Written Answers Nos. 716-732
717. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the appointment of the chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22155/16]
View answerUnder the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, the chairman of the Board shall be appointed from time to time as occasion requires by the Minister after consultation with the Minister for Finance and, subject to subsection (2) of this section, he shall hold office at the pleasure of the Minister. The period of five years referred to by the Deputy is not provided for in the legislation at present.
Indecon made a number of recommendations addressing governance, management resources and risk management and I am determined that these recommendations will be fully implemented.
In this regard, I will shortly be bringing forward the heads of a Greyhound Amendment Bill to deal with issues relating to governance, regulation and enforcement. This legislation will include inter alia, defined periods for board appointments and a process of board rotation and renewal as outlined in the Indecon report.
718. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on an Irish Greyhound Board statement made on 8 July 2016 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22163/16]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
Where any breaches of welfare standards are identified under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, Bord na gCon takes stringent actions and prosecutions ensue in accordance with the Welfare of Greyhounds Act, 2011.
Details of prosecutions for non-compliance with Welfare Notices issued by the Bord na gCon are published on Bord na gCon website www.igb.ie.
719. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of current entitlements for a person (details supplied). [22164/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a Transfer of Entitlements application to transfer 5.47 entitlements by gift under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme. This was processed and full payment issued to the person named on 1 December 2014. All Single Payment Scheme entitlements expired on 31 December 2014.
As the person named did not receive a direct payment under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, he did not qualify for an automatic allocation of entitlements under the new Basic Payment Scheme. In addition, no application was received to my Department to transfer the allocation rights established under the previous owner of the herdnumber to the person named. In light of the extenuating circumstances outlined above my Department will make direct contact with the person named to facilitate this transfer and establish Basic Payment Scheme entitlements in the account of the person named.
720. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a recent Irish Greyhound Board statement regarding animal welfare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22165/16]
View answerBord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation and development of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The appointment of staff is a matter for Bord na gCon.
721. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he expects farmers to keep producing milk below the cost of production; his plans to introduce a floor milk price margin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22174/16]
View answerI am acutely conscious of the pressure farmers are under at present, and I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to exploring all of the appropriate options for providing assistance to the farm sector through current difficulties. However I have no role in the setting of prices as is the case for any Agriculture Minister in the EU.
A prolonged period of volatility in dairy markets has been in evidence in recent times. However it is important to remember that the medium term prospects for global dairy markets are good. How we mitigate the current volatility is the challenge. Volatility in dairy markets is a global problem, an EU problem and an Irish problem for which there is no single silver bullet. Fixed price and margin contracts, futures markets and access to increasingly flexible forms of credits are all part of the toolkit that will be required. In this respect we must continue to work with industry and the financial services sector at a national level to ensure resilience is built into the sector in the current period of volatility and going forward, strengthening our position within the global market.
I am anxious that we must focus on other support measures that can play a role in supporting the sector and it is vital that we continue to work closely with the Commission and all other key stakeholders in this regard. The Commission has already deployed a range of market supports including intervention and Aids to Private Storage, and provided a financial package of €500 million for liquidity assistance was agreed at the Agriculture council in September 2016. At yesterday’s Council of Agriculture Ministers, the Commission announced a further €500m support package for EU farmers. This is to be divided into two tranches, the first €150m will be reserved for an EU-wide scheme compensating farmers who reduce their milk output over certain reference periods towards the end of 2016.
For the other element of the package, €350m is set aside for Member State initiatives with fixed allocations per MS. Ireland will be allocated €11m. My firm view which I reiterated strongly at Council is that we must have maximum flexibility at MS level to use this funding as we wish and in a way which helps farmers while delivering maximum value for money. In my view we have to use this in a way which provides relief from current liquidity issues for farmers. There are considerable details yet to be worked out on both of these elements of the package and we are awaiting further details from the Commission.
722. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22178/16]
View answerThe person named has been approved under Tranche 1 of GLAS with a contract start date of 1 October 2015. GLAS applicants with a start date of 1 October 2015 are eligible for a 2015 part-year payment in respect of 2015 eligible actions, for the three month period 1 October 2015 - 31 December 2015.
The first instalment of the payment issued to the person named on the 23 December 2015. The balancing payment will issue after all required regulatory checks are fully completed.
723. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the issuing of aquaculture licences in Kilmackilloge Harbour, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22195/16]
View answer724. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress which has been made on a growth survey for Kilmackilloge Harbour, County Kerry; the terms of reference for the survey; and the company which will be carrying out same. [22198/16]
View answer763. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter regarding aquaculture licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22706/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 723, 724 and 763 together.
