Written Answers Nos. 186-205
186. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expenses incurred by his Department relating to all types of insurance in each of the past five years; the cost of each insurance policy held by his Department over the same time period per annum; if he will provide the same data for all bodies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26279/17]
View answerGovernment Departments do not have conventional insurance cover. Instead, Departments, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) operate under State indemnity, a self-insurance model whereby the State bears the financial risk associated with the costs of claims.
The State Claims Agency (SCA), manages personal injury, property damage and negligence claims brought against DAFM and deals with any claims against the Department.
There are only three exceptional instances where DAFM has taken out insurance:
1. On the advice of the Chief State Solicitors Office, DAFM took out insurance on a property it owned which was leased to a third party. The insurance cost is recouped from the third party pro-rata to the occupancy of the property.
2. In respect of external contracted staff, working on the National Forestry Inventory where insurance was paid for a number of years by DAFM but is now sourced and paid for by the contractors directly.
3. Insurance in respect of a property used as a District Office.
Details of these payments are set out in the table below.
These are operational matters for the State Bodies and the Deputy may wish to contact them directly.
Department Of Agriculture Food and the Marine
|
Year |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
Total |
|
Total |
€2211 |
€2018 |
€1270 |
€1295 |
€870 |
€947 |
€8611 |
187. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the independent review into the aquaculture licensing process and associated legal framework has been completed; if the group has published its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26352/17]
View answerThe Independent Review Group was tasked with making recommendations to improve the existing licensing system and to undertake steps to review the legislative framework. On 31 May 2017 I received the Review Group's report which examines the process of licensing for aquaculture and its associated legal framework in keeping with actions identified in Food Wise 2025 and Ireland’s National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development.
The aquaculture licensing process deals with complex scientific and technical information and seeks to balance often competing issues. It is not surprising therefore that the report sets out 30 separate recommendations on a wide range of aspects to the process which I will need to reflect on and, where necessary, seek appropriate advice as regards potential implementation.
The report will be published online at www.fishingnet.ie.
188. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons working within the market access unit in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26356/17]
View answerMy Department's work on developing market access involves inputs across a range of Divisions in relation to technical certification matters, the co-ordination of inward audit missions from third country authorities, the organisation of trade missions, engagement with industry and a range of other activities.
These activities are coordinated by a Market Access Unit comprising 6 members of staff.
My Department is at present reviewing the staff complement in this area and will be deploying the appropriate resources as the need arises.
189. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in receipt of GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 that have received 85% of their total 2016 payment, by county; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment; the number of GLAS recipients that have yet to receive payment by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26376/17]
View answerBy the end of this week initial processing of every GLAS I and II case for 2016 payment will have been completed. Of these 36,700 applications, approx. 1,400 applicants will have been informed that further information is required of them before their application can be advanced and it is now a matter for the applicant together with their Advisor to consider how they wish to proceed.
The information requested is set out below on a county by county basis for GLAS 1 and GLAS II applicants who have received a payment to date or will be paid in the next payment run by the Department in the coming days. In total this represents just under 95% of all applications received.
This leaves approx. 600 applicants whose cases are being reviewed by the Department and every effort is being made to move these cases towards payment as quickly as possible.
|
County |
No of Applicants paid to date |
No of Applicants Sent for payment |
|
Carlow |
385 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
1294 |
1 |
|
Clare |
2216 |
5 |
|
Cork |
2997 |
2 |
|
Donegal |
2841 |
2 |
|
Dublin |
71 |
0 |
|
Galway |
4142 |
2 |
|
Kerry |
2554 |
5 |
|
Kildare |
302 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
609 |
2 |
|
Laois |
538 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
1379 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
1300 |
0 |
|
Longford |
827 |
0 |
|
Louth |
210 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
3624 |
3 |
|
Meath |
589 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
703 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
718 |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
2011 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
1262 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
1558 |
3 |
|
Waterford |
446 |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
876 |
1 |
|
Wexford |
924 |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
447 |
0 |
|
34823 |
40 |
190. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons that applied for AEOS that have received their total 2016 payment, by county; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment; the number of AEOS recipients that have yet to receive payment by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26377/17]
View answerUnder 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 AEOS 2 participants, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. This work is ongoing and payments are made on a weekly basis to cases that have been finalised.
