Written Answers Nos. 1348-1367
1348. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons active in the sheep welfare scheme; and the amount of expenditure drawn down in 2017 from the scheme. [38458/17]
View answerA total of 22,174 applications were received under the 2017 Sheep Welfare Scheme.
The payment is set at a rate of €10 per eligible breeding ewe. Payments are due to commence later this year. Therefore no expenditure has been drawn down to date.
1349. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 975, 976 and 978 of 13 July 2017, if the information requested been compiled. [38459/17]
View answerI appreciate that the Deputy has been waiting for this information, however the significant range of data requested across a 7 year period is not readily available, as previously advised.
Officials in my Department will have a large proportion of the data issued to the Deputy by the end of this week, with any outstanding data issuing as soon as possible thereafter.
1350. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2 by county; the number of approved applications by county; the number of payment claims logged by county; the number of payment claims that have been approved for payment by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38460/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table:
Approvals and payments continue on an on-going basis for the TAMS II Schemes.
|
County |
Applications Received |
Approved |
Claim Lodged |
Approved For Payment |
|
Carlow |
207 |
173 |
18 |
14 |
|
Cavan |
516 |
381 |
75 |
42 |
|
Clare |
403 |
356 |
89 |
81 |
|
Cork |
2050 |
1713 |
376 |
241 |
|
Donegal |
722 |
524 |
50 |
41 |
|
Dublin |
76 |
59 |
5 |
2 |
|
Galway |
974 |
760 |
148 |
116 |
|
Kerry |
961 |
758 |
159 |
124 |
|
Kildare |
249 |
188 |
32 |
19 |
|
Kilkenny |
695 |
568 |
136 |
111 |
|
Laois |
392 |
324 |
66 |
54 |
|
Leitrim |
203 |
152 |
32 |
21 |
|
Limerick |
663 |
557 |
125 |
86 |
|
Longford |
193 |
144 |
25 |
20 |
|
Louth |
167 |
133 |
15 |
7 |
|
Mayo |
529 |
410 |
66 |
52 |
|
Meath |
474 |
370 |
51 |
38 |
|
Monaghan |
460 |
342 |
64 |
39 |
|
Offaly |
312 |
255 |
46 |
26 |
|
Roscommon |
518 |
416 |
60 |
47 |
|
Sligo |
192 |
147 |
29 |
20 |
|
Tipperary |
1121 |
939 |
257 |
223 |
|
Waterford |
445 |
379 |
78 |
59 |
|
Westmeath |
327 |
271 |
49 |
36 |
|
Wexford |
684 |
568 |
88 |
57 |
|
Wicklow |
232 |
177 |
21 |
16 |
|
Totals |
13765 |
11064 |
2160 |
1592 |
1351. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to re-open the emergency flood relief scheme for County Donegal farmers in view of the severe damage caused by flooding; and if not, the reason therefor. [38461/17]
View answer1352. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to re-open the emergency fodder aid scheme for County Donegal farmers in view of the severe damage cause by flooding; and if not, the reason therefor. [38462/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1351 and 1352 together.
In the aftermath of the sudden flooding in North East Donegal last month, I visited the affected area with my colleague Minister Joe McHugh where I witnessed first-hand some of the difficulties farmers faced as a consequence of the unprecedented rainfall. I committed to supporting those farmers most directly affected and my Department was actively involved in the immediate cross-Government response.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that following positive discussions at Cabinet last Wednesday, 6 September, I am launching a targeted support measure to provide assistance to farmers in North East Donegal around the Inishowen Peninsula who bore the brunt of the effects of the brief but severe flooding last month.
Support under this 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. This initiative builds on the availability of support through the Animal Welfare Helpline and through the advisory assistance Teagasc made available to farmers in the area.
The measure will be subject to the provisions of EU de minimis state aid rules in the agriculture sector and only losses not covered by insurance will be eligible for consideration.
1353. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 contains references or measures under investments for the restoration of agricultural land and production potential damaged by natural disasters, adverse climatic events and catastrophic events as provided under Article 18(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No. 1305/2013; if investments for the restoration of agricultural land and production potential damaged by severe flooding can be funded under RDP 2014-2020; and if an amendment would be necessary to same. [38463/17]
View answerIreland's 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme does not contain a measure for restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and introduction of appropriate prevention. Following detailed analysis and public consultation, it was concluded that because of its geographic position Ireland is not generally prone to suffering from natural disasters and that pre-existing nationally funded measures are considered to be sufficient to address any possibilities.
