Written Answers Nos. 1 - 25
6. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details, in tabular form, of the increase in milk production by county and by month this year in comparison with 2014 since the abolition of milk quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25846/15]
View answerAs requested by the Deputy the following table sets out the volumes of milk purchased by registered milk purchasers in Ireland for the months of January to May in both 2014 and 2015. My Department does not collect the data on a county or regional format, because most milk purchasers collect milk across many different counties.
During the period from January to May 2014 some 2.29bn litres of raw milk was collected by registered milk purchasers. During the same period in 2015 some 2.45bn litres was collected, representing an increase of 7%.
Focusing on the two months since milk quotas were abolished, April and May 2015, we see that the volume of milk collected in those months was 1.65bn litres. When compared against the 1.47bn litres collected in the corresponding months of 2014, that is a 12.2 % increase in the volume of milk collected.
This represents a significant increase in milk production in Ireland and confirms the view widely held by both the dairy sector and market analysts that the milk quota regime acted as a brake on the potential of the sector to respond positively to market opportunities. This indicates that we are well on the way to achieving the 50% increase envisaged in Food Harvest 2020.
We have been planning, with stakeholders, for the post quota period for a number of years now and I believe we have the right balance of measures in place to ensure that Irish dairy farmers can enter this new era with full confidence.
With respect to the super levy bill, flexibility has been secured from the European Commission for farmers to pay the superlevy fine on a phased basis over 3 years and I have just recently announced a Scheme which gives effect to this facility. This will be of major assistance to dairy farmers in helping to ease the cashflow burden of paying their superlevy bill. I have also announced a number of other major initiatives for the dairy sector, including just this week a €50m investment scheme for on-farm capital investments as well as other RDP measures for the sector such as knowledge transfer schemes for 10,000 dairy farmers.
While there is still some softness in the global dairy markets, most analysts predict that medium term prospects are good, with growth in world population and wealth expected to stimulate strong levels of demand for dairy products. My aim is to help position the Irish dairy sector to be able to take advantage of this opportunity. Price volatility is a challenge and, while EU market supports remain in place, it is also critically important that processors, farmers and the banking system work together to mitigate any negative impact.
|
Month |
2014 ('000 litres) |
2015 ('000 litres) |
|
January |
125,588 |
108,114 |
|
February |
225,390 |
229,205 |
|
March |
467,362 |
463,587 |
|
April |
681,548 |
761,214 |
|
May |
788,667 |
889,330 |
|
TOTALS |
2,288,555 |
2,451,450 |
11. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a report on the number of horses slaughtered in each of the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; the number of horses exported for slaughter in the same periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25844/15]
View answerThe numbers of horses slaughtered for human consumption at approved equine slaughter establishments during the years in question were as follows:
|
YEAR |
NO. OF HORSES SLAUGHTERED |
|
2012 |
24,362 |
|
2013 |
10,711 |
|
2014 |
7,602 |
|
2015 (to 31st May) |
2,234 |
An agreement between Ireland, the UK and France allows for free movement of horses between these countries. My Department does not maintain a record of horses exported for slaughter, but it is considered that the number of such horses is negligible; and in the years in question no horses were exported directly for slaughter abroad under my Department’s certification.
The Deputy will be aware that following the Equine DNA investigation in 2013, greater emphasis is being placed on detection of food fraud and improved consumer protection across the EU.
A range of subsequent actions taken at both national and EU level include a programme of DNA testing of beef products and testing of horse meat for the presence of phenylbutazone (‘bute’). Controls relating to horse identification have also been strengthened.
In addition my Department has taken responsibility for the supervision of all horse abattoirs in Ireland; and a register of meat traders has been created to improve our oversight in this area.
12. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the operation of the new farm safety scheme; the number of applications under the scheme; his plans for reinforcing safety as opportunities are taken to grow and develop Irish farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26099/15]
View answerFarm safety is one of the most important issues facing farming today. Statistics show that accidents on farms cause more workplace deaths than all other occupations combined. Last year was a particularly difficult year with 30 deaths on Irish farms and already there have been eight fatal farm accidents in 2015.