|
County |
Totals |
Paid |
Awaiting Processing |
|
Carlow |
49 |
44 |
5 |
|
Cavan |
244 |
216 |
28 |
|
Clare |
556 |
500 |
56 |
|
Cork |
428 |
380 |
48 |
|
Donegal |
1360 |
1,219 |
141 |
|
Dublin |
9 |
9 |
0 |
|
Galway |
1245 |
1,123 |
122 |
|
Kerry |
568 |
503 |
65 |
|
Kildare |
39 |
35 |
4 |
|
Kilkenny |
109 |
96 |
13 |
|
Laois |
80 |
65 |
15 |
|
Leitrim |
430 |
387 |
43 |
|
Limerick |
224 |
186 |
38 |
|
Longford |
89 |
77 |
12 |
|
Louth |
41 |
38 |
3 |
|
Mayo |
1399 |
1,290 |
109 |
|
Meath |
83 |
75 |
8 |
|
Monaghan |
151 |
124 |
27 |
|
Offaly |
110 |
101 |
9 |
|
Roscommon |
478 |
438 |
40 |
|
Sligo |
335 |
299 |
36 |
|
Tipperary |
245 |
200 |
45 |
|
Waterford |
82 |
72 |
10 |
|
Westmeath |
122 |
99 |
23 |
|
Wexford |
84 |
58 |
26 |
|
Wicklow |
80 |
67 |
13 |
|
Totals |
8640 |
7,701 |
939 |
191. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants to the new sheep scheme by county in tabular form; and the number of persons that withdrew their applications. [26381/17]
View answerThe Sheep Welfare Scheme was launched on 16 December 2016. A total of 22,174 applications were received by the 3rd February 2017 closing date and these are currently being processed. The number of applications that have been withdrawn per County is set out in the following table:
|
County |
Lowland |
Highland |
|
Withdrawals |
Withdrawals |
|
|
Carlow |
||
|
Cavan |
2 |
|
|
Clare |
3 |
2 |
|
Cork |
4 |
|
|
Donegal |
5 |
8 |
|
Dublin |
||
|
Galway |
10 |
3 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
2 |
|
Kildare |
3 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
|
|
Laois |
||
|
Leitrim |
3 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
||
|
Longford |
||
|
Louth |
1 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
6 |
|
Meath |
||
|
Monaghan |
||
|
Offaly |
||
|
Roscommon |
8 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
5 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
6 |
|
|
Waterford |
1 |
|
|
Westmeath |
5 |
|
|
Wexford |
4 |
|
|
Wicklow |
2 |
1 |
192. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budget spend to date on the new sheep scheme based on the number of applications received for the scheme; the variables and criteria set down under the programme; the estimated annual average payment; and the estimated average payment per animal. [26382/17]
View answerThe Sheep Welfare Scheme was launched on 16 December 2016. A total of 22,174 applications were received by the 3 February 2017 closing date. A total allocation of €25m is available under the Scheme. The total number of eligible animals in the applications received is 2,028,278. This figure is subject to change because there a number of appeals in relation to applicants' reference numbers of animals. These cases are currently under consideration by my Department.
Payments are due to issue for this Scheme later this year. Payment is set at a rate of €10 per breeding ewe.
Each applicant must choose two actions from a menu outlined in the following table:
|
Lowland Flock |
Hill Flock |
|
Category A |
Category A |
|
Lameness Control |
Mineral Supplementation Ewes post mating |
|
Mineral Supplementation Ewes post mating |
Meal feeding lambs post weaning* |
|
Category B |
Category B |
|
Parasite Control (Faecal Egg Count) |
Parasite Control (Faecal Egg Count) |
|
Scanning |
Scanning |
|
Flystrike control |
Mineral Supplementation Lambs Pre weaning* |
* Hill flocks may not choose both Mineral Supplementation of Lambs and Meal feeding of lambs post weaning.
193. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the payment rates per hectare that applied in each ANC disadvantaged land category before the changes implemented to payment criteria in the 2007-08 period; and the annual allocation to ANCs over the period 2005 to 2016 in tabular form. [26383/17]
View answerThe details requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table:
|
Disadvantaged Areas Payment Rates |
||
|
2001 to 2005 inclusive |
Rates |
Payable Area |
|
Mountain Type Grazings |
€101.58 |
first 10ha |
|
€88.88 |
remaining 35ha |
|
|
More Severely Handicapped |
€88.88 |
45ha |
|
Less Severely Handicapped |
€76.18 |
45ha |
|
2006 Rates inclusive of 7.9% modulation |
||
|
Mountain Type Grazings |
€109.60 |
first 10ha |
|
€95.90 |
remaining 35ha |
|
|
More Severely Handicapped |
€95.90 |
45ha |
|
Less Severely Handicapped |
€82.20 |
45ha |
|
2007 - 2008 inclusive |
||
|
Mountain Type Grazings |
€109.71 |
first 10ha |
|
€95.99 |
remaining 35ha |
|
|
More Severely Handicapped |
€95.99 |
45ha |
|
Less Severely Handicapped |
€82.27 |
45ha |
|
Annual Allocation |
||
|
Year |
€m |
|
|
2005 |
€235 |
|
|
*2006 |
€254 |
* payment rates inclusive of 7.9% Top Up |
|
2007 - 2008 |
€250 |
|
|
2009 - 2011 |
€220 |
|
|
2012 |
€190 |
|
|
2013 - 2014 |
€195 |
|
|
2015 - 2016 |
€202 |
194. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of new staff recruited in each individual State agency under his aegis to date in 2017, including Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the National Milk Agency, Teagasc and the Marine Institute; the cost of hiring additional staff in each individual State agency in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26385/17]
View answerStaff hires within State agencies under my Department's auspices are a matter for the State Agencies themselves once they remain within their budget set in their Delegated Sanction.
195. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants to the 2017 national reserve and young farmers scheme by county in tabular from. [26386/17]
View answerThe number of eligible applicants will not be known until all details pertaining to the applications have been processed and verified and all land details submitted under the Basic Payment Scheme have been established. It is expected this information will be available in the Autumn.
196. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants to the 2017 basic payments scheme by county in tabular form. [26387/17]
View answerAs requested, please see table detailing the number of applicants to the 2017 Basic Payments scheme by county. Please note these figures are subject to change as the data capture of paper applications is ongoing.
|
COUNTY |
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED |
|
CARLOW |
1648 |
|
CAVAN |
4944 |
|
CLARE |
6205 |
|
CORK |
13234 |
|
DONEGAL |
8914 |
|
DUBLIN |
663 |
|
GALWAY |
12399 |
|
KERRY |
7993 |
|
KILDARE |
2164 |
|
KILKENNY |
3422 |
|
LAOIS |
2970 |
|
LEITRIM |
3522 |
|
LIMERICK |
5246 |
|
LONGFORD |
2437 |
|
LOUTH |
1547 |
|
MAYO |
11782 |
|
MEATH |
3897 |
|
MONAGHAN |
4271 |
|
OFFALY |
3095 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
5837 |
|
SLIGO |
4110 |
|
TIPPERARY |
7043 |
|
WATERFORD |
2446 |
|
WESTMEATH |
3082 |
|
WEXFORD |
4078 |
|
WICKLOW |
2215 |
|
Applications submitted under a Ref No. |
1166 |
|
TOTAL |
130330 |
197. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants to the 2017 BPS greening top up by county in tabular form. [26388/17]
View answerAs requested, please see table detailing the number of applicants to the 2017 Greening top-up payment by county. Please note these figures are subject to change as data capture of paper applications is ongoing. The figures provided are the same as those provided in PQ 26387/17 as Greening is paid as a top up on BPS applications.
