Thursday, 16 Feb 2017

Written Answers Nos. 261 - 280

Farm Safety Scheme

Questions (261)

Robert Troy

Question:

261. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase farm safety; and if he will consider introducing a farm safety scheme similar to the GLAS scheme. [7807/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Farm safety is a critical issue facing farming today. Statistics show that accidents on farms cause more workplace deaths than all other occupations combined. In 2016 there were 21 work related fatal accidents on farms compared to 19 in 2015, while the overall fatal accident rate fell between 2015 and 2016 from 56 to 44. The 21 fatal farm accidents account for more than 47% of all the fatal work accidents in 2016, while farming accounts for less than 6% of the workforce. Already in 2017 there has been one fatal farm accident.

The rate of accidents on farms remains far too high and it is important the focus on farm safety is increased. Safety must become an integral part of farming culture.

While the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has primary responsibility for Health and Safety on farms, I am fully supportive of their work and my Department are active members of the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (FSPAC) and are in regular contact with the Health and Safety Authority. The FSPAC consists of members from a wide range of bodies within agriculture and looks at how to promote and develop farm safety.

As part of the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS) and also the Young Farmers capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS) and Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS), there is a wide range of safety elements that may be grant-aided. Examples of safety elements being grant-aided are replacement slats, animal handling facilities, rewiring buildings, safety fencing around slurry tanks, tank extensions to provide external agitation points, all of which will assist in making the farm a safer place.

In addition, as part of all of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes it is mandatory for all applicants to have completed a minimum of a ½ day farm safety course before they can claim grant-aid.

Further, there are ‘Health and Safety’ guidelines in all ‘Building Specifications,’ drawn up by my Department for the construction of agricultural buildings and structures. These specifications set out the minimum standard to which grant-aided structures must be completed and are freely available to all farmers undertaking construction works.

As part of the Knowledge Transfer Groups, under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, there is a mandatory Health and Safety element included. These groups will directly engage in excess of 20,000 farmers with farm safety.  

Beyond this, a Farm Safety leaflet is included with the Single/Basic Payment application packs, distributed annually to over 130,000 farmers. This is a joint initiative between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the HSA and the FSPAC and has targeted different risks in each of the last five years. 

Behavioural change is what is required to prevent many accidents. It is a case of being aware of the dangers and taking the time to do what is necessary to minimise the risk.  While there are many risks in farming, farming does not have to be a dangerous occupation. There are plenty of ways to reduce the danger without spending significant money. Farmers should be encouraged to take time to plan buildings and work.

It is important for everyone to continually highlight the need for farmers to think Safety First in all tasks they perform, no matter the pressure. No individual action or organisation can solve this difficult problem that impacts so negatively on so many lives each year.

GLAS Payments

Questions (262)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

262. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of farmers who had received no 2016 GLAS payment by 1 January 2017. [7851/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Payment issued to almost 27,400 farmers on the 29 December 2016. On the 1 January 2017 some 10,100 files remained to be processed and this work has been completed in respect of 2,736 cases leaving 7,357 cases to be processed.

Department officials are working through all outstanding cases on an individual basis with the intention of processing payments which meet all required regulatory requirements as soon as possible.

GLAS Payments

Questions (263)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

263. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of 2016 GLAS payments issued each week in 2017 for each county; the number of persons in County Cork now waiting for their initial payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7852/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

All GLAS applications must pass regulatory controls and validations before payment can issue. Following the initial GLAS payments which issued on the 29 December 2016 the priority was to assess remaining files and clear them for payment in a systematic manner. The first payrun in 2017 issued on 27 January 2017 and details of 2017 payments issued are set out in the following table.

	GLAS Payrun week ending: 27 January 2017	GLAS Payrun week ending: 27 January 2017	GLAS Payrun week ending:   3 February 2017	GLAS Payrun week ending:  3 February 2017	GLAS Payrun week ending:  10 February   2017	GLAS Payrun week ending: 10 February 2017
County	GLAS 1	GLAS 2	GLAS 1	GLAS 2	GLAS 1	GLAS 2
Carlow	15	12	4	0	4	2
Cavan	31	28	8	2	6	5
Clare	27	39	10	12	8	11
Cork	62	49	17	14	37	17
Donegal	31	33	10	7	63	46
Dublin	2	2	0	0	0	0
Galway	72	115	22	9	61	48
Kerry	31	36	13	3	77	60
Kildare	9	6	2	1	3	0
Kilkenny	25	10	12	3	4	1
Laois	12	6	1	3	2	1
Leitrim	12	10	10	1	4	7
Limerick	24	10	5	4	10	3
Longford	15	16	3	7	0	4
Louth	6	2	0	2	30	27
Mayo	69	34	9	10	65	43
Meath	13	7	8	5	2	1
Monaghan	20	6	2	5	5	3
Offaly	6	12	1	4	1	2
Roscommon	39	26	7	7	3	7
Sligo	11	10	4	14	4	6
Tipperary	32	22	11	22	20	13
Waterford	10	5	1	3	11	7
Westmeath	20	12	2	4	2	1
Wexford	31	11	9	4	5	5
Wicklow	11	7	4	2	11	10
Totals	636	526	175	148	438	330

