Written Answers Nos. 26-43
26. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for publishing the sea fisheries Bill; if the Bill will deal with the penalty points issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12358/17]
View answerIt is my intention to introduce a Bill to amend the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 in order to provide for a points system for serious infringements of the Common Fisheries Policy as required by EU Council Regulation 1224/2009 for both skippers and licence holders; to affirm that fishing quotas are a national resource; and to introduce other miscellaneous and technical amendments.
On taking office, I requested and received advice from the Attorney General on meeting the commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government pertaining to the assignment of points to sea-fishing boat licence holders following the completion of the prosecution process, while ensuring that Ireland is fully in compliance with its obligations under EU law.
As I have advised the House previously, moving on the introduction of a system for the sequential application for EU points in conjunction with the prosecution process is subject to addressing some important legal and administrative issues in order to ensure compliance with EU law. I am currently awaiting further legal advice of the Attorney General in relation to the required EU points scheme for fishing boat licence holders. Apart from this issue, my Department’s work is advanced on drafting the General Scheme of a Bill.
Once the draft General Scheme has been finalised, subject to advice received from the Attorney General in respect of the above matter, the next step will be to undertake a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on the Points System for Licence Holders. This will take approximately six weeks of public consultation. The RIA for the other elements of the draft Bill has already been carried out.
It is my intention to introduce a Bill to amend the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 in order to provide for a points system for serious infringements of the Common Fisheries Policy as required by EU Council Regulation 1224/2009; to affirm that fishing quotas are a national resource; to resolve some typographical errors in the 2006 Act and to introduce other miscellaneous and technical amendments.
Thereafter, I plan to submit a Memorandum to Government seeking approval for the drafting of the Bill along the lines of the General Scheme and the forwarding of the General Scheme for consideration to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This will provide for Pre-legislative Scrutiny prior to its submission to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.
27. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 706 of 28 February 2017, the details of any consultation process carried out by his Department in the formulation of this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12362/17]
View answerThe General Scheme of the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017 reflects recommendations for legislative change made in a number of reports on the greyhound racing sector, namely the Indecon Report, the Report of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Morris Review of Anti-Doping and Medication in Ireland.
Part of the "Review of Certain Matters Relating to Bord na gCon" conducted by Indecon consultants in 2014 consisted of a wide ranging stakeholder consultation process. Advertisements were placed on the department's website, the farming press and the sporting press seeking submissions from interested parties. A total of 17 submissions were received from a broad range of respondents. The Department has also consulted directly with Bord na gCon, the Irish Coursing Club, the Bord na gCon stakeholder forum and with various representatives on the draft heads of the Greyhound Industry Bill.
The General Scheme of the Bill was approved by Cabinet earlier this week and it will now go for pre-legislative scrutiny. I look forward to publishing the draft scheme on the Department's website to allow those involved in the sport and the general public with an interest in the sector to feed into the pre-legislative process.
28. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons in County Wexford enrolled in the areas of natural constraint scheme; the status of the process of reviewing qualifying areas for the areas of natural constraint scheme; if his Department has completed the mapping exercise in County Wexford; when the maps will be published; the consultation that will be undertaken with persons in County Wexford on the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12371/17]
View answerThere were 1,297 applicants under the 2016 ANC scheme in County Wexford.
Under the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. The ANC scheme replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Less Favoured Areas Scheme. The designation of eligible areas under these schemes to date has been based on a range of socio-economic factors. From 2018 eligible areas must instead be designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria. In cases where a Member State does not introduce this new system for payment, the old scheme remains in place but payments must phase out on a digressive basis.
The biophysical criteria set out in the legislation to underpin the new system of designation 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 working on sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Department officials have also been in contact with the Joint Research Centre and DG Agri in the European Commission in relation to technical issues arising. Over the coming months this analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel be subjected to a refinement process. It is envisaged that stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
29. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons enrolled under the beef data genomics programme; if he will reopen the scheme for new participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12355/17]
View answerThere are currently 24,473 participants in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme and these participants have 528,989 reference animals. This scheme builds on the pilot Beef Genomics Scheme in 2014 and is a key component of our national Rural Development programme and our supports for the Irish suckler sector. It is a scheme which I firmly believe will provide a lasting positive impact on the national suckler herd both in terms of genetic gain and environmental sustainability.
