Written Answers Nos. 26 - 41
26. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the obligation on farmers to attend pesticide spraying courses, if he is satisfied with the regulations on the use of pesticides and their effect on the food chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26107/15]
View answerThe EU regulatory system governing the authorisation, marketing and use of pesticides is the most stringent in the world. While actual product authorisation processes have been harmonised in the EU for nearly 30 years now, the harmonisation of the use of such products across the Member States is a relatively more recent development.
The main regulations pertaining to “Plant Protection Products” (referred to as the pesticides package) have all undergone rigorous revision in the last 10 years, resulting in more uniformity across the EU, with enhanced levels of safety for both consumers and users alike. The last number of years has seen the removal of over 600 active substances from the EU market (many of which are still used in 3rd countries) and safety profile of the remaining active substances has significantly improved.
Included in this suite of regulations is Directive 2009/128/EC. Broadly speaking this Directive, referred to as the “Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive”, establishes a framework for European Community action to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides. This is achieved by setting common standards to reduce the risks to human health and the environment that are associated with pesticide use. This directive includes requirements for Member States to ensure that advisors, distributors and professional users of “Plant Protection Products” are trained to a minimum standard. The directive also includes elements on the testing of “pesticide application equipment” and use restrictions around sensitive areas, as well as making the adoption of “integrated pest management” practices by farmers mandatory.
Successful implementation of the Directive relies heavily on the level of training the various players in the sector are required to have. Many individuals have already completed training that meets the requirements of the Directive. My Department recognises the following courses as meeting the standard of training required for Professional Users under the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive:
- FETAC 5N1797 – Boom Sprayer;
- FETAC 5N0731 – Handheld Sprayer;
- City & Guilds PA1 + PA2a – Boom Sprayer;
- City & Guilds PA1 + PA6 – Handheld Sprayer.
My Department also implements a comprehensive programme to control pesticide residues in food. This programme is developed in consultation with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the EU Commission and involves the analysis of some 1,500 samples of agricultural produce of plant and animal origin for residues of up to 400 pesticides and metabolites. In the very small number of instances where excessive residues are found, appropriate follow-up action is taken.
I am confident that an increase in training and education of all involved in the plant protection industry will have a very positive effect into the future. As an economy heavily reliant on food exports, international image and public perception is everything. An educated, adaptive and responsive crop sector has a role to play in the achievement of the goals established in “Food Harvest 2020” and as such, any initiative that enhances our global reputation for producing, pure and wholesome food products has to be welcomed.
27. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the statement by the European Union Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Phil Hogan, regarding compensation to those farmers whose lands were designated a special protection area for the protection of the hen harrier, if he will confirm that funds were allocated by the European Union to compensate these farmers for non-use of their lands. [26069/15]
View answerThe Hen Harrier is a ground nesting bird of prey of upland open moorland. The species is listed in Annex 1 of the Birds Directive, meaning that the bird is subject to special conservation measures which require, amongst other things, that Member States designate special protection areas (SPAs) for their conservation. The designation of such lands is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, who have designated the following areas:
- Slieve Bloom Mountains SPA - (Laois and Offaly);
- Stacks to Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills and Mount Eagle SPA -(Cork, Kerry and Limerick);
- Boggerahs (Mullaghanish/Musheramore Mountains) SPA - (Cork);
- Slievefelim to Silvermines SPA - (Limerick and Tipperary);
- Slieve Beagh SPA - (Monaghan);
- Slieve Aughty Mountains SPA - (Clare and Galway).
No funds have been specifically allocated by the European Union to compensate farmers for designation, but under my Department’s new agri-environment scheme GLAS, which is co-funded by the EU, actions to preserve hen-harrier habitat are explicitly included and were agreed with the EU. Information available to my Department suggests that a total of 4,000 farmers have some designated lands and I envisage that GLAS will be the main source of support under my Department for such farmers. With this in mind, I have made possession of Hen Harrier land a Tier One Priority Environmental Asset under GLAS, guaranteeing that any farmer with an identified habitat will secure priority access to the scheme.
