19 |
Lidocaine |
1 |
|||
|
Carprofen |
1 |
1 |
Meloxicam |
2 |
|||
|
Chlorpromozine |
1 |
1 |
Naproxen |
1 |
2 |
||
|
Codeine |
1 |
Nikethamide |
1 |
||||
|
Diclofenac |
1 |
1 |
Nimesulide |
1 |
|||
|
Etamiphylline |
1 |
1 |
Phenylbutazone |
3 |
|||
|
Fixcoxib |
2 |
Phenylpropanolamine |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Flunixin |
1 |
2 |
Piroxicam |
1 |
|||
|
Frusemide |
1 |
Procaine |
4 |
3 |
|||
|
Heptaminol |
1 |
2 |
1 |
Propranolol |
4 |
30. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will co-operate with the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the North in requesting the European Union to approve an all-island food label for Irish agrifood. [18584/15]
View answerI have been a strong proponent of providing consumers with clear and transparent information about the food they consume, including as regards the origin of that food.
The rules on origin labelling are determined at EU level and I recently signed into law an SI to give effect to the new European Regulations for country of origin labelling of meat from sheep, pigs, poultry and goats. These mandatory rules require a label to state the Member State where the animal was reared and slaughtered. They do not operate on a regional, multi member state or all-island basis.
The requirement at EU level applies only to prepackaged meat. However, I believe this information should also be made available to consumers purchasing meat sold loose through butcher shops and deli counters. As a result, I have asked my officials to work with the Department of Health to extend these rules to “loose meat” and work is progressing well in bringing this to fruition.
With regards to Northern Ireland, I have been in regular contact with my counterpart Minister Michelle O’Neill on labelling issues that affect both jurisdictions on the island.
There is also considerable engagement at official level and, only last week, my Department met with officials from DARD Northern Ireland to discuss the practical implementation of the new Country of origin labelling requirements, including any impact which these may be having on the trade in lambs from Northern Ireland. It is true to say that the volume of lamb imported here from Northern Ireland has reduced this year and while the new labelling rules may be contributing to this decline, there are a number of other factors to be considered, including the euro-sterling exchange rate and the early Easter lamb market this year. I’m also pleased to note that sheep prices here have maintained their current levels continuing the strong prices seen in 2014.
The issue with lamb this year bears many similarities to what happened last year with so called “nomad cattle”. These mixed origin cattle, born and reared in the South and subsequently slaughtered in the North, were less attractive to UK retailers that have a preference for labelling a single Member State on their beef products. At the time, this was considered to be having a knock on effect on cattle sales at marts in the South, and Minister O’Neill and I engaged intensively with processors and retailers in an effort to facilitate the continuation of these traditional trade flows.
Ultimately, these issues are a function of the market and are driven by customer specification. This is borne out by the fact that live export of beef animals to the North is nearly 50% higher than it was at this time last year and this has been achieved without any change to the beef labelling rules . This shows that a true picture of the market forces impacting on the market takes time to become apparent and the situation for lamb this year is no different, particularly since the new rules have only been introduced from 1 April.
Of course, it is important that we continue to monitor the impact of labelling rules carefully. I will continue to work to ensure that mandatory labelling laws provide clear and transparent information to consumers, are practicable, and do not negatively impact on Ireland’s agrifood exports.
31. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he remains satisfied that Ireland’s food industry will not suffer in any way, in the context of trade negotiations between the European Union and the United States of America, with particular reference to the need to avoid any trade-off by reducing agricultural output in favour of other sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18646/15]
View answerI am satisfied that a trade agreement between the EU and the US will be good for the EU and good for Ireland. We have significant offensive interests in relation to the agrifood sector. We are keen to increase our access to the American market for dairy products, pig-meat, beverages and food ingredients. Now that we have gained access to the US beef market, we want to grow that trade by securing higher quotas and lower tariffs. A TTIP agreement has the potential to facilitate all of this through the reduction of import tariffs and the removal of trade barriers.
Of course we have defensive interests as well. One of these is our beef sector where we are mindful of the potential of increased imports of US beef to have a negative effect on the economics of EU and Irish beef production, particularly beef from suckler cows. We must ensure that the EU market is not undermined by over-supply and our proposals to mitigate the impact of quotas and tariff cuts are well known to the Commission. These defensive interests should be seen in the light of the current high US beef prices which at least temporarily reduce the US competitive advantage, and the recent opening of the US market to Irish beef, with the favourable prospects for capitalising on this through TTIP by further reductions in beef tariffs and the opening of a quota for the EU.
32. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to restrict live exports, particularly to countries with little or no animal welfare regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18654/15]
View answerI have no plans to restrict live exports from Ireland. My Department maintains an environment in which live exports can continue in an economic and sustainable manner with due regard for the welfare of animals. In this context, Ireland has a comprehensive legislative framework in place for some time to ensure that vessels authorised for the carriage of livestock by sea are designed and fitted out in a manner which ensures the welfare of the animals. My Department operates a strict licensing system in respect of ships who undertake this trade and continues to work closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to ensure that welfare standards are raised internationally. The OIE is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.
Live exports are a vital component of Ireland’s livestock industry and provide alternative market outlets for certain categories of livestock, thereby serving a market demand and providing increased competition in the market place for cattle. My Department has no jurisdiction in relation to standards of slaughter plants in other countries. However, it does support ongoing efforts by the OIE, to improve welfare standards at slaughter plants worldwide.
I should also point out that, should live exports from Ireland or the EU to third countries be banned, it would not necessarily mean that exports of cattle to that country would cease. Sourcing would take place elsewhere, and could involve the shipment of cattle under conditions less exacting than those existing under Irish law.
33. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to implement a data-collection and biological sampling course for fishermen, as recommended by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs in the Marine Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18629/15]
View answerUnder the Action Plan for Jobs 2014, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs committed to undertaking an assessment of the profile and diversity of the occupations and skills requirements of enterprises in the different sectors that make up the Marine economy. Its April 2015 report – ‘A Study of the Current and Future Skills Requirements of the Marine/Maritime Economy to 2020’, recommends that a data collection and biological sampling course be developed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara on the basis that fishermen trained in data-collection and biological sampling would be in a position to provide consistent and valuable data to researchers and industry/science partnership initiatives.
The Marine Institute provides scientific advice to Government on marine matters and is the national correspondent for the EU Data Collection Framework. A key element of the Institute’s work includes sea sampling of catches on commercial and research vessels. Each year, the Institute contracts fishermen through a public procurement process to conduct sea sampling through an open procedure framework agreement. This work entails catch sampling on commercial fishing vessels operating offshore for 5 to 10 days. A similar scheme is operated for inshore fishing vessels. The Institute provides special training for these contract sea samplers in January each year. The samplers are trained in basic data collection techniques focused on recording observations on catch and collecting samples and basic data.
The Institute also contracts fishermen to provide advice on fishing gear performance during research vessel surveys. The fishermen receive on the job training from the Institute on the research vessel surveys.
34. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that fertiliser prices are currently at record highs, even though manufacturers' costs continue to decline, and in view of recent falling oil and gas prices, the reason there has not been a similar drop in the price of fertiliser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18682/15]
View answerNo fertilisers are now manufactured in Ireland, resulting in indigenous fertiliser companies being price-takers, dependent on global supply and demand and subject to Euro exchange rates against the US dollar and other currencies.
Nitrogen, in the form of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN), Phosphorous and Potash constitute the vast majority of fertiliser nutrients used in Ireland and since all fertiliser used in Ireland is imported, Irish fertiliser companies have little control over the price at which they buy their products on the global market.
On-farm prices range from €330 to €450/tonne depending on type and nutrient content. Fertiliser costs are among the highest input costs in Irish agriculture at 20% on average and can amount to double this for certain tillage crops.
Currently, Europe is only 80% self-sufficient in fertiliser production and must import 20% of its requirements. As such, European and Irish fertiliser prices are strongly linked to global prices and heavily influenced by supply and demand. With global demand outstripping supply, Irish fertiliser prices have increased by 6-8% so far in 2015. It is anticipated that world demand will continue to increase into the future maintaining upward pressure on prices to the final consumer in Ireland.
The advice from Teagasc is for farmers to keep in contact with merchants as prices often spike at periods of high demand when European order books are full. Purchasing fertilisers at off-peak periods will help minimise prices. Teagasc further advises that finding alternative sources of major nutrients will save money and farmers should consider the use of slurry applications to minimise expenditure on chemical fertilisers. In addition, soil testing will prevent unnecessary applications.
35. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the basis on which a fee of €500 per farmer was agreed for facilitators in the new knowledge transfer scheme; if this payment is justified, particularly where there are a large number of farmers in a group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18463/15]
View answerKnowledge Transfer is one of a suite of measures included under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and will involve the formation and administration of knowledge transfer groups across the Beef, Dairy, Equine, Poultry, Tillage and Sheep sectors. Funding of €100m under the Rural Development Programme has been allocated for this measure. The measure involves Department approved knowledge exchange groups operating over a three year period with farmer meetings involving the exchange of information and best practices facilitated by qualified advisors. Facilitators will also assist participating farmers in the completion of a tailored Farm Improvement Plan that will address the key issues such as profitability, sustainability, animal health and welfare and breeding.
Article 14 of EU Regulation 1305 of 2013 on Rural Development provides the funding basis for Knowledge Transfer Groups and allows member states to fund all or some of the costs incurred and income foregone of both farmers and facilitators. From a facilitator perspective funding includes time spent preparing for and delivering the knowledge exchange meetings and also the time spent with individual farmers completing their Farm Improvement Plan. It also covers administrative costs associated with the operation of each group. The facilitator payment totals €500 per farmer per year. This payment has been independently verified and reflects the emphasis on the individual time the facilitator will be required to spend with each farmer under this measure. Together with facilitating a minimum of 5 knowledge exchange meetings per group, facilitators will be required to spend a total of 12 hours over the period of the programme directly engaging with each individual farmer in completing and updating the Farm Improvement Plan.
From a farmer perspective the funding covers the time spent attending meetings and preparing the Farm Improvement Plan as well as travel costs associated with attending each meeting. This totals €750 per farmer per year and represents a net increase when compared to the previous payments under the various discussion groups.
36. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the restrictions on the sale and movement of ash wood from infected countries into Ireland is monitored; and if any are the sanctions for ignoring these restrictions. [16840/15]
View answerThe movement of ash plants and wood into Ireland from infected countries is regulated by the Destructive Insects and Pest Acts 1958 and 1991 (Chalara Fraxinea) Order (No. 2) 2012 [SI No. 431 of 2012]. The legislation controls the importation and movement of ash seeds, plants and wood. Imports are monitored at ports of entry. Imports from several non EU countries require a documentary, identity and plant health inspection before entry into Ireland. In addition ash is currently de-listed as an approved species under the Department’s afforestation schemes. Ash is also not approved for planting under the new Agri-environmental scheme GLAS (Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme). Planting of ash is also not permitted for National Roads Authority roadside plantings. These measures have substantially reduced the demand for ash for planting.
Where a person lands ash seeds, plants and wood in the State in contravention of the legislation they must remove or destroy it in accordance with any instructions issued by my Department and shall be liable for the cost of such removal or destruction.
