Written Answers Nos. 1308-1327
1308. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost his Department incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees; the financial institutions to which the payments were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37219/17]
View answerThe details of charges paid for debit and credit card payment services and banking fees, as requested by the Deputy, are set out in the following tables:
Card payment service fees
|
Year |
Bank of Ireland |
Allied Irish Banks |
|
2012 |
965.92 |
0.00 |
|
2013 |
756.16 |
1,395.93 |
|
2014 |
0.00 |
8,790.48 |
|
2015 |
0.00 |
12,219.51 |
|
2016 |
0.00 |
12,748.32 |
|
Total |
1,722.08 |
35,154.24 |
Banking fees
|
Year |
Bank of Ireland |
Allied Irish Banks |
Ulster Bank |
Irish Permanent |
|
2012 |
1,681.17 |
15,241.48 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
2013 |
2,589.19 |
12,953.62 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
2014 |
3,049.28 |
42,894.67 |
22.81 |
0.00 |
|
2015 |
2,514.83 |
48,088.14 |
227.33 |
10.50 |
|
2016 |
3,542.56 |
45,586.55 |
230.97 |
0.00 |
|
Total |
13,377.03 |
164,764.46 |
481.11 |
10.50 |
The card payment service fees relate to the provision of card payment facilities for customers online, over the phone, at six Veterinary Laboratories and at three Fishery Harbour Centres. Banking fees mainly relate to electronic funds transfer fees for the payments issued to scheme recipients. In line with market trends across the sector, bank charges have increased in recent years.
1309. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend the eligibility terms of GLAS to make it more accessible for new farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37462/17]
View answerProvision was made under the GLAS scheme allowing new entrants to farming to submit an application to join the scheme.
The target of 50,000 scheme participants set out in Ireland's Rural Development Plan 2014-2020 has been achieved. My focus now is on ensuring that these 50,000 farmers receive their payments in line with their contract under the scheme. There are no plans to re-open the scheme.
1310. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the eligibility terms of the national reserve to make it more accessible for new farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37463/17]
View answerEU Regulation 1307/2013 provides for the establishment of the Basic Payment Scheme National Reserve which must be used, as a matter of priority, to allocate Basic Payment Scheme entitlements to young farmers and new entrants to farming.
The EU Regulations governing the scheme also provide that a farmer may benefit from the National Reserve only once during the lifetime of the scheme, which runs from 2015-2019. Individual Member States do not have discretion in the application of this provision.
Therefore, a successful application under the 2015 National Reserve is not eligible to benefit from the National Reserve during the subsequent years of the scheme.
1311. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend the eligibility terms of the sheep welfare scheme to make it more accessible for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37464/17]
View answerThe Sheep Welfare Scheme was launched in December 2016 with the aim of contributing to the continued development in animal health and welfare in the sheep sector. The scheme requires farmers to go beyond the relevant mandatory standards to enhance the standards of animal welfare in the Irish Sheep flock.
The scheme provides targeted support to those areas of animal welfare identified as making a meaningful positive contribution to sheep welfare, having regard to the systems of production in Ireland and the environment in which Irish sheep production is carried out.
To be eligible for participation in the Sheep Welfare Scheme, applicants must
- have been in possession of an active DAFM herd number, or have applied for same before the closing date of the scheme and keep breeding ewes;
- have submitted Sheep Census returns to the Department in respect of 2014 and 2015 by 31st October 2016;
- have submitted a correctly completed return to the Department in respect of the 2016 Sheep Census by 31st January 2017; and
- submit a BPS application for each year of scheme participation, and comply with the requirement to be an active farmer as per Article 9 of EU Regulation 1307/2013.
The terms and conditions of the scheme also provided for the provision of new entrants into the scheme. New entrants under the scheme are defined within the terms and conditions of the scheme as being an applicant who has applied for a new herd number from 1st January 2016 and before the closing date of the scheme in 2017, or an applicant with an existing herd number who has not held or traded in sheep for a two year period up to 31st October preceding the scheme year.
An applicant’s eligible number of breeding ewes is the average number of breeding ewes declared on their 2014 and 2015 Sheep Census returns. Applicants must also declare breeding ewes on the 2016 Sheep Census return. The application of a reference number based on ewes held in previous years was a prerequisite for approval of the scheme by the EU Commission.
This number will form a Reference Number for payment for the duration of the Scheme. This number does not increase over the course of the scheme, except in the case of certain GLAS participants where participants are scheduled to increase their number of breeding ewes in line with their GLAS obligations.
