Written Answers Nos. 89-95
89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which traceability continues to be enforced throughout the food production sector, with particular reference to the need to ensure clear indication regarding origin, husbandry, and compliance with national, international and European Union regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34843/15]
View answerMy colleague the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation and the new EU food information regulations which were adopted by the Council of Health Ministers in December 2011. However, my Department plays an important role in the enforcement of this legislation under service contract to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Primary responsibility under EU law for the safety and traceability of food placed on the market lies with food business operators (FBOs). The role of National Competent Agencies is to verify compliance with this requirement. This is done through a combination of inspecting establishments and auditing the food safety management systems which operators are required to have in place. These controls are applied at different stages in the food supply chain.
Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002 sets out the general principles and requirements of EU food law and stipulates that FBOs at all stages of production, processing and distribution within the businesses under their control, must ensure that the requirements of food law are satisfied. In regard to traceability, the regulations require that FBOs must have systems in place to identify any person from whom they have been supplied with a food. They must also have a system in place to identify the other businesses to which their product has been supplied. This is commonly referred to as the ‘one step forward, one step backward’ traceability system. There are additional traceability requirements for certain fishery and aquaculture products under the Control Regulation (Regulation 1224/2009 and its Implementing Regulation 404/2011) from first sale to subsequent stages of production, processing and distribution up to retail.
My Department has a permanent veterinary presence at all its approved slaughter plants. Controls at plants only engaged in secondary processing are carried out at a frequency based on an annual risk assessment. An annual audit of imported products is also carried out in each Department-approved plant, which includes checks on physical identity, labelling and documentary checks for product originating both in EU Member States and third countries. Labelling and documentary checks also form part of the routine checks conducted by the Department.
The import of products of animal origin from third countries is governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by EU Member States in the first instance, and audited by the European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), to ensure compliance with all of the relevant food safety standards. The legislation imposes a series of health and supervisory requirements, designed to ensure that imported products meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production and trade between Member States. Border Inspection Posts are operated by my Department. The import controls procedures on products of animal and fish origin are highly prescriptive and strictly audited by the FVO to ensure compliance. Reports of the findings of inspections are published on the FVO’s website.
In order to import fish or fishery products into Ireland from a third country, the person who wishes to import the products is required to register with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The SFPA and the Border Inspection Posts operate an agreed sampling plan, which is reviewed annually, to ensure that they meet the EU criteria with respect to potential contaminants, and monitor for the presence of any medical residues or where there is concern that the product may not be fit for human consumption.
Specific requirements for consumer information for fishery and aquaculture products such as more detailed information on provenance are also set down in EU Regulations (EU 1379/2013) on the common organisation of markets. The Regulations on fish labelling are enforced by the SFPA as part of ongoing official controls in food establishments under their supervision. Comprehensive labelling checks including country of origin are carried out in establishments under SFPA official control as part of routine inspections by authorised officers and at retail level by the Environmental Officers.
Rules on the labelling of meat and meat products are laid down in EU legislation. For beef, compulsory rules have been in place for many years, and require food business operators to label fresh, frozen or minced beef with specific information to enable the product to be traced back to the animals from which it was derived. This must include details of the slaughterhouse and de-boning hall in which the animal was processed, and the country in which it was born, reared and slaughtered. In 2011 the European Union passed the Food Information for the Consumers (FIC), Regulation 1169/2011, which is applicable to all foods intended for the final consumer and including foods delivered to mass caterers. In particular, the FIC Regulation extends mandatory origin labelling to meats other than beef for the first time. The implementing provision is Commission Regulation No. 1337/2013, which introduced mandatory origin labelling for meat from pigs, poultry, sheep and goats with effect from the 1 April 2015. Under this regulation, labelling is required to identify the Member State or third country of rearing and the Member State or third country of slaughter for these meats. The term ‘Origin’ can also be used where the country/member state of birth is the same as the country of rearing and slaughter.
Ireland has been a strong proponent of such rules and I have signed into law a new Statutory Instrument to ensure that the necessary provisions are in place to implement this mandatory labelling requirement. In addition, my Department is working closely with the Department of Health with a view to extending the legislation to include ‘loose meats’ e.g. meat cuts sold through butcher counters. I expect rules to cover loose meats to be introduced before the end of the year.
90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the pigmeat sector to develop and remain viable for producers for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34844/15]
View answerThe development of a viable pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the crucial role which the industry plays in supporting approximately 7,000 jobs including production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. In 2014 export volumes increased by approximately 7%, with growth to the UK, Continental Europe and International markets. Export values increased by some 3% and are in the range of €570 million, continuing the growth seen in recent years. Pigmeat prices tend to be cyclical in nature with periods of lower prices and production followed by recovery. My Department carefully monitors developments in the pig sector, both domestically and internationally. I am conscious of the fact that prices have come under pressure over the last year and the difficulties that this is causing for producers. Having said that, it must be noted that Irish prices remain broadly in line with the EU average at present. However I would also add that like any other EU Minister I do not have a role in the setting of prices. This is a function of the market.
