Written Answers Nos. 27-37
27. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will liaise with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to put in place a community led afforestation project, co-ordinated by local authorities across the country, to increase tree cover as part of the effort to tackle climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21110/17]
View answerThe Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020 includes two schemes where Local Authorities are themselves eligible for funding to establish new forests. These are the afforestation scheme and the neighbourwood scheme. Under the afforestation scheme Local Authorities can apply for establishment grants which cover 100% of the cost of planting bare land. Under State aid rules however, Local Authorities are not eligible for annual premiums.
On the other hand the neighbourwood scheme has been designed specifically with Local Authorities and communities in mind. Applications can be submitted by Local Authorities on behalf of community groups or by community groups themselves working in conjunction with Local Authorities. The scheme supports the development of attractive close-to-home woodland amenities (or ‘neighbourwoods’) for public use and enjoyment and includes a planting component where new forests can be established on green field sites.
Neighbourwoods can be used by people of all ages and abilities on a regular – often daily – basis, for strolling, family visits and picnics, walking-the-dog, ‘power-walking’, jogging, and a host of other outdoor activities. Also, local schools often use them as an ‘outdoor classroom’ for young people to learn about nature and the environment. Typical facilities include entrances, car parking, a variety of looped footpaths, information signage and waymarkers, nature trails, and seats and picnic tables. A neighbourwood can be a stand-alone amenity, or can be linked into other amenities and attractions in the area, such as parkland, historical buildings, visitor attractions and wider walking or cycle routes.
So far under the Forestry Programme 14 applications have been received for funding under this scheme, three have been from County Councils and one from a city council. My Department would like to encourage more Local Authorities to take part in this scheme and in line with my Department’s “Promotion Plan for Forestry” all local authorities will be contacted in order to raise awareness of the Neighbourwood scheme. Furthermore, the Midterm review of the forestry programme 2014-2020 will look at all aspects of the 11 measures included in that programme, including neighbourwoods. I will ensure that the discussions that are due to take place in relation to this work will include the Deputy’s proposal for a community led afforestation project, coordinated by local authorities.
28. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that as part of the review of the areas of natural constraint, designated areas assessments will be based on townlands and not district electoral divisions. [20877/17]
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.
In relation to the use of townlands as opposed to District Electoral Division (DED), the Rural Development Regulation sets out that LAU2 should be the basis for designation. This is equivalent to DED in the Irish context. There is some scope for flexibility on this issue, and my Department is engaging with the Commission on this issue with a view to ensuring the most technically robust basis for designation.
29. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure the future of the regional veterinary laboratory in County Kilkenny, which serves the farmers of the entire region of the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21064/17]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) Laboratories are an integral part of the Department, providing critical scientific evidence and expertise (in animal health, food safety and plant sciences) which allows the Department to function effectively as a regulator, to deal with new and emerging risks and to rapidly respond to disease outbreaks and food safety incidents. The laboratories also provide valued services and advisory support to the farming community, the food industry and wider society.
The ambitious targets of the Agri-food industry for growth and development over the next decade, as set out in Food Wise 2025, must be underpinned by robust systems which protect and enhance our reputation as a producer of safe and wholesome food and one of the ways in which we must respond to this challenge is by developing a long-term strategy for the laboratories - building on existing capability and expertise in animal health, food safety and plant sciences, and ensuring we achieve both operational and scientific excellence.
This was the primary reason for tasking a Working Group led by Professor Alan Reilly to undertake a comprehensive review of the Department’s Laboratories. This review has considered both the central laboratory complex at Backweston and the eight regional laboratories located at Athlone, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo. 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
To date no decision has been taken in respect of the options proposed for the Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs). My Department is currently completing a consultative process with all relevant stakeholders on the Working Group report (including on the options for RVLs). A cost-benefit analysis of the various options proposed will be undertaken. Any decision I make on the RVLs will be informed by the consultative process and the outcome of the cost-benefit analysis.
30. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the crisis support fund for tillage farmers who suffered severe crop damage due to adverse weather conditions in 2016; and his plans to implement the motion passed by Dáil Éireann to provide crisis support direct payments to persons. [21019/17]
View answerAt the outset and for the benefit of the House I want to give some background to this matter which I know the Deputy is very aware of. I hosted a further Tillage Stakeholders Forum on the 16 February following on from the first one in October 2016 which on both occasions consisted of representatives from all sides of this Sector. Addressing the most recent Forum, I took the opportunity to highlight that 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.
Therefore I was pleased to facilitate the “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme”, which was developed by my Department in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and 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. Although no official returns have been made to my Department as yet, preliminary information from the SBCI shows that some 8% of the loans to date have been drawn down by the tillage sector. The banks have confirmed that they have applications up to the amounts available under the Scheme.