|
COUNTY |
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED |
|
CARLOW |
1648 |
|
CAVAN |
4944 |
|
CLARE |
6205 |
|
CORK |
13234 |
|
DONEGAL |
8914 |
|
DUBLIN |
663 |
|
GALWAY |
12399 |
|
KERRY |
7993 |
|
KILDARE |
2164 |
|
KILKENNY |
3422 |
|
LAOIS |
2970 |
|
LEITRIM |
3522 |
|
LIMERICK |
5246 |
|
LONGFORD |
2437 |
|
LOUTH |
1547 |
|
MAYO |
11782 |
|
MEATH |
3897 |
|
MONAGHAN |
4271 |
|
OFFALY |
3095 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
5837 |
|
SLIGO |
4110 |
|
TIPPERARY |
7043 |
|
WATERFORD |
2446 |
|
WESTMEATH |
3082 |
|
WEXFORD |
4078 |
|
WICKLOW |
2215 |
|
Applications submitted under a Ref No. |
1166 |
|
TOTAL |
130330 |
198. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on concerns from an organisation (details supplied) that greater demand for land suitable for afforestation is driving up the price of land in some areas; and if his attention has been drawn to the way in which this can cause concern for young farmers dependent on access to lower priced land in view of the fact that they lack access to capital or credit. [26389/17]
View answerI am aware of the recent increase in land prices. The value of land is of course governed by the laws of supply and demand and for those selling land this is, of course, a positive development. There are many reasons why lands are put up for sale which can include lands which are viewed as marginal for agriculture or indeed the restructuring of farm holdings following retirement, death or inheritance. There are also regional variations in terms of demand, supply and quality which influences the final price paid for land. Forestry may be one of many factors which can influence movements in land prices.
The market for farmland in Ireland is characterised by a low volume of land sales with relatively high prices and this is attributable to a number of factors, both social and economic. CSO data shows prices vary across regions and by land type. The recent Agri-taxation Review acknowledged that access to land is an issue and identified as a key policy objective to increase the mobility and the productive use of land. A number of measures to rebalance the rental sector in favour of long-term leasing have been introduced in recent years and are having a significant impact, especially among younger farmers and those seeking to expand.
The perceived link between afforestation grants, premium rates and movement in land prices overlooks the complexity that exists within the land market. The investor portion of new planting is not significant although it is increasing. For farmers, forestry offers a viable alternative enterprise which allows them to diversify their income stream away from volatile agricultural markets and towards the more stable timber market and for this reason the supports offered by the State are very much welcomed.
Access to finance is a priority issue and earlier this year I introduced the “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme”. Following the success of the Scheme, I met with the Chief Executives of the participating banks to discuss this and other issues relating to the agrifood sector, including access to finance for farmers.
199. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce crisis aid funding to tillage farmers that had their crops destroyed by the severe weather in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26390/17]
View answer202. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has examined CAP regulation 1305/2013 that permits member states the opportunity to support, for instance, investments restoring agricultural production damaged by natural disasters (details supplied). [26393/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 202 together.
I refer again to your further questions in relation to the issue of compensation for tillage farmers and I wish to re-state to the Deputy that I hosted a 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 have met 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 have asked the banks to respond positively to this demand by reducing interest rates and providing more flexible terms for cash flow loans in the future. Implementation of this Scheme is subject to the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 (de minimis aid in the agricultural production sector). Support provided under the de minimis regulation complies with State Aid rules in the agriculture sector and does not require prior approval by the EU Commission.
Specifically in referring to Council Regulation No. 1305/2013 relating to the funding of EU rural development programming 2014 – 2020, support under this regulation refers to damage caused by adverse climatic events and is directed towards restoration of the production potential of lands affected, rather than support for specific losses.
However, under this regulation, I introduced the Tillage Investment Scheme under TAMS II which 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 €1.186 billion has been paid out under the Basic Payment Scheme to 124,112 farmers with payments ongoing. Payments of €202.16 million have also been made to 94,456 applicants under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme.
I can also confirm 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.
200. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if students who complete educational courses that qualify young farmers for a green certificate before the 2018 and 2019 BPS application deadline dates will be eligible to apply to the 2018 and 2019 national reserve and young farmers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26391/17]
View answerUnder the Terms and Conditions applying to the 2017 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme, eligible applicants must have successfully completed an agricultural educational qualification at FETAC Level 6 or equivalent by 15 May 2017. Whilst it is not possible at this stage to give any assurance so far in advance, it is expected that similar conditions will apply to these schemes in future years. Full Terms and Conditions of available schemes will be published early in the respective scheme years.
201. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funds allocated to the knowledge transfer group scheme under the rural development programme 2014 to 2020; the annual funding for each year of the 2014 to 2020 CAP window; the expenditure on an annual basis, and to date in 2017, in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26392/17]
View answerThe Knowledge Transfer Programme is part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020. It is a three year programme. Year 1 ends on 31 July, 2017. Payments for the successful completion of year 1 will commence in autumn 2017. Accordingly, there is no expenditure to date. Within the RDP a total of €100m is allocated in the financial plan for the period of the Programme.
On the basis of the current number of farmers enrolled in Knowledge Transfer Groups, the following amounts have been allocated for the 2017-2019 estimates process.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
n/a |
€25,000,000 |
€25,000,000 |
€25,000,000 |
n/a |
In common with other measures under the RDP, monitoring of targets and associated budgets is carried out on a continuous basis over the life of the Programme, in conjunction with the annual estimates process.
203. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of EU level developments regarding reauthorising glyphosate. [26394/17]
View answerIn June 2016, the European Commission extended the glyphosate approval for a further limited period to allow the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) complete its assessment which provides the legal basis for the appropriate chemical hazard classification of glyphosate in Europe. This extension followed a review by EFSA which was extended to allow for detailed consideration of the report produced by IARC and concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans and can be used safely without putting consumers or users at risk.
The RAC delivered its opinion in mid-March and concluded that glyphosate does not warrant classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction. This will mean that legally glyphosate does not meet any of the substance non-approval criteria specified in the Plant Protection Products Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009). The RAC agreed to maintain the existing harmonised classification of glyphosate as a substance causing serious eye damage and being toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. The implication of this classification is that appropriate precautionary measures should be put in place for use of glyphosate. The RAC opinion was adopted by consensus with the full support of all members.
Once the draft RAC Opinion goes through an editorial check, ECHA will formally submit the dossier to the Commission (expected to be in June), which takes the final decision on the glyphosate classification. The adopted RAC Opinion will provide the Commission with a scientific basis to make a final proposal about the renewal of glyphosate under Regulation 1107/2009. Any such proposal must be put before a technical experts standing committee meeting.
204. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of EU level developments regarding the banning of contaminated Brazilian meat products from the EU market. [26396/17]
View answerFollowing the announcement of the fraud involving MAPA inspection officials, on 20 March, Member States commenced an enhanced checking and sampling regime on imports of meat products from Brazil. This regime was harmonised by agreement between Member States and the Commission at the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) meeting on 6 April. Under the new regime 100% of consignments from Brazil receive a physical check, and 20% are sampled for salmonella and E. coli.
In addition to the supplementary checks being carried out within the Union, the Commission’s audit unit (DGSANTE F) has carried out an audit of beef processing plants, and slaughter facilities for poultry and horsemeat in the Brazilian states that were implicated in the Brazilian inquiry (Goiás, Paraná, Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina and São Paulo). This audit took place between 2 and 12 May.
The Commission stated on 15 May that further action was not excluded depending on the outcome of the audits.
Since the fraud came to light on 20 March Ireland has received 2 consignments from implicated establishments at Dublin Port – both were rejected.
205. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on an uplands specific category within the new ANC review and policy suggestions (details supplied). [26395/17]
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. This analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel be subjected to a refinement process.
In parallel to this process, it is also possible to designate areas as 'areas of specific constraint' where it is deemed necessary for land management to be continued in order to conserve or improve the environment, maintain the countryside, preserve the tourist potential of the area, or protect the coastline. The potential use of this designation is being considered as part of the overall redesignation project.
