Written Answers Nos. 94-99
94. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single payment scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40804/15]
View answerMy Department received a 2015 Private Contract Clause application from the person named. This application has been fully processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue in the coming days.
95. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will receive a single payment scheme payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40832/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 13 May 2015. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground 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.
96. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when persons (details supplied) in County Wexford will receive a single payment scheme payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40833/15]
View answerProcessing of the above application under the Basic Payment Scheme has recently been finalised and payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the persons named.
97. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on introducing a ban on the importation of bees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40841/15]
View answerThe value of honey bees as pollinators far exceeds their value as honey producers. In 2008 the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government estimated the value of pollinators (including honey bees) for Irish food crops was worth at least €53m. This does not include the value of pollinators in terms of non-food crops and maintaining bio-diversity in the wild. The value of honey produced in Ireland in 2014 was estimated at slightly over €3m.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has not conducted a study to assess the possible impact of a significant bee disease outbreak, however I fully recognise that a disease outbreak, and especially an exotic disease outbreak, could have a significant negative impact on the Irish bee population.
My Department recognises the importance of maintaining and further developing a healthy honey bee population. With this in mind, the signing into law of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 repealed the out-dated 1908 Bee Pest Prevention Act. American Foulbrood and the Small Hive Beetle are both notifiable diseases under the Notification and Control of Animal Diseases Regulations 2014 (SI No 110 of 2014). While American Foulbrood has existed in Ireland for many years the Small Hive Beetle has never been found in Ireland. In response to the 2014 outbreak of Small Hive Beetle in Italy my Department established a sentinel apiary programme earlier this year. This programme was established with the support of the Federation of Irish Beekeeping Associations and the Native Irish Honey Bee Society. Volunteer beekeepers in areas which are considered to represent greatest risk for the introduction of pests such as the Small Hive Beetle, as well as other beekeepers are participating in this programme. Over 20 beekeepers providing a representative geographical spread across the country are involved. A similar programme has also been rolled out across Northern Ireland. The sentinel apiary programme is designed with the objective of providing early notification in the event that any exotic pest or disease affecting honey bees arrives in Ireland. My Department co-ordinates the programme and has provided the equipment and guidelines to the beekeepers and also provides the diagnostic service to implement the programme.
In addition, a bee diagnostic service is operated from the Teagasc laboratories at Teagasc, Oakpark in Carlow. Analysis of approximately 300 samples submitted by beekeepers each year is carried out and my Department is informed where a case of a notifiable disease is detected. Officials in my Department follow up where appropriate.
The option of national action to limit or ban imports of bees must respect the primacy of EU Regulations. The EU has strict bee health certification requirements which apply to the international trade in bees. In accordance with Article 3 of Council Directive 92/65/EEC European Union Member States must not prohibit or restrict for health reasons the international movement of bees once all requirements set down in EU legislation have been met. Direct imports of bees into Ireland from outside the EU are not permitted although imports from other EU Member States which fulfil the EU’s bee health certification requirements are permitted.
98. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a basic payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40863/15]
View answerMy Department received a 2015 Private Contract Clause application from the person named. This application has been processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue shortly.
99. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 404 of 14 July 2015 for an update on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40864/15]
View answerThe BVD Implementation Group has concluded that early removal of PI animals is essential for the success of the industry led Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme. In view of this, earlier this year, my Department wrote to farmers who had retained PI animals stating that it was expected that some movement controls aimed at protecting the vast majority of clear herds would be introduced in the course of 2015. In June 2015, officials from my Department commenced issuing Restriction Notices to farmers who were retaining PI animals born before 2015. Having regard to the importance placed by the BVD Implementation Group on the early removal of PI animals, it was decided that the movement controls should be as restrictive as possible. In the near future, restriction notices will be issued to herdowners that are retaining PI animals born in 2015.
I would like to emphasise that officials from the regional veterinary office of my Department have been in contact with the herdowner concerned by telephone several times and have also visited him with a view to resolving the issue.