In the case of new entrants the reference number will be based on the number of breeding ewes returned on their most recent census. Where entry is between the census process and the closing date of the scheme the reference number will be calculated on a case by case basis.
1312. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times his Department has appealed decisions of the independent agricultural appeals office in 2016 and to date in 2017; the reasons for such appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37499/17]
View answerMy Department has requested a total of 25 reviews of decisions taken by independent Agricultural Appeals Officers in the period in question - 15 in 2016 and 10 in 2017.
Requests for review are sought by my Department where it is considered that an error has been made in relation to the law or the facts of the case.
1313. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a review of the case of a person (details supplied); and the timeframe for its completion. [37531/17]
View answerThe Agriculture Appeals Office is independent in the performance of its functions.
The Office has confirmed that a request for a review of the Appeals Officer's decision was submitted to the Director of Agriculture Appeals.
It is anticipated that the review of the case concerned will be completed in the next few weeks.
1314. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the properties at Dunmore East fisheries harbour which have lease or rental agreements involving his Department; and if he will provide information on all income received by his Department from the lease or rent of these properties over the past ten years. [37597/17]
View answerDunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned and managed by my Department under Statute.
The majority of the properties/sites in the Dunmore East property portfolio are occupied by a variety of public and commercial bodies which support the Fishery Harbour Centre’s role as a working fishery harbour in addition to a broad range of other marine activities.
The types of properties in Dunmore East include industrial and marine leisure units, small sites, containers, fishermen's storage facilities, utilities and marine support facilities.
The number of properties/sites in Dunmore East with rental agreements can vary from time to time due to changes in tenancies, expiration of leases and also for operational reasons.
The Department has leases or rental agreements in place on 24 properties within Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre. Rental receipts for the ten years 2007-2016 amounted to some €535,000.
1315. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the length of time sites (details supplied) at the entrance to the Dunmore East fisheries harbour have been out of business; and when the last lease or rental income was received by his Department from these properties. [37598/17]
View answerDunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned and managed by my Department under Statute.
The majority of the properties/sites in the Dunmore East property portfolio are occupied by a variety of public and commercial bodies which support the Fishery Harbour Centre’s role as a working fishery harbour in addition to a broad range of other marine activities.
I am not in a position to comment on the financial and business position of individual companies as it would not be appropriate to do so. The sites referred to by the Deputy are currently legally occupied, albeit unused. However, my Department is engaged in a legal process with the aim of obtaining vacant possession of the sites in question.
1316. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the tendering process on a site (details supplied) on the west pier at Dunmore East will be available for public submission; and the lease, rental and legal status of same. [37599/17]
View answerDunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned and managed by my Department under Statute.
The majority of the properties/sites in the Dunmore East property portfolio are occupied by a variety of public and commercial bodies which support the Fishery Harbour Centre’s role as a working fishery harbour in addition to a broad range of other marine activities.
The building to which the Deputy refers is legally occupied and is being used by a commercial entity and therefore not available for tender.
1317. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of registered farmers over the age of 65; the number of registered farmers under 35 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37648/17]
View answerThe CSO's 2013 Farm Structures Survey indicated that approximately 37,700 or 27% of Irish farmers are over 65 years and 8,200 (6%) aged under 35. A full age breakdown can be found below. These figures compare with Eurostat data for 2013, which showed that 31% of all EU farm holders were over 65 and 6% are aged under 35.
|
2013 |
Number of Farmers |
% of Farmers |
|
<35 |
8,200 |
6% |
|
35-44 |
22,800 |
16% |
|
45-54 |
34,800 |
25% |
|
55-64 |
35,600 |
26% |
|
>65 |
37,700 |
27% |
|
Total |
139,100 |
100% |
Source: Farm Structures Survey, 2013. CSO.