In relation to the Russian ban on EU pigmeat exports, I am fully aware of the concerns Irish pig farmers have as a result of the closure of this market. My Department has met with the Russian authorities on a number of occasions to impress upon them the importance we attach to the normalisation of trade with Russia. However the restrictions on other products under the EU-wide ban is not something which Ireland alone will resolve and will only be progressed through a common EU approach. The Commission has referred this matter to the WTO for resolution.
At last month’s Special Meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels, I joined with other like-minded Ministers from other EU MS in calling on the EU Commission to monitor market developments and deliver a comprehensive package of support to address the current difficulties in the Irish and EU pigmeat sector. The resulting package reflects the majority of the demands presented by Ireland to the Commission who awarded almost €14 million in direct aid to Ireland and the maximum flexibility announced by the Commission in the use of these funds. I am currently consulting with stakeholders on how to disburse this aid. The reintroduction of private storage aid for pigmeat and the improved aid rates and conditions will also help to bring the market back into balance.
Support is provided by my Department for the pig sector in a number of ways. Firstly I have included provision in the Rural Development Programme for an on-farm capital investment scheme, TAMS II, with an overall budget of €395 million across all sectors. Some €37 million has been allocated for 2015. Amongst the areas identified for initial funding are investments on pig farms for energy, water meters and medicine dispensers. Other elements of the RDP, such as a targeted on-farm animal health and welfare scheme will also be of benefit to the pig sector.
Other supports for the sector come through Teagasc which, through its Moorepark pig research facility and courses in pig production, plays an important role in improving production at farm level. Through its Joint Research Advisory Programme, Teagasc supports Irish pig producers by providing advice, research and education across a range of issues of importance to the sector. The programme which is funded by a voluntary industry levy has enabled Teagasc to employ four additional advisors and researchers to support producers and the sector through advice, research and education across a range of issues of importance to the sector. The high level objective of the programme is to enhance the sustainability of Irish pig meat production, including improvements in economic, social and environmental standards. This will result in improvements in the production and marketability of Irish pigmeat.
I am also conscious of the need to promote the consumption of Irish pigmeat in domestic and overseas markets. Bord Bia provides assistance to the pigmeat sector through its marketing and promotional activities, and the pigmeat quality assurance scheme helps to consolidate the position of Irish pigmeat on the domestic market and to expand its presence on EU and third country markets.
For my part I have undertaken to ensure that as many alternative markets as possible are open to Irish Pigmeat processors since the closure of the Russian market last year. In this regard I was pleased to announce the opening of the markets in Vietnam and the Philippines for Irish pigmeat which will serve as valuable alternative markets to Russia for Irish pigmeat exports. My Department will continue in its efforts to develop access to international markets.
91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the fishing industry to develop in the future, with particular reference to value-added products and employment in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34845/15]
View answer93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which families dependent on fishing will continue to be able to rely on a reliable income in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34847/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 93 together.
Foodwise 2025 recognises that seafood, in common with the broader food sector, will benefit from the projected increasing global demand for food produce over the coming decade. Current FAO estimates are that world consumption of fish will grow by an average annual consumption of 17 kg per person per annum resulting in a requirement for an extra 40 million tonnes of seafood by 2030. The report identifies that Ireland is well placed to take advantage of this opportunity because of our natural advantage of being adjacent to some of the most productive fishing ground in the EU.
In order to avail of this opportunity we need to pursue a strategy of growing raw material supply through sustainable development of aquaculture and encouraging landings into Irish ports of quota compliant catch by other Member States. We need to add value to that material by moving away from commodity exports and developing prepared consumer seafood products. Last but not least, we need to effectively market Irish seafood products on world markets.
Earlier this year, I announced a new €241 million Seafood Development Programme funded by the Irish Government and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. I expect that this Programme will be adopted by the European Commission in the next month or two and I will then be rolling out a range of Schemes to promote this strategy for the seafood sector. The new Programme involves a doubling of our levels of investment in the seafood sector and will enable us to achieve the potential identified in Foodwise 2025 and to achieve the Government’s target of growing employment in the seafood sector by 3,000 to 14,000 by 2020.
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to evaluate the poultry sector, with particular reference to the extent to which the quality and reliability of production is emphasised and can remain competitive on international markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34846/15]
View answerThe poultry sector plays an important role within the Irish agricultural economy, accounting for approximately 2% of gross agricultural output. The poultry sector supports around 5,000 jobs, most of these in rural areas. The value of primary output for the total poultry sector stood at approximately €186 million in 2014. Given that the forecast for consumer demand remains somewhat stable, estimates for 2015 stand at €186 million. Export values have increased steadily over the last few years to c. €310 million in 2014, growing by 20% alone in the last year as the value of trade was driven by increased shipments of processed products. Strong fundamentals supported demand in almost all regions of the world in 2014 and this is expected to continue in 2015, although some easing in global poultry prices is expected. Irish production is forecast to remain stable during 2015 as EU and international production is estimated to increase marginally. Poultry is normally reared under contract to processors for a pre-agreed price, which underpins a level of continuity in the supply chain, however, the impact of cereal price changes may influence output decisions by producers as the year progresses.