There may be some residual availability but this will only emerge as applications are processed and loans drawn down. I am pleased at the very positive reaction by farmers to the Scheme, which has proved that significant demand exists for low cost flexible finance. I am currently meeting with the Chief Executives of the participating banks to discuss this and other issues relating to access to finance in the agri-food sector. I am asking the banks to respond positively to this demand by reducing interest rates and providing more flexible terms for cash flow loans in the future.
Also the Tillage Investment Scheme under TAMS II opened for online applications on the 8 March 2017. The specific areas of investment include Minimum Disturbance Tillage Equipment, Sprayers, Rain Water Harvesting, Grain Storage and Grain dryers. This Tillage Scheme is the latest of the Targeted Modernisation Schemes (TAMS II) to be launched under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The Scheme is co-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
All applications must be made on-line, either by the farmer or by an adviser authorised to act on his or her behalf. The closing date for applications under the first tranche of the new scheme will be Friday 30 June 2017.
As an additional support to cash flow on farms, including Tillage farms, up to €1.184billion has been paid out under the Basis Payment Scheme to 123,961 farmers and payments are ongoing. Payments of €201.554 million have also been made to 94,184 applicants under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme.
I can also confirm to the Deputy that a wide ranging discussion took place among all the stakeholders who attended the recent session of the Tillage Forum, including on the issue of crop losses as a result of the poor harvest conditions of last autumn. My officials have since then had some additional meetings with stakeholders and I will consider further the outcome of those deliberations.
31. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the proposed areas in the areas of natural constraint review will be published; the impact this will have on new areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21137/17]
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. Under the new Rural Development Regulation, 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. 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.
32. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide funding to an organisation (details supplied) in view of the funding shortfall from the organisation's levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20876/17]
View answerThe ICBF was established in 1998 following a number of years of industry consultation among all stakeholders in the cattle breeding industry.
ICBF is the only body approved under EU legislation (Commission Decision 2006/427/EC) to carry out testing, genetic evaluation and publication of breeding values for Irish dairy and beef cattle.
The objective of the ICBF is to achieve the greatest possible genetic improvement in the national cattle herd for the benefit of Irish farmers and the national dairy and beef industries. The organisation delivers a public good in the area of cattle breed improvement which is the foundation of a profitable and sustainable dairy and beef herd.
It is a ‘farmer led’ body receiving its funding from a number of sources including farmers, the breeding industry and with state support. A critical funding source has been the tag levy. However a drop in levy collection has arisen, leading to uncertainty for ICBF. Solutions to the financial issues are being explored by ICBF with industry stakeholders and DAFM and discussions are on-going.
33. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support and implement the Welfare of Greyhounds (Amendment) Bill 2017 regarding the exports of greyhounds; his views on recent reports of up to 200 greyhounds being exported to Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20874/17]
View answerOnce animal health and welfare certification requirements are met, dogs, including greyhounds, may be exported from Ireland. Exporters are required to comply with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport.
The export process does not differentiate between breeds of dogs, but information received to date from my Department's local offices indicates that no greyhounds were exported direct from Ireland to Pakistan during 2016 or to date in 2017.
Commercial movements of dogs within the EU are recorded on the European Commission’s TRACES system. Therefore my Department has access to the figures for exports of dogs to other EU Member States. The Department does not have figures for the movements of dogs that are, for example, exported to the UK, the most significant destination for Irish dogs, and subsequently exported, possibly by a different owner, to a third country.
Officials of my Department are currently examining the Deputy’s Welfare of Greyhounds (Amendment) Bill 2017.
Bord na gCon advises all owners of greyhounds to only export to destinations that provide the expected levels of greyhound care and management as defined in the IGB Code of Practice. I fully endorse this view.
34. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if workers in the horse racing industry, such as stable staff, are classified as agricultural workers; and if so, the implications regarding their terms and conditions of employment. [20879/17]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland is a commercial state body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
This is a matter ultimately for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation but I understand that the general corpus of employment legislation including the Terms of Employment (Information) Acts, the Payment of Wages Act, the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act and the Unfair Dismissals Acts, applies to the horse racing industry.
I believe also that the Organisation of Working Time (General Exemptions) Regulations 1998 (SI No. 21 of 1988) exempt certain activities, including agricultural activities, from the application of minimum rest periods (Section 11, Section 12, Section 13 and Section 16 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997) but horse racing activities are not specifically exempted under these Regulations.
Inspectors of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) have regard, on a case by case basis, to exemptions when determining compliance with employment rights entitlements.
35. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending the 31 May 2017 deadline for completion of works and actions under the knowledge transfer group scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21033/17]
View answerKnowledge Transfer is one of a suite of measures included under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and involves the formation and administration of knowledge transfer groups across the beef, dairy, equine, sheep, tillage and poultry sectors.
Funding of €100m under the Rural Development Programme has been allocated for this measure which involves Department approved agricultural consultants acting as Knowledge Transfer Facilitators administering groups operating over a three year period.