1318. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the investment his Department made in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37649/17]
View answerThe investment my Department has made through the various schemes in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath, as requested by the Deputy, are set out in the attached table:
|
Scheme Description |
County Meath |
County Cavan |
County Monaghan |
|
Agri-Environment Options Schemes |
285,078.75 |
764,221.94 |
375,069.37 |
|
Areas of Natural Constraint |
2,257,763.50 |
9,273,017.73 |
7,060,978.65 |
|
Private Storage - Pigmeat |
74,082.61 |
||
|
Area Based Comp. Allowance |
5,328.35 |
10,487.74 |
3,903.22 |
|
Suckler Cow Animal Welfare Scheme |
232.80 |
||
|
Beef Data Genomics Programme |
1,273,253.88 |
1,820,305.66 |
1,277,618.84 |
|
Beef Data Programme |
6,765.13 |
12,647.86 |
4,486.56 |
|
Beef Genomics Scheme 2014 Farmer |
2,770.00 |
7,650.00 |
1,290.00 |
|
Beef Technology Adoption Programme |
825.00 |
||
|
BVD Beef |
13,340.00 |
29,130.00 |
22,390.00 |
|
BVD Dairy |
2,515.00 |
995.00 |
3,190.00 |
|
CEDRA 2015 |
12,500.00 |
||
|
Collaborative Farming Grant |
22,514.04 |
9,900.00 |
|
|
Control of Horses |
20,625.00 |
1,425.00 |
5,850.00 |
|
Temp Aid - Milk and Milk Products 2015 |
2,558.00 |
4,674.00 |
4,116.00 |
|
Dairy Compensation Scheme |
48,812.00 |
68,881.00 |
52,624.00 |
|
Direct Payment Scheme |
52,186,700.90 |
37,003,099.36 |
29,544,352.78 |
|
Fodder Aid 2016 |
5,575.00 |
1,500.00 |
|
|
Compensation for Fallen Animals |
223,202.66 |
211,727.94 |
|
|
Forestry Supp Scheme For Owners |
33,579.45 |
15,719.28 |
5,887.96 |
|
Forestry Other Sup Sch For Owner |
1,656.70 |
||
|
Green Low-Carbon Ag-Envir Scheme Tranche 1 |
1,725,606.99 |
3,859,842.73 |
1,861,128.71 |
|
Grassland Sheep Scheme |
1,644.04 |
600.59 |
121.77 |
|
Encourage Maint. of Kerry Cattle Herd |
400.00 |
||
|
Improve production - Fruit & Vegetables |
1,569,268.49 |
||
|
Mart Modernisation Scheme |
6,972.00 |
3,338.00 |
|
|
NDP-Dev of Horticulture Sector |
197,601.28 |
10,451.60 |
248,556.20 |
|
NDP-Develop. of Organic Sector |
9,860.99 |
119,208.07 |
|
|
Encourage conversion & maint of Org Farmin |
67,306.32 |
276,688.37 |
99,514.37 |
|
Pig Exceptional Aid |
36,300.00 |
141,900.00 |
29,700.00 |
|
Protein Crop Aid |
284,358.71 |
35.59 |
|
|
Afforestation Programme |
1,731,692.23 |
2,718,036.79 |
779,763.60 |
|
Agri-Environment Programme REPS |
60,662.37 |
187,348.95 |
37,105.50 |
|
Forestry Programme |
816,704.85 |
1,713,352.75 |
377,375.45 |
|
School Milk Scheme |
1,400.85 |
60,785.33 |
11,532.03 |
|
Single Farm Payment |
137,905.45 |
31,491.00 |
|
|
Development Programme for Sheep |
2,375.00 |
||
|
Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage |
1,932.20 |
526.50 |
|
|
Dairy Equipment Scheme II (FA 2A) |
38,634.80 |
48,413.21 |
8,000.00 |
|
TAMS Dairy Equipment Scheme |
68,005.60 |
35,957.85 |
39,077.41 |
|
TAMS Farm Safety Scheme |
61,847.28 |
149,930.63 |
73,002.32 |
|
Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme (FA 5B) |
12,104.24 |
||
|
Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme (FA5) |
12,399.18 |
||
|
TAMS Sheep Welfare Scheme |
68,249.35 |
58,521.17 |
36,106.62 |
|
TAMS Rainwater Harvesting Scheme |
7,084.67 |
||
|
Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (FA) |
16,819.50 |
9,600.00 |
|
|
TB Grants to Herdowners |
826,291.22 |
465,584.98 |
738,618.63 |
|
Traditional Farm Building Scheme |
13,335.49 |
41,722.25 |
|
|
62,515,116.65 |
59,110,219.75 |
44,501,184.33 |
1319. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received for the 2017 areas of natural constraints scheme by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37650/17]
View answerUnder the 2017 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme a total of 98,012 applications have been received to date. Applications are currently being processed with a view to payments commencing shortly on all clear applications.