The number of persons in Co. Cork awaiting their initial 2016 GLAS payment is 712. 

Animal Welfare

Questions (264)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

264. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the current regulation concerning welfare of wild animals used in circuses here; if any animal welfare complaints have been submitted to his office that resulted in investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7869/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The 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 and requires a person having an animal under his or her control to safeguard and not endanger the health and welfare of the animal. My Department has received general complaints from members of the public with regard the welfare of  circus animals and these complaints have been investigated. No welfare issues were detected. 

If the Deputy is aware of any specific complaints relating to the welfare of  animals currently performing in Irish circuses, she should bring them to my Department’s attention.

Organic Farming Scheme Payments

Questions (265)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

265. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the organic farming scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7873/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named has not yet received his Organic Farming Scheme payment as he was subject to a Department inspection in 2016. The Inspection report has now been finalised and I am pleased to say that his application is being processed for payment. I expect this to issue shortly.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (266)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

266. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an areas of natural constraint, ANC, payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7879/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted an application under the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme 2016 on 07 May 2016 and returned his Sheep/Goat Census return on 30 May 2016.

The Terms and Conditions of the scheme set out that, under EU Regulation 21/2004, all flock owners’ and sheep keepers are obliged to count the sheep in their flock, record this number in the flock register and thereafter are legally obliged to return this number to my Department via the annual Sheep/Goat Census return. The closing date for the receipt of Census Returns for acceptance under the ANC scheme was 16 May 2016.

An appeal was received from the person named regarding his medical condition and an official from my Department has been in contact with the person named regarding the supply of extra information. When this information is received the file will be reviewed.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (267)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

267. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address issues with regard to the CEO of Bord na gCon and the closure of Shelbourne Park on 4 February 2017 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7898/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bord 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. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Regarding the employment of the new CEO, Bord na gCon has informed me that the Board engaged in a recruitment process with the purpose of filling the vacancy in an interim capacity only. In selecting an interim CEO the requirement for a proven record in company restructuring and change management skills were criteria used in that selection. The successful candidate was offered a six month fixed term contract and I understand that arrangements will shortly be underway for the recruitment of a CEO on a more permanent basis.

I am satisfied that the Chairman and Board of Bord na gCon continue to discharge their functions and that against the background of a difficult operating environment over the past number of years, they are taking positive steps to address the issues identified in the Indecon Report, including those in relation to finance, governance and integrity services. 

The matter of the closure of Shelbourne Park on a number of dates referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (268)

Pat Breen

Question:

268. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 306 of 1 February 2017, when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7901/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As per the reply to the Parliamentary Question of 1 February, processing of the application under the 2016  Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme had been finalised. Payment under the scheme is expected to issue in the coming week.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (269)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

269. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request the Irish Greyhound Board to reverse its decision to sell Harold’s Cross greyhound track in the interest of the greyhound racing industry for Dublin and the greater area. [7908/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bord na gCon has statutory responsibility for the development of the greyhound racing industry. In that context, it runs commercial operations in a number or greyhound stadia, including Harold's Cross.

In 2014, against the background of reducing income for the organisation through the recession, and a significant debt burden, my Department commissioned an independent report into certain matters relating to Bord na gCon, including its financial performance and prospects. That report provided a road map for the sustainable development of the greyhound sector, and in that context recommended a number of asset disposals, including Harold's Cross, in order to reduce the debt burden.

I understand that Bord na gCon, having considered the matter, and having regard to the recommendations in the Indecon Report, has decided to cease racing at Harold's Cross and initiate the sale of the Stadium in order to reduce its debt levels and increase its capacity to provide support and assistance to the industry. 