All aquaculture licence applications, both new and renewal, including applications for sites in Kilmackilloge Harbour, Co. Kerry are considered by my Department under the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 and applicable EU Directives.
Kilmackilloge Harbour is located within Kenmare River Special Area of Conservation (‘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/or Habitats Directives. An Appropriate Assessment has been carried out by the Marine Institute in respect of Kenmare River Special Area of Conservation. My Department has prepared an Appropriate Assessment Conclusion Statement which outlines how it is proposed to licence aquaculture in Kenmare Bay Special Area of Conservation in compliance with the Habitats Directive. This Conclusion Statement is available on my Department’s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie.
While the Appropriate Assessment is carried out on a bay-wide basis, each licence application within the bay must be assessed individually for licensing purposes. Factors considered include navigation, suitability of the place or waters, likely ecological effects, other beneficial uses (existing or potential) of the waters concerned, the effect or likely effect on the environment in the vicinity of the water of the proposed aquaculture, carrying capacity of the bay, etc.
My Department has requested Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) to carry out a ‘Carrying Capacity’ study of Kilmackilloge Harbour. BIM has expertise in this area having previously carried out a carrying capacity study in respect of Killary Harbour. A carrying capacity study essentially seeks to scientifically establish if the existing and proposed density of sites, and longlines within sites, would have a detrimental effect on the growth of mussels due to, for example, a reduction in water flow or a reduction on plankton passing to mussel lines. The results of the carrying capacity study will enable improved science-based licence decision making in Kilmackilloge Harbour.
In addition to Natura requirements, under EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directives all licence applications must undergo an Environmental Impact Screening Assessment. This requires significant input from my Department’s scientific and technical advisors. All applications, in compliance with the requirements of the applicable legislation, are advertised in order to facilitate public consultation, and submissions or observations received must be considered as part of the licence determination process.
Every effort is being made to expedite the determination of aquaculture licence applications in Kilmackilloge Harbour having regard to all the complexities involved.
725. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011 in tabular form. [22199/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table. Some of the reports outlined are mandatory in the context of EU obligations.
2011: March- December
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Costs € |
|
University College Dublin |
Evaluation of the EU School Fruit Scheme/Food Dude Programme in Ireland 2011 - Commission Regulation 288 of 2009 |
10 January 2012 |
4,500 |
|
University College Dublin |
EU School Fruit Scheme/Food Dude Programme in Ireland – A review of evaluations completed to date - Commission Regulation 288 of 2009 |
6 February 2012 |
6,388 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2010 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2010 Market Report for Ireland for the Timber Committee 2010 |
May 2011 January 2012 Sept 2011 |
12,792 |
|
Rockwell Automation |
Hazard and Operability Study |
13 December 2011 |
3,740 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
Interm Evaluation, of 2007-2013 SDP |
3 June 2011 |
39,325 |
|
Brendan Riordan, Research Economist |
The Net Contribution of the Agri-Food Sector to the Inflow of Funds into Ireland: a New Estimate |
23 July 2012 |
6,000 |
|
KPMG |
An examination of the administration of the Single Payment Scheme. |
13 October 2011 |
Work done on a pro-bono basis |
|
Michael Dowling |
Beef 2020 Activation Group: Growing the Beef Sector |
June 2011 – for input into FH 2020 Committee |
10,000 |
2012: January- December
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Costs € |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2011 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2011 Market Report for Ireland for the Timber Committee 2011) |
May 2012, 3 July 2012 Sept 2012 |
12,792 |
|
Irish Equine Centre |
Demographic study on the unwanted horse population in Ireland |
March 2012 |
10,000 |
|
Indecon |
Review of certain aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry |
20 July 2012 |
59,225 |
|
Philip Farrelly & Co. Ltd |
Food Harvest 2020 – Environmental Analysis Report |
January 2014 |
229,610 |
|
Team BDS |
Lean Review of the Meat Inspection Service |
16 December 2013 |
98,597 |
2013: January- December
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Costs € |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2012 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2012 Market Report for Ireland for the UNECE Timber Committee 2012) |
May 2013 July 2013 October 2013 |
11,400 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
Ex Ante Evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the 2014 – 2020 Rural Development Programme |
July 2015 |
48,401 |
2014: January- December
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or expected Date of Publication |
Cost |
|
Indecon |
Review of certain matters relating to Bord na gCon |
7 July 2014 |
60,885 |
|
RSM McClure Watters |
Ex Ante Evaluation, SEA and AA of Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020 |
24 June 2015 |
64,083 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2013 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2013 Market Report for Ireland for the Timber Committee 2013 |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire- completed May 2014 and submitted to the EUROSTAT/FAO Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2013- published as part of COFORD Woodflow 2013 in July 2014 UNECE report - was completed September/October 2014 for submission to the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest industry. |