That is not to say that we do not suffer from adverse climatic events, as evidenced by the recent freak flooding in North Donegal, but that is being dealt with outside of the RDP through a nationally funded measure which I introduced last week. An amendment to the RDP would be required if funding were to be provided under Article 18(1)b of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 which would take considerable time to complete.
1354. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Government has made an application to the European Union Solidarity Fund and the European Regional Development Fund to support the reconstruction of regions affected by major natural disasters, in view of the severe damage cause by flooding in County Donegal. [38464/17]
View answerIn the aftermath of the sudden flooding in North East Donegal last month, I visited the affected area with my colleague Minister Joe McHugh where I witnessed first-hand some of the difficulties farmers faced as a consequence of the unprecedented rainfall. I committed to supporting those farmers most directly affected and my Department was actively involved in the immediate cross-Government response. In regard to EU support funds I understand from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that the objective of the European Regional Development Fund is to support economic and territorial cohesion. It is not primarily available to assist reconstruction after natural disasters. It is not possible to make any payments to individual farms from this fund.
The European Union Solidarity Fund was established to provide support to authorities at the national or regional level to deal with a major disaster and is also subject to economic criteria for qualification. I am passing your enquiry on this matter to my colleague Eoghan Murphy T.D. Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government for consideration.
The Deputy will be aware that I have launched a targeted support measure to provide assistance to farmers in North East Donegal around the Inishowen Peninsula who bore the brunt of the effects of the brief but severe flooding last month. Assistance under this measure will be provided in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 (de minimis aid in the agriculture sector)
Support under this 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. This initiative builds on the availability of support through the Animal Welfare Helpline and through the advisory assistance Teagasc made available to farmers in the area.
This is the only measure of support available to my Department to provide assistance to farmers experiencing agricultural losses as a result of flooding.
1355. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 contains references or measures under biogas production and anaerobic digestion (details supplied); and if an amendment is necessary to same to enable the State to create such a scheme under these measures. [38465/17]
View answerIreland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will deliver funding of some €4 billion to the agricultural sector and rural areas generally over the lifetime of the Programme. The Programme’s content and design was formulated in light of previous experience and performance and reflects the outcome of extensive stakeholder consultation and does not include support for biogas production or anaerobic digesters on farms.
Under the Rural Development Programme 2000-2006 a Pilot Waste Processing Facilities Scheme provided funding of €4 million in order to grant-aid the installation of anaerobic digesters on ten Irish farms (i.e. 10 x €400,000). Two projects were completed and a further two have been given extensions to undertake the work by the end of 2017 and mid 2018 respectively. Both projects will be nationally funded if completed.
On the broader issue of supporting renewable energy, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment leads in terms of Ireland’s renewable energy policy and oversees the Renewable Electricity Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes. These Schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for renewable energy exported to the grid. The schemes operate by guaranteeing a minimum price for renewable energy generation over a 15 year period. The technologies supported include onshore wind energy, hydroelectricity, landfill gas, waste-to-energy and biomass technologies, including anaerobic digestion. Electricity and heat produced from anaerobic digestion (AD) are supported under the REFIT 3 scheme.
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is currently examining the design and cost of introducing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) to encourage the development of Ireland’s abundant and indigenous renewable energy resources. This scheme will examine the economic viability of supporting a range of new renewable energy technologies in Ireland - including Anaerobic Digestion - and will help to further reduce energy-related emissions. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply.
A public consultation on the design principles of the proposed new RESS was launched on 4 September and submissions are invited from the public. All submissions will be considered and following on from this final public consultation, a design proposal will be brought to Government for approval. Full details of the consultation are available on the Department’s website at: www.dccae.gov.ie
1356. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific targets set for agencies under his auspices in view of recent comments by the Taoiseach to double the Team Ireland footprint overseas by 2025. [38466/17]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department and its agencies already have a strong global footprint which is primarily aimed at facilitating growth in the trade of agri-food products with countries around the world.
