Brendan Griffin
Question:317. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18589/17]
View answerGLAS Payments
Questions (317)
Written answers
The person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases related to the Commonage action. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
GLAS Payments
Questions (318)
Brendan Griffin
Question:318. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18590/17]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases. Department officials have examined this issue and the application is now being further processed for payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme
Questions (319)
Martin Kenny
Question:319. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the review of areas of natural constraint; when he envisages the completion of the review; and his plans to consult the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the farm organisations and other stakeholders before submitting maps and the results of the review to the European Union for approval. [18591/17]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
GLAS Applications
Questions (320)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:320. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 670 of 7 March 2017, the status of a GLAS 3 application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18593/17]
View answerWritten answers
An application for GLAS 3 was submitted on 14 December 2016 under a registered farm partnership number.
The application included the Rare Breed action and documentation uploaded with the application had to be manually checked as part of the approval process. This work has been completed and the application has now passed all pre-approval checks and will be admitted to the scheme with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017. The person named will be notified in writing of approval into the scheme shortly.
GLAS Payments
Questions (321)
Brendan Griffin
Question:321. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18594/17]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases related to the Commonage action. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
GLAS Payments
Questions (322)
Brendan Griffin
Question:322. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18598/17]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases related specifically to Commonage action. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
EU Regulations
Questions (323)
Seán Fleming
Question:323. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the arrangements in place for remuneration and compensation for loss of earnings to landowners due to the introduction of SI 31 of 2014 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18620/17]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme is given effect by the E.C. Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations 2014, commonly known as the Nitrates or GAP Regulations. The lead authority for these regulations is the Department for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
The purpose of the regulations is to protect surface waters, including drinking water sources, primarily through the management of farmyards and the application of livestock manures and other fertilisers in accordance with good practice and to meet crop requirements.
In order to protect human health, buffers are established regarding the distance within which livestock manure may be applied adjacent to an abstraction point of water for human consumption. There is provision within the regulations to adjust these buffers on the basis of a technical assessment which deals with relevant factors such as soil and subsoil type, water quality evidence, risk to human health etc. A 2 m buffer applies in relation to the application of chemical fertiliser. Such assessments are a matter for the local authority under the guidance of the Department of Planning, Housing and Local Government.
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Appeals
Questions (324)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:324. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) who has appealed their stocking density criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18623/17]
View answerWritten answers
An application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 18 May 2015.
Under the 2015 ANC Scheme, eligible applicants were required to meet a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months i.e. From 1 January 2015 to 31 July 2015. Payment under the ANC scheme did not issue in this case as the person named did not satisfy the minimum stocking density requirements.
The Department's records show that the person named held sufficient livestock to meet the minimum stocking requirement from 1 January 2015 until 17 June 2015 at which stage 11 animals were sold from the holding thereby breaking the 7 month count. The holding was not sufficiently restocked until 22 June 2015.
The person named was notified of this outcome in writing and advised of their right to seek a review of the decision within ninety days by the Agriculture Appeals Office. The person named has availed of this right and the file is currently with the Appeals Office.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Questions (325)
Michael Ring
Question:325. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive an AEOS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18638/17]
View answerWritten answers
The person named commenced their AEOS 2 contract on 1 September 2011. Payment issued in respect of the 2011-2015 Scheme years.
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 2016 is the final scheme-year of payment for the person-named, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Payments of cleared cases are issuing on a weekly basis.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Data
Questions (326)
Carol Nolan
Question:326. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons awaiting agri-environment options scheme payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18682/17]
View answerWritten answers
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 before payments can issue. As 2016 is the final scheme year for AEOS 2, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Out of 8,640 participants in the scheme, 7,351 have been paid and there are 1,289 cases undergoing the comprehensive checks. These checks are ongoing and payments are being made on a weekly basis as cases are cleared.
GLAS Data
Questions (327)
Carol Nolan
Question:327. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons awaiting GLAS payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18683/17]
View answerWritten answers
Under the EU Regulations governing GLAS and all other area-based payment schemes, a full check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place before payment can issue. Cases are being worked through on an ongoing basis and all cases which pass all of the regulatory checks and cleared for payment are paid on a weekly basis. There are currently 3,880 GLAS cases which have not been fully processed to payment stage for 2016.