The payment rate for Hen Harrier is €370 per hectare. This payment applies to all lands notified to my Department by the National Parks & Wildlife Service as Hen Harrier Lands, whether these are formally designated or otherwise identified as important for the preservation of the bird. Under the Birds Directive, Ireland is obliged to protect the Hen Harrier wherever it occurs and for this reason I was anxious to ensure that farmers could be properly supported for additional effort and income foregone, and that this would not be restricted to designated Natura sites. In addition, I have provided that farmers with Hen Harrier habitat will automatically qualify for GLAS Plus, offering an increased payment of up to €7,000 per annum provided they manage sufficient area of habitat.
28. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the basis on which he hopes to pay farmers within this calendar year under the beef data and genomics scheme 2015 when payments under the 2014 scheme are only commencing now and are not scheduled to be completed until autumn 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26052/15]
View answerAlmost 30,000 applications to participate in the BDGP were received in my Department by the June 5 closing date. This demonstrates a significant interest in the Programme and is consistent with the numbers that participated in the Beef Data Programmes of 2013 and 2014 and the Beef Genomics Scheme 2014. Officials in my Department are currently finalising the initial validation of all applications received and I expect that approval letters will shortly issue to all eligible applicants.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware I have taken a number of positive steps to help to improve profitability on Irish suckler farms in a sustainable way and I believe that this scheme provides a unique opportunity to build on this. It will provide a much needed boost to the sector and involves funding of over €300 million over the 6 years of the programme. The BDGP is co-funded by the EU and is designed in such a way to ensure that it makes a positive contribution to farmer profitability while at the same time reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of Ireland’s beef production. In general higher genetic merit heifers will be more fertile, will calve younger, more easily, and at shorter intervals, and will reduce the costs associated with the production of weanlings. This scheme will help participants to identify the highest genetic merit replacement heifers. My priority is to ensure that participants attain the maximum benefit from participation in this programme.
To be eligible for payment in this first year of the Programme participants must provide the required survey data, genotype all of the specified animals and send test samples to the laboratory. Data can be provided when calves are five months old so it will be possible that all of these requirements can be met by some herds who had completed all of their 2015 calving by the end of June thereby facilitating payment in December. As the Deputy is aware, further payments will continue to be made as herds meet the Programme requirements.
29. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will bring forward an amendment to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to enable the protection of the legislation to be extended to hares at coursing events. [25840/15]
View answerThe Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013 represents a major updating of our laws in this area going back to 1911.
Under the Act coursing of a hare is permitted unless the hare is hunted or coursed in a space from which it does not have a reasonable chance of escape. The protections, such as the muzzling of greyhounds, which were introduced in 1993 have played an important role in safeguarding hares involved in coursing. In addition to supervision by officers from the National Parks & Wildlife Service, my Department’s veterinary officials attend around 10% of coursing meetings with a view to ensuring optimum welfare standards. These are selected through a combination of random and risk-based decision making.
The Deputy will be aware that the matter was both debated at length and voted upon during the extensive debates that occurred during the passage of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 through these houses. I think that we have struck a reasonable balance in the legislation as between those opposed to hare coursing and those who consider it to be a legitimate sport.
I am fully committed to promoting good practices that respect the welfare of all animals and my Department devotes considerable resources to protecting animal welfare and in dealing with breaches of animal welfare legislation. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 applies across the board, both to rural and urban areas and to all animals, irrespective of species, whether kept for commercial, domestic, sport, show or for other purposes. Under the Act, on summary conviction, a person can receive a fine of up to € 5 ,000 and, on indictment, €250,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years. There are fixed penalty payments for lesser offences. The Act provides the framework within which the welfare of animals can be safeguarded and I am hopeful that the substantial and significantly increased levels of penalties for offences of animal cruelty provided for under the Act will act as a deterrent to animal welfare abuses.
In conclusion, I am satisfied that the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 is working well and I have no plans to review so soon after it has come into effect.
30. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to change the terms and conditions associated with the commonage management plans under the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme in view of the low number of plans prepared to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26055/15]
View answerAt the outset, I would like to say that I am delighted at the interest shown by farmers in joining GLAS, with nearly 27,000 applications received in the first tranche. I am also delighted to see the range of actions which have been selected. In fact, actions addressing every single objective set out under GLAS have been selected by farmers in this first tranche, including commonages. GLAS is clearly going to play a key role in the protection of our rural environment over the new programming period.
I would also like acknowledge the number of commonages which have come into GLAS in this first tranche. Applications in respect of almost 2,700 commonages, or well over half of all the commonages in the country, have been received. This is a major step towards the establishment of greatly enhanced management regimes for these upland areas. In all, some 4,000 commonage farmers have applied to join GLAS, with a similar number already managing commonages under AEOS. These AEOS commonage farmers are only likely to join GLAS when their AEOS contracts expire and I have made specific provision to accommodate these applications in due course.
I do not underestimate the challenge of preparing so many commonage management plans. This is a new approach, which seeks the proactive engagement of as many commonage shareholders as possible. My Department continues to review the preparation of these plans in consultation with the commonage advisors and has also discussed the issue with farming representatives. It is important that these plans are done to a high standard and I will give as much support as possible in this regard.
31. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 75 of 27 May 2015 and 29 of 14 May 2015, the number of over 140 monetary fines handed out for the use of banned substances in greyhound racing that have been paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26105/15]
View answerBord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation and development of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Act 1958. The Control Committee and the Control Appeals Committee of Bord na gCon are established under legislation (Greyhound Industry, Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee Regulations 2007, S.I. Number 301 of 2007). These committees have powers to determine appropriate fines for breaches of these Regulations.
The issue to which the Deputy refers is an operational matter for Bord na gCon.
I understand from Bord na gCon that in all, a total of 147 sanctions were imposed by the Control Committee in relation on greyhounds that tested positive for banned substances in the period 2011 to 2015. These included 142 monetary fines which ranged from €100 to €2,500 over the above period.
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.
Bord na gCon have informed me that there are 58 outstanding fines. Of these 12 relate to 2015. I understand from Bord na gCon that in certain circumstances where delays in non-payment of fines persist, disciplinary action, as deemed appropriate, can be taken pursuant to the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, and S.I. 301/2007 – Greyhound Industry (Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee) Regulations 2007.
Bord na gCon has advised me that it is reviewing all outstanding fines to ensure maximum compliance with the penalties imposed by the Control Committee.
As part of the ongoing regulatory reform, Bord na gCon has completed a public consultation process in relation to the possibility of publication of all adverse laboratory analytical findings at the time the report is received from the laboratory. Legislative proposals required to give effect to such publication are currently being considered by Bord na gCon.
Bord na gCon has assured me of its ongoing commitment to a robust regulatory framework based on an intelligence-led strategy. I understand that Bord na gCon is currently conducting a comprehensive review of all aspect relating to integrity, including its sampling and analysis procedures for prohibited substances and medication control.
Following the review, Bord na gCon will consider amendments to legislation, modify practices and policies as appropriate, and assess whether any improvements can be made to the current anti-doping and medication control structures that are in place. The objective is to strengthen regulation so that the highest standards in relation to integrity are achieved.
I commissioned the Indecon report in recognition of the need to review and reform aspects of the greyhound sector, including matters relating to integrity services, and I view it as critically important that its recommendations are implemented, with a view to ensuring that the greyhound industry can reach its full potential and prosper into the future.
32. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the now annual animal welfare event which was recently held on 12 June 2015 in Farmleigh, if he will ensure that a broad range of animal rights and welfare organisations are invited to attend in the future. [25839/15]
View answerThe focus of this year’s Animal Welfare Conference held in Farmleigh on 12 June was on the welfare of dogs and horses and on providing information to those involved in direct provision of welfare services in these areas. Invitations were extended to the 147 animal welfare organisations throughout the country involved in receipt of ex-gratia funding from my Department.
