Written Answers Nos. 441-457
441. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if basic payments will be returned to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37878/15]
View answerUnder the Single Payment Scheme, applicants applied annually on the basis of entitlements held and eligible land declared. The person named never held entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme since that Scheme’s inception in 2005. Consequently she is not eligible for an automatic allocation of entitlements under the new Basic Payment Scheme which was introduced in place of the Single Payment Scheme this year. As regards the litigation mentioned, it would not be appropriate for my Department to arbitrate private matters between individuals such as outlined by the Deputy. These matters are reserved for the Courts and the Property Registration Authority.
442. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the areas of natural constraint scheme and the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37883/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment /Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 5 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.
443. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the basic payment scheme and the areas of natural constrain scheme; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37932/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment /Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 5 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.
444. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an bhfuil sé i gceist aige na rialacha a athrú chun gur féidir le hiascairí a fuair tonnáiste faoin Scéim um Báid a Chuaigh go Tóin Poill é a dhíol ar an margadh oscailte ó tharla go bhfuil os cionn deich mbliana caite anois ó bronnadh an tonnáiste seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [37949/15]
View answerThe Lost at Sea Scheme was a limited scheme introduced in 2001. Its objective was to enable qualifying applicants, who had experienced the accidental loss of a vessel under certain specified circumstances and who were otherwise unable to do so for financial or related reasons, to continue a family tradition of sea-fishing. The objective of the scheme was to assist families in introducing a replacement for a lost vessel which would be owned and skippered by the applicant or by an immediate relation of the applicant. Essentially, the scheme provided replacement capacity (not direct financial compensation) which the applicant would otherwise have had to purchase on the tonnage market, for the purpose of introducing a replacement vessel for a fishing boat lost at sea between 1980 and the establishment of the fishing boat register in 1990. Under the terms of the scheme, replacement capacity in the form of gross tonnage and kilowatt engine power was provided free of charge to qualifying applicants equivalent to the capacity of the lost vessel and the capacity awarded to the successful applicants could not be traded, sold on or otherwise disposed of for financial gain. The terms of the scheme were introduced as a balance taking into account that capacity was granted free of charge at a time when other entrants into the fleet were required to purchase replacement capacity at a high cost. I have no plans to consider a change to this licensing policy which would involve the privatisation of such capacity.
445. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a non-genotyped four or five-star Irish Cattle Breeding Federation-rated cow in the herd prior to 5 June 2015, which is subsequently genotyped at a lower star rating at an accuracy of up to 45%, is deemed ineligible under the beef data and genomics scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37959/15]
View answerThe purpose of the BDGP is to bring about long-term strategic improvements to the beef breeding sector by substantially improving the overall genetic quality of the national beef herd. A robust and reliable replacement index, built specifically for Irish animals and production systems, on which farmers can make informed breeding decisions, is an essential element of the drive to meet these goals.
It is imperative that the index uses the most accurate information available to us and that is why genotyping constitutes such a major part of the BDGP. The genotyping requirement within the BDGP reflects the need to genotype a large percentage of female calves at birth within scheme herds and to genotype female animals introduced from non-scheme herds so that a sufficient amount of 4 and 5 star animals can be identified. Genotyping substantially improves the reliability of the breeding indexes and ensures the identification of sufficient numbers of 4 & 5 star female animals required by BDGP herds.
The refinement of the index unavoidably leads to minor fluctuations in some individual animals’ ratings due to the addition of new and more accurate information. This will further improve the reliability of that animal’s rating and similarly, the collection of additional information across the entire herd, including the genomic data, will result in more accurate Euro-Star evaluations. Some animals will end up moving to lower star ratings while others will increase their rating reciprocally, but with these changes the index becomes more accurate and a more useful tool for suckler farmers across the country. The cattle breeding industry in Ireland is very accustomed to genetic evaluations moving over time, as more data accumulates.
As the Deputy will be aware, the female replacement requirements for a BDGP participant are focused on ensuring that a percentage of their heifers/eligible suckler cows (rounded to the nearest animal), in the years 2018 and 2020 are genotyped animals that are:
(i) 4 or 5 stars on the replacement index
(ii)at least 16 months old and;
(iii) born in 2013 or later,
I have subsequently clarified on point (iii) above that a female animal born before 2013 will be considered eligible if it was present in the herd before 5th June 2015 and also meets the requirements of parts (i) and (ii). In addition, BDGP also allows animals to be considered eligible even if their rating is subsequently downgraded from 4 and 5 stars, provided that the animal is genotyped 4 or 5 star at the time of purchase. The focus on the BDGP has turned towards engagement with individual scheme participants. My priority now is to work closely with the ICBF and BDGP farmers to ensure that implementation of the Programme continues to deliver for Irish suckler farmers.
446. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in the payment to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal under the area based payment scheme and the single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37961/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 24 March 2015. Processing of the application is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date for both schemes.
447. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the areas of natural constraint scheme and the basic payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37963/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes was received from the person named on 20 March 2015. Processing of the application is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payments issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible dates.
448. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Louth will receive a payment under the single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37969/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment /Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 27 April 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.
449. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a single payment for 2015 to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37975/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2015. Processing of this application has been finalised with payment issuing to the nominated bank account of the person named on 22 October 2015.
450. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the lands associated with a herd number (details supplied) qualify for payments under the areas of natural constraints scheme now; and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37983/15]
View answerAn application under Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 7 May 2015. Processing of the application is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the estate of the person named at the earliest possible date. The Areas of Natural Constraints scheme provides for payment on lands designated as either More Severely handicapped or Less Severely handicapped, submitted on a valid application Basic Payment Application form annually.
451. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on payments to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [37986/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 22 April 2015. Processing of the application of the ANC application is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
With regard to the BPS element, the person named has also submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department as a Transferor. Processing of this application has identified land errors on land declared by the Transferee. The Transferee has been written to requesting commonage evidence to substantiate his claim, but to date no reply has been received. Once the relevant information required to allow the issue to be resolved has been received by my Department, the application can be finalised and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue shortly thereafter.
452. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a payment has not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the areas of natural constraints scheme and the basic payment scheme; when it will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38012/15]
View answerAn application under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 21 May 2015. Processing of the application is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
My Department also received a 2015 Transfer of Allocation Right and Reference Value application to transfer the Reference Value by way of gift of holding from another herd number to the person named. This application has been processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue in the coming days.
453. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a payment has not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the areas of natural constraints scheme and the basic payment scheme; when it will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38013/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 21 May 2015. Processing of the application is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
455. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the area aid scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38044/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 10 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.
456. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for details of any improvement in the tuberculosis testing used on Irish cattle since it was first introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38048/15]
View answerThe skin test which is currently used for TB has remained relatively unchanged over the years since the launch of the TB eradication programme in the 1950s. However the tuberculin used for the test is now much improved since ‘old tuberculin’ was replaced by the PPD tuberculin (Purified, Protein Derivative) which was introduced in the 1970s. Another aspect of the testing regime that has contributed to the improvements in the accuracy of the skin test is the actual performance of the test and the site of injection on the neck. With regard to the performance of the test, my Department has put in place a comprehensive quality control system aimed at ensuring that the test is performed correctly by the testing veterinarian. The introduction of the AHCS system has also facilitated more effective monitoring of the disease.
In addition, there has been a significant improvement in the on-farm facilities over the years with the result that, in general, there is now a good testing environment on most farms that allows the test to be conducted with care and this greatly enhances the accuracy of the test. The issue of the most appropriate site has been repeatedly examined and the most recent studies have confirmed previous findings i.e. that the centre of the neck is the optimal site for an accurate test.
The introduction of the Interferon-gamma blood test for use in recent years in TB infected herds to complement the TB Skin test also ensures that the maximum numbers of infected animals are removed from herds. This helps to reduce TB spread and return the herd to TB-free status as soon as possible. In several studies in TB infected herds in Ireland and Northern Ireland, this test has been shown to find positive animals that would fail to be detected on the initial skin test. These animals are at much higher likelihood of becoming a skin test reactor or a TB confirmed case at slaughter in the future than animals that remain IFN-gamma negative.
In conclusion, while the skin test has remained relatively unchanged over the years, the accuracy of the test has been enhanced by several factors such as the introduction of the new PPD tuberculin, the quality control system implemented by my Department and the improvement in on-farm facilities. Various attempts to develop more accurate tests for bovine TB (M Bovis) have been unsuccessful with the result that the skin test remains the most accurate test currently available.
457. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the licences necessary, and the regulations that must be complied with, when a person wishes to establish an animal waste disposal business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38049/15]
View answerThe collection and disposal of animal by-products is governed under EU ABP Regulations 1069/2009 and 142/11, which are given effect in Ireland by S.I. No. 187 of 2014. The Regulations set down standards relating to transport of ABP, premises used, operating procedures etc., which are designed to protect human and animal health. Operators involved in this area range from ABP hauliers, who are required to register with my Department, to Category 2 intermediate plants (knackeries) and/or ABP collection centres, which require advance approval from the Department.
Further information including conditions documents and application forms can be accessed on my Department’s website, www.agriculture.gov.ie, or by contacting the Department’s ABP Section by email at AnimalByProducts@agriculture.gov.ie or by telephone at 057 8694346.