The scheme is now firmly established and its benefits are already clearly being seen. Its credibility as a progressive and meaningful scheme for suckler farmers is well known and there are consistent demands for its re-opening as a result of this. I have listened to calls for the reopening of this scheme to new applicants and to that end officials in my Department are currently examining the possibility of this in the context of an assessment of budgetary priorities, the operation of the Rural Development Programme and the potential impact both upon the scheme itself and other schemes.
30. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects the beef data and genomics programme to reopen to new entrants. [12201/17]
View answerI am aware of calls for the reopening of the BDGP to new applicants. My Department is currently assessing budgetary priorities and commitments under the RDP and in this context is considering the feasibility of opening the BDGP to new applicants on a limited basis.
When all the above relevant factors have been considered in full, I will make an announcement regarding the reopening of the scheme.
The calls to reopen the scheme are very much a positive reflection on the experience of those who are currently participating in the scheme. The scheme itself combined with other measures introduced by my Department such as the Mart Modernisation Scheme have concentrated the minds of suckler farmers on the genetic quality of their herds. Commercial farmers when making breeding decisions for their beef herds are now making those decisions based on both economic and scientific data which is easily accessible to them when purchasing replacement stock using Eurostar data displayed clearly at mart ringsides. This is an example of two Department schemes complementing one another in a positive manner. The BDGP is an important factor in driving continued efficiencies in Irish suckler production.
The suckler sector is a vital component of Ireland’s rural economy and the provision of support for the suckler sector is critically important. It is a sector that I want to ensure continues to survive and prosper in this country. The range of supports under the CAP such as Pillar I payments and schemes under the RDP such as GLAS, ANCs and indeed the BDGP represents a balance between direct income support for the sector and measures designed to improve its competitiveness and sustainability. I believe that it is entirely appropriate to maintain this balance of developmental and income supports into the future.
Having recently returned from a successful trade mission in the Middle East I have once again seen at first hand the high esteem in which Irish beef is held by consumers all over world, for its taste, animal welfare standards and environmentally sound production systems. The reputation of Irish beef as a premium sustainable product was one of the key factors in gaining enhanced market access in Saudi Arabia. The BDGP aims to re-enforce these vital qualities by further enhancing our production to be at the forefront of Irish and international efforts to tackle climate change. The benefits that this scheme will bring to the Irish suckler herd are cumulative and permanent and are an essential element of the future sustainability of producing beef from our suckler herd.
31. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons who have not received 85% of their total 2016 payment under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, 1, GLAS 2 and the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS; the reason for this delay; if the commitment made by his Department to spend €250 million per year on GLAS, when the scheme is fully subscribed, will be delivered in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12354/17]
View answerUnder the EU Regulations governing the Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) and the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue.
My Department as the accredited Paying Agency must ensure that, before payment issues, everything in an application that can be checked is checked as required under the regulations. Therefore, payments can only issue where all the required validation checks have been successfully passed.
In relation to 2016 payments, under AEOS the previous agri-environment Scheme, just over 8,600 AEOS participants were due a payment. AEOS II participants completed their 5-year contracts on 31 December 2016. Under the EU Regulations governing this Scheme and all other area-based payment schemes, a full check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place before the final payment can issue. As all AEOS II 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. This is the same procedure as applied to AEOS 1 participants finishing in that Scheme.
To date, AEOS 2016 payments amounting to over €22m have issued. The remaining cases are currently being checked and payments will continue to issue on an ongoing weekly basis as these cases are cleared.
A total of 8,640 farmers nationally were due a 2016 payment in AEOS of which 6,935 have been paid and 1,705 are awaiting payment.
2016 payments represent the first full year of payment under GLAS. At the end of December 2016, there were approximately 37,500 active participants in the GLAS scheme, of which 27,400 or over 71% received payments valued at over €97m, representing 85% of their 2016 payment.
