Written Answers Nos 60-68
60. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he has taken to address the concerns of the agrifood sector arising from the decision of the UK-EU referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21326/16]
View answerThe decision of the UK to leave the EU is one that creates considerable challenges for the agrifood sector. The UK is by far our largest trading partner. Last year we exported almost €5.1 billion worth of agricultural products. This included more than €1.1 billion in beef products and almost €970 million in dairy products. Ireland is also the UK’s largest destination for its food exports - worth €3.8 billion last year.
This bilateral trade takes place on the basis of harmonised EU rules on animal and public health and labelling, without complex certification, quota limits or customs duties and tariffs. And it is underpinned by the vital support of the CAP budget, to which the UK is a significant net contributor.
Given these linkages, and as the UK is a net food importer, both countries have a strong interest in maintaining a close agrifood trading relationship. In addition, the resilience of the Irish agrifood sector is well recognised, and this, together with the strong commercial relationships built up over years of trading, will help us to negotiate our way though the challenges ahead.
It is important also to bear in mind that the precise implications of the referendum outcome will depend on the trade and other arrangements ultimately negotiated between the EU and the UK. These negotiations may take up to two years, and perhaps longer, and over that period existing arrangements will continue to apply.
Nevertheless, my Department has engaged in detailed contingency planning for the possibility of this result, and has published a summary of the key actions we are taking to address the contingencies arising from the UK’s decision.
The most immediate concerns for exporters centre on Euro-Sterling exchange rates. It should be noted that the fall in the value of Sterling against the Euro, while significant, is not unprecedented. Nevertheless, a sustained period of currency volatility could be of concern. In that regard, the Central Bank of Ireland has pre-established contingency plans to deal with market volatility surrounding the referendum result. The Bank will engage with the Department of Finance and individual financial institutions regarding potential risks. Actions by ECB and other global actors will be monitored closely.
I have also asked the relevant agencies, including Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland, to provide practical guidance to SMEs. Last week Bord Bia announced a number of measures to support food and drink businesses. These measures cover areas such as managing volatility impacts, providing consumer and market insight, deepening customer engagement and extending market reach, with the aim of helping companies maintain their competitiveness. Similar support is also being provided by Enterprise Ireland.
Aside from currency fluctuations, the main areas in which potential impacts are foreseen are in relation to tariffs and trade, the EU budget, regulations and standards, and customs controls and certification, while complex issues also arise for the fisheries sector.
However, we must remember that our trading relationship with the UK is not altered in any way until the negotiation process that will dictate the terms and conditions of the UK’s departure is completed.
In the meantime, and as part of our overall contingency planning, I have taken a number of measures to ensure a sensible, coherent approach is adopted, namely:
- I have established a dedicated unit in my Department to work on all of the issues that I have mentioned;
- I have convened a Consultative Committee of stakeholders, which met for the first time last week, to ensure a full exchange of information as the negotiations proceed;
- I am also ensuring that the response of the relevant agencies is fully coordinated through a contact group established under the Food Wise 2025 High Level Implementation Committee, and
- The Department will continue to feed into the central Contingency Framework being co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach.
61. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contingency plans that have been put in place to protect the Irish fishing sector in view of the UK decision to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21011/16]
View answerNegotiations on the future relationship between the EU and the UK may not commence for some time yet, and will take a considerable amount of time to complete - at least 2 years, and maybe longer. Within my Department, I have ensured that my officials have been examining all potential implications across a range of very complex issues in fisheries. Unlike other sectors, when it comes to fish stocks, we share and exploit many of the same resources as the UK and must manage those resources within a coastal states framework - whatever the formal relationship. In addition, there are reciprocal access rights for Irish and Northern Irish vessels in each others inshore waters that benefit both.
Since 1983, the fish stocks in the waters around both Ireland and the UK have been managed within the EU under the Common Fisheries Policy. That policy is a complicated construction and none of its interlinked elements can be considered separately, as different agreements have been made over many years of developing the policy.
These and all of the other issues in fisheries are being carefully examined by my Department in the context of the contingency planning that has already taken place and will continue over the coming period in respect of the entire agrifood sector. Specifically on fisheries, my Department has already held an information seminar with industry and other stakeholders. In addition, last week I convened a meeting of key sectorial representatives across all agrifood sectors, including fisheries. The purpose of this Consultative Committee will be to provide a consultative forum on issues arising from Brexit - many of which will be common to all sectors - as negotiations begin and develop.