This year’s venue had much more limited capacity than Dublin Castle which was not available. Nevertheless, every effort was made to have a wide cross section of interested individuals and organisations involved in animal welfare represented. In this regard, after the initial invitations were issued, a record was kept of all requests for invitations and, as far as possible, these requests were facilitated with invitations to organisations on a standby list. The intention was that this list would be used to fill any places from initial invitees who were unavailable to attend. I understand that all of these requests were facilitated with 47 standby invitations issued. The conference was fully attended with over 140 delegates.
33. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure consistency in on-farm inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25841/15]
View answerIn the context of delivering the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development Measures, my Department is required to carry out an annual round of inspections covering both the eligibility of the land declared to draw down payments and to ensure compliance with Cross Compliance requirements, as set down in EU legislation, and the standards for Good Agricultural Environmental Condition (GAEC), in the areas of public, animal and plant health, environment and animal welfare. The basis for these inspections is governed by EU legislation and there are certain minimum numbers and types of inspections that must be conducted each year.
These inspections are a necessary requirement in order to draw down approximately €1.6 billion of EU funds annually and to avoid EU disallowances. The inspections are subject to repeated audits by the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors and the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Office and this ensures an independent verification that inspections are conducted in full compliance with the legal requirements.
My Department continuously reviews the inspection process to take account of changes in the governing regulations and also to reflect comments and findings contained in the various audit reports. Inspecting officers in my Department are regularly trained in inspection procedures, with a process of continuous oversight by supervisors and random verification inspections to ensure a consistent approach.
In addition, the Inspection Unit participates fully at various meetings and workshops organised by the European Commission, where Commission experts and experts from other EU member states share their knowledge. In this way the Inspection Unit has and continues to build up extensive corporate knowledge on inspection requirements. This ensures that the EU regulatory requirements are being fully met and also that the training of the inspecting officers on inspection procedures is kept up-to-date.
A comprehensive appeal mechanism is also in place in order to protect the interests of farmers who have difficulties with the inspection findings or who consider that the inspection has not been conducted in accordance with legislative requirements. This appeal system incorporates the option for a farmer to initially seek to have the inspection outcome reviewed internally by an officer more senior than the inspecting officer. Where the farmer remains dissatisfied, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office and ultimately to the Office of the Ombudsman.
34. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to have the Government provide co-funding to match the funds being made available by the European Investment Bank to Irish agriculture, rural development and forestry; the proposed amount of this co-funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26053/15]
View answerUnder the regulations governing the European Structural and Investment Funds (including the Rural Development Programme - RDP ) it is open to Member States to fund interventions via financial instruments. Essentially, financial instruments offer an alternative to the traditional grant based approach whereby schemes under the RDP may be funded via loans, guarantee funds or equity investments. The funding for any such financial instruments would have to draw on our existing RDP allocation of European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development funding as well as National Exchequer funding. It is also possible to incorporate funding from other sources such as the European Investment Bank.
The European Commission has indicated that it is aiming to double the usage of these financial instruments in the 2014-2020 programming period. Officials in my Department have been engaging with the European Commission, EIB and other stakeholders in order to identify areas where financial instruments could be implemented to best strategic effect. They are also exploring the practical steps which are required in order to implement financial instruments and put in place a clear plan based on real market failures and economic needs.
In addition to exploring the possibility of implementing financial instruments via the RDP, my Department has been active in exploring new and more competitive sources of funding and will continue to do so in the context of evolving market requirements. The recent announcement by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) of a new product, ‘Agriculture Investment Loans’, is a welcome addition to the sources of funding currently in the market. The European Investment Bank is one of the SBCI’s funding partners, and this new product is available at favourable terms for investments by agricultural SMEs involved in primary agricultural production, the processing of agricultural products or the marketing of agricultural products.
35. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the current situation regarding the Russian ban on food imports from the European Union and how this is affecting Ireland. [26067/15]
View answerThe announcement last week that the Russian ban on EU food imports will be extended for a further year to August 2016 is extremely disappointing. It has to be acknowledged that there are difficult geopolitical tensions at play here, and that a negative impact on the EU’s agri-food sector is an unfortunate consequence. There is a clear need for an EU-wide response and the Commission’s market support measures to date are welcome and remain a key part of the solution for EU producers.
Irish agri-food exports to Russia declined from €213 million in 2013 to €145 million in 2014. Some of this reduction was accounted for by a ban on EU pigmeat imports which came into effect in January 2014, before the Presidential ban on most EU food imports came into effect in August. Exports will obviously be much lower this year as the ban will be in place for the full year, with dairy, fish and pigmeat being the main sectors affected. For the first four months of 2015, agri-food exports to Russia amounted to €15.3 million, an 80% reduction on the same period last year.
Ireland is committed to continuing to work in partnership with the Russian and EU authorities to help to resolve these issues in any way we can. I have met with the Russian Ambassador to Ireland and there have been two high-level meetings between my Department and the Russian authorities.
My Department continues to work with industry to source new and alternative markets internationally for Irish food and the announcements by the US and China on Irish beef earlier this year are proof of the success of these efforts. Agri-food exports to all non-EU markets grew to a record €3.1 billion in 2014, an increase of 15% over 2013, with particularly strong growth in exports to Asia (+36%) and the Gulf States (+39%). These new markets, with growing middle class populations and high disposable incomes, will provide significant growth opportunities for Ireland’s dairy, meat and seafood sectors.
36. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that Ireland has never made a request in support of a recreational bluefin tuna fishery either to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas or to the European Union Commission; the reason the Government has not made such a case to the European Union for a catch and release recreational fishery programme to be based here, despite the fact that other countries have done so successfully such as Norway, in 2014 which was granted a 27 ton quota on application to the international commission; if Ireland may be treated differently on application for such a quota, even with our history of fishing in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26050/15]
View answerAtlantic bluefin tuna is a highly regulated species with annual catch limits set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) based on scientific advice. Within the EU, quota shares were allocated in 1998 to Member States based on track record. Ireland, which did not have a track record of fishing for bluefin tuna, does not have a quota.
My Department has made enquiries with the EU Commission and the unequivocal advice we have received is that a recreational fishery for bluefin tuna is not legally possible in the absence of a national bluefin tuna quota. We do not have such a quota and it is extremely unlikely that we could obtain one as it would involve reducing the share of the Total Allowable Catch of those EU Member States that do have quota and for whom bluefin is an important commercial fishery.
Ireland cannot make an application directly to ICCAT as it is the EU and not individual Member States which are members of that body. Norway, obviously, is not a member of the EU and so it can make its case directly to ICCAT.
A tag and release programme that would not impact on mortality and would contribute to the overall scientific knowledge of this species is an option that may be possible. A case would have to be made in the first instance at EU level and only if successful there could it be pursued at EU level with ICCAT.
Careful consideration needs to be given to how a case can be put together to reassure our EU colleagues that there would not be any negative impact on the stock. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, which has responsibility for angling, is currently examining a proposal from the Irish Big Game Angling Association and I expect to receive its response shortly.
My Department will continue to liaise closely with DCENR and relevant stakeholders on this matter to consider who would be in a position to undertake the detailed work required to prepare a case on how a possible tag and release scheme might work in practice. This case will need to cover issues such as the possible scope of the scheme in terms of seasons and numbers, how fish are handled etc. As soon as the response of DCENR is received, I will be better placed to determine if the proposal of the Irish Big Game Angling Association or an amended or alternative proposal can be progressed.
37. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that prices being paid by processors to milk producers are becoming a cause of concern for the prospects of the dairy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26066/15]
View answerThe price of milk and dairy produce is a function of the market at national, EU and international level. It is not something that the Minister for Agriculture can directly influence. I am of course monitoring market developments closely and liaising on a regular basis with farm organisations, other EU Member States and the processing sector.
