Written Answers Nos. 406 to 423
406. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the 2015 single farm payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37373/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment /Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 28 May 2015. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payments due under the Direct Payments Schemes as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
407. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assistance available to young farmers inheriting the family farm and needing to invest in their farm yards to control farm yard pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37379/15]
View answerThere are a number of investment items available in the TAMS II Schemes for the control of farm yard pollution including the construction of nutrient storage facilities, and storage facilities for other farmyard manures, dairy washing and soiled water, and related facilities. The applicant has to be compliant with the Nitrates regulations at time of application. Statutory Instrument (S.I. 31 of 2014) for the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations refers. However, where the relevant authority has specified a higher winter storage period than that laid down in the S.I. this must be complied with. The investment items in question are available to all eligible farmers at a 40% rate of aid. Qualified young farmers are eligible for increased grants of 60%.
408. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment under the areas of natural constraint scheme for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37470/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payments Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2015. Application for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme is integrated into the Basic Payments Scheme application form. In order to apply for the ANC Scheme, applicants are requested to tick a box on the Basic Payments Scheme application form. The person named has declared land parcels containing areas of natural constraints, but has not applied for the ANC scheme via the tick box. The Department contacted the person named in early August indicating that he had not applied for the ANC Scheme and requesting clarification on his intentions in relation to applying for the Scheme. To date no reply has been received from the person named.
409. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare was not paid a single farm payment in 2014; when the person will receive the payment for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37403/15]
View answerA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that some of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. A full field verification check was undertaken by an official from my Department to verify the position. This inspection resulted in findings of an over-declaration in area of greater than 50%. Based on the terms and conditions of the scheme this resulted in no payment in respect of the 2013 Single Payment Scheme and the application of an administrative fine to be offset against any future EU payments.
The person named was notified of the outcome of the inspection in a letter dated 10 June 2014 and advised of the right of appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee. To date no review request has been received.
An application under the 2014 Single Farm Payment was received from the person named on 14 May 2014. The processing of this application has yet to be finalised. An official from my department will be in direct contact with the person named with a view to resolving any outstanding issues at the earliest opportunity.
An application under the 2015 Basic Payment\Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received on 18 May 2015. Processing of this application has been finalised and payments issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 22 October and 27 October respectively.
410. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for farm payments to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37425/15]
View answerMy Department received a 2015 Transfer of Allocation Right and Reference Value application from the persons named. This application has been fully processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue in the coming days.
411. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the European Union €800 million superlevy package intervention plan to help dairy farmers who have experienced collapsing incomes, regarding proposals to increase the intervention price on milk powders, and the provision of aid to provide private storage for cheese products, until market prices improve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37435/15]
View answerThe €600m package consists of a number of measures which are intended to help primary producers in the dairy and pig sectors through current price difficulties, the bulk of which, at €420m is a direct aid payment. The relevant EU legislative provisions providing for this direct aid payment came into force in the last fortnight and provide that Member States have the flexibility to distribute this aid through the most effective channels at their disposal. It is a clear requirement of the provisions regarding this aid that the funds need to be distributed on the basis of objective and non-discriminatory criteria and also needs to ensure that farmers in the relevant sectors are the ultimate beneficiaries of the targeted aid.
I have discussed these matters with representatives of the dairy sector, most recently at the dairy forum on 29 September. I took the opportunity to update stakeholders regarding progress to date and to seek their opinions regarding how best to distribute this aid. Any decision on distribution obviously had to await the adoption at EU level of the relevant legislative provisions. In addition officials in my Department have also had discussions with representatives of the Irish pig sector. I am currently considering various options and intend to announce final decisions regarding the aid levels and mechanisms in the very near future.