The Farm Safety Scheme, with a budget of €12.2m, was open for applications between the 22 October 2014 and the 9 January 2015. During this time 6,299 applications were received. As of last Friday 26 June, 4,618 applications had been approved, with an average of 4 items per approval. The most common items approved to date are head-scoops to prevent cattle from moving their heads while in a crush, and yard lights. These two items are included in 46% and 43% of approvals respectively.
Of the remaining applications, over 800 are ineligible and the others are being processed as quickly as possible, allowing for issues that have been queried with farmers.
All work must be completed and a payment claim lodged with the Department by the 31st August 2015.
While the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has primary responsibility for Health and Safety on farms, I am fully supportive of their work and my Department are active members of the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee. Looking forward, investment in farm safety will continue to be a priority for my Department. Under the new Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme the full range of items available under existing Farm Safety Scheme will continue to be supported, along with an increased range of fixed safety items, such as fixed cattle crushes. This scheme will be launched over the summer as part of the TAMS II round of on-farm investment schemes, funded under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Plan.
In addition, as part of all of the new TAMS Schemes it will be mandatory for all applicants to have completed a minimum half-day farm safety course before they can claim grant-aid.
Further, there are ‘Health and Safety’ guidelines in all ‘Building Specifications,’ drawn up by my Department for the construction of agricultural buildings and structures. These specifications set out the minimum standard to which grant-aided structures must be completed and are freely available to all farmers undertaking construction works.
In addition to the grant-aid schemes, there will be a mandatory Health and Safety element included in all Knowledge Transfer Groups under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme. These groups will directly engage in the region of 27,000 farmers with farm safety.
13. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commonage farmers in County Wexford who have applied for inclusion in the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme; if he is satisfied with the uptake of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26108/15]
View answerI welcome the fact that nearly 27,000 applications were submitted in the first tranche of GLAS applications, which is very much in line with the projections I made when launching the scheme. Farmers have shown a keen interest in the Scheme and have worked along with their advisors to apply in significant numbers. In doing so they have committed to actions and farming prescriptions which are expected to deliver substantial environmental benefits in the years ahead. These actions will improve and maintain our water quality, will encourage biodiversity and the maintenance of valuable habitats, while also promoting climate change mitigation. These farmers are the custodians of our farmed landscape and in joining GLAS they are continuing the important conservation work which has already been carried out in previous agri-environment schemes.
The management of our uplands by means of commonage management plans is given the highest priority in GLAS and I welcome the fact 3,934 applications by commonage farmers were received in the first tranche. A total of 34 farmers with commonage land in County Wexford have applied to join GLAS. There are a total of 24 commonages in Wexford, and the applications received cover 15 of these, or 63% of all commonages in the county. I am very happy with this level of take-up in the first tranche of the new Scheme.
The proposed commonage management plans are a major step towards the establishment of greatly enhanced management regimes for these upland areas. While it is clear that in general there are commonage farmers who have not yet applied for the Scheme, many of those who have not yet joined are in AEOS and intend to see these contracts out before joining GLAS. Others may have waited in order to see if a commonage management plan is commenced on their particular commonage. This option was open to farmers, given that commonage management plans can be joined at a later date and that priority access remains open to these farmers.
I am very optimistic that the numbers of commonage farmers applying to join GLAS will increase significantly over time. A phased recruitment to both GLAS and to the various Commonage Management Plans was anticipated in the scheme design, and specific provision has been made to accommodate these farmers on that basis.
14. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has been able to assuage the concerns of the farming community in regard to the various farm payments and supports, with particular reference to the detailed submissions he received from farming organisations, including the Irish Farmers' Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26058/15]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring primarily to the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP). As the Deputy is aware the BDGP forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme and allocates funding of some €300 million over the next six years to suckler farmers in Ireland. The BDGP builds on the large strategic investment in data recording and genomics which has been made in Ireland in recent years. It will ultimately bring about fundamental improvements to the entire sector by substantially improving the overall genetic quality of the national beef herd, which is an objective I believe we all should share.
The BDGP was launched on the 5 May and my Department received just under 30,000 applications by the extended closing date of 5 June. While analysis of the applications is still ongoing, I am delighted to record that the initial figures suggest that the programme is fully subscribed. This level of interest is, I believe, a vindication of our efforts to further improve suckler farming. It is also testimony to the commitment of suckler farms in Ireland to continuous improvement and their openness to innovation where it can deliver real measurable benefits.