After two years of very strong prices, markets have taken an unwelcome downward turn in recent times. The average farm gate milk price including VAT currently stands in the region of 30-31 cents per litre, significantly lower than the same period last year. The price situation in Ireland is broadly replicated in other EU MS, reflecting the global nature of this problem. Using cross country comparable data from the EU Milk Market Observatory the most recently available complete data shows that the milk price in Ireland is approximately 22% below the same month in 2014, slightly above the 18% decrease on average across the EU.
Strong production in milk producing countries, high levels of stocks, including in China and the Russian ban which has recently been extended have all had an impact. However, while there has been a succession of negative results from the Global Dairy Trade auction, the trend has not been wholly negative, with the most recent auction showing positive results for butter, buttermilk powder, cheddar and casein.
Overall, I remain confident about the medium to longer term prospects for the sector, with growing global demand expected to support prices in the years ahead. It is clear, however, that there will be continuing volatility, both upward and downward, around this positive trend.
My focus now is ensuring that the correct balance of policies and supports are in place so that the Irish dairy sector can overcome the effects of volatility over the next while. For my part:
- I will continue to push hard at EU level for deployment and extension of EU market supports where appropriate. Intervention and APS are at present available for butter and SMP;
- I have also introduced a number of agri-taxation measures in last year’s budget, including extending the income averaging to five years, and this will be of great assistance to dairy farmers wishing to manage volatility;
- I recently introduced a scheme to facilitate the repayment of the superlevy bill by farmers over three years which I expect will be heavily subscribed;
- I have introduced a number of schemes under the RDP which will assist dairy farmers in years to come including a new €50m investment just this week for capital investments on farm;
- I am continuing to press Irish banks to ensure that access to credit for our dairy sector is available, competitive but also responsive to market volatility.
I would strongly encourage suppliers and processors to examine their own relationships to determine whether a greater proportion of milk can by put into fixed price contracts.
I believe that a combination of these measures allied to the investment and expertise of our dairy farmers and processors means that the Irish dairy sector remains well placed to realise its potential in the years to come and to meet the challenges of market volatility along the way.
38. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of a veterinary practitioner (details supplied) who is under suspension by his Department; the reason for the suspension; when the investigation will be completed; if he will publish the outcome of the investigation; if he is satisfied with the manner and means by which the investigation is being carried out; if he will instigate an independent inquiry similar to the Department of Justice and Equality's inquiry into the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26096/15]
View answerMy Department has a detailed Quality Control system in place for monitoring the performance of veterinary practitioners in carrying out their duties under the TB eradication scheme or failure to comply with relevant EU and national legislation. This system provides for effective and dissuasive measures, including suspension from testing, where veterinary practitioners fail to comply with their contractual obligations. It also includes an appeals process in respect of any sanctions imposed. My Department attaches very considerable importance to the implementation of an effective TB testing regime in view of the cost of the programme to the national exchequer, the need to eradicate this disease, the value of the beef industry to Ireland and the reliance placed on veterinary certification under the TB programme to support the industry.
The Veterinary Practitioner involved has been suspended from the list of Veterinary Practitioners approved to conduct tuberculin testing as a consequence of evidence found by the Veterinary Inspectorate in my Department of repeated failure on behalf of this Practitioner to comply with EU and national legislation and to adhere to the terms and conditions of the Conditions and Instructions for Veterinary Practitioners involved in testing and sampling under the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication and Brucellosis monitoring programmes. The breaches detected compromised the validity of a number of TB tests. The practitioner, together with his legal representatives, has attended a number of meetings and has had follow-up written correspondence with officers of my Department.
The Veterinary Practitioner involved has been informed of his right to appeal the decision to suspend him from testing. The appeals process, which has been agreed with Veterinary Ireland, the representative organisation for private veterinary practitioners, involves consideration by senior veterinary and administrative officials at my Department’s head office of any evidence he wishes to advance, in writing, in his defence. The appeal may be conducted entirely in writing or orally at the request of the appellant. The appellant may be accompanied at the hearing, including by his legal adviser or a representative from Veterinary Ireland. In addition, he has access to the courts if, following consideration of this appeal, he considers that he is being treated unjustly.