11,780 |
|
RSM McClure Watters (Consulting) |
Ex Ante Evaluation Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of 2014-2020 Forestry |
Published in 2014 as part of the consultative process on the new Forestry programme |
97,508 |
|
Forest Solutions |
NPV and IRR analysis for new forestry for Fibre scheme |
Was not specifically published but formed part of the deliberative and consultative process on the new Forestry programme |
2,214 |
|
Forest Solutions |
Cost Benefit Analysis- Forest Roads Programme 2014-2020 |
Was not specifically published but formed part of the deliberative and consultative process on the new Forestry programme |
2,952 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
RDP 2014-2020 Ex Ante. Evaluation Strategic Environmental Assessment & Appropriate Assessment |
June 2014 |
48,401 |
2015: January- December
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or expected Date of Publication |
Cost € |
|
Philip Farrelly & Co |
Agri-Food Strategy 2025. Environmental Analysis Report (Provisional Title) |
December 2015 |
89,790 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
RDP 2014-2020 Ex Ante. Evaluation Strategic Environmental Assessment & Appropriate Assessment |
July 2015 |
50,130 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2014 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2014 Market Report for Ireland for the Timber Committee 2013 |
May 2015 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2014- published as part of COFORD Woodflow note. Sept/Oct 2015 |
12,398 |
|
Martin Heraghty |
Confidential Report to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Commercial Mushroom Producers (CMP) participation as a Producer Organisation in the Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisation Scheme |
21 September 2015 |
2,000 |
|
Dr. Claire Sansford, Independent Plant Health Consultant, York, UK. |
Revised assessment of the risk of spread of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus on untreated wood of ash (Fraxinus spp., particularly Fraxinus excelsior). |
4 September 2015 Published on the DAFM website in January 2016 |
18,691 |
|
McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan |
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) of Freshwater Pearl Mussel Plan for Ireland |
27 May 2016 |
54,710 |
|
ADAS UK lTD |
An Evaluation of the Green Low –Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) |
2021 |
1, 500,000 |
|
Presidion |
Aim Calf Survival Herd of Origin Deliverables Report |
Commissioned in December 2015. Completion February 2016 |
4,500 |
2016: January - To Date
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or expected Date of Publication |
Cost € |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Ex-Post Evaluation of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme |
November 2016 |
146,997 |
|
University College Dublin |
Evaluation of the Food Dude Healthy Eating Intervention in Ireland 2016 – Commission Regulation 288 of 2009. |
January 2017 |
84,235 |
|
PEFC (Ireland) Ltd (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) |
Pilot Project on Group Certification |
July 2016 |
2,500 |
|
Henry Philips |
Roundwood Production Forecast 2016-2035 Assessment of the impact of forest felling age on overall financial return to forest owners |
On web Q1 2016 Print Q3 2016 Commissioned March 2016 Completion Q4 |
12,000 46,800 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2015 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2015 Market Report for Ireland for the UNECE Timber Committee |
May 2016 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2015- published as part of COFORD Woodflow note. Expected date of publication July 2016. October 2016 |
14,071 |
726. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 610 of 5 July 2016, and the variables used to calculate such figures, the detail of the approximate additional annual increase in funding needed for the scheme in question to attain compensation set at a maximum level of €200 for the first ten animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22200/16]
View answerAn analysis of the numbers of reference cows held by scheme participants indicates that 223,942 cows out of the total of 534,064 are currently paid at the higher rate under the scheme. This is because these cows are on farms with 10 or less reference cows or are the first 10 cows on farms with more than 10 reference animals.
As these animals are currently paid at the rate equivalent to €90 per animal, it would cost an additional €25.6m per annum to bring this payment up to €200. It should be noted however that any increase in payments would also require additional scheme participants to undertake additional actions, as BDGP payments are made on a cost incurred/income foregone basis as per the rules of the EU Rural Development Programme. Any such increase would also require the approval of the EU Commission and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
727. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agricultural payments appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22231/16]
View answerThe person named submitted an application for the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes which was received in the Department on 31 March 2016. This application was not submitted within the prescribed time frame and therefore attracted a 100% late penalty.
However, the person named has forwarded an appeal against this penalty on the grounds of force majeure/exceptional circumstances. This appeal is being considered by my Department and a request for further information has recently been sent to the person named. An Official from my Department has been in contact directly with the applicant to advise him of the current status of the application.
728. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 26 April 2016, the status of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22255/16]
View answerThe person named commenced their AEOS contract on 1 September 2010. Payment has issued for the 2010-2014 scheme years.