The BDGP is the next logical step in the development of our suckler herd. It builds on the schemes operated by my Department in recent years and most of the actions will already be familiar to the majority of farmers entering the scheme, including the data recording elements and the genotyping requirements.
Both my Department and the ICBF have published Questions and Answers documents to address queries being raised by farmers. Program participants can contact my Department directly with any specific queries they may have regarding scheme conditions. They will also receive additional information specific to their herds in the coming weeks from ICBF which will provide a useful overview of the current euro star ratings of the animals on their herds. This will then be followed by dedicated training courses which scheme participants will be paid to attend.
I know that concerns have been raised by different farming organisations, including the Irish Farmer’s Association, and where possible I have moved to address the concerns raised. Additional flexibility has been included to permit the use of 2015, as opposed to 2014, as the base year for payments, with this to be decided on a case by case basis. The concerns regarding scheme exit have also been considered and my Department has confirmed that where an applicant sells or leases his/her land, or transfers it by inheritance or gift, there will be no clawback of funds. Of course, where an applicant retains sufficient land to fulfil the requirements of the Programme, he or she is required to continue to meet the terms of the Programme.
Finally, I have committed to a mid-term review of the operation of the programme, which will include input from all of the stakeholders, including farm organisations. For now, I would like to welcome the 30,000 or so applicants to the scheme and assure them of continued support over the lifetime of the scheme from my Department, Teagasc and ICBF so that they may derive maximum benefit from the scheme.
15. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to develop the live exports trade to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25842/15]
View answerI attach an enormous importance to the live export trade and my Department, along with Bord Bia, has been extremely proactive during my tenure as Minister in encouraging and facilitating both the cross border live trade and shipments overseas. Live exports serve a vital purpose as a means of both satisfying market demand for live animals and providing an essential alternative market outlet, particularly for Irish cattle producers.
Total live exports of cattle for 2014 stood at approximately 237,000 head, valued at €172 million. Some 73,000 of these were exported to the UK. Trade to the UK has increased considerably so far this year, with live cattle exports to the UK as a whole standing at about 31,000 head, representing a 25% rise when compared to the comparable period in 2014. This figure includes live exports to Northern Ireland, with cross-border trade up almost 45% on last year. This trade has been assisted by the relative strength of sterling in recent months and the considerable increase reflected in the figures presents strong grounds for optimism regarding the future of the live export trade of cattle to this important market.
A strong system of transport links is in place to facilitate these exports and extra roll-on roll-off ferry capacity for livestock exports has been added since the beginning of the year. Three dedicated vessels and three roll-on roll-off ships are currently approved for export of live animals from Ireland. The process to approve two more dedicated vessels for the purpose of exporting animals is also under way.
There had been some concern expressed last year regarding the impact of origin labelling rules on the level of cattle that could be exported north of the border or to the rest of Britain. The retailers’ longstanding policy is to market British and Irish beef separately and, under mandatory EU labelling rules, these carcases have to be deboned in a separate batch, and packaged and labelled accordingly, thereby incurring additional costs for the processor. These issues are a matter of commercial preference, both of slaughter plants in Britain, and of British retailers. However, I believe the developments in recent months demonstrate that the impact of origin labelling rules can sometimes be overstated and, where good quality animals are made available at the right price, there is clearly a market there for them.
With this in mind, Bord Bia, in its ongoing interactions with British customers, will continue to pursue all possible opportunities to maximise the full potential of the beef and livestock trade with our largest trading partner. This is in addition to actively supporting the development of the live export trade through the provision of market information, developing market access and promotional activity.
16. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria used to allocate animal welfare grants; if the process is transparent for all groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25948/15]
View answerEach year, my Department, through advertisements in the national press, invites applications from animal welfare bodies who wish to be considered for ex-gratia funding to assist their work in caring for animals. In addition, my Department emails application forms to previous recipients of funding and to persons/bodies working in animal care who may have contacted the Department during the course of the year and expressed an interest in being considered for grant assistance.
With regard to 2014, my Department provided funding of €1.8m to 142 organisations involved in delivering animal welfare services throughout the country. The awards in 2014 provided increased funding for the fourth year in a row and reflected the fact that 2014 was a challenging year, with continuing reports of animal cruelty highlighting the need to assist animal welfare organisations in their work.