The poultry sector remains very competitive, and given that Ireland is over 100% self-sufficient in poultry meat and 85% self-sufficient in egg production it is important to have the edge provided by Bord Bia's Quality Assurance Scheme. This is an integrated scheme involving the producer and the processing plant working in partnership to provide the customer with quality assured product. With almost 96% of all poultry and egg producer members of the Scheme, a strong and resilient home market is critically important for the success of the industry. In the current economic climate consumers regard poultry as a value-for-money food and the inherent added value this Scheme gives to the product does not escape the consumer.
The new Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP) is a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agrifood sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. In relation to the poultry sector, the main areas for support in the RDP include:
- Significant support for on-farm capital investment under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme II (TAMS II) scheme;
- Knowledge transfer and innovation measures, aimed at underpinning farm viability, sustainability and growth through the adoption of best practice and innovative solutions, and TAMS II entails financial support to a number of key areas within agriculture, including the poultry sector. Under TAMS II, energy investments, water meters and medicine dispensers are envisaged for the poultry sector. Support for Knowledge Transfer Groups also covers a number of sectors, including the poultry sector. These groups will cover issues such as financial/risk management, animal health and welfare, breed improvement, environmental protection, climate change and innovation and their operation will largely mirror existing templates already in operation in the beef and sheep sectors. The poultry sector, amongst other sectors, may also avail of support under the Targeted Animal Health and Welfare Advisory Measure.
94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which European fish catch conservation measures continue to benefit the industry, with particular reference to conservation and sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34848/15]
View answerThe new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters. A key element of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield). This should ultimately lead to healthy fish stocks, higher quotas for both Irish and EU fishermen and lead to more sustainable fishing patterns. The new Common Fisheries Policy specifically calls for the progressive restoration and maintenance of populations of fish stocks above biomass levels capable of producing MSY. I am committed to the ambitious objective of achieving MSY by 2020 at the latest.
Scientific information on the state of the fisheries resources exploited by the Irish fleet is compiled by the Marine Institute and is published in the Stock Book each year.
The 2014 Stock Book informs us that in relation to stocks of a healthy biological state, there was an improvement in 2014 compared with 2013 on the state of the resource base in relation to pressure indicators. In all, 73 stocks are subject to the scientific advice of the Marine Institute. This is an increase from 59 stocks last year, mainly due to the addition of a number of skates and rays stocks. There is a higher number, 25 stocks, assessed to be sustainably fished in 2014, up from 20 last year. The proportion remains the same due to the higher number of stocks being assessed overall this year. The number of stocks overfished has also increased from 14 in 2013 to 22 in 2014. This is due to the inclusion of 4 new stocks (rays and sea bass) and 4 stocks have gone from unknown status or underfished to overfished. The number of stocks with unknown status is 26, which is similar to last year.
In respect of the biomass of stocks, that is the quantity of mature fish in the sea, approximately one quarter, or 17 stocks are in a positive state with above biomass trigger points. The number of depleted stocks has increased from 7 to 12 and now 16% of stocks are assessed to be depleted. The number of stocks with unknown Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB), no assessments or undefined maximum rate of fishing mortality (Fmsy) remains relatively high involving 44 stocks. Many of these stocks have good information on biomass trends and this informs scientific advice for the stocks.
The 2015 Stock Book is due to issue in November 2015 and early indications are that these positive trends will continue.
A Key element of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). This will be phased in gradually, applying by 2020 at the latest for all stocks. This will result in more fish being left in the sea to mature and reproduce leading to increased abundance of fish and, over time, to higher quotas for Irish fishermen.
95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he can reassure the dairy sector regarding its future prospects in the wake of the abolition of quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34849/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Ireland strongly supported the abolition of the milk quota regime, on the basis that quotas were widely regarded by all concerned as a brake on the potential of the Irish dairy sector to respond positively to market opportunities. The ending of the milk quota regime represented an exceptional opportunity for the dairy industry to increase milk output and reach the 50% target set out in Food Harvest 2020. The abolition of milk quotas allows dairy farmers capitalise on the on-farm improvements which they have engaged in over recent years, covering improved genetics, more compact calving patterns and better grassland management.
It is disappointing that milk prices have dropped so soon after the abolition of milk quotas, but it would be disingenuous of anybody to suggest that the reduction in world prices is as a direct result of the abolition of milk quotas. It is accepted by analysts that price volatility will be a feature of the world dairy markets and we are currently at the lower end of that volatility curve.
In recent times I have made a number of proposals to the Commission to deal with the current downturn in prices and I welcome the steps taken by it, including extensions to the dates for Aids to Private Storage and Intervention, and the improved PSA scheme for SMP, which will include longer periods for storage as well as the improved aid rates, the reintroduction of PSA for cheese, the provision allowing 70% advance in the single farm payment, the provision of increased funding for promotion, and the provision of almost €14m in targeted direct aid for farmers.
In terms of market, the medium to long term forecast for global dairy prices remains very positive. I am confident that the building blocks are in place to allow the Irish dairy sector to be more competitive and take full advantage of the opportunity presented by expanding global population and demand.