As issues with outstanding GLAS cases are resolved they are being paid in weekly payment runs. Further payments are issuing on a weekly basis with payments valued at over €110m now issued and over 84% of participants now paid. Further payments are issuing on a weekly basis.
Some 25,578 farmers are active GLAS 1 and a further 11,577 are active in GLAS 2 nationally of which 21,686 in GLAS 1 and 9,524 in GLAS 2 have successfully completed the GLAS prepayment checks in respect of the 2016 scheme year and a first payment instalment of 85% has issued.
The current position is that 3,832 farmers in GLAS 1 and 2,053 farmers in GLAS 2 have yet to receive their payment and their applications continue to be processed.
The balancing payment due will issue later in the year when the last of the required on the spot inspections has been initiated.
Payments under the Scheme will continue to issue on an ongoing basis as issues are resolved and cases are cleared for payment.
I am satisfied that all available European Union funds available will be fully drawn down over the programming period.
32. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons in County Mayo enrolled in the areas of natural constraint scheme; the status of the process of reviewing qualifying areas for the scheme; if his Department has completed the mapping exercise in County Mayo; when the maps will be published; the consultation that will be undertaken with persons in County Mayo on the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12367/17]
View answerThere were 10,368 applicants under the 2016 ANC scheme in County Mayo.
Under the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. The ANC scheme replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Less Favoured Areas Scheme. The designation of eligible areas under these schemes to date has been based on a range of socio-economic factors. From 2018 eligible areas must instead be designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria. In cases where a Member State does not introduce this new system for payment, the old scheme remains in place but payments must phase out on a digressive basis.
The biophysical criteria set out in the legislation to underpin the new system of designation 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 working on sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Department officials have also been in contact with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and DG Agri in the European Commission in relation to technical issues arising. Over the coming months this analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel be subjected to a refinement process. It is envisaged that stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
33. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of the loans, funding and-or payments paid out by Bord na gCon to the Irish Coursing Club or any of its affiliated coursing clubs; and the numbers employed in Bord na gCon and their roles. [12194/17]
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.
Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Bord na gCon has informed me that there are no loans to or from the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) involving Bord na gCon.
Bord na gCon engages with the Sporting Press, which is a national publication for the wider greyhound industry published by the ICC, in placing advertisements in this paper. Bord na gCon also engages with the ICC in respect of DNA samples completed by the ICC on behalf of Bord na gCon plus inspection of meat feeder licences completed by the ICC for Bord na gCon. The average value of these services would be circa €100,000 including VAT at 23%.
Bord na gCon has informed me that it currently directly employs 128 full time staff and approximately 720 part time staff.
34. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure the new hen harrier scheme is fit for purpose and does not disadvantage landowners. [12198/17]
View answerI have already provided for a significant framework of support for farmers with hen-harrier designated land through my Department's agri-environment scheme GLAS. Farmers with land identified as important for the hen-harrier are guaranteed access to the scheme as priority candidates in Tier One of GLAS. I have also provided that such farmers will be automatically approved for GLAS Plus should they be farming sufficient area of habitat. Under GLAS, farmers qualify for a payment rate of €370 per hectare and can earn up to €7,000 per annum through a combination of GLAS and GLAS Plus payments. There are currently 2,687 farmers with the hen harrier action participating in GLAS.
The new locally-led scheme for the hen harrier will complement the GLAS hen harrier action. The approach to be taken will be innovative in that all parties, including the farmers concerned, will be involved in developing the scheme. Not only will the scheme be designed on a partnership basis; farmers will be able to choose the actions that best suit their farming enterprise. The scheme will be flexible and locally adaptive which will allow farmers to react and to amend their plan when necessary. Part of the plan under this new approach is that farmers will share their experience and findings to assist each other in the delivery of the scheme.
This is a very new approach, which is being delivered on a pilot basis under the current RDP, precisely to test its effectiveness. While ultimately we will only find out how effective this new approach will be over time, I firmly believe that by operating a bottom-up community-based approach like this we can secure real benefits not just for the bird, but for the farmers who manage these lands.
35. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department currently assesses the carbon sequestration ability of farms as it applies to international climate change commitments; his plans to broaden this calculation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12187/17]
View answerIreland has adopted a whole of Government approach to climate policy, which is led by my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The Government in its National Policy Position adopted an “approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production”.
The EPA is the lead in compiling Ireland's annual greenhouse gas emission inventories and projections including those related to sequestration under the land use land-use, change and forestry (LULUCF) categories. This allows the Government to assess progress in terms of meeting key targets and to inform policy development.
We continue to engage at EU and international level to raise understanding of the particular profile of the Irish agriculture sector and how best to develop a coherent and cost-effective approach to the twin challenges of sustainable food production in the light of rising global demand, and climate change mitigation and adaptation in the light of overall EU and global objectives.
The 2013 EU decision on LULUCF will help to recognise the importance of the link in the medium to long term approaches to agriculture in order to avoid perverse actions and encourage good carbon management practices such as crop rotation, protection of permanent pasture, afforestation, forest management and agroforestry.
The inclusion of access to LULUCF credits in the EU proposals of last July will go towards addressing the lower mitigation potential of agriculture while providing a means of encouraging the sustainable intensification of food production, and optimising the sector's contribution to greenhouse gas mitigation and sequestration, including through incentivising afforestation and other forest sector activities and investments.
Farm practices such as the establishment and maintenance of permanent pasture and landscape features which can assist with achieving carbon sequestration benefits are supported through our Rural Development Programme. Our forests sequester carbon by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and then storing it in trees, other vegetation and in soils.
We are engaging in research focused on the carbon sequestration potential of agricultural soils and continue to direct research funding to improve our understanding of carbon stock changes, which will contribute to the development of a more robust inventory and underpin future accounting for these categories.
It should also be noted that Ireland has elected to report on cropland and grazing land management activities under the Kyoto Protocol (KP). This will allow Ireland to take advantage of any sequestration benefits that may be allowed in the future from these activities.
We are at the forefront in developing carbon-efficient food production systems through investment in such areas as Knowledge transfer and in conducting carbon assessments on Bord Bia Quality assured farms. The ambition to continue this leading position is set out in the industry-led Food Wise 2025 strategy for the development of food production in Ireland.
Ireland will continue to engage internationally both in terms of policy and research. Just last month we hosted a meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to discuss the special report on climate change, agriculture and food security.
36. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, following the recently completed review of the veterinary laboratory services, he will ensure that all such facilities remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12357/17]
View answerMy Department commissioned a Working Group led by Prof. Alan Reilly to undertake a comprehensive review of the Department’s Laboratories. The Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes recommendations on a number of areas including options for the future development of the Regional Laboratories - with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance capability but with the over-riding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmers. My Department is currently consulting with all relevant stakeholders.
A decision on any of the recommendations contained within the Working Group report will await the outcome of this consultative process. In the case of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories, any decision will also be informed by a cost-benefit analysis of the various options that have been proposed for their future development.
37. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will intervene in the impasse between greyhound owners and Bord na gCon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12202/17]
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.
I accept that there are tensions between some greyhound owners and Bord na gCon and of course this is regrettable. The sector faces a number of significant challenges and it is widely acknowledged that there needs to be improvements in finance, governance and regulation in the sector. These issues are well flagged in the Indecon Report, which was commissioned by my predecessor, which made a number of recommendations in relation to these matters. Bord na gCon is endeavouring to implement these recommendations, some of which may involve difficult decisions.
In so far as governance and regulation are concerned, I am pleased to say that Cabinet has approved the draft general scheme of the new Greyhound Industry Bill, which addresses the governance of Bord na gCon, strengthens regulatory controls in the industry, modernises sanctions and improves integrity with a view to building a reputation for exceptional regulation in the sector.
I look forward to working with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on this, when the Heads of the Bill are brought to pre-legislative scrutiny. I am confident that with a collaborative approach to finalising the Bill, we can together make a real contribution to laying down a solid legal framework for the development of the sector.