For example, my Department maintains a network of agriculture attache's both within the EU, but also increasingly in countries with whom we are seeking to further develop our trading links, such as the United States of America, the Gulf Region and China. We also work closely with Bord Bia in developing international markets through its network of offices around the world, which it has recently expanded to include a presence in Singapore and in Warsaw. We work very effectively together, and with the relevant authorities, in progressing market access issues and in the organisation of Trade Missions aimed at promoting and supporting the export of Irish agri-food products. Food Wise 2025, which outlines a vision for the development of the agri food sector, proposes increasing the value of exports in these sectors to 19 billion by 2025.
This is an ongoing process, made all the more relevant by the new challenges that the UK decision to leave the EU has created. Accordingly, I and my Department keep our international presence and activities under constant review with a view to maximising their contribution to the development of the Irish agri-food sector.
I therefore look forward to working closely with the Taoiseach and my Government colleagues in developing plans to double Ireland's footprint overseas, and to availing of this opportunity to make our work in this area more effective.
1357. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the latest timeframe for the areas of natural constraints, ANC, review at EU level; the timeframe for maps to be produced for the review; the deadline by which member states will have to submit final maps to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38467/17]
View answerUnder the Rural Development Regulation each Member State (MS) 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. As part of the discussion on amendments to Regulations at EU level, a proposal has been adopted to extend the 2018 deadline for the completion of this work on an optional basis. This proposal is currently passing through the relevant approval process at EU level, along with a number of other regulatory changes in what is referred to as the 'omnibus proposal'.
1358. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers will require public services cards to access EU farm payments. [38468/17]
View answerAccess to the full range of the Department’s online services including applications for EU farm payments, forestry, animal identification and movement, and financial self-services, is currently available through the Agfoood.ie web portal where there is detailed information on how to apply for these services. The public services card is not required to access EU farm payments.
1359. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the CAP market support measures available at EU level for producers under Article 221 of CAP Regulation (EU) No. 1308/2013. [38469/17]
View answerArticle 221 of CAP Regulation No 1308/2013 provides for the Commission to adopt implementing acts to introduce necessary and emergency measures to resolve specific problems. However, these emergency measures under Article 221 will only be adopted by the Commission in the event that required emergency measures under Articles 219 (measures against market disturbance) or 220 (measures concerning animal diseases and loss of consumer confidence due to public, animal or plant health risks) cannot be adopted.
Emergency measures were introduced by the Commission in accordance with Articles 219 and 220 of 1308/2013 in recent years in direct response to the market difficulties being experienced by farmers and producers during this time. Such measures included exceptional adjustment aid to milk producers and farmers in other livestock sectors, with €350 million in emergency funding allocated to Member States. Ireland's allocation of €11.1 million from this fund (topped up by 100% national funding) was used to leverage a greater fund of €150 million to provide low-cost loans to the livestock and tillage sectors.
To date, emergency measures in accordance with Article 221 of Regulation 1308/2013 have not been introduced by the European Commission. This does not however, prejudice the use of this article in the future should the need arise.
1360. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his Government colleagues requested an increase in state aid de minimis limits at EU level to target support for exposed sectors arising from the continued depreciation of the value of sterling against the euro. [38470/17]
View answer1386. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline each specific Council of EU agriculture Ministers meeting at which he made the case for the need of a revision of state aid rules for the Irish agrifood sector during the UK’s two-year exit phase from the EU and subsequent transition phase; the date of each such meeting at which this was raised since he took office, in tabular form; the progress that has been made at EU level to increase current state aid thresholds to support agrifood enterprises from a hard Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38602/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1360 and 1386 together.
Regarding the Agriculture De Minimis Regulation (1408/2013), the question of greater flexibility of the State Aid rules and increasing the individual de minimis thresholds has been raised at the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 14 March 2016, 11 April 2016 and 17 May 2016 as a means to address the challenges facing the farming sector. Regarding the Council of Agriculture Ministers, on 14 March 2016, a 10 point plan, setting out proposed measures, that were practical, easily implemented and responded to the pressures on farmers and primary producers in an appropriate and proportionate way, was proposed. Among the measures proposed, was greater flexibility in the State Aid rules, with a modest increase in the de minimis limit from €15,000 per farmer over three years, up to €20,000 per farmer over three years.
Regarding Brexit, I and my Department officials are very aware of the difficulties being experienced across the agrifood sector and are continually working on developing solutions to help farmers address these difficulties. I recently met with Commissioner Hogan to express my concerns regarding the difficulties for Irish farmers and I will be making proposals to the Commission in this regard.