While this is very regrettable, its view is that there is no other option if the burden of debt on the organisation is to be reduced in any meaningful way. I understand that its intention is to transfer the Harold's Cross racing schedule to Shelbourne Park, a few kilometres away, and that all 12 staff at Harold's Cross will be offered redeployment.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (270)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

270. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial package he will propose for tillage farmers who suffered grain crop losses either at planting or harvesting stage due to adverse weather conditions in the winter of 2015-2016 and autumn 2016. [7909/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Deputy is aware from my previous reply to him of the position with regard to this issue. I hosted a Tillage Stakeholders Forum last October which consisted of representatives from all sides of this Sector. Following a very productive meeting I subsequently initiated a number of responses to address key issues raised by stakeholders.

As I set out then, one of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some sectors, which have caused cash flow difficulties for farmers. So I was pleased to announce the launch of the “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme” recently. The Scheme, which was developed in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), makes €150 million available to farmers throughout Ireland at interest rates of 2.95%.

Distributed through AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank, it provides tillage farmers with a low cost, flexible source of working capital and will allow them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term debt, ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of viable farming enterprises. The loans are for amounts up to €150,000 for up to six years and are flexible with interest only facilities of up to three years.

As an additional support to cash flow on farms, including Tillage farms, I also confirmed that advance payments would be made in 2016 in respect of the Basic Payment and Greening Payment schemes.

Advance payments commenced on the 17 October last, the earliest possible date by which payments can begin under the governing EU Regulations, with the addition of balancing payments from the 1 December.

To date €1.177 billion has been paid out to 123,454 farmers and payments are ongoing. Payments of €199.6 million have also been made to 93,341 applicants under the Areas of Natural Constraints scheme.

In the changing international economic landscape we need to take a fresh look at our tillage industry to ensure that it is best positioned to withstand future challenges and to avail of new opportunities which may present themselves.

The Forum is therefore an opportunity to explore and build such opportunities, as well as addressing the challenges. This Forum is again meeting today and provides an opportunity for all to work together to evaluate further measures for the long term sustainability of the tillage sector.

GLAS Payments

Questions (271)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

271. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons in receipt of GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 who have received 85% of their total 2016 payment, by county, in tabular form; the number of persons who have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment; the total number of GLAS recipients who have yet to receive payment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7924/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The information as requested by the Deputy is set out in the table.

	GLAS 1	GLAS 1	GLAS 1	GLAS 1	GLAS 2	GLAS 2	GLAS 2	GLAS 2
County	Number of	Number	Number	Number	Number of	Number	Number	Number
	Acrtive Applicants	Paid	PPV Pass	Unpaid	Active Applicants	Paid	PPV Pass	Unpaid
Carlow	283	214	2	67	131	109	1	21
Cavan	916	763	11	142	448	380	0	68
Clare	1,631	1,389	8	234	703	597	6	100
Cork	2,225	1,753	13	459	1,069	829	10	230
Donegal	1,978	1,607	4	367	1,024	794	4	226
Dublin	65	49	0	16	17	14	0	3
Galway	3,144	2,423	9	712	1,351	1,010	4	337
Kerry	1,794	1,469	8	317	894	707	4	183
Kildare	256	199	1	56	86	62	0	24
Kilkenny	445	347	8	90	216	175	2	39
Laois	375	291	1	83	207	165	1	41
Leitrim	1,035	851	4	180	429	361	1	67
Limerick	1,065	831	2	232	313	270	2	41
Longford	519	432	8	79	360	313	0	47
Louth	150	114	1	35	82	69	1	12
Mayo	2,610	2,070	12	528	1,365	996	4	365
Meath	442	343	1	98	211	163	0	48
Monaghan	585	475	8	102	152	129	0	23
Offaly	485	413	0	72	292	237	1	54
Roscommon	1,551	1,283	11	257	566	484	4	78
Sligo	958	813	8	137	372	317	0	55
Tipperary	1,162	918	3	241	533	410	7	116
Waterford	367	264	5	98	136	98	0	38
Westmeath	657	541	3	113	279	228	4	47
Wexford	792	584	7	201	272	219	2	51
Wicklow	335	264	0	71	160	104	0	56
	25,825	20,700	138	4,987	11,668	9,240	58	2,370

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (272)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

272. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons who applied for agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, that have received their total 2016 payment, by county, in tabular form; the number of persons who have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment; the total number of AEOS recipients who have yet to receive payment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7925/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place. As all AEOS 2 participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme,  re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Officials are working through these files and payment will be made in all cases as soon as possible. All cleared cases are being paid on a weekly basis.