Suckler Welfare Scheme
Questions (328)
Carol Nolan
Question:328. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if suckler farming will be strongly supported and prioritised for increased targeted direct supports of up to €200 per cow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18685/17]
View answerWritten answers
I am very much aware of the importance of the beef sector to Ireland’s rural economy and of the challenges faced by suckler farmers. It is a sector that I intend to ensure receives the continued support of my Department both at this time and into the future. There are a number of supports currently in place for the sector under the Rural Development Programme not least the €300 million Beef Data and Genomics Programme. This scheme builds upon 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.
The question of targeted supports of up to €200 per suckler cow is a complex one and could, for example, necessitate a redistribution of funds allocated to farmers under Pillar I. This would involve a linear cut across payments to all BPS beneficiaries.
In relation to funding under Pillar II of the CAP, the BDGP as already outlined is the current central support for the suckler sector and provides farmers with some €300 million of funding over the next six years. Increasing the level of payment under this scheme would require the approval of the EU Commission, and even if this were possible, would require the redistribution of funding from other rural development measures, and would require additional measures in an already complex scheme to justify any additional payments. I do not see this as a realistic option.
It is vital that the current BDGP programme is supported through the lifetime of the current RDP. This is, of course, in addition to the other supports which are in place for suckler farmers under the RDP, notably GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer groups. I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers are the most appropriate way to support the continued development of this sector.
Live Exports
Questions (329)
Carol Nolan
Question:329. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date in increasing live exports; his plans to protect live exports in relation to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18686/17]
View answerWritten answers
I am very conscious of the vital role that live exports play in stimulating price competition, and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department and Bord Bia are involved in on-going work to encourage and facilitate such exports. The Deputy will be aware that, in February last, my Department reduced the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves under three months of age to €1.20 per animal from €4.80, in order to bring greater equity in the fees payable per consignment in respect of calves, weanlings and adult cattle.
The cattle export trade in 2017 is positive after two years of decline. To date, exports of live cattle in 2017 have increased by almost 22,000 head, or 43%, in comparison to the first quarter of last year.
I will continue to work to ensure that Irish meat and livestock producers have the option of exporting to markets abroad for both processed meat and live animals.
Inland Fisheries Data
Questions (330, 331)
Thomas Byrne
Question:330. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the salmon rod and line return figures for the past six years relating to the Bangor, County Mayo, fishery district. [18397/17]
View answerThomas Byrne
Question:331. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the catch and release figures for fisheries (details supplied) in County Mayo. [18398/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 331 together.
The following tables set out details of the salmon rod and line return figures for Harvest and Catch and Release, over the past six years relating to the Bangor County Mayo Fishery District. These details, in respect of all Fishery Districts, are compiled and published annually by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and are available on IFI's website at http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Salmon-Management/wild-salmon-and-sea-trout-statistics.html.
If the Deputy has a specific query in mind, I would be happy to arrange a detailed briefing with IFI.
Salmon Harvest - Bangor Fishery District
|
Fishery |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
|
Glenamoy |
20 |
26 |
6 |
27 |
10 |
33 |
|
Carrowmore Lake |
141 |
112 |
155 |
Note 1 |
Note 1 |
Note 1 |
|
Owenmore |
0 |
0 |
0 |
235 |
798 |
822 |
|
Owenduff |
184 |
220 |
133 |
210 |
249 |
279 |
|
Shramore (Burrishoole) |
17 |
0 |
22 |
25 |
39 |
23 |
|
Newport (L.Beltra) |
53 |
66 |
28 |
62 |
59 |
69 |
|
Moyour |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Bunnahowna |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Salmon Catch and Release - Bangor Fishery District
|
Fishery |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
|
Glenamoy |
28 |
26 |
23 |
19 |
19 |
66 |
|
Carrowmore Lake |
102 |
74 |
109 |
Note 1 |
Note 1 |
Note 1 |
|
Owenmore |
135 |
180 |
100 |
458 |
440 |
479 |
|
Owenduff |
74 |
80 |
58 |
77 |
92 |
122 |
|
Shramore (Burrishoole) |
33 |
26 |
21 |
19 |
9 |
28 |
|
Newport (L.Beltra) |
87 |
56 |
93 |
97 |
108 |
94 |
|
Moyour |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Note 1 – Carrowmore Lake was included with the Owenmore Catch up to 2013