Advertisements in respect of funding for 2015 were placed in the national press on 21 May 2015 with a closing date of 26 June 2015 for receipt of the completed application forms. The application form requires details of the nature of the organisation’s work, premises, capacity to hold animals, the species cared for, number of years in operation and details of fundraising programmes. Applicants are also required to submit supporting documentation, including detailed financial accounts. Depending on the size of the organisation, these can be statements of income and expenditure for a 12 month period, certified or audited accounts. Organisations must also submit an up to date tax clearance certificate and/or a registered charity number. Applicants may also be subject to an inspection by the Department’s Veterinary Inspectorate.
The criteria for awarding funding includes a range of factors such as:
- veterinary Inspector reports detailing level of service provided and impact of organisation in particular catchment area;
- income position of the organisation versus its level of expenditure together with its level of activity in the area of animal welfare and its level of funding raised from other sources to support welfare activities;
- an undertaking on the part of the animal welfare bodies to comply with a code of practice which sets out best practice for dealing with animal welfare.
I am satisfied that these criteria are soundly based and that the funding allocated under this scheme provides very necessary support for these organisations in the promotion of good animal welfare practices and in dealing with real animal welfare issues on a daily basis.
17. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department supports smaller ports and harbours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26071/15]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Ros an Mhíl and Killybegs. This Department is also responsible for North Harbour at Cape Clear Island and for maintaining a range of piers, lights and beacons around the coast in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board Piers, Lights and Beacons Act. The Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme which the Department administers on an annual basis provides for works relating to the maintenance and development of the above located harbour infrastructure.
The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine’s Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme has in previous years provided funding to Local Authorities for small scale development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours & slipways subject to the availability of exchequer funding. Under the Programme Local Authorities are invited to submit project proposals for funding subject to certain conditions and criteria. Proposals for works are evaluated and selected taking cognisance of the geographical spread of projects, the priority the Local Authority itself attaches to individual projects and the criteria and conditions set for the Programme.
In 2015 I approved funding for 25 projects across 12 Local Authorities. Counties Clare, Cork, Donegal, Fingal, Galway, Kerry, Louth, Mayo, Sligo, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow were allocated a total of €1,617,000 under the 2015 Programme. I will provide a table showing the details of the allocations by Local Authority directly to the Deputy.
It is important to clarify that with regard to Local Authority harbours and piers, these are owned by the Local Authorities themselves and responsibility for their repair, maintenance and development rests with the Local Authority. The parent Department for Local Authorities is the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
18. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the operation of the change in the Common Fisheries Policy concerning the move towards a more regionalised decision making structure, which it is hoped will be more responsive and reflective of the needs of coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26098/15]
View answerThe new Common Fisheries Policy negotiated to conclusion during the Irish Presidency of the EU, included a number of radical changes that I believe will be to the long term benefit of coastal communities in Ireland and throughout Europe including a discards ban and a commitment to set quotas in line with scientific advice.
One of the other key changes is the introduction of Regional decision making. Simply put, this provides that Member States in a region will work together to develop measures appropriate for the region. The Member States work with the stakeholders through the new Advisory Councils to devise and implement measures that work for the types of fisheries in the region. The process provides that there must be a unanimous agreement among the regional Member States before a recommendation is submitted to the Commission for adoption.
The Regulation provides that Member States in the region having a direct management interest affected by the planned measures co-operate with one another in formulating joint recommendations. In all cases, the Member States must consult the Advisory Councils, involving the fishing industry and other stakeholders, to hear and understand their concerns and consider any suggestions. The possible measures cover technical and conservation measures to protect juvenile fish and vulnerable fish species and the roll out of the Discards ban over the period to 2019. This is a big change as up to now decision making was fully centralised in Brussels and even decisions relating to technical issues required a lengthy decision making process involving the Commission, the Fisheries Council and the European Parliament.
We have already seen the tangible benefits of this regional policy with the development of regional plans for reducing and eliminating the wasteful practice of discards. Ireland is an active member of the North Western Waters Regional Group of Member States along with Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK.
