Written Answers Nos. 272-295
272. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the spraying course for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40211/15]
View answerThe Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive establishes a framework for European Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides by setting minimum rules to reduce the risks to human health and the environment that are associated with pesticide use. It also promotes the use of integrated pest management. The Directive is designed to further enhance the high level of protection achieved through the entire regulatory system for pesticides. Implementation of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive relies heavily on the training of the various people involved at all levels of the industry, including Professional Users i.e. any individual who applies professional use Plant Protection Products.
The need for appropriate training must be viewed in the context of protecting both human health (operators, bystanders and consumers) and the environment and, in particular, maintaining the high quality of one of our most valuable resources, our water.
Those who have completed any of the following courses (or equivalent) will meet the requirements for professional user training:
- FETAC 5N0731 – Hand Held Pesticide Application
- FETAC 5N1797 – Boom Sprayer Pesticide Application
or
- City & Guilds PA1 – Safe Use of Pesticides + PA2a – Boom Sprayer
- City & Guilds PA1 – Safe Use of Pesticides + PA6 – Hand Held Applicator
or
- Lantra Awards - Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides with Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides using Hand Held Equipment.
- Lantra Awards - Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides with Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides using Vehicle mounted Boom sprayer equipment
or
- Teagasc Pesticide Application module as included in 1-year cert or 2-year diploma courses
or
- Teagasc Pesticide Application module – stand-alone course.
An individual who has completed a Pesticide Application module equivalent to one of our recognised qualifications as part of their Certificate in Agriculture or other award is not required to undertake any further training in order to register as a Professional User.
The training status of the individual for the purpose of DAFM registration as a Professional User can be verified by submitting a query form directly to Teagasc, which is available at
http://www.teagasc.ie/training/courses/pesticide-training.asp.
Upon confirmation from Teagasc of the appropriate training, an online application can be submitted at http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/sudreg/
273. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 421 of 14 July 2015 on the modification of the Irish rural development programme to include financial instruments, which could leverage European Investment Bank finance to provide competitive loans for young farmers, using collateral other than land, for example, when he expects the modification of the programme to be submitted to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40218/15]
View answerI am considering whether to include Financial Instruments (FIs) in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme. The funding for any such FIs would have to draw on Ireland’s existing RDP allocation of European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development funding as well as National Exchequer funding. So far 7 Programmes from 5 Member States have implemented a FI for the current programme period. In order to include a FI as a measure in a RDP an Ex ante Evaluation is required by EU regulation. This evaluation can take between 3 months to a year to complete. It includes a range of steps and must assess:
1. Market analysis – need to prove that FIs are required due to investment gap. This gap must be quantified.
2. Estimation of value added of FI
3. Estimation of public and private resources to be raised
4. Reflection on lessons from other instruments
5. Development of a proposed investment strategy (i.e. choice of instrument) and description of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of financial products
6. Discussion about how results will contribute to RDP objectives
7. Revision and updating of the ex-ante assessment in the case of changing market conditions.
Once this is done, an agreement must be reached between my Department and any other potential stakeholders/financial institutions on a clear investment strategy that is developed from the gaps, if any, identified in the ex ante evaluation. Following this, a new measure description would have to be drafted and inserted into the RDP by way of an amendment. FIs can only be introduced to the RDP this way and only one amendment is allowed per year. Taking account of the timeframe needed to conduct the steps outlined, it is difficult to envisage that a FI would be implemented in time for the next amendment of Ireland’s RDP in 2016.
In the interim my Department has been exploring new and more competitive sources of funding for Irish Agriculture and will continue to do so in the context of evolving market requirements. For example, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, which includes the European Investment Bank as one of its funding partners, launched a new ‘Agriculture Investment Loans’ product earlier this year. This credit 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. The features of these products compared with those currently on the market are lower interest rates, loan amounts up to €5m and increased repayment flexibility. Of the almost €45 million in loans approved and drawn down by SMEs between March and end-June from the SBCI, a third has been accessed by the agricultural sector, including farmers.
274. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a farmer (details supplied) in County Clare will receive payment under the single payment scheme and the areas of natural constraint scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40226/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 19 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 has now been completed and the results have been finalised.
Payments due under the 2015 Basic Payment and Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 12 November 2015 and 11 November 2015 respectively.
275. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme and the single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40235/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 8 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.
276. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 101 of 8 July 2015, if he will confirm that Horse Racing Ireland took the claims of grievance seriously and that it investigated the allegations in a fair way; if it had any dialogue with the Turf Club regarding the very serious allegations made by the person concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40243/15]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The Racing Regulatory Body (Irish Turf Club) is a private body charged under the current legislation with responsibility for the integrity and the reputation of Irish racing in Ireland and Internationally. Horse Racing Ireland and the Turf Club have confirmed to my Department that they have fully examined all matters under their remit in respect of the issues raised by the person to whom the Deputy refers.
As this matter is the subject of court proceedings it wouldn’t be prudent for me to comment any further.
277. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments under the single payment scheme for 2015 will issue to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40245/15]
View answerThe person named submitted an application for the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes on 13 May 2015. Processing of the application under both schemes 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 date.
The first person named submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department. As the herd number is now held jointly by both persons named, it will be necessary to have the application submitted in joint names and signed by both persons named on the herd number. An official from my Department has been in contact with the first person named to make arrangements regarding the information required. When the correctly completed application is received by my Department it will be processed and payment will issue shortly thereafter.
The second person named has submitted applications for the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme. Processing of National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme applications is well underway which involves administrative and on farm checks and verification of land details submitted under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application. These checks are required under EU Regulations. In cases where additional information is required, my Department will correspond directly with the applicant concerned. When all checks have been completed and processing of applications has been finalised, my Department will correspond directly with each applicant to advise them of the outcome of their application. Payments to successful applicants under the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme will commence early in December 2015.
278. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why payment under the single payment scheme and the disadvantaged areas scheme have not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40278/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 6 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.
279. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of fishing vessels boarded for visual inspection in each of the past three year, by size of vessel. [40318/15]
View answerControl of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone is a matter for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I have asked the SFPA to respond directly to the deputy with the data requested.
281. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application for a single payment by a person (details supplied) will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40391/15]
View answerMy Department received 2015 Transfer of Entitlement Allocation Right and Reference Value applications from the person named. The applications have been fully processed and payment will issue in the coming days.
282. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments under the single payment scheme and the disadvantaged areas scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40418/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 6 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 has now been completed and the results have been finalised. Payments due will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.
283. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a mandatory programme of electronic identification of bovine animals which leads to paperless traceability in the entire food chain, and easier handling of all livestock. [40426/15]
View answerEU Regulation No 653/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on 15 May 2014 amending Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 as regards electronic identification of bovine animals and labelling of beef provides for the introduction of electronic bovine identification on a voluntary basis. Under this legislation, Member States are obliged to have facilities in place to provide for the use of electronic identifiers (electronic tags or electronic bolus) as an official means of identification with effect from 18 July 2019. My Department will facilitate the introduction of electronic identification (EID) of bovines in accordance with the requirements of the aforementioned EU Regulation. There are no provisions in the Regulation in relation to the mandatory introduction of electronic identification of bovines in advance of 18 July 2019. Nevertheless, my Department already provides for the use of EID tags in the current contract for the supply of bovine tags on a voluntary basis. There is very low demand (approximately 1% of herd keepers) for cattle EID tags at present which cost an additional €1 per animal. The cost of an EID reader is also significant.
I have no plans to introduce mandatory EID for bovine animals having regard to the additional costs to herd keepers. However my Department will keep the position under review in the context of consultation with all the stakeholders and developments at EU level.
284. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 7 March 2012, the status of the issuing of a licence for mussel farming (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40450/15]
View answerThe application referred to by the Deputy is taken to be that of Sneem Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Ltd (which includes the individual identified by the Deputy). The relevant sites are located within Kenmare Bay which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000 site).
All applications in ‘Natura’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. An Appropriate Assessment has been completed in respect of Kenmare Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC). While the Appropriate Assessment is carried out on a bay-wide basis, each licence application within the bay must be assessed individually. Factors to be considered include location within the bay, species, scale and intensity of production, potential visual impact, etc.
In addition to Natura requirements, under EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directives all licence applications must undergo Environmental Impact Screening Assessment. This requires significant input from the Department’s scientific and technical advisors. All applications, in compliance with the requirements of the Aarhus Convention, are advertised in order to facilitate public consultation, and submissions or observations received must be considered as part of the licence determination process.
My Department is currently examining the general licensing issues that arise for consideration as a result of the Appropriate Assessment. This process is ongoing and there has been recent contact between the applicant and my officials regarding specific issues arising in respect of this application.
Every effort is being made to expedite the determination of this aquaculture licence application having regard to all the complexities involved.
285. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme by persons (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40452/15]
View answerThe persons named selected the Farmland Habitat action on LPIS parcel H20802018 in their tranche 1 GLAS application submitted on 19 May 2015 and have been approved into the scheme with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015.
