Written Answers Nos. 543-565
543. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports which are in place to assist farmers in promoting pedigree cattle nationally and internationally; the supports which are being provided by State agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23978/17]
View answerPedigree breeders play an important role in cattle production in this country. Pedigree breeders work closely with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation and are at the forefront of the effort to breed superior stock. The National Beef Breeding Programme ultimately contributes significantly to the profitability of farm enterprises in general, the success of our meat production sector, and the country’s export income.
Supports are provided for the promotion of pedigree cattle through certain Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, and State Agency supports.
Regarding support provided by State Agencies, Bord Bia supports breed specific beef and live cattle exports on a number of fronts. While these can be pedigree oriented they are not exclusively so and can be purebred or crossbred (sired) as appropriate. Bord Bia is guided by market potential and demand as well as the ability and desire of the industry to develop markets.
Some examples of such activity over recent years have been extensive support of traditional breed beef (Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn), Inward buyer visits and market study visits, assistance in identifying markets and customers and buyer introductions.
Bord Bia has also assisted in the development of communications and Public Relations initiatives, market promotions, as well as open days, receptions, exhibitions and trade shows.
Bord Bia has partnered with major customers, exporters and breed societies in delivering the above promotions across virtually all European markets and increasingly developing international market opportunities (e.g. Hong Kong). It has worked with the mainstream continental breeds on a range of the above activities based on requests and market opportunities, engaging in particular on Limousin, Charolais, Simmental and Piedmontese offerings.
With regard to live exports, Bord Bia has co-operated with shippers and customers to engage on breed based opportunities. These have predominately been for Hereford and Angus breeding animals, with the requirement being for purebred animals. Among the services offered in this connection are arranging inward buyer visits for new customers in Italy, Netherlands and North Africa, attendance at industry trade fairs and the promotion of Ireland as a source of high quality animals via ads in specialist publications, brochures and video footage.
My Department also provides financial support on an annual basis for International Pedigree Breeding events. Pedigree breeders are key stakeholders in the Irish Cattle Breeders’ Federation and in this regard my Department provides annual support to ICBF of which part is used to fund Gene Ireland Pedigree breed improvement programmes. The Gene Ireland programme helps showcase the various beef breeds and the genetic variation within those breeds.
544. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the review of the guidelines regarding dog breeding establishments, in view of Ireland's reputation as the puppy farm capital of Europe. [23989/17]
View answerResponsibility for the review of guidelines relating to Dog Breeding Establishments rests with my colleague Mr Simon Coveney TD, Minister of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
545. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24007/17]
View answerIn 1981 the former Irish land Commission purchased 11.387 hectares of land in Hughestown from the Estate of Reps. Nicholas Kelly, deceased. The purchase price of £40,000 (50,789 Euro) was paid in 16.5 per cent Land Bonds.
546. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a land swap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24010/17]
View answerForestry plantations are subject to the requirements of the Forestry Act 1946 and to the Forestry Act 2014, which will come into force from 24th May 2017.
An application for non-grant aided forestry would be appropriate course of action for the proposed land. Should this be successful, the land owner for the existing land must contact my Department's Forest Service to discuss the transfer of the land concerned.
547. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that spring lamb prices are at unsustainably low rates for producers; his views on a retailer (details supplied) selling at below cost in view of the fact that this undermines the producer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24046/17]
View answerI am very much aware of the impact prices received by all producers, including sheep producers, has on the profitability of a farmer's enterprise. However the price which farmers receive for their produce, and which retailers subsequently charge for it is a commercial matter, determined by a range of market factors. Neither I nor any agriculture minister in the EU has a role in determining or influencing the commercial relationship between primary producers and their customers or retail-level prices, and it would be entirely inappropriate for me to comment on this matter.
Retail prices of food and food products are determined in the marketplace. The Grocery Goods Undertakings Regulations, 2016 set down requirements regarding written contracts by food retailers/wholesalers with a worldwide turnover of over €50 million. They also prohibit a number of practices but do not set prices in relation to suppliers or consumers (S.I. No. 35 of 2016).
My Department has a number of supports available to sheep farmers under the Rural Development Programme including the BPS, GLAS, TAMS, Knowledge Transfer and ANC schemes. Added to this is the new Sheep Welfare scheme under the Programme for Government which committed to the establishment of a scheme for sheep farmers under the Rural Development Programme with a budget of some €25 million in 2017. This scheme is now fully operational with almost 22,000 applicants participating.