The following is a county breakdown of applications received.
|
County |
ANC Applications |
|
Carlow |
724 |
|
Cavan |
4632 |
|
Clare |
5856 |
|
Cork |
6908 |
|
Donegal |
8400 |
|
Dublin |
152 |
|
Galway |
11535 |
|
Kerry |
7446 |
|
Kildare |
510 |
|
Kilkenny |
1689 |
|
Laois |
1624 |
|
Leitrim |
3328 |
|
Limerick |
2817 |
|
Longford |
2275 |
|
Louth |
766 |
|
Mayo |
11078 |
|
Meath |
1309 |
|
Monaghan |
3880 |
|
Offaly |
2327 |
|
Roscommon |
5465 |
|
Sligo |
3826 |
|
Tipperary |
4316 |
|
Waterford |
1377 |
|
Westmeath |
2572 |
|
Wexford |
1457 |
|
Wicklow |
1743 |
1320. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals pending decision by the director of appeals at the agricultural appeals office. [37707/17]
View answer1321. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals pending decision by the director of appeals at the agricultural appeals office by the county in which the appellant is based, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37708/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1320 and 1321 together.
The Agriculture Appeals Office is independent in the performance of its functions.
The Agriculture Appeals Act provides that the Director may revise any decision of an appeals officer if it appears to him or her that the decision was erroneous by reason of some mistake having been made in relation to the law or the facts.
The Agriculture Appeals Office has advised that the number of requests awaiting decision by the Director of Agriculture Appeals is 65 according to the records held at 31 August 2017.
I attach a table showing the requests for review by county. I am advised that every effort is being made to complete the reviews.
The number of requests for a review of Appeal Decisions awaiting review by the Director of Agriculture Appeals as at 31/08/2017
|
County |
Number of Requests |
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Cork |
7 |
|
Dublin |
1 |
|
Galway |
11 |
|
Kerry |
8 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
4 |
|
Mayo |
10 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
2 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Total |
65 |
1322. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all payments under the rural development programme will be paid on time in view of the severe difficulties facing farmers due to current adverse weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37718/17]
View answerHaving seen the situation first-hand, I am acutely aware of the difficulties faced by some farmers as a result of recent weather conditions. That is why last week, with the agreement of my Cabinet colleagues, I introduced a national stand-alone measure to support affected farmers in the Donegal area given the specific circumstances applying there. This measure will make available a financial contribution to cover losses or damage sustained due to flooding. Support under the measure will apply to losses of livestock, the loss of conserved fodder (hay or silage) and as a contribution towards the clean-up cost of agricultural lands, including repair to fences, damaged by debris washed up by the floods. Only losses not covered by insurance will be eligible for consideration. The measure builds on the availability of support through the Animal Welfare Helpline and through the advisory assistance made available by Teagasc in the region.
No payments in respect of these losses are being made under the Rural Development Programme. However, I can assure farmers whose land has been flooded and who are concerned about possible consequences in terms of eligibility for payments that a practical approach will be taken in terms of dealing with people who have been victims of these events which were completely outside of their control. One early example of this is that I have approved an extension to the deadline for planting catch crops under the GLAS scheme given the delayed harvest in some areas. My Department is actively working towards making timely payments under the RDP schemes in line with regulatory requirements and subject to all administrative and other checks being cleared.
1323. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the sale of land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37867/17]
View answerCoillte was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate and land transactions, are the responsibility of the company.
The matter was, however, raised with Coillte who advise that their legal team have supplied a signed and sealed Deed of Rectification.
1324. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken to eliminate hoof wall separation disease in Connemara ponies; the reason testing has not been made mandatory for all ponies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37880/17]
View answerHoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD) is caused by a genetic defect that appears to occur only in the Connemara pony breed and the carrier frequency has been estimated to be about 14.8%. For a foal to be affected by the disease both sire and dam must be carriers.
The Connemara Pony Breeders Society (CPBS) has been approved by my Department to maintain the Studbook for Connemara Ponies and in this regard operate a breeding programme for the breed.
Research carried out by the Connemara Pony Breeders Society in conjunction with Weatherbys has enabled them to test for the presence of the HWSD gene. My Department has allocated funding to the Connemara Pony Breeders Society under the Equine Infrastructures Scheme since 2015 to facilitate this project.
The results from this project will enable the Society to plan for the future and implement a strategy to manage this genetic defect identifying potential carriers. This should decrease the incidence of the disease with a view to eliminating it for the Connemara pony population.