This group has, to date, succeeded in finding unanimous agreement on two separate plans to reduce discards that take real account of the interests of the relevant Member States and of the stakeholders through the role of the Advisory Councils. Regionalisation is not just about discard plans, however, and in the coming months and years a wide range of issues of direct relevance to Ireland’s coastal communities dependent upon fishing will be decided at regional level.
19. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the performance of the members of Bord na gCon and of its chairperson since March 2011; his views on whether the skills gap identified in the 2014 Indecon report has been addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26106/15]
View answerFollowing on from the publication of the Indecon Report in July 2014, Bord na gCon submitted an action plan in October 2014 with timelines for implementing the 27 recommendations in the Indecon Report dealing with governance, finance, regulation and welfare. This action plan has been published on the Bord na gCon website.
In this context Bord na gCon has informed me that it is continuing to address the skills gap referred to in the Indecon report. In February 2014 a new member with financial/accountancy expertise was appointed to the Board followed by the appointment in May 2014 of a new Board member with veterinary and legal expertise. In terms of strengthening its organisation at executive level, Bord na gCon has expanded its risk management committee to include the Chief Executive Officer and all of the senior executive management team. This executive risk management team is supported by a risk facilitator who is tasked with maintaining a risk register as identified by the risk management committee.
A new executive position of Director of Racing, Governance and Compliance was filled in June 2014. The function of the executive concerned is to ensure effective compliance by all stakeholders in the Irish greyhound industry with the current regulatory system and to further develop and implement a world class regulatory code to ensure the highest standard of integrity of greyhound racing in Ireland.
Furthermore, a Director of Tote and Wagering was appointed in November 2013 and a Director of Commercial Operations appointed in April 2013.
Indecon’s recommendation to further strengthen the skill set of the Board will be addressed as part of the new procedures for appointments to State Boards to be carried out by the Public Appointments Service when vacancies at Board level are filled. In this regard my Department is at present finalising job specifications for board vacancies and I expect that these vacancies will be advertised on PAS in the very near future. I have already taken steps to strenghthen the skill set of the board through the appointment in May, 2014, of a person with veterinary and legal expertise.
I am satisfied that the Chairman and Board of Bord na gCon continue to discharge their functions and that against the background of a difficult operating environment over the past number of years, they are taking positive steps to address the issues identified in the Indecon Report, including those in relation to finance, governance and integrity services.
20. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason locations (details supplied) in County Cork have been classified as hen harrier areas, given that such designation effectively excludes commercial tillage farmers from entering the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25847/15]
View answerAt the outset, I would like to welcome the fact that almost 27,000 applications were submitted in the first tranche of GLAS applications, which is very much in line with the projections I made when launching the scheme.
The prioritisation of farms with clearly identified priority environmental assets is a key component of GLAS, and one which has been broadly welcomed by farmers, environmental NGOs and the European Commission. The identification of priority farmland bird areas on the GLAS system, including Hen Harrier, was informed by the expertise of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), who provided the most up-to-date datasets available. The townlands of Ballincurrig and Ballyduff, while not formally notified to the European Commission as Special Protection Areas, were notified to my Department by the NPWS as areas which are also important for the bird.
It is important to note that GLAS is a completely voluntary scheme and the payment rate for this farmland bird action, at €370 per hectare, subject to a maximum payment of €7,000, is designed to take account of the income foregone by the farmer in complying with the prescription outlined in the GLAS Specification. I have also indicated that I will consider an additional locally led Hen Harrier scheme to provide additional support for farmers with large areas of Hen Harrier habitat.
An assessment of Tranche 1 of GLAS will be carried out before Tranche 2 is opened in the Autumn. This assessment will look at uptake of particular measures and any issues which have come to the fore. There may be some adjustments to the Scheme arising from that review, but these will be designed to optimise the environmental benefit arising, taking account of the fact that the overall structure of GLAS has already been approved by the European Commission.
21. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that no new fin-fish farming licences will be granted until the new national plan for sustainable aquaculture development is adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26056/15]
View answerApplications for Aquaculture Licences for the cultivation of finfish in the marine environment are considered by my Department under the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 and the Foreshore Act 1933.
Determinations in respect of individual applications are only made following completion of the procedures set down in the applicable legislation and the consideration of all environmental, technical, scientific and public policy aspects of each application.
