Written Answers Nos. 644-655
644. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the protocols being put in place to combat the recent cases of bird flu here; if his Department's officials have identified the source; if his attention has been drawn to any threats to other counties such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4240/17]
View answerThe H5N8 strain of avian influenza has been responsible for over 500 of outbreaks of disease in poultry and in excess of 430 mortality events in wild birds in Europe since the end of October 2016. It is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza which means that it causes severe disease and often death in infected birds. Its spread can be attributed to the movement of wild migratory birds and since December 2016 there have been 5 confirmed cases of H5N8 in wild birds in Ireland. It is now likely to be well established in the wild bird population throughout the country.
On the 23/12/16 this Department announced regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requiring flock keepers to confine all poultry and captive birds in their possession or under their control in a secure building to which wild birds, or other animals do not have access, and to apply specific bio-security measures. This is the first time such action has been taken by this Department. The requirement to keep birds confined was extended on the 23/01/17 and it will remain in place until further notice but will kept under review.
Bird gatherings (shows, exhibitions and races) are permitted under general licence, subject to prior notification and certain bio security conditions.
This Department emphasises the requirement to confine poultry and other birds, and to apply strict bio-security measures to prevent the introduction of avian influenza. Poultry flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office. A range of biosecurity information and advice for people owning different species (ducks, geese, turkeys) and backyard flocks is provided on the Department’s website. Key biosecurity advice has also been published in the national press.
Other measures e.g. a bans on hunting, release of game bird or pigeon racing have been considered and have been ruled out at this time. The Department continues to monitor the rapidly evolving situation and will adjust its measures if necessary.
The Department continues to review all aspects of its contingency arrangements in light of any emerging veterinary or scientific information and introduces such measures as are considered appropriate. Lessons learned by colleagues in other EU Member States are regularly taken into account in our plans.
645. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his Department's negotiations in view of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4274/17]
View answerFormal negotiations in relation to the UK's departure from the EU will not commence until after the UK has made its notification in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. Ireland's negotiating position will be coordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach.
From an agri-food perspective, and given the importance of the UK market for the sector, our demand will be for continued free access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures, and to keep the UK market viable for Irish producers by minimising the risk from UK trade agreements with third countries.
In fisheries, we want to maintain current access to fishing grounds in the UK zone in the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and north of Donegal and protect Ireland’s quota share for joint fish stocks.
In the meantime, I and my Department continue to progress our analysis of the likely implications of Brexit, and to further our engagement with stakeholders, UK and Northern Ireland counterparts, Member State colleagues and European institutions. Among the steps taken to date and currently ongoing are:
- a dedicated Brexit unit has been established to co-ordinate all activities;
- a Brexit Response Committee comprised of all relevant Department divisions is now active;
- A Stakeholder Consultative Committee has been established;
- Brexit has been added as a standing item to the agenda of the Food Wise 2025 High Level Implementation Committee,
- Close consultation with Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Enterprise Ireland is ongoing - significant additional resources were allocated to Bord Bia and BIM in Budget 2017 in order to provide Brexit-related supports to affected companies;
- Other Budget 2017 supports for the sector included a new €150 million low-cost loan scheme, agri-taxation measures, and increased funding under the Rural Development Programme and Seafood Development Programme;
- The Department is feeding into the overall Government response being co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach;
- I hosted an All Island Civic Dialogue on 15 December, to which interested stakeholders from both sides of the border were invited. It focused on dairy, cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. Two further events are planned for 1 February (Fisheries) and 8 February (other agri-food sectors);
- My Department is engaging closely with their NI counterparts through the NSMC and bilateral meetings, including on specific areas of co-operation;
- Political engagement with NI and UK counterparts has also increased, including through my own recent meetings with NI Minister Michelle McIlveen and UK SoS Andrea Leadsom (most recently in Berlin on 22 January 2017).
- At EU level, I am in regular contact with counterparts on the margins of AgriFish Council meetings, and arrangements are currently being made for formal bilateral meetings with key Member States;
- I have also spoken regularly to Commissioner Hogan (most recently on 26 January 2017), and officials have taken part in meetings with the Commission and the Barnier Task Force.
- On the market front, I have met with the CEOs of major UK retailers and I have provided an additional €1.6m for Bord Bia in 2016 and €2m in 2017 to assist it in its efforts to promote Irish food. My Department is also active on third country markets with a view to developing new business opportunities for Irish food companies. In that context I will be leading a trade mission to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates at the end of this month.
All of the Department’s ongoing activities will continue to be informed by the need to secure the best possible outcome for the Irish agri-food sector. And of course, Ireland will be part of the EU 27 team, and looks forward to working with our fellow Member States in delivering the best possible result for Ireland and for the EU.
646. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animal welfare organisations to receive funding; the county in which they were based; the amount each received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4277/17]
View answerIn December 2016 I provided ex-gratia funding amounting to €2,460,500 to 137 animal welfare organisations involved in delivering animal welfare services throughout the country. The list of recipients is available on my Departments website at:http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/animalwelfare/fundingtoanimalwelfareorganisations/.
647. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan who have applied under GLAS 3; the number of applications that have been deemed ineligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4279/17]
View answerAlmost 14,000 GLAS 3 applications received on the GLAS online system, in advance of the scheme closing 15 December 2016 are currently being assessed in line with the requirements set out in the scheme Terms and Conditions. The number of applications received for Cavan is 569 and for Monaghan is 372.
My Department is currently processing these applications with a view to issuing approvals to the applicants concerned. Until this process is completed it is not possible to say the number of eligible or ineligible applications.
648. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding supports in place at present for sheep farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4280/17]
View answerThere are a range of existing supports available to sheep farmers under the BPS, GLAS, TAMS, Knowledge Transfer and ANC schemes. Added to this is the new Sheep Welfare scheme under the Programme for Government in which there was a commitment to the introduction of a scheme for sheep farmers under the Rural Development Programme with a budget of some €25 million in 2017. This Sheep Welfare Scheme was launched successfully by my Department last December and officials from my Department held a series of strongly attended public meetings on the scheme in the last number of weeks. I am glad to report that applications are being received by my Department in high numbers on a daily basis.
The scheme provides support of €10 per ewe to farmers for undertaking actions which make positive contributions to flock welfare. In designing the scheme, I was conscious that the varying challenges faced by sheep farmers in lowland and hill areas would need to be taken into account and I believe we have successfully struck this balance. The end product is a reflection of the extensive consultations which were carried out by my Department with a range of stakeholders, particularly farm organisations, in 2016, in addition to intensive discussions with the European Commission.
The scheme represents a clear acknowledgement of the contribution the sheepmeat sector makes to the Irish Agri-Food sector, which in 2016 saw an increase in exports of sheepmeat of 3% in volume and 4% in value terms to €240 million supporting some 35,000 farm families directly, as well as providing several thousand jobs indirectly in rural areas. This scheme in addition to the others outlined above will make a vital contribution to ensuring the continuing viability and sustainability of the sheep sector in Ireland.
649. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding supports in place at present for pig farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4281/17]
View answerThe pig sector remains a valuable and integral part of the Irish agricultural economy, accounting for 8% of Gross Agricultural Output and supporting approximately 7,000 jobs in the rural economy.
My Department announced the opening of the new Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme under TAMS II in late 2015. A total of €395m has been made available for TAMS II schemes over the course of the Rural Development Programme period, with some €17m earmarked for the pig and poultry sector. The new scheme is being co-funded by the European Union.
The areas of investment available include: medicine dispenser units, water meters, solar panels, heat recovery units/heat pumps, energy efficient boilers, feed system upgrades (for medication reduction and energy efficiency), energy efficient upgrade for farrowing house, weaner housing, fattener housing.
The scheme is open to all farmers who meet the eligibility criteria, offering a standard rate of 40% on investment up to a ceiling of €80,000. This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to the growth potential of this important sector and to the modernisation of farming in Ireland.
There is also additional funding under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme. This Scheme is jointly funded by the European Union and the national exchequer. Grant aid will be paid on approved, completed and eligible expenditure and shall be paid at the rate of 60% up to the applicable maximum investment ceiling of €80,000 per holding.
In recognition of the importance of the Pig Sector to the economy, in May 2015 my Department set up a group representing all stakeholders (producers, processors, specialist pig vets, Teagasc and DAFM) in the pig sector with an independent chairperson, Dr. Sean Brady, to examine issues in the sector informed by extensive consultations with additional experts. This is one of the recommendations under the Food Wise Strategy.
The group consulted widely and met with or received contributions from a wide range of bodies. Their report was finalised in early 2016 with 65 recommendations identified and was presented to the Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee in January 2016.
It was crucial to the development of the Irish pigmeat sector that an appropriate forum was established to ensure follow-up on these actions. Against that background the Department recommended the appointment of an Implementation Group and proposed the re-convening of the stakeholder group chaired by Dr. Sean Brady.
The Implementation group held their inaugural meeting in November 2016. The group will meet as often as is practicable for the relevant stakeholders to implement the actions and the Chairman will report to the HLIC annually.
The sector is also supported by Bord Bia’s pigmeat promotions. Their current campaign will be aired for the last time in March, before it is replaced with a new pork and bacon campaign due to be rolled out in May, with additional advertising planned for September and October.
In terms of trade development and market access for the pigmeat sector, my Department continues to make these a priority. Opening markets is of the greatest importance, particularly in the context of Brexit, to further increase the market opportunity for Irish food and drink internationally. It is for this reason that we have undertaken major trade missions to Asia and Africa in recent times.
Irish pigmeat exports in 2016 increased by 2% in volume while average pig prices were almost 2% higher. This left the value of Irish pigmeat exports up by 4% in 2016 at an estimated €615 million. Net production also increased last year, helped by a significant demand for exports, particularly in China, with volumes up an estimated 44% at 65,000 tonnes reflecting strengthening demand for product in this market. China is the second largest market for Irish pigmeat exports after the UK, accounting for almost 30% of total exports. Increased volumes to International markets, particularly Asia, offset lower shipments to the UK. Market access for pigmeat in the Philippines and Vietnam has also provided new market opportunities for Irish companies. These markets have significant potential due to rising per capita wealth and urbanisation.
650. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers by county in receipt of the ANC payment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4285/17]
View answerPayment under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints commenced on schedule on 21 September 2016. To date payments worth in excess of €198.772m have issued to some 92,579 beneficiaries. The county breakdown of these payments is outlined in the table:
|
County |
Number Paid |
Amount Paid |
|
Carlow |
677 |
1,439,342.95 |
|
Cavan |
4,507 |
9,264,771.80 |
|
Clare |
5,627 |
12,737,233.04 |
|
Cork |
6,479 |
15,059,664.97 |
|
Donegal |
7,608 |
17,579,871.72 |
|
Dublin |
130 |
276,135.53 |
|
Galway |
10,926 |
23,377,655.61 |
|
Kerry |
7,020 |
16,766,343.81 |
|
Kildare |
475 |
895,791.65 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,607 |
3,398,045.66 |
|
Laois |
1,571 |
3,130,577.29 |
|
Leitrim |
3,161 |
6,952,100.67 |
|
Limerick |
2,693 |
5,248,058.90 |
|
Longford |
2,192 |
4,533,309.06 |
|
Louth |
689 |
1,193,760.41 |
|
Mayo |
10,368 |
22,124,545.68 |
|
Meath |
1,230 |
2,204,264.03 |
|
Monaghan |
3,768 |
7,138,916.28 |
|
Offaly |
2,194 |
4,250,970.58 |
|
Roscommon |
5,250 |
11,009,434.74 |
|
Sligo |
3,630 |
7,638,983.34 |
|
Tipperary |
4,120 |
8,678,358.85 |
|
Waterford |
1,292 |
2,804,088.78 |
|
Westmeath |
2,455 |
4,725,007.05 |
|
Wexford |
1,297 |
2,419,206.90 |
|
Wicklow |
1,613 |
3,876,146.11 |
|
Total |
92,579 |
198,722,585.41 |
651. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current criteria for the ANC payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4288/17]
View answerTo be eligible for payment under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, an applicant in his/her own right must, in the first instance, comply with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, including the requirements to:
- Hold a valid Herd Number issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
- Occupy and farm in his/her own right and at his/her own risk a minimum of 3 hectares of forage land, situated in an area within the State designated as disadvantaged by the Minister and classified as Less Severely Handicapped Lowland or as a Coastal Area with Specific Handicaps or as More Severely Handicapped Lowland or as Mountain Type Grazing.
- Submit a valid 2016 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and other area based application form.
- Apply for the ANC scheme by ticking the appropriate box on the BPS application form
- Undertake to farm and manage the land applied on in 2016, for the full calendar year.
- Comply with Cross Compliance requirements set down in EU legislation (Directives and Regulations) on the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare, and plant health and must maintain the farm in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC).
- Maintain a minimum stocking rate of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for a period of seven consecutive months
- Maintain an annual average stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectares.
652. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the concerns of farmers in counties Cavan and Monaghan that changes to the ANC payment scheme's criteria will leave thousands of farmers ineligible for any new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4289/17]
View answerArticle 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme from 2018 at the latest. At present, eligible land under the scheme is designated by reference to criteria such as stocking density, family farm income, population density and the percentage of the working population engaged in agriculture.
Under the new system of designation which must be introduced in 2018, eligible areas will have to be designated on the basis of biophysical criteria. The criteria set out in the legislation are:
- Low temperature
- Dryness
- Excess soil moisture
- Limited soil drainage
- Unfavourable texture and stoniness
- Shallow rooting depth
- Poor chemical properties
- Steep slope.
My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. This analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel be subjected to a refinement process.
Once this process is complete, the draft data will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas for ANC. It is envisaged that stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
653. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role his Department plays in organising deer culls in areas where they are becoming common and are roaming on farmland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4330/17]
View answerMy Department has no direct role in organising the culling of deer. Under the Wildlife Acts responsibility for the management of the wild deer population on public lands rests with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
In conjunction with the NPWS we are currently co-funding a limited cull of wild deer in a small area of County Wicklow to address the concerns of landowners across a range of issues such as road safety, disease control, broadleaf tree and crop stripping. The Group is comprised of representatives of local farmers, the Irish Deer Management Forum (IDMF), the Wicklow Deer Management Partnership (WDMP) and both Government Departments.
654. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a GLAS payment by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4353/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full entitlements for the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 prepayment checks an issue was identified with the Commonage action. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for payment at the earliest opportunity.
655. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons awaiting payments under the green low carbon agri-environment schemes for 2016 in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4390/17]
View answerThe following table sets out the total number of GLAS participants for counties Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Cavan and the numbers that have received payment and that are awaiting payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
|
- |
Number of applications active in GLAS |
Number of Paid cases |
Number of Unpaid Cases |
|
Sligo |
1,330 |
1,095 |
235 |
|
Leitrim |
1,464 |
1,182 |
282 |
|
Donegal |
3,002 |
2,259 |
743 |
|
Cavan |
1,364 |
1,098 |
266 |
My Department is continuing to review unpaid cases with a view to paying those who pass all of the regulatory checks and validations as soon as possible.