To date some 20,000 farmers in approximately 1,200 Knowledge Transfer Groups have attended meetings and approved Knowledge Transfer events. These Group meetings will be complemented by a tailored Farm Improvement Plan developed by each farmer in a one on one setting with his Knowledge Transfer Facilitator.
Meetings are managed through the Knowledge Transfer online system. To date over 5,500 of meetings have been held on important topics such as grassland management, farm progression, veterinary health and, farm health and safety.
The Farm Improvement Plan includes animal health measures addressing key issues such as calf health and mortality, biosecurity and fertility which farmers must complete with an approved vet. My Department has developed a dedicated online system for this purpose using herd data from other Department systems supplemented by data from ICBF. This provides the vet with information which, in addition to on-farm appraisal and discussion with the farmer, builds a profile of animal health on the farming enterprise. In turn, this forms the basis for individual advice to the farmer on veterinary health matters.
Development of the dedicated Animal Health Measures system, on which the vet records data and recommendations, is in the final stages with a view to going live shortly. In the interim approved vets have been registering the link with their client farmers on the online system in preparation for recording actions under the Animal Health Measures. My Department has also notified approved vets of the requirements in terms of both data and recommendations, which has enabled them to gather information in preparation for recording such information.
All other components of the Farm Improvement Plan such as breeding plans, eProfit monitor and farm health and safety are completed with the farmer by the approved Knowledge Transfer Facilitator on a one to one basis. My Department has developed a customised online system for recording key data related to these actions as well as recommendations which can enhance profitability and sustainability on the farming enterprise. This system is currently in the concluding stage of development with a view to opening it to facilitators shortly. In preparation, facilitators are currently completing actions, including the one to one discussion with the farmer, for the Farm Improvement Plan. In view of this, my Department currently has no plans to extend the 31 May deadline.
36. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider putting in place a community-led afforestation project co-ordinated by local authorities as part of a programme to tackle climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21113/17]
View answerMy Department currently operates two different measures under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 where Local Authorities are themselves eligible for funding to plant trees. These are the afforestation scheme and the neighbourwood scheme. Within the first of these, Local Authorities can apply for establishment grants which cover 100% of the cost of planting bare land. However under State aid rules, Local Authorities are not eligible for annual premiums.
The neighbourwood scheme on the other hand was designed for Local Authorities working in partnership with local communities. Applications can be submitted by Local Authorities on behalf of community groups or by community groups themselves working in conjunction with Local Authorities. The scheme includes a planting component where funding is provided for establishing woodlands on “Greenfield sites”. The scheme aims to provide a “close to home” woodland amenity for the local community to enjoy. The scheme itself is a central pillar of the Department’s strategy to deliver recreation and social benefits of forestry to local communities. Forests have a positive impact on human well-being particularly in relation to our mental health. Neighbourwoods are a great way to provide an amenity which is accessible for locals and also for schools where children can be close to and learn about their natural environment.
While the scheme is proving attractive to both Local Authorities and community groups my Department would like to see more applications being received. To this end the midterm review will focus on the following issues in relation to improving the neighbourwood scheme;
- How can the Neighbourwood scheme be improved upon to make it easier for interested parties to submit applications?
- Can the scheme be improved to increase the level of native woodland afforestation?
- How can local communities be mobilised to develop forests in their area?
Furthermore I will ensure that the Deputy’s proposal for a community led afforestation project coordinated by Local Authorities forms part of the discussions that will take place as part of this work.
37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine , further to Parliamentary Question No. 435 of 28 March 2017, when he will publish his conclusions in view of the fact the consultation process ended in February 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21062/17]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing were transferred from the Minister to the Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats, which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in that Act and Ministerial Policy Directives.
As Minister I have responsibility for policy in relation to sea-fishing boat licensing under Section 3(3) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, as amended by Section 99 of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. In this context, and as referred to above, Section 3 of the Act makes provision for Ministerial Policy Directives to issue to the independent Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats. I am, however, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to individual cases, or a group of cases, with which the Licensing Authority is or may be concerned under Section 3(5) of the 2003 Act.
I received proposals from a Producer Organisation (PO) which, in summary, relate to the possibility of reducing the requirement to provide 100% replacement capacity with the relevant track record to 80% (the balance being sourced from capacity without track record). I undertook a public consultation process on these proposals and made a consultation paper available which set out the background to fleet policy and carried out an analysis of the current situation. The consultation paper examined the implications of the proposals made by the Producer Organisation and also put forward alternative options. As the Deputy notes, this consultation ended on 28 February 2017.
26 submissions were received in this regard and they are currently being examined. I will carefully consider, following any further analysis needed, the case for amendment(s) to current licensing policy taking into account the submissions received. I will have my conclusions published on the Department's website, as early as possible.