As the Deputy is aware, the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development has been published by my Department and is currently the subject of public consultation. It would not be appropriate for anyone to seek to pre-judge the outcome of the consultation process or any actions, legislative or otherwise, that might follow on from that process.
In the meantime, and in the normal way, applications on hand and all new applications will continue to be assessed under the provisions of the existing legislation and licence determinations made in accordance with the legislation.
22. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the criteria blocking young farmers who are under 40 years of age but who have been farming for more than five years from accessing measures under the new Common Agricultural Policy programme for young farmers, including being able to apply for the national reserve and top-up entitlements; the reason for their exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26102/15]
View answerIn accordance with the EU Regulations governing the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme, a young farmer is defined as a farmer aged no more than 40 years of age in the year when s/he first submits an application under the Basic Payment Scheme and who commenced their farming activity no more than five years prior to submitting that application. Priority under the National Reserve is given to ‘young farmers’ and to ‘new entrants to farming’. A new entrant is defined as a farmer who commenced their agricultural activity during the previous two years. The Regulations governing the operation of the National Reserve also include an optional provision whereby Member States may use the National Reserve to allocate new entitlements or give a top-up on the value of existing entitlements for persons who suffer from a ‘Specific Disadvantage’.
Following my Department’s consultation with the EU Commission, I announced in March 2015 that the group commonly known as “Old Young Farmers”, who established their holding between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009, and who, due to the timeframe of setting up their holding did not benefit from either the Installation Aid or the Young Farmer category of the National Reserve, can be considered as a ‘group suffering from specific disadvantage’. The result is that this group was eligible to apply to the National Reserve under Phase 2 which closed for receipt of applications on 29 May 2015.
Eligibility for the Young Farmers Scheme is clearly defined in the EU Regulation and is restricted to farmers who commenced their farming activity no more than five years prior to submitting the Basic Payment Scheme application. My Department has no discretion in the implementation of this aspect of the Regulation and in this regard farmers who commenced their agricultural activity prior to 1 January 2010 are not eligible for the Young Farmers Scheme.
The definition of ‘young farmer’ under the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme is the same as that which applies under the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme. However, with regard to young farmers who established their holdings prior to 2010, I am prioritising their applications under the other measures included in the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), with grant-aid payable at 40%, as introduced under the new Rural Development Plan.
23. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to implement paid parking in Howth in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26076/15]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, owns and directly manages six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Ros an Mhíl, Killybegs and An Daingean.
Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is a working fishery harbour, however it is also a very important tourist and leisure destination with many restaurants and businesses operating on the Harbour.
The question of the introduction of paid car parking on Howth Harbour, as part of an overall review of traffic management arrangements, remains under consideration.
The Comptroller & Auditor General in his Special Report (No 82 of July 2014) and the related Report of the Public Accounts Committee of 24 June 2015 have asked the Department to review the position re pay parking in Howth, in conjunction with other Fishery Harbour Centres with a view to increasing income generation possibilities.
However, income generation is not the only factor to be considered in deciding whether pay parking should be introduced in Howth. There is a broad range of other factors to be taken into account before a final decision will be made on the matter, most importantly, the safe operation of the Harbour is of paramount concern.
Traffic and parking management within the Fishery Harbour Centre itself has been an issue for some time, particularly in the light of concerns raised about safety and emergency access by the Coastguard, the Lifeboat service, and An Gárda Síochána. In this regard, upgrading works to the car park, including lining of parking spaces, have taken place as part of the harbour’s traffic management scheme. In 2015 I have allocated €75,000 for the continuation of these improvements.
24. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that every effort has been made over the past six years to prevent any possible recurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE, with particular reference to the use of feed compounds; that no banned practices have continued; that animals imported are subjected to the most rigorous testing to prevent any recurrence of the disease; if he is satisfied regarding the degree to which traceability measures are adequate to prevent any recurrence and regarding the adequacy of laboratory facilities to monitor the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26057/15]
View answerIreland’s BSE surveillance and controls are thorough, effective and consistent with legal requirements and best international practice. The dramatic reduction in the prevalence of BSE from a peak of 333 cases in 2002 is proof of that. The effectiveness of the system is further evidenced by the identification of the recent BSE case – and while it is disappointing to identify this isolated case now, it is not wholly unexpected that an occasional case of BSE could arise from time to time here or in other countries.