From an Irish perspective, I will be doing my utmost to ensure that any settlement does not come at a cost to Ireland's’ fishing communities and that our interests are fully protected within the EU. I hope that the EU and the UK act in concert as good neighbours to continue to protect the long-term sustainability of our stocks, our fishing industries and the coastal communities dependant on them.
62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the consequences for Ireland's fishing industry and those who depend on it in view of the British exit from the EU. [21263/16]
View answerIn my response in relation to contingency planning, I mentioned that the negotiations on the future relationship between the EU and the UK may not commence for some time yet, and are also likely to take a long time to complete. This in turn affects the question of what the likely consequences will be for the Irish fishing sector and for the Common Fisheries Policy. I think it is simply too early to be clear as to what might or might not change, and what the implications for Ireland may be. The UK has not yet initiated the formal withdrawal process and may not do so for some time. In consequence, it is very unclear what changes the UK may seek to negotiate in the realm of fisheries.
In the meantime, it is important that we are as prepared as we can be for all eventualities. I mentioned earlier that my officials have been examining all potential implications across a range of very complex issues in fisheries. Unlike other sectors, when it comes to fish stocks, we share and exploit many of the same resources as the UK and must manage those resources within a coastal states framework - whatever the formal relationship. In addition, there are reciprocal access rights for Irish and Northern Irish vessels in each others inshore waters that benefit both.
Since 1983, the fish stocks in the waters around both Ireland and the UK have been managed within the EU under the Common Fisheries Policy. That policy is a complicated construction and none of its interlinked elements can be considered separately, as different agreements have been made over many years of developing the policy.
These and all of the other issues in fisheries are being carefully examined by my Department in the context of the contingency planning that has already taken place and will continue over the coming period in respect of the entire agrifood sector. Specifically on fisheries, my Department has already held an information seminar with industry and other stakeholders. In addition, last week I convened a meeting of key sectorial representatives across all agrifood sectors, including fisheries. The purpose of this Consultative Committee will be to provide a consultative forum on issues arising from Brexit - many of which will be common to all sectors - as negotiations begin and develop.
From an Irish perspective, I would simply repeat that I will be doing my utmost to ensure that any settlement does not come at a cost to Ireland’s fishing communities and that our interests are fully protected within the EU. I hope that the EU and the UK act in concert as good neighbours to continue to protect the long-term sustainability of our stocks, our fishing industries and the coastal communities dependant on them.
63. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support a national ban on the use of wild animals in circuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21319/16]
View answerThe conditions under which circus animals are kept and managed come under the scope of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 which contains rules relating to the welfare of all animals. Officials from my Department have met with representatives from circus groups and with animal welfare organisations and with colleagues in the Wildlife Service (NPWS) – the latter body on account of its role in the implementation of the licensing and inspection of zoos regulations and being the CITES Management Authority of Ireland.
My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders in order to ensure compliance with animal health and welfare of all animals. Section 25 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 which provides for the adoption of codes of practice is being kept under review in the context of use of animals in circuses. However, information to hand indicates that there are in fact very few wild animals currently in Irish circuses and I have no plans at this time to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
64. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide a sheep payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21262/16]
View answerThe sheep sector generally makes an important contribution to the agrifood economy generating an output value of €320 million and exporting in excess of €230 million in 2015. Furthermore the sector also makes a vital contribution to the economy supporting 34,000 farm families directly in addition to providing several thousand jobs indirectly in rural areas also.
The new programme for Government commits to the introduction of a scheme for sheep farmers under the Rural Development Programme with a budget of €25 million to be provided in Budget 2017. The inclusion of this provision in the programme for Government reflects a commitment by the Government to ensuring the continued viability of the sheep sector in Ireland.
My Department has engaged in extensive consultation with farm organisations and met two weeks ago with officials of the European Commission to discuss the proposed new scheme in the context of the specific requirements of the Rural Development Programme.
In light of these consultations and discussions my officials are currently working on the details of the scheme with a view to making a formal submission to the European Commission shortly. The Scheme itself is being developed in the context of Article 33 of the Rural Development Regulation which provides for animal welfare measures and as such all actions or undertakings will have to show a clear connection to improving animal welfare conditions for those flocks within the scheme.
It is clear that any such scheme must meet certain specific criteria laid down by the Rural Development Regulation and the options available to my Department in the context of the design of the scheme must reflect that. This scheme will have to meet the requirements of the Rural Development Regulations in terms of only compensating farmers for any actions undertaken on the basis of costs incurred or income foregone.