On the question of improving the financial performance of the sector and reducing Bord na gCon's significant debt burden, there are no easy answers. While Indecon made a number of recommendations in this regard, the sale of assets, including Harold's Cross Stadium, was a central recommendation. Bord na gCon has already disposed of the old Henry Street Head Office in Limerick and recently announced the closure of Harold's Cross Stadium. The operation of greyhound stadia is a matter for the Board.
I understand from Bord na gCon that this was a very difficult decision, taken against the very challenging background I have outlined above. It has led to understandable concern among supporters of Harold's Cross Stadium, and in this regard I understand that an effort at mediation between Dublin GOBA and Bord na gCon, under the chairmanship of Mr. Kieran Mulvey, is at present underway.
38. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions he has had with the Minister of Agriculture in the Northern Ireland Executive, the British Secretary of State with responsibility for agriculture and the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development regarding the arrangements that will need to be put in place to facilitate the movement of agricultural products freely throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland following Britain's exit from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12374/17]
View answerI would like to remind the House that I and my Department have been actively engaged in assessing the impact of the Brexit vote on the Irish agri food sector, consulting with appropriate stakeholders and engaging with the relevant politicians and institutions. This work is being done in conjunction with the overall Government response being co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach.
I fully recognise the potential difficulties that the agri food sector could face in the event of a hard Brexit. The sector is of critical importance to our economy and its regional spread means it underpins the socio-economic development of rural areas in particular. The sector employed approximately 173k people (i.e. 8.6% of total employment) in 2016, and the total value of agri-food exports was more than €11 billion.
The highly integrated nature of agri food trade between Ireland and the UK is shown in the trade figures. Some €4.8bn (39%) of these exports went to the UK last year, while €3.7bn (46%) of agri food products was imported from the UK.
A further significant issue in relation to cross border trade is the de facto all-island milk market that currently exists. Significant volumes of manufacturing milk processed in Ireland come from Northern suppliers and any re-establishment of a hard border would pose significant difficulties for both processors and suppliers. In addition, a significant component of the sheep and lambs slaughtered in Irish processing facilities is of Northern Irish origin.
The implications for North-South trade, and for the movement of raw materials, including milk, meat and live animals, are potentially severe. The implications for animal and plant health procedures on both sides of the border are also potentially very serious. Put quite simply, this substantial trade would be massively affected by the constraints of tariffs, customs controls, veterinary/phyto-sanitary certification and any deviation by the UK from EU common regulatory provisions and standards.
In preparation for the upcoming negotiations I have had a number of meetings with key officials in the Commission, the UK and in other Members States, and this process will continue in the coming months. At EU level, I have had regular contact with counterparts at AgriFish Council meetings, including meetings with my Spanish and Maltese colleagues on the margins of last Monday’s Council of Ministers meeting. Arrangements are currently being made for further formal bilateral meetings over the coming weeks involving Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark over St Patrick’s weekend and Poland, Austria and Estonia at the end of the month.
I am also in regular communication with Commissioner Hogan and my officials have taken part in meetings with the Commission and the Barnier Task Force.
In all of these engagements I am making clear our demand for continued unfettered access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures, as well as keeping the UK market viable for Irish producers by minimising the risk from UK trade agreements with third countries.
In relation to 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.
Referring now specifically to meetings with my Northern Ireland and UK counterparts, I have met the outgoing Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Michelle McIlveen on at least six occasions since last September and I have had bilateral meetings with Secretary of State Leadsom on two occasions – initially on December 1 in London and then at the Berlin Food Show last January.
While we exchanged views on what we view as the immediate and longer-term impacts of the UK vote on Irish agri food sector, I fully observed the line agreed at EU level whereby no negotiations could take place with the UK until Article 50 has been triggered. As you know, Ireland will be part of the EU27 team and will work with our fellow Member States in delivering the best possible result for Ireland and for the EU.
I wish to assure the House that the Government remains very focused on supporting the agri-food industry through the challenges ahead. I will continue to consult with the industry as the negotiations develop, and I will continue to press Ireland's case for continued free access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures.
39. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the future of the regional veterinary laboratory in County Kilkenny, which serves the entire region of the south east, can be guaranteed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12365/17]
View answerMy Department commissioned a Working Group led by Prof. Alan Reilly to undertake a comprehensive review of the Department’s Laboratories (which are located at Backweston, Sligo, Limerick, Cork, Athlone and Kilkenny). The Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes recommendations on:
- Oversight and co-ordination of the laboratories activities
- Re-organisation of Divisions and support functions within the Central Laboratory complex
- Options for the future development of the Regional Laboratories – with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance capability but with the over-riding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmers and
- Human resources management within the laboratories - with a focus on grading structures, career development opportunities and workforce planning.
My Department is currently consulting with all relevant stakeholders.
A decision on any of these recommendations will await the outcome of this consultative process. In the case of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories, any decision will also be informed by a cost-benefit analysis of the various options that have been proposed for their future development.
40. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered introducing a food ombudsman to ensure transparency in the supply chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12368/17]
View answerMy colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, signed The Irish Grocery Goods Undertakings Regulations 2016, which came into effect on 30 April 2016 (S.I. No. 35 of 2016).
The Regulations apply to relevant grocery goods undertakings (RGGUs), that is, food and drink retailers and wholesalers or groups of related companies with a worldwide turnover of over €50 million.
A relevant grocery goods undertaking is required to ensure that all of the terms and conditions of a grocery goods contract to which it is a party, are expressed in clear understandable language and recorded in writing. The period of notice in relation to the variation, termination or renewal of the contract must be reasonable (Regulation 3). A supplier shall not be required to obtain goods or services from a third party from whom the company received payment for the arrangement (Regulation 6). Restrictions are placed on payment from a supplier as a condition of stocking, displaying or listing a product, and a payment period of 30 days is set down except where provided differently by contract.
Relevant grocery goods undertakings must designate and train members of their staff to ensure compliance with the regulations. The Regulations are enforced by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) as provided by Act of the Oireachtas.
Relevant grocery goods undertakings (RGGUs) must submit their first annual compliance reports to the CCPC by 31 March 2017, including a detailed account of compliance, including where a breach or alleged breach of the regulations has been identified by, or notified to them and steps taken to rectify it.
It is important to assess these reports for the first year of operation of the new regime, before considering initiating further legislation. In this connection it is worth noting that neither the Irish nor the UK Regulations guarantee prices; they regulate practices. I should also say that the question of introducing regulations to outlaw unfair trading practices is at present being considered at EU level, and I am supportive of EU regulation in this area.
41. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current percentage of planted forestry land in counties Roscommon, Leitrim and Galway for 2016 and 2017 to date, in tabular form; if local authorities will be given the power to veto further planting in areas when the projected target of 17% is achieved by 2020 in view of the negative impact on farming practices in small rural townlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12184/17]
View answerFigures for the three counties are as follows:
|
County |
Total Forest cover (NFI) |
2016 afforestation |
2017 afforestation (up to 3/3/2017) |
|
Roscommon |
10.2% |
435ha |
36ha |
|
Leitrim |
16.7% |
434ha |
24ha |
|
Galway |
9.7% |
331ha |
23ha |
Information provided in the first column is taken from the 2012 National Forest Inventory or NFI. The NFI is the principal means of monitoring national forest cover in Ireland and records and assesses the extent and nature of Ireland’s forests, both public and private, in a timely, accurate and reproducible manner. The exercise is repeated every 5 years with work on the next NFI currently underway.
Under “Forests, products and people, Ireland’s forest policy” the aim is to increase forest cover to 18% by 2046. Following publication of new afforestation targets under the new forestry programme launched in 2015, the estimated year in which this level of cover will be reached has been updated to 2050. It is difficult to say what rules will be in place that far forward but currently the establishment of new forests are subject to rigorous checks and balances which undergo careful planning by professional foresters. Furthermore, all new forests must be established in compliance with national and EU legislation and the Department’s requirements as set out in the Forestry Standards Manual, Scheme Documents, Code of Best Practice – Ireland, the suite of environmental guidelines and requirements, and relevant procedures and protocols such as Forest Service Appropriate Assessment Procedure, consultation with statutory consultees and adherence to the Acid Sensitivity Protocol. Only projects which receive prior written approval from the Department in line with Statutory Instrument No. 558 of 2010 (as amended by S.I. No. 442 of 2012), and in compliance with sustainable forest management can proceed to planting.