At the time the application was prepared and submitted the available land details were based on the 2014 Single Payment Scheme records but the area for payment will be established based on a full assessment of 2015 Basic Payment Scheme land details. This assessment will establish the maximum area for payment under the GLAS contract.
I can confirm that, based on the assessment of the 2015 BPS application in this case, the farmland habitat area is 69.9 hectares and this area will be used in calculating payment allowing the persons named to achieve the maximum payment.
287. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a farm payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will expedite the matter. [40468/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Schemes was received from the person named on 14 May, 2015. Processing of the ANC application was recently finalised and payment has issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named. The person named also submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department. This application also involves a transfer of entitlements allocation right and reference value under inheritance. Processing is at an advanced stage and payment in respect of the entitlements that are the subject of this application under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue as soon as possible.
289. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will arrange for a visual inspection of the land concerned in advance of an oral hearing under the agri-environment options scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal on 26 November 2015, in order to assess the current condition of the species rich grassland area; if the species rich grassland land parcel concerned will be eligible for payments in the remaining years of this scheme if the appeal in question is unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40507/15]
View answerThe AEOS 2 contract commenced on 1 September 2011, and payment issued for the 2011, 2012, 2013 scheme years. Following an inspection on 20 November 2014 issues arose in relation to the Species Rich Grassland and Planting New Hedgerow options. The person named was informed by letter dated 19 January 2015 of these issues and of the subsequent reduction in payment and penalties. Payment for the 2014 scheme year, minus penalties incurred, issued in two parts on 15 May 2015 and 25 May 2015. An appeal in relation to the Species Rich Grassland option was made to the Regional Inspector, who reviewed the file, upheld the original decision and gave a right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office. The person named has availed of this right and the appeal is listed for oral hearing on 26 November 2015.
The Agriculture Appeals Office is an independent office established to provide an appeals service to farmers who are unhappy with decisions of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding their entitlements under certain schemes.
The land in question was subject to a site visit during the course of the inspection by the Department before the final decision was made by the Department. The outcome of the appeal is now awaited.
290. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in relation to the native woodland scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40520/15]
View answerGiven the circumstances of this particular case, I can confirm that payments under the Native Woodland Scheme will be paid to the applicant for 20 years. A letter of confirmation will issue to the applicant, along with the appropriate premium claim form in the week beginning 16 November 2015.
291. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had discussions with the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society in relation to visually displaying the ratings of the stock for sale in line with the beef genomics scheme data at its marts, which would be very helpful for all of the stakeholders concerned; if he will provide the appropriate financial assistance for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40543/15]
View answerMy Department has engaged in preliminary discussions with the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society in relation to the updating of mart display boards. I am scheduled to meet with ICOS representatives this week and will be discussing this item as part of our agenda.
292. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the basic payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the cause of the delay to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40544/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department. This application has been fully processed and advance payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue shortly.
293. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the areas of natural constraint and basic payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the cause of the delay to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40545/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 28 May 2015. Processing of the application under both schemes has recently been finalised and payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
294. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received payment under the areas of natural constraint scheme, the basic payment scheme and the forestry premia scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40546/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment (BPS)/Area of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 15 May 2015. Two of the parcels declared as forestry on this application do not meet the eligibility criteria under the BPS as the person named is not currently in receipt of afforestation premium for them. The situation in relation to the required afforestation premium is that the person named currently has two active applications under the afforestation scheme. In the case of CN69743, the application is currently with the District Forestry Inspector for review of remedial works completed and a soil report that has been provided. As soon as this review is completed the applicants claim for payment will be further examined. In the case of the second application, CN71987, the Department, as part of the process for assessing the application for consent to plant, has requested the applicant to provide an independent archaeological assessment of the proposed site. This assessment is awaited and no decision can be made until it has been received. Upon completion of these afforestation applications, the application under the BPS and ANC scheme will be further processed.
295. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his Department's response regarding compensation for the landowners in Lisnatullagh, County Leitrim, whose lands are affected by the ash dieback disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40550/15]
View answerRegarding the payment for the ash wood which was felled as part of a sanitation action plan specific to the area in question, my Department issued letters to each of the landowners affected on 5 November 2015 and supplied them with the forms which they need to complete and return in order to progress the payment offered. As soon as the requisite paperwork is received and the necessary checks completed my Department will be in a position to finalise the payments referred to and to restore the lands in the way agreed. It is anticipated the payments will issue early in December 2015.