I am satisfied with the manner in which the case has been investigated. It is not normal practice for my Department to publish reports in cases such as these and it is not my intention to do so in this case.
39. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dairy volatility pricing models he has examined at either departmental or European Union level; the steps being proposed to protect farmers from price volatility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26054/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the EU milk quota regime ended on March 31 last. Planning for the post quota period had been ongoing amongst all stakeholders for a number of years and I believe we have the right balance of measures in place to ensure that Irish dairy farmers can enter the new era with full confidence. Notwithstanding the overriding opportunity that a quota free environment will bring I remain acutely aware that addressing price volatility will be a key challenge for the dairy sector and in particular for farmers.
All stakeholders in the sector need to be cognisant of the reality that there will be occasions, as there have been in recent years, where various factors align to provide the sector with a positive market context. There will be other times, such as the current environment, when issues such as global supply imbalances impact on prices in EU and domestic markets. Those involved in the dairy sector, including banks, cooperatives, farmers and Government, need to work together to mitigate the impact of these peaks and troughs.
The market supports framework negotiated as part of the reformed CAP will continue to play a role, and as Minister I will be proactive in demanding their deployment on extension when circumstances require it. The new CAP regulations provide for more flexible exceptional measures in times of difficulty, but we must remain aware that resources in this respect will not be unlimited.
A key insulation against volatility is the ongoing move up the value chain that is in evidence in Irish dairy production. The almost €1 billion investment by Ireland’s processing industry in preparation for quota abolition will be key to realising this potential and is one of the reasons why we can be confident about the long term future of the sector here. Investment in innovation and product development in areas such as food for the aged and for infants, sports nutrition and food for health can help to produce a higher value product mix which is less susceptible to volatility. Furthermore, it remains clearly evident, from engagement with potential customers for Irish dairy products that the sustainability message for our production has a strong resonance, and through the Origin Green Programme and the Dairy Quality Assurance Scheme, we are building a brand image for Irish milk production based on our strong environmental credentials.
Another key issue in addressing the issue is in respect of efficiency gains at farm level, which can help to mitigate the downside impact of price volatility. The State has also provided financial support for knowledge transfer groups, breed improvement, through ICBF, and for research, advice and education, through Teagasc. With the Dairy Quality and Sustainability Scheme, and the Origin Green Initiative, Bord Bia is helping to drive a sustainability culture that is already serving the Irish dairy sector well on international markets. Actions to improve environmental sustainability also improve the bottom line for farmers.
In terms of relationships along the domestic supply chain, it is important that the scope for longer term fixed price supply contracts for a proportion of farmers’ production are examined and utilised where appropriate. This is a feature of the market that is developing slowly and which I would encourage. Longer term supply arrangements with the buyers of Irish raw materials and ingredients may also be of benefit in this respect. It is also important that bank facilities are calibrated to deal with the impact of volatility on farmer returns.
The Single Farm Payment also provides an income buffer in terms of volatility mitigation and taxation is also a key policy instrument in respect of dealing with the issue, where the increase from 3 to 5 years for the purposes of Income averaging represents a key measure which can only be positive for dairy farmers and for the sector in general. Dairy futures markets are also a slowly emerging feature in Europe.
The long-term fundamentals of the global dairy market are strong. I am confident that the Irish and EU dairy sector is well placed to gain from the opportunity presented by expanding global demand whilst simultaneously addressing these challenges of volatility.
40. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of 24 March 2015, his views on the fur farming review group's conclusions; if he is satisfied with the outcome of its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26097/15]
View answerI established a Review Group in November 2011 to examine all aspects of fur farming in Ireland. The Terms of Reference of the Review Group were:
(i) to review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming;
(ii) to comment on the economic benefits of the sector;
(iii) to consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls; and
(iv) to make appropriate recommendations
The Review Group invited submissions from the public and interested parties and considered over four hundred submissions which were received. By any standard, this meant that a wide spectrum of the opinions of stakeholders and interested parties was taken into account in the deliberations.