These schemes represent a clear acknowledgement of the contribution the sheepmeat sector makes to the Irish Agri-Food sector. In 2016 this sector saw an increase in exports of sheepmeat of 3% in volume and 4% in value terms to €240 million, supporting some 35,000 farm families directly, as well as providing several thousand jobs indirectly in rural areas.
548. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received correspondence from Limerick City and County Council regarding the request for his Department to fund the full cost of horse control in County Limerick; if so, his plans to act on this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24054/17]
View answerMy Department has been furnished with a resolution adopted at the March meeting of Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) calling for the Council to be reimbursed for the full cost of horse control in Limerick.
The Control of Horses Act 1996 details powers available to local authorities for the control and welfare of horses. Section 15 of the Act provides that the Minister for Agriculture, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may make grants towards the expenses of a local authority incurred under this Act.
Over the years my Department has worked with local authorities (including very active engagement with LCCC) in identifying areas where savings and efficiencies can be achieved in implementing the Act.
My Department has contributed funding of €11.9m to local authorities in respect of control of horses activities for the period 2011-2016, of this €1.8m has been paid to LCCC. This funding represents a very substantial support from the Exchequer to local authorities in dealing with the stray horses in the country and Local Authorities for their part should ensure achieving best value possible through the public procurement process.
Further initiatives introduced by my Department to bring greater efficiencies in control of horses and reduce numbers of straying horses, is the provision of funding to support facilities for urban horses and in educating young people in urban areas in the care and welfare of horses. In this regard, financial assistance of €127,700 was paid in 2016 to LCCC to support an Equine Education Programme which I understand is being extended across the city.
The ongoing horse welfare controls and horse projects being implemented by the Council together with work being undertaken independently by my Department officials and animal welfare bodies, across the county on horse welfare, has resulted in a reduction in horse seizures in the Limerick city and county area, from 352 horses in 2013 to just over 200 in 2016 (a trend mirrored nationally with 4,800 horse seizures in 2013 to just over 2,000 in 2016) and this reducing trend has reduced the financial burden on all local authorities including LCCC.
549. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a felling licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24085/17]
View answerAn application for a felling licence was received on behalf of the person named on 2nd February 2017. Every application is carefully vetted to ensure silvicultural and environmental standards are maintained, and is reviewed by a Forestry Inspector. In this particular instance, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) were contacted for their input, which will inform the final decision on the licence application by the Forestry Inspector. This decision is expected shortly.
It should be noted that there is no fee payable to the Department for a Felling Licence application. If an individual retains a contractor to carry out the felling operation, this is a private arrangement into which my Department has no input.
550. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the appointment of a new keeper for a holding (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24097/17]
View answerMy Department received an application from the person named for registration as a herdowner under the Department’s TB Eradication Scheme on May 8th 2017. The application is currently being considered and a decision regarding registration will be made following submission by the applicant of the appropriate supporting documentation.
551. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a GLAS penalty in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24146/17]
View answerThe person named was subject of a field inspection under 2015 GLAS on 25th February 2016. The outcome of this inspection deemed a specific area as ineligible. Under the EU regulations governing the various area-based schemes, including the Basic Payment Scheme, ineligible areas identified as part of an inspection under one scheme must be examined for all area-based schemes for which the applicant has applied.
The outcome of the GLAS inspection was processed under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme and this resulted in an over-declaration in area being determined under this scheme. As payment had already issued in respect of this scheme, my Department was required to commence the process to recover the amount of the over-payment.
Officials in my Department will now review the outcome of the GLAS inspection based on the information provided by the Deputy. The person named will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as possible.
In the event that the review results in a change to the eligible area, payment under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme will be re-examined.
552. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) was refused the national reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24202/17]
View answerThe person named has submitted applications under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2017 National Reserve and also the Young Farmers Scheme. The closing date for receipt of applications was 15th May 2017 and my Department will commence processing of the applications very shortly. The person named will be notified in writing of the outcome of his applications in due course.
The Terms and Conditions applicable to all categories under the National Reserve require applicants to have a gross off-farm income of €40,000 or less in either of the two tax years 2015 or 2016. There is no off-farm income limit for applicants under the Young Farmers Scheme.
553. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received for the seafood processing capital investment scheme; the number of applications that were not accepted to the scheme in increments (details supplied) in each of the years 2014 to 2016, in tabular form; the amount that was allocated in each of these years [24206/17]
View answer554. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 471 of 28 March 2017, the reason much of the approved funding under the seafood processing capital investment scheme was not drawn down. [24207/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 553 and 554 together.