County	Totals	Paid	Awaiting Payment
Carlow	49	39	10
Cavan	244	196	48
Clare	556	458	98
Cork	428	307	121
Donegal	1360	1,091	269
Dublin	9	9	0
Galway	1245	981	264
Kerry	568	451	117
Kildare	39	29	10
Kilkenny	109	60	49
Laois	80	46	34
Leitrim	430	315	115
Limerick	224	141	83
Longford	89	56	33
Louth	41	27	14
Mayo	1399	923	476
Meath	83	52	31
Monaghan	151	90	61
Offaly	110	77	33
Roscommon	478	352	126
Sligo	335	234	101
Tipperary	245	146	99
Waterford	82	57	25
Westmeath	122	77	45
Wexford	84	46	38
Wicklow	80	56	24
Totals	8640	6,316	2,324

Organic Farming

Questions (273)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

273. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering reviewing the current regulations regarding the free range or organic status for poultry in view of the current bird flu confirmations here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7928/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are EU Regulations that lay down detailed rules regarding marketing standards for eggs and poultrymeat. These Regulations set down minimum requirements that must be met in order to use the term “Free Range”, including rules around access to the range. The EU Regulations also provide for situations where veterinary restrictions are imposed to protect public and animal health, as is the case currently in Ireland and other MS, whereby eggs and poultrymeat may continue to be marketed as “Free Range” for the duration of the restriction but not for more than 12 weeks. In Ireland, the 12 week period expires on the 17 March 2017. 

There are a number of Member States who currently have housing restrictions in place. The issue of what to do after the 12 week period expires was raised at an EU Agriculture Council meeting in January. Since the meeting in January the Commission confirmed their intention not to table a proposal to extend the 12 week period during which time the eggs or meat from birds subject to a confinement order can continue to be marketed as free range stating concerns about the integrity and credibility of marketing standards, which were introduced for the protection of consumers. The Commission acknowledged that the 12 week period is a balance between the interests of the producer and the consumer and that it was regarded as a reasonable period to cover an avian flu epidemic. My Department is in ongoing contact with producers, processors and retailers on the implications of this 12 week period for the designation of eggs and poultry as free-range.

It is acknowledged that this outbreak/epidemic is prolonged in nature and the possibility that prolonged epidemics of this duration may become a more regular event.  In these circumstances the Commission have agreed to undertake a review of the marketing standards with a view to a possible modification of the current rule in light of the prolonged epidemic such are we are experiencing right now.

As regards organic production, the rules applying here are also laid down by EU regulation. While all poultry must have access to the open air, the regulations do recognise that this may not be possible where wider restrictions are imposed on human or animal health grounds. In such cases, operators must ensure that the needs of the birds are met in other ways, until such time as full open-air access can be restored. The regulations thus provide a reasonable degree of flexibility as far as organic production is concerned and my Department is looking at providing additional guidance in this area.

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Questions (274)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

274. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on reviewing the current two and three crop rule in any future CAP reform as being proposed by grain growers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7929/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The matter of crop diversification and the implementation of equivalence is an issue that my Department and I have raised concerns about with the Commission on a number of occasions in the context of simplification of the current CAP. In fact, it was one of the areas we identified to the Commission that could be simplified as part of our initial submission on simplification of the CAP in 2015.

Ireland further submitted that, under the provisions in Regulation 1307/2013 (direct payments) relating to equivalent practices, farmers should be allowed to continue to grow only one arable crop if they join an agri-environmental scheme and sow 25% of their arable land to catch crops. However, despite numerous efforts by my Department to have this provision reviewed, the Commission has continued to hold the view that the farmer must sow 100% of the area to catch crops.

Unfortunately, the simplification proposals on greening practices subsequently introduced by the Commission in 2016, did not address the equivalent practices as they relate to crop diversification.

Modernising and simplifying the CAP is at the core of the Commission's vision for the future of the CAP post 2020. I continue to believe that improvements can be made in the area of crop diversification and equivalence, and this is something I will continue to pursue.

Common Agricultural Policy Review

Questions (275)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

275. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on coupled payments in the context of future CAP reviews for suckler beef producers; the number of EU member states currently which have coupled suckler payments in operation under the current CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7930/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Ireland has taken a broadly favourable view of the recent evolution of the CAP, which has supported a greater market orientation of the agriculture sector and a move away from older, largely ineffective market control measures.

The decoupling of payments from production has helped to stabilise and protect a share of farmers’ income while leaving farmers free to respond to the demands of the market. This freedom to respond to market forces is particularly important in the context of Ireland’s ambitious plans for the growth of the sector, as set out in the Food Wise 2025 strategy.