The application of the person named was selected for an on-farm inspection which took place on 17 July 2015. During this inspection non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Tree Planting action which resulted in a penalty being incurred. The person named had planted beech trees which are not considered native trees and are not listed as trees that can be planted in the Scheme Specifications.
The person named requested a review of this decision to the Regional Inspector, who upheld the decision. The person named then appealed this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office and an oral hearing took place on the 16 June 2016. That office have advised that the decision of the Appeals Officer will issue in writing directly to the person named.
729. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 510 of 14 June 2016, the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the young farmer capital investment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22298/16]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme II Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme. A letter of approval to carry out the investment works issued to the person concerned on 13 July 2016.
730. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 8 June 2016, and his comments in respect of Ireland's commitment to United Nations sustainable development goal two, end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, and in view of the fact that red meat is the most carbon-intensive source of protein in the world, the way the Food Wise 2025 strategy is compatible with the United Nations goal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22299/16]
View answerThe United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal Number 2 “Zero Hunger” aims to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”. Food security is defined by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as: “a situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”.
At international level, Ireland’s development aid programme has a strong focus on food and nutrition, including through funding from my own Department to the UN FAO and WFP (World Food Programme). In 2015 my Department doubled its annual contribution of untied aid to the WFP to €20 million a year for each of the next three years. The WFP feeds 80 million of the most malnourished people in 80 countries and significantly contributes to the goal of zero hunger.
At national level, food security is addressed through a range of Government policies providing social protection and supports for low income, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Furthermore the Food Dudes and Food Dudes Boost programmes, managed by Bord Bia and co-funded by my Department under the EU School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme will be run in 700 national schools this year, reaching around 113,000 pupils.
Specifically in relation to the carbon efficiency of red meat, Ireland’s temperate climate and plentiful rainfall favours a grass-based system of beef and sheep production, resulting in significant carbon efficiencies:
- the maintenance of our permanent pastures which act as a carbon sink;
- a reduced dependence on imported cereals for animal feed; and
- the production of beef which is independently recognised as being both environmentally and resource efficient, and with the fifth lowest carbon footprint per unit of output in the EU.
The Food Wise strategy aims to grow the Irish agri-food sector in an economic, environmental and socially sustainable manner, building on our strengths in the production of safe, healthy and nutritious food. Ireland is already one of the EU’s most efficient producers of both milk and beef, in terms of carbon footprint per unit of output. But under Food Wise we are implementing measures to drive down the carbon intensity of our food production even further, resulting in both economic returns and environmental sustainability.
731. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of kilograms of CO2 emissions generated in the manufacture of 1 kilogram of Irish beef protein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22300/16]
View answerThe Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission has conducted an independent European-wide lifecycle analysis (LCA) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions arising from the livestock sector in Europe. The work focused on the emissions generated from livestock production and considered all upstream emissions, including those arising from the production of imported agricultural inputs such as nitrogenous fertiliser and feed, through to the farm gate.
This analysis, which was published in 2010, confirmed Irish beef production to be amongst the lowest emitters of GHG emissions per kilogram of product, with average emissions per kg of beef estimated at 18.4 kg of CO2 equivalent. Assuming an average protein content of 250g per kilogram of beef, this will equate to 73.6kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram of protein. These low emissions can be attributed to the application of grass-based production efficiencies and low ‘land-use, land-use-change’ emissions from domestic cropland expansion. In this regard, the Irish system of beef production can be described as unique in the EU.
While our LCA figures for beef are among the best, they do not tell the full story. For instance, they do not highlight the important contribution of our permanent pasture – some 90% of all Irish agricultural land – to maintaining a very significant carbon pool. This carbon pool could be released to the atmosphere if land is converted to arable and contribute further to climate change.
It should also be noted that LCA figures should not be considered as static but are used to benchmark further improvements in the efficiency of Irish beef production systems. This is one of the core objectives of the new Beef Data and Genomics Programme which aims to further improve the environmental performance of Ireland’s suckler beef herd.
In addition, current and future research outputs funded by this Department and research outputs in partnership with European and international alliances will further assist with the refinement, development and deployment of new and innovative practices that will further reduce GHGs that are associated with agricultural production.
732. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will arrange for a review of harbour charges incurred by a person (details supplied) at a marina during a period when construction works were taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22313/16]
View answerDingle Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. The harbour charges referred to relate to mooring fees for the use of the marina, and these charges have been applied correctly.
I have been informed by my Department officials that vessel owners were notified of the works referred to in a timely manner. In this particular case, Department officials have been in regular correspondence on the matter.
As with all debtors, the Department attempts to resolve agreeably any dispute regarding harbour dues. In this particular instance, I have advised my officials to continue in their efforts to come to an amicable resolution of the outstanding harbour charges.