Ireland's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme 2014-2020 was adopted by the European Commission in December 2015 and officially launched in January 2016. A Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme features in the Programme and was launched in 2016. Prior to 2016, a somewhat similar scheme operated under the EFF Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013. Both schemes are implemented by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and focus on incentivising private investment in seafood processing facilities to add value to fish raw material through increased processing and production of value added seafood products. Food Wise 2025 aims to see the amount of fish sold in commodity form drop from 70% to below 50% through increased value added processing.
The table attached sets out the details requested concerning the number of applications in each year 2014 to 2016, total grants awarded and total grants paid out in those years. The second table shows the number of applications not approved in each year. As you will see, no applications were refused in either 2014 or 2015 and 4 were not approved in 2016. In general, very few applications tend to be rejected, as BIM assists potential applicants with advice on eligibility. Where an applicant is deemed not ready to proceed with a project, the applicant is generally steered by BIM to other areas of support, such as business planning, in order to bring them up to the required standard.
Experience has shown that not all funds approved under the Scheme are drawn down by the applicants. There are a variety of reasons for this. Some applicants deliver a project at lower cost, and so the grant paid reduces because it is a percentage of actual costs incurred. Some projects do not proceed at all or are deferred by the applicant as the business environment for the investment has changed. For example, a number of approved investments in salmon processing facilities in 2016 did not proceed as the market price of salmon increased, reducing the economics of the value-adding investment planned. Some other projects encounter unforeseen planning difficulties with their building proposals.
|
- |
Applications (no.) |
Grants awarded |
Drawn Down |
|
2014 |
18 |
€2.64 m |
€1.09 m |
|
2015 |
17 |
€2.91 m |
€1.80 m |
|
2016 |
33 |
€3.46 m |
€1.99 m |
Applications not approved
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
€0 - €5,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
€5,000 - €10,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
€10,000 - €20,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
€20,000 - €30,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
€30,000 - €50,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
€50,000 - €100,000 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
> €100,000 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
555. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount which has been allocated for payment to persons under the latest hen harrier scheme in each of the years 2014 to 2016 in tabular form; the projections for 2017 and 2018; the way in which the funding will be spent; and when persons will receive payment. [24208/17]
View answerIn referring to ‘the latest hen harrier scheme’, I assume that the Deputy is referring to the Locally-Led Scheme for the Conservation of the Hen Harrier under the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020. The design work for this scheme has just commenced, with the appointment of a locally led Project Team a few weeks ago. The scheme was not in existence before that, or for the years referred to by the Deputy.
While there is still a lot of work to undertake, including definition of the actions to be undertaken, I do envisage that the first farmers will join the hen harrier locally led scheme in 2017. Unlike other schemes, the new hen harrier scheme will not be tied to calendar years and this provides for greater flexibility in both recruitment and payment. At this point in time I have no firm projections for payments in relation to 2017 or 2018 - this is something the Project Team will be examining and will advise my Department in due course.
However, I would also like to point out that a significant framework of support for farmers with hen harrier designated land is already in place through my Department's agri-environment scheme GLAS. Under GLAS, farmers with hen harrier habitat qualify for a payment of €370 per hectare and can earn up to €7,000 per annum through a combination of GLAS and GLAS Plus payments. The GLAS Hen Harrier action has proved hugely successful, with some 3,500 farmers now signed up. This accounts for almost 90% of all farmers with hen harrier habitat and represents a major step forward in the conservation of the bird and in securing important additional income for the farmers concerned.
556. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the establishment of an independent regulator to deal with allegations of price fixing relating to the beef industry could be carried out within the existing consumer protection agencies; and the expected annual cost of such a measure. [24209/17]
View answerThe State, through the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), has an existing and well established infrastructure for oversight of competition matters and for dealing with allegations of anti-competitive practices or abuse of a dominant position. All operational programmes of the CCPC are entirely a matter for the Commission itself.
If any person has evidence of practices by any entity which involve price fixing or are contrary to competition rules he or she should bring that evidence to the attention of the CCPC.
557. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will be issued to a person (details supplied). [24278/17]
View answerThe vast majority (80%) of Organic Farming Scheme participants have already received their 85% advance payment in respect of 2016. Balancing payments have also started to issue in respect of the old Organic Farming Scheme.
The outstanding Organic Farming Scheme payments relate to cases where issues have been identified and follow up is required. These issues are being investigated and dealt with on a case by case basis.