In respect of the other areas mentioned by the Deputy, in early September I presented a paper offering possible solutions to both the EU Commissioner and my EU ministerial colleagues, which included utilising the provisions of Article 219 of the CMO Regulation to temporarily increase the threshold prices, with particular reference to skimmed milk powder. I also made calls for numerous other measures in the areas of Aids to Private Storage for cheese, which was introduced by the Commission in September 2014 but discontinued shortly after. In addition I called for the existing aid rates in the PSA schemes for butter and SMP to be reviewed immediately.
I am pleased to note that the final decision at Council took significant account of Ireland’s requests. The improved PSA scheme for SMP, which will include longer periods for storage as well as the improved aid rates, the re-introduction of PSA for cheese, the provision of increased funding for promotion and the provision of the aforementioned almost €14m in targeted direct aid for farmers can undoubtedly go some way towards alleviating the worst effects of the current market downturn on primary producers. The PSA schemes are now open to producers and I expect that the Irish dairy sector will be availing of these.
In addition, the provision allowing 70% advance in the single farm payment and I am pleased to note that the vast bulk of these payments have been paid.
412. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking with European Union colleagues in relation to the transatlantic trade and investment partnership negotiations to ensure that no beef will be allowed access into the Union which is produced at a lower standard; his position regarding additional quotas of tariff-free beef entering the Union from the United States being considered in the negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37506/15]
View answerAn EU-US deal under the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is of significant importance for Ireland. The US is one of our leading trading partners, and we have a large and growing agri-food trade surplus with them (exports of €570m last year, compared to imports of €268m). The drinks industry currently accounts for over 60% of the value of exports. We have significant offensive interests in the TTIP negotiations. For example, we see worthwhile opportunities in the US for cheese, powdered milks and sports products, and further opportunities for branded packaged butter, if we can remove some regulatory barriers. Prepared consumer foods and fish could also benefit from trade liberalisation.
Beef is a unique sector in that we have both offensive and defensive interests. In the long term, any significant increase in beef imports to the EU could have adverse effects on the Irish industry. That was confirmed by a number of recent studies and is an issue we have raised strongly with the European Commission. Admittedly, adverse effects look much less likely at present, as US prices are currently at historic highs. But it does mean that we have legitimate concerns about the size, composition and administration of any quota offered to the US.
Of course, we should also seek a significant EU quota for beef to the US as part of any TTIP agreement. Following the re-opening of the market, Irish beef exports now fall under a 65,000 tonne quota for ‘other countries’ on a first come, first served basis. This is mainly filled by Latin American countries. When we get access for manufacturing beef - which I hope will be soon - we would stand to benefit greatly from a specific EU import quota in the US and this can only be achieved through TTIP.
A number of key issues in these negotiations arise in relation to hormone treated beef, food standards, GMOs and Geographical indicators. All of these arose in the Canadian negotiations and were resolved and I believe they can also be resolved in TTIP.
It is important to ensure that the principle of equivalence will continue to apply so that even where food production processes in the EU and US are not identical they will provide equivalent guarantees regarding the standards of production. This principle is already enshrined under the World Trade Organisation Agreement and is also recognised by both sides in the EU US negotiations as the basis for the TTIP agreement. Equally it is important that both the EU and United States retain the policy space to restrict certain practices and processes on social and ethical grounds and this is also recognised, in principle, by both sides.
This is particularly relevant in relation to the use of hormones in meat production. The EU Commission has made it clear that it will not allow the importation of hormone treated meat into the EU and this is well understood by the US side. In these circumstances, we do not anticipate that the TTIP agreement will have any impact on food standards within the state.
413. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had discussions at European Union level following the recent decision by the US to increase the tariff on all imported butter from EU countries by the reported figure of 59 cent per kilogramme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37507/15]
View answerI am concerned by the announcement by the United States of its invocation of the WTO Special Agricultural Safeguard clause (SSG) in relation to butter products with effect from Monday 5 October 2015. My Department has been engaged in intensive follow-up with the European Commission, with the US Embassy in London, with EU Member State colleagues and with the industry in an effort to limit the impact of the measure on the industry. We have in particular been assisting the Commission in its consultations with the United States, and in this regard have focused on the lack of meaningful consultation in advance of the announcement, the inconsistency of the approach this year compared to previous years, and the fact that, while imports of butter into the US have increased over recent years, there is no evidence of any impairment of the US butter market. In addition to asking the Commission to use all of its efforts to persuade the US to withdraw the SSG, we have asked it to seek a commitment from the US concerning non-activation in future years. We have also supported the Commission’s efforts in clarifying the status of product in transit so as to minimise the practical impact of the measure on exporting companies.
414. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37524/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 16 April 2015. Processing of the application has recently been finalised and payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
415. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of meetings he and officials from his Department have had with lobbyists from fish producer organisations since the regulations on lobbying came into force on 1 September 2015; the names of the lobbyists; the duration of each meeting; and the topics discussed. [37534/15]
View answerThe Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (No. 5 of 2015) (the Act) commenced on 1 September 2015. Under the Act, designated public officials are not subject to rules regarding the registration and reporting of lobbying. Their interactions when lobbied must be reported by the lobbyists in accordance with the Act. The registration of lobbyists, as defined by the Act, is the sole responsibility of the individuals and organisations involved.
Nevertheless, I am happy to provide the details of meetings that I, or relevant designated officials in my Department, were present at or conducted with Fish Producer Organisations and other stakeholders since September 1st.
- On 11 September, the Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was present at a Discards Implementation Group (DIG) meeting. The four Fish Producer Organisations i.e. the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO); Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (ISWFPO); Irish South and East Fishermen’s Organisation (ISEFO) and the Irish Fish Producer’s Organisation (IFPO) - as well as representatives from the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA), Fishing Co-operatives and relevant State Agencies were present at the meeting. The discussion focussed on next steps in preparing for implementation of Discards Plan for 2016.
- On 29 September, I met with the four Fish Producer Organisations, the KFO; the ISWFPO; the ISEFO and the IFPO to discuss the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, Seafood Development Programme (SDP) and Common Market Organisation. The Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was also present.
- On 5 October, I met with representatives of the ISEFO and other fisheries interests in Dunmore East & Kilmore Quay to discuss the forthcoming Landing Obligation, which will come into force on 1st January 2016 for all demersal species. The Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was also present.
- On 9 October, the Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was present at a meeting with industry, scientific and environmental representatives to discuss issues in advance of the publication of the draft Commission proposal fixing fishing opportunities for 2016. This was as part of a wider consultation with Director Bernhard Friess, Director of the Atlantic, Outermost Regions and Arctic of the European Commission’s Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Directorate-General. The organisations present included the Marine Institute; the KFO; the ISWFPO; the ISEFO; National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF); Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO); CoastWatch and BirdWatch Ireland.
- On 9 October, the Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was present at a meeting to discuss a variety of technical aspects of the EU agenda with the KFO; the ISWFPO; the ISEFO and the NIFF.
- On 15 October, I met with the four Fish Producer Organisations for further discussions on aspects of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, Seafood Development Programme and the Common Market Organisation. The Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was also present.
- On 29 October, the Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department attended an Information Seminar organised by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to discuss the Landing Obligation, at which representatives from across the fishing industry were present, including representatives from the ISEFO.
- On 30 October, I met with the four Fish Producer Organisations in Carrigaline, Co. Cork to discuss progress on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund the Seafood Development Programme and the Common Market Organisation. The Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was also present.
416. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when persons (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the single farm payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37537/15]
View answerMy Department received two applications for the 2015 Transfer of Allocation Right and Reference Value from the above named persons. There are outstanding issues to be resolved to allow these applications to be processed. Letters have issued to the above named persons with a view to resolving the outstanding issues. Once resolved, processing of the applications will be finalised and payment will issue shortly thereafter.
417. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when persons (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37538/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 26 May 2015. Processing of the application has recently been finalised and payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
418. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 76 of 11 March 2015, if he will address a matter in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in the interest of transparency and accountability; the reasons for the delay in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37544/15]
View answerAn official from my Department has been in touch with the legal representative of the person named to provide an update on the matter.
419. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will receive outstanding agricultural payments for 2014 and 2015, given that this delay is causing serious financial hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37549/15]
View answerThe person named was admitted to REPS on 1 June 2009 and his contract was due to end on 31 December 2014. He has been fully paid for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. He was suspended from the scheme and did not received any payments for 2013 or 2014, as he did not submit records as required under the scheme.
He appealed this decision to the Agricultural Appeals Office which has not yet made a decision on the case.
420. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when outstanding headage payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37551/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment /Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 29 May 2015. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payments due under the Direct Payments Schemes as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
421. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received correspondence from a fisherman's organisation (details supplied) in County Donegal concerning permissible total allowable catch quotas for herring for the fishery in 2015; his plans to facilitate the association's historic fishing practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37570/15]
View answerI am aware of correspondence on this issue sent directly to officials of my Department on 14 October. A reply issued on 30 October. On the overall issue I am very much aware of the problems surrounding the herring fishery off Donegal. The unfortunate facts are that the total allowable catch (TAC) for herring in the waters off Donegal (part of Area VIa South), as advised by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) for 2015, is zero. Consequently, Ireland therefore has no fishing opportunities for herring in the area for 2015. This applies to all vessels and all fishing methods. At last December’s Fisheries Council I secured a commitment from the Commission to urgently review this situation on foot of new scientific advice that was expected in April of this year. A new benchmarking exercise was undertaken by ICES but unfortunately the outcome was to confirm their advice that there should be a zero TAC for 2015. In light of this review the Commission confirmed that it could not support any in year amendment of the herring quota.
With regard to the future of this stock, ICES strongly recommend, and I fully support, a re-building plan for the stock. This is also the view of the Pelagic Advisory Council, in which Irish industry representatives are very active, and I will be supporting them in their endeavours on this matter. Any rebuilding plan recommended to the Commission would need to be evaluated and approved by ICES and it may not be possible to have this for a number of months given the complexities involved. The ICES advice, in the absence of a rebuilding plan for 2016 is again for a zero TAC. Consequently, the focus now must be on developing that rebuilding plan so that a viable and sustainable fishery can be re-established as quickly as possible. In the context of the 2016 TAC and quota negotiations in December, I will be working closely with industry to examine all possible options, taking account of the current ICES advice, including a case for a small TAC that would support scientific work on the stock.
422. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of licences that have been applied for in the bays along our coast since 1 January 2010, in total; in each bay, by name, the number granted and refused to date; if he will expedite the application process given that many applicants who are currently waiting are being deprived of making a viable business, and given the huge demand for our shellfish produce in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37626/15]
View answerThe very detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in full. Provision of the information sought will require an extensive examination of my Department’s records as well as consultation with relevant agencies. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy within four weeks.
423. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the development of the aquaculture industry; if statistics are available on the number of aquaculture businesses; the number of persons employed; the tonnage of fish produced; the percentage of this which was shellfish in each of the years 2010 to 2014, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37638/15]
View answerThe statistical information requested by the Deputy concerning aquaculture businesses and the number of persons employed is not readily available in the format requested. However, my Department has asked Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) to collate these figures and I will be glad to forward them to the Deputy as soon as possible. In addition my Department has asked BIM to confirm production figures from land based aquaculture operations. These figures will also be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
In relation to aquaculture production from the marine resource, the information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
MARINE AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION 2010-2014 VOLUME (tonnes)
|
Year |
Totals |
% Shellfish |
|
2010 |
46,960 |
63% |
|
2011 |
44,785 |
69% |
|
2012 |
36,441 |
62% |
|
2013 |
34,630 |
69 % |
|
2014 |
30,846 |
65% |