The controls in place include a ban on the feeding of meat and bone meal to ruminants, effective rendering processes, testing of feed supplies, active and passive surveillance, testing for the disease (including testing of all fallen animals over 48 months of age; and of animals over 30 months of age imported from countries specified in EU regulation – currently Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia), ante mortem checks on all animals prior to slaughter, and the removal and destruction, on a precautionary basis, of specified risk materials from slaughtered animals.
The epidemiological investigation of the recent isolated case has confirmed inter alia that no concerns arise regarding the integrity of the commercial feed supply chain or the effectiveness of the feed control systems. In the 2009 and 2010 period, when the animal was born, more than 3,800 feed inspections took place, and almost 2,500 feed samples, including 52 from suppliers to the farm on which the positive case was found, were tested for the presence of processed animal proteins. All tested negative for meat and bone meal. Test results from feed currently on the farm are also negative.
A robust bovine traceability system is in place in Ireland which facilitates tracking of the provenance of any detected BSE case, progeny and contacts of same. The robustness of the traceability measures operable in Ireland is evidenced by the ability to trace details pertaining to the most recent case, her progeny and cohorts.
Laboratory facilities are also in place in Ireland to monitor BSE, including monitoring of animal feedingstuffs. Screening tests for TSE are done in accordance with EU Directive 999/2001. Testing is only done in laboratories that have been approved by the Competent Authority on the recommendation of the National Reference Laboratory for TSE following a rigorous approval process.
The OIE has stated that it very much respects the integrity and transparency demonstrated by Ireland in providing preliminary information on this recent case. It further commends the commitment to the protection of animal and human health as demonstrated by the effectiveness of the ongoing BSE surveillance program and the controls in place that prevented any part of the animal from entering the human food or animal feed chain.
We know that our reputation as a producer of safe sustainable beef is paramount and our regulatory and food safety systems are there to provide those assurances. I continue to have confidence that the controls being applied by my Department are among the best in the world.
25. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the most recent Forest Service reports on Coillte's corporate governance, carried out on an annual basis as part of the Forest Service's regulatory remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26101/15]
View answerCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and, as a State owned body, the company is also subject to the ‘Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies’ as issued by the Department of Finance, most recently in 2009.
As responsibility for forestry falls within the remit of my Department, the Forestry Division of my Department monitors the compliance of the company with the provisions of the company’s governing legislation, namely the Forestry Act 1988, and the requirements in the Code of Practice. The corporate governance of Coillte has also been enhanced by the establishment of NewERA as Coillte is one of the commercial State companies which fall within its remit. As Coillte is engaged in forestry activities such as harvesting, it is also subject to the provisions of the Forestry Act 1946, the operation of which falls within the remit of my Department.
The oversight role of my Department in relation to the corporate governance of Coillte is carried out on an ongoing basis. This encompasses the submission of reports by the deadlines stated in the Code of Practice and their consideration. It also encompasses the consideration of the various consents for approval which the company is required to obtain for proposed investments or certain actions under the Forestry Act 1988.
In relation to the financial performance of the company, including turnover, debt level and investment plans, the shareholders of the company, namely the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and I, are specifically assisted in these matters by NewERA, with regular quarterly meetings held between Coillte, NewERA, my officials and representatives of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Meetings may also be held, separate from those standard quarterly meetings, to deal with specific issues as they arise.
Section D of the Code of Practice deals specifically with Relations with the Oireachtas and the Minister, encompassing Departmental oversight, the Report and Accounts of State Bodies and Additional Reporting Arrangements. Under the Code, the Chairman of Coillte is required to confirm a number of aspects in relation to the management of the company to me. His report is accordingly received each year and is reviewed by my Department to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Code. As the report provided by the Chairman contains confidential and commercially sensitive information, it would not be appropriate for me to provide copies of these reports, nor is it a requirement of the Code. The Annual Report of the company is, however, laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas each year and is available both in the Oireachtas Library and on the Company’s website. Forestry Division does not prepare a formal report each year on Coillte’s corporate governance. I am, however, updated on an ongoing basis and throughout the year about developments and issues pertaining to Coillte.