The Group recommended that fur farming should be allowed continue under licence and subject to official control.
Apart from the wide extent to which the Group consulted and the range of animal welfare, employment and other considerations of which it took account, I noted the positions adopted internationally towards fur farming and the fact that it is conducted under controls in a number of European countries. Were Ireland to ban mink farming, it would have little impact on the scale of the practice internationally generally. It would have significant consequences, however, for the operators themselves who are based in rural areas where the employment they provide would in the current economic circumstances be difficult to replace.
I also noted the small scale of the sector in Ireland; two former operators ceased to trade in the past three years and no applications have been received to establish new mink-keeping enterprises which currently means that Ireland has only three operators licensed.
My Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations, 2010 (Statutory Instrument No 311/2010) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Irish fur farmers are subject to the same animal welfare legislation as any other livestock farmer.
Licences are time-bound and are issued under the legislation only if the applicant, following an inspection by officers from my Department, is found to be compliant with a number of conditions. The legislation allows the Minister to revoke licences in cases of non-compliance with a licence condition and where welfare conditions are not met. The Review Group recommended that more rigorous standards be imposed on the industry in the areas of animal welfare, accommodation and nutrient management.
In the light of all of the foregoing, I decided to endorse the recommendations of the Group. In my view, the analysis conducted by the Group was comprehensive and its recommendations were balanced.
41. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current amount of tree cover in view of the recent removal and regeneration of scrub and natural woodland linked to the single farm payment criteria and the pressure on woodlands caused by Food Harvest 2020's focus on targets to increase production by 50%, on the basis of assumptions relating to digital mapping systems and the most recent National Forestry Inventory information collected between 2009 and 2012 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26100/15]
View answerThe National Forest Inventory estimated the current tree cover to be 731,650 hectares or 10.5% of the total land area of Ireland.
The Deputy suggests a “snapshot evaluation” using Google Earth and the Forest Service digital mapping systems. However, this is not possible as, while the Department mapping systems are underpinned by ortho-photography, a comparison cannot be made between its datasets and the trees and forests depicted on Google Earth. The Department mapping datasets contain defined boundary information in respect of all forests; they do not contain information on hedgerows or individual trees (including those in scrubland). Google Earth however has no boundaries recorded in respect of forests, or information on hedgerows or scrubland; it has no measured data against which Department data can be compared.
However, the Department is responsible for issuing tree felling licences and, thus, for policy on deforestation. In this respect, it must take into account the environment, landscape, sustainable forest management, and all relevant legislation. Apart from normal forestry operations, with certain exceptions, a licence is also required to fell trees in natural woodlands, trees situated in scrubland, or individual trees.
In order to protect woodlands, promote sustainable forest management, avoid excessive carbon credit costs, and protect the substantial State investment in afforestation programmes, the Department has a well-established policy of requiring replanting after felling. Where the landowner does not wish to replant the area felled, he may afforest an alternative site. Any project that is for commercial gain is required to replant the site or to afforest an alternative location (e.g. housing development, farming, industrial, wind farm, etc.).
The recently launched €262 million Forestry Programme 2014-2020 aims to facilitate the planting of almost 44,000 hectares of new forests. It incorporates Agro-Forestry, Native Woodland Establishment and Woodland Improvement Schemes, a NeighbourWood Scheme, and a Native Woodland Conservation Scheme. The aim of the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme is to support the protection and enhancement of existing native woodland, primarily to protect and enhance native woodland ecosystems. It is focused on restorative management of existing native woodlands. A strong priority will be placed on important native woodland types and opportunities for habitat linkage, and on environmentally sensitive areas, with a view to realising wider ecosystems services such as water protection.
Given the safeguards that the current legislation and policy provide, and the commitment provided by the Forestry Programme 2014-2020, I am confident that my Department is in a position to protect the landscape, environment and national forest estate, while meeting the demands of successfully developing the Agriculture Sector through the various schemes and reports such as Food Harvest 2020.