In the case of the person named, there was an issue relating to nitrates which led to a cross-compliance penalty being applied. Once the implications of this for the Organic Farming payment in question have been resolved, the correct payment will be calculated and will issue as soon as possible thereafter.
558. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 13 April 2017, when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24312/17]
View answerThe 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 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases in relation to the protection of watercourses action. Department officials are examining this issue and the application will be further processed for payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year when it is resolved.
559. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the 2016 GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24413/17]
View answerThe application of the person named has passed all the required GLAS validations in respect of the 2016 scheme year and and 85% of the payment due has issued. The balancing 15% payment will issue in due course.
560. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department's information system is dropping plots on the BPS applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24494/17]
View answerThe Department's Basic Payment Scheme Online system allows applicants to declare all the land being farmed by them for the appropriate period. Land declared by them in a previous year is provided as a guide to farmers to assist in making their application. Occasionally parcels will not be provided on the online system. For example, land parcels that were deemed ineligible in the previous year e.g. land claimed with another applicant. These can be added back in easily by the applicant if being farmed by them in the year of application, using the 'Add Parcel' facility
Farmers should declare all land being farmed by them for the application period. The summary screen of the application process provides details of the number of parcels the farmer declares and the breakdown of crop types, total area etc. to allow the farmer cross-check to make sure all land has been included.
561. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason redigitised plots on his Department's systems are given a zero maximum eligible area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24478/17]
View answerEach year farmers are required to declare all land holdings that they farm and wish to draw down area based payments on. The Department's mapping system - Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), has a unique identifier for each block of land on the system, known as a parcel number. Each parcel has an attribute, known as the Maximum Eligible Area (MEA), which is the eligible area for payment. The MEA can range from zero in the case of farm yards, to the total area of the parcel, in the case of agricultural land fully farmed and with no waste e.g. scrub.
At application time farmers or their agents may wish to update the parcel information. This can be due to a number of reasons e.g. changes to land eligibility due to scrub reclamation, or reductions due to farm yard development and extension. In these situations the change can be made by the addition of a plot to the application. This plot indicates that a parcel needs to be amended and the underlying eligibility reviewed. While the plot may at application time not have an MEA, this is simply due to the fact that the parcel it relates to has to go through the redigitising process. Once this is complete the appropriate MEA will be assigned based on the information provided by the applicant and the review of the imagery that the Department has for the land in question.
562. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide further training for agricultural consultants for the TAMS system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24479/17]
View answerThe full suite of measures under the TAMS II Schemes are now open for online applications and for online payment claims. A user manual for the system and Frequently Asked Questions are included with the full suite of documents relating to the TAMS II schemes on the Department's website. My Department is also available to respond to any queries on an ongoing basis. Queries can be addressed to the email address at tams@agriculture.gov.ie or the help line at 0761 064452.
563. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if appropriate consents where necessary prior to entering into formal arrangements for the acquisition or disposal of property, as referenced on page 6 of his Department's circular 17/2016 policy for property acquisition and for disposal of surplus property, includes the appropriate rezoning permissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24527/17]
View answerThe circular referred to is Department of Public and Expenditure and Reform Circular 17 of 2016. Section 5 therein, as referred to by the Deputy, relates to Corporate Governance requirements. The Office of Public Works has confirmed to my Department that this requirement does not apply to re-zoning.
564. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a national reserve appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24602/17]
View answerThe Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that the person named lodged an appeal in relation to the Basic Payment Scheme 2015 National Reserve. A decision letter issued to the person named on 24 April 2017 notifying him of the outcome of the appeal. The person named was also advised that it remains open to them to raise any issue with the matter with the Office of the Ombudsman. Alternatively, if the person named considers that an error has been made in relation to the law or the facts of the case he may request a review by the Director of the Agriculture Appeals Office. The Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that replies to all correspondence from the person named have issued.
565. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the length of time the permanent post of a district superintendent has been vacant in both the ERAD and single farm payment section of his Department; the date both district superintendent posts were vacated; the reason they were only filled on a temporary basis; the length of time the posts have been filled on a temporary basis; his plans to fill both posts on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24615/17]
View answerThe staffing requirements of my Department are kept under regular review. As part of that process there is an on-going assessment of all business needs across my Department to consider which posts are considered to be critical needs.
With regard to filling any district superintendent posts there is an upcoming District Superintendent competition to take place, from which a panel will be formed. The Management Board will then assess the business needs and prioritise any critical vacancies to be filled at that time.