We would therefore not favour a return to coupled payments, but instead look to the use of more flexible and innovative means (such as futures markets and hedging) to help mitigate the effects of market volatility.

My Department does not retain information on coupled payments in other Member States.

Rural Development Programme Funding

Questions (276)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

276. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of funds allocated to the knowledge transfer group scheme under the Rural Development Programme 2014 to 2020; the total amount of spend on an annual basis to date in tabular form; the total amount allocated for 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7931/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

A budget of €100 million has been allocated to the Knowledge Transfer Programme for the duration of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. There has been no expenditure to date under the programme as no payments are due until after the completion of year 1. There was no funding allocated for 2016 and €25m has been allocated for 2017.

Knowledge Transfer Programme

Questions (277)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

277. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who have applied to the knowledge transfer group scheme under the Rural Development Programme 2014 to 2020 to date, in each of the beef, sheep, dairy, tillage, equine and poultry sectors; the targeted number of groups formed; the number of groups finalised to date; the reason for extending the deadline for participation in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7932/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Knowledge Transfer Programme is included in Ireland's Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020. While the RDP envisages the training of 27,000 farmers over the period to 2020, no specific target was set in relation to the number of groups to be formed. 20,252 farmer applications have now been registered for the scheme. These are broken down between the sectors in the following table. 

	Total	Beef	Dairy	Sheep	Tillage	Poultry	Equine
Number of Participants Applied	20,252	10,072	4,258	4,310	885	248	479

To date, 1,190 Knowledge Transfer Groups have been finalised with a small number deemed ineligible. Staff in my Department are currently liaising with facilitators to process a number of query and appeal cases on the small outstanding groups. Groups will run for a 3 year period from June, 2016. 

The deadline for registration was extended to 14 July, 2016 in order to allow further time for facilitators to finalise arrangements for their groups.

Agrifood Sector

Questions (278)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

278. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific Council of EU Agriculture Ministers meetings at which he made the case for the need for a revision of State aid rules for the Irish agri food sector during the UK’s two year exit phase from the EU and subsequent transition phase; the date of every such meeting at which this was raised, in tabular form; the progress which has been made at EU level to increase current State aid thresholds to support agri food enterprises in a hard Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7933/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The matter of a revision of state aid rules, and more particularly that of a possible increase to the current state aid thresholds, was raised at several Council of EU Agriculture Ministers meetings in 2016, in the context of the ongoing difficulties being experienced on EU agricultural markets. Some Member States, including Ireland, raised the possibility of increasing individual de minimis thresholds from their current level of €15,000, to €30,000. To date the Commission has resisted such calls. 

The issue of reviewing state aid rules in a Brexit context is something that would need careful consideration in the context of the European Commission's overall approach to the exit negotiations, which are yet to commence.

Meanwhile, the Deputy will already be aware of the many measures in place to support the Irish agri-food sector in dealing with the impact of the fall in the value of sterling against the euro. These include additional funding for Bord Bia and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, agri-taxation measures, and increased expenditure on the Rural Development Programme and the Seafood Development Programme. From a State aid perspective, the recently-launched €150 million low cost agri-loan scheme, includes de minimis aid of €4 million for all non-livestock farmers, and particularly tillage and horticulture farmers, as a means of addressing the impact of Brexit.

GLAS Payments

Questions (279)

Tom Neville

Question:

279. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS payment in the next round of GLAS payments issued. [7944/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full entitlements in respect of the 2015 scheme year.

During the 2016 scheme year prepayment checks an issue was identified in relation to cross-checks with the 2016 BPS application of the person named. When this issue is resolved the GLAS application will be further processed for payment.

Herd Number Applications

Questions (280)

Willie Penrose

Question:

280. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the processes, procedures and regulations that must be adhered to in respect of the transfer of a herd number from a father to son situation and also the transfer of the entitlements associated with the said herd owner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7957/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Where a herd number is being transferred from a father to a son, and the son is undertaking the role of both herd owner and keeper, then form ER1 should be completed. Form ER1 is available online on my Department’s website www.agriculture.gov.ie or directly from the relevant Regional Veterinary Office. The applicant must be an individual over 18 years of age.

Where a herd number is being transferred with the agreement and signature of the current herd owner there is no requirement for an on-farm inspection and documentation supporting entitlement to use is not required.

In applying for the transfer of a herd number, the new applicant is required to abide by all of the regulations governing the issue of a herd number, animal health and welfare regulations and animal movement and identification regulations, details of which are set out in the ER1 application form.

Basic Payment Entitlements can be transferred from one herd owner to another herd owner by both transferor and transferee submitting a Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department.