Regarding the mandatory testing of all ponies for entry into the studbook, European Union Commission Decision 96/78/EC sets out the criteria for entry into the main section of the studbook. These criteria prevent the CPBS from imposing a mandatory requirement for animals to be tested for HWSD in order to enter the studbook.
1325. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the status of the cleanup of the former Irish Steel site in Haulbowline, County Cork. [37887/17]
View answerThe remediation of the area of Haulbowline Island known as the East Tip forms part of Ireland's Programme of Measures to address the judgment in April 2005 of the European Court of Justice against Ireland in Case C494/01.
Cork County Council, acting as agents on my behalf, has been engaged in a range of preparatory works at Haulbowline since 2012 including extensive site exploration works, road and bridge repair and securing the appropriate planning and licencing permits.
Following a comprehensive tendering process, the preferred tenderer for the primary East Tip works was identified by Cork County Council and the contract signed on 10 July last. The works programme includes marine elements to prevent tidal incursions to the site, access and infrastructure works and the capping of waste materials to render the site safe, stable and suitable for future uses. I expect significant construction activity to commence on site over the coming weeks and for remediation works on the East Tip to be largely complete by late 2018.
1326. Deputy Niamh Smyth 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. [37932/17]
View answerThe person named submitted an application to join the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) 2015-2020 on 18 May 2015.
The BDGP was approved as part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme under article 28 of EU Regulation 1305/2013. Under that approval, and the Terms and Conditions governing the BDGP, the reference year was set as 2014. However, in certain limited circumstances, where 2014 was not a typical year e.g. animal disease, participants could request to use 2015 as an alternative reference year.
Having examined the number of suckler cows in the herd between 2011 and 2014, the number of suckler cows did not exceed 4 and so while the number of cows in the herd may have increased recently there is no basis on which the reference year can be changed.
1327. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations regarding ragwort; and his plans to address its renewed growth. [37933/17]
View answer1334. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the responsibilities of landowners regarding noxious weeds on their property; the way in which laws regarding this issue are enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38237/17]
View answer1335. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the responsibility of local authorities for the management of noxious weeds on public ground and roadsides; the way in which the rules in this regard are monitored and enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38254/17]
View answer1367. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that have been taken to ensure compliance with the noxious weeds legislation with reference to the spread of ragwort and Japanese knotweed; the number of prosecutions pending; the number of these that have been taken against public bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38477/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1327, 1334, 1335 and 1367 together.
My Department actively seeks to enforce the provisions of the 1936 Noxious Weeds Act by issuing “Notices to Destroy” in all instances where it becomes aware of the presence of noxious weeds.
Some 21 such notices were issued in 2016 with a further 18 having been issued to date in 2017. These notices are issued as a result of inspections carried out by Department Field Officers or on receipt of reports made by the public. Follow-up action may be undertaken by Departmental officials with the land owner to ensure that the notifications are acted upon and that the particular weeds have been dealt with as stipulated in the Notice to Destroy.
My Department continues to engage with all County Councils, Local Authorities and the National Roads Authority to ensure a consistent programme of treatment and disposal of such weeds on an ongoing basis. In this regard, my Department was in contact with each of the County and Local Authorities in the Country earlier this year emphasising their statutory obligation and the importance of implementing measures for the treatment and safe disposal of ragwort in order to eliminate and prevent the spread of same.
On the issue of any impact of an infestation of ragwort on farmers’ area-based schemes payments, farmers are obliged to keep their lands free from noxious weeds under the cross-compliance measures set down for farming practices. Failure to do so can result in the application of a reduction of their payment entitlement. EU Regulations governing the various area-based Direct Payments Schemes, e.g. BPS, Greening, and Rural Development measures, call for applicants to comply with Cross-Compliance requirements relating to the 13 Statutory Managements Requirements (SMRs) and the 7 Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) standards. GAEC Standard 7 requires applicants to ensure that they take appropriate measures to prevent the encroachment/proliferation of noxious weeds/invasive plant species onto land. In 2016, a total of 89 sanctions were applied which resulted in 65 penalties.
While the Act makes provision for taking prosecutions against offenders, this measure has not been resorted to in recent years. Modern farming has reached a level of specialisation and intensification which makes weed control a fundamental and automatic practice. However, the prevalence of ragwort found along the margins of roadways and in locations such as derelict sites regrettably appears to have increased.
With regard to the issue of Japanese Knotweed, this plant species is categorised as an invasive species covered by SI 477 of 2011 and is administered by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and of which I have no function.