I believe that forestry has an important role to play in improving the quality of life in rural Ireland both for farmers and others living in rural communities. These wide-ranging benefits are economic, environmental and social. Firstly forestry generates economic activity in parts of rural Ireland that other forms of investment can’t reach. On the environmental side, forests protect and enhance water quality, they can alleviate flooding and they are the most important land use option for climate change mitigation. There are also social benefits that can be enjoyed from forestry in the form of amenity and recreation. Furthermore, forestry can be complementary to existing farming activities particularly where land is being underutilised. For example, where animals are grazing poor land which is more suitable for forestry, animals can be moved onto the better fields and the poorer ground can be planted. In other words, forestry does not necessarily mean a reduction in agricultural output nor does it mean converting the entire farm to forestry; instead where land is underutilised, it signals a more efficient use of land bringing the entire farm closer to its productive potential. Most importantly this approach introduces a more stable and additional income into the farm. This new income stream can be used to develop the farm business as part of the overall plan for the farm.
42. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the process of reviewing qualifying areas for the areas of natural constraint scheme; if his Department has completed the mapping exercise; when the maps will be published; if he will ensure consultation is undertaken with farmers on the review in advance of submitting maps to the EU and in advance of any identification of areas for designation as areas of specific constraint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12353/17]
View answerUnder the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. The ANC scheme replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Less Favoured Areas Scheme. The designation of eligible areas under these schemes to date has been based on a range of socio-economic factors. From 2018 eligible areas must instead be designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria. In cases where a Member State does not introduce this new system for payment, the old scheme remains in place but payments must phase out on a digressive basis.
The biophysical criteria set out in the legislation to underpin the new system of designation 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 working on sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Department officials have also been in contact with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and DG Agri in the EU Commission in relation to technical issues arising. Over the coming months this analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel be subjected to a refinement process. It is envisaged that stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
43. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to seek a €200-per-head payment for suckler cows in the review of the Common Agricultural Policy. [12337/17]
View answerIreland has supported the greater market orientation of the CAP over recent reforms, including through the decoupling of payments from production. This has provided farmers a measure of income stability from the Basic Payments Scheme while allowing them to adjust production in response to market demand.
This approach to the reform of the CAP was one that was recognised as being the most suitable approach to take and my view remains that the best interests of farmers lie in retaining the flexibility to calibrate production to market demand without compromising income from the Basic Payment Scheme.
Future supports should in my opinion be targeted at improving the efficiency of existing suckler cows and I believe the existing BDGP is a good example of such a targeted support. This current model of funding provides support to enable suckler farmers to improve efficiency and profitability by improving the overall genetic merit of their beef herd. The BDGP builds on the substantial investment in data recording and genomics which has been made in recent years and will continue to drive further developments and improvements in this area.
Finding suitable means of supporting suckler cows in such a manner will of course provide its own challenges in the context of the review of the CAP but I am confident that it is a challenge that Ireland, through its team of dedicated and experienced negotiators, will be able to deal with in order to secure the optimum outcome for the Irish suckler herd when the time comes.
I do not believe that a mandatory coupled support is the most appropriate means of providing support to the suckler industry and I note that some Member States that retained coupled supports for their suckler cows have not been immune to the challenges faced by the beef sector across Europe in recent times.
The introduction of a €200 coupled suckler cow payment would involve a redistribution of funds allocated to farmers under Pillar I. This would necessitate a linear cut across payment to all BPS beneficiaries.
In relation to funding under Pillar II of the CAP, the Beef Data and Genomics Programme as already outlined is the current main support for the suckler sector and provides farmers with some €300 million of funding over the next six years. It is important that this programme is supported through the lifetime of the current RDP. This is of course in addition to the other supports for suckler farmers under the RDP notably GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer groups.
I am of course conscious of the challenges faced by suckler farmers currently and am aware of the importance of the sector to Ireland’s rural economy. It is a sector that I intend to ensure receives the support of my Department both at this time and also during the future review of the Common Agricultural Policy.