Furthermore, in any scheme where farmers must undertake actions, those actions must go beyond the normal standards of husbandry practice before they can be considered as an eligible cost incurred by a farmer and must demonstrate a clear benefit to animal welfare. Actions within those schemes must be verifiable and controllable.
I intend to ensure that the scheme will be made available to as many sheep farmers as possible and that it will provide for participation by both hill and lowland flock owners.
65. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects tillage farmers will be eligible to apply under the TAMS grant scheme. [21317/16]
View answerLast year a suite of six new measures were announced under TAMS II. These measures were launched under the new Rural Development Programme 20142020 and are co-funded under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Under the scheme support is provided for the following measures:
- Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme
- Dairy Equipment Scheme
- Organic Capital Investment Scheme
- Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme
- Low Emission Slurry Spreading
- Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme
Formal approval from the EU Commission to an amendment to the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 to provide for the inclusion of a Tillage Scheme under the suite of measures provided under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme was received on 23 June 2016 and the Scheme will be opened for applications later this year.
66. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he is considering to ensure fair inspections for farmers following a recent court ruling regarding Common Agricultural Policy payment inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21290/16]
View answerIn the context of delivering the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development measures, my Department is required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms. These inspections address a range of issues in relation to land eligibility, scheme specific eligibility and other EU regulatory requirements. The basis for these inspections is governed by EU legislation and there are certain minimum numbers and types of inspections that must take place annually.
These inspections are a necessary requirement in order to draw down approximately €1.5 billion of EU funds annually and to avoid EU disallowances.
The legal case to which the Deputy refers has not yet reached its conclusion, and as the matter progresses I will be obtaining legal advice as appropriate on the wide range of complex legal issues involved. Accordingly, any issues arising as a result of the legal case can only be addressed following the completion of this legal process.
67. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being put in place to support farmers who have had livestock stolen, particularly, in counties Cavan and Monaghan in view of the fact in some instances the farmers have endured multiple thefts of livestock; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21007/16]
View answerThe theft of livestock is primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána and any incident involving the theft of livestock should be reported to the Garda Síochána in the first instance. Officers of my Department assist with investigations when requested to do so by the Garda. There is also close liaison with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland aimed at addressing the issue of stolen livestock. In this regard, a cross border liaison Group comprising my Department’s Investigation Division, Garda and the PSNI liaise and investigate the theft of livestock on an all Ireland basis.
Stolen cattle cannot be traded legally in the State as all bovines must bear official ear tags, be properly registered and be located on my Department’s Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) database in the herd of the individual moving or selling the bovine. When cattle are reported as stolen to my Department, they are marked on the AIM database as being stolen on foot of a Garda report. If these animals are presented anywhere in the State for sale, slaughter or export they are checked against the database and will be rejected at these outlets and an investigation initiated.
68. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if will he amend the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, application criteria for hill farmers who own their own parcel of land due to the fact under the current measures for accessing GLAS these farmers are prohibited because the land is owned and it is not eligible for any other schemes. [21286/16]
View answerGLAS is an agri-environment measure under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014–2020 approved by the European Commission and aims to deliver overarching benefits in terms of the rural environment and address European Union issues of climate change mitigation, water quality and the preservation of habitats and species. GLAS is a voluntary scheme under which farmers are compensated for the income foregone. The scheme is designed to specifically target environmental priorities.
Access to the scheme is therefore by means of three Tiers, which allows the most pressing environmental priorities to be addressed in order of importance, but also provides for a broad approach to delivering environmental benefits across all farming systems. My Department has generated a profile of each farm in the country identifying the environmental attributes at farm level.
This structure of the scheme is designed to ensure the targeted and prioritised delivery of environmental benefits drawing from the extensive preparatory analysis underlying the RDP.
There is an internal hierarchy within GLAS of ‘Assets over Actions’. For example, in the case of Tier 1, expenditure will be targeted at the Priority Environmental Assets (PEAs) first before accepting intake from farmers adopting the Priority Environmental Actions.
The overall target for GLAS is to attract 50,000 farmers into the scheme. I am pleased to confirm that some 38,000 farmers have been approved into the first two Tranches of GLAS, 26,500 in GLAS 1 and 11,500 in GLAS 2, while ensuring adequate provisions are available for Tranche 3 of the scheme.
The criteria for selection will be applied to all applications across all farming systems and it is not my intention to seek an amendment of the RDP to prioritise farmers with privately owned hills where no priority environmental asset has been identified.