In addition, my Department officials are working closely with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in considering appropriate measures for the wider agri-food sector.
1361. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons enrolled in GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 who have submitted their nutrient management plans to date and the number who have not submitted their nutrient management plans to date, by county, in tabular form. [38471/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
- |
GLAS 1 |
GLAS 2 |
||||
|
COUNTY |
Active |
NMP |
No NMP |
Active |
NMP |
No NMP |
|
Carlow |
280 |
215 |
65 |
128 |
89 |
39 |
|
Cavan |
909 |
750 |
159 |
432 |
343 |
89 |
|
Clare |
1,620 |
1,260 |
360 |
688 |
466 |
222 |
|
Cork |
2,171 |
1,754 |
417 |
1,009 |
727 |
282 |
|
Donegal |
1,948 |
1,622 |
326 |
1,006 |
677 |
329 |
|
Dublin |
64 |
43 |
21 |
17 |
7 |
10 |
|
Galway |
3,085 |
2,372 |
713 |
1,311 |
893 |
418 |
|
Kerry |
1,770 |
1,023 |
747 |
872 |
432 |
440 |
|
Kildare |
249 |
202 |
47 |
80 |
48 |
32 |
|
Kilkenny |
433 |
296 |
137 |
208 |
133 |
75 |
|
Laois |
372 |
326 |
46 |
195 |
131 |
64 |
|
Leitrim |
1,022 |
781 |
241 |
418 |
268 |
150 |
|
Limerick |
1,057 |
613 |
444 |
302 |
163 |
139 |
|
Longford |
512 |
387 |
125 |
346 |
249 |
97 |
|
Louth |
150 |
111 |
39 |
79 |
21 |
58 |
|
Mayo |
2,557 |
2,154 |
403 |
1,329 |
837 |
492 |
|
Meath |
424 |
248 |
176 |
204 |
125 |
79 |
|
Monaghan |
580 |
457 |
123 |
146 |
109 |
37 |
|
Offaly |
481 |
309 |
172 |
280 |
142 |
138 |
|
Roscommon |
1,529 |
1,157 |
372 |
553 |
365 |
188 |
|
Sligo |
943 |
665 |
278 |
363 |
148 |
215 |
|
Tipperary |
1,138 |
597 |
541 |
510 |
219 |
291 |
|
Waterford |
365 |
266 |
99 |
132 |
45 |
87 |
|
Westmeath |
648 |
419 |
229 |
263 |
134 |
129 |
|
Wexford |
778 |
590 |
188 |
265 |
142 |
123 |
|
Wicklow |
333 |
226 |
107 |
154 |
64 |
90 |
|
Totals |
25,418 |
18,843 |
6,575 |
11,290 |
6,977 |
4,313 |
1362. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of knowledge transfer group participants who have completed animal health measures and have not completed animal health measures, by county, in tabular form. [38472/17]
View answerThe following table details the number of Knowledge Transfer participants by county who had completed and not completed Animal Health Measures on closure of Year 1 of the KT Programme at midnight, Wednesday 22nd August. It should be noted that in addition to these figures approximately 20 AHMs were partially completed. The data provided relates to the five sectors to which the AHMs apply (it is not required for KT Tillage groups).
In addition, some further data has been received which will now be reviewed by Department for further processing – for example, some elements were received by email in cases where the person submitting the data may have experienced submission issues etc.
Taking the Animal Health Measures together with the elements of the Farm Improvement Plan the overall position is that some 18,400 KT Participants have either fully or partially submitted the data submission requirements for Year 1 of KT. These participants will now be subject to the standard administrative and verification checks in order to process them for payment, including verification of having attending the required number of Group meetings etc.
|
County |
Complete |
Not Undertaken |
|
Carlow |
184 |
39 |
|
Cavan |
378 |
52 |
|
Clare |
431 |
60 |
|
Cork |
1,537 |
262 |
|
Donegal |
1,260 |
114 |
|
Dublin |
22 |
6 |
|
Galway |
2,147 |
353 |
|
Kerry |
860 |
86 |
|
Kildare |
162 |
38 |
|
Kilkenny |
526 |
84 |
|
Laois |
260 |
59 |
|
Leitrim |
389 |
38 |
|
Limerick |
703 |
130 |
|
Longford |
325 |
39 |
|
Louth |
165 |
38 |
|
Mayo |
1,758 |
147 |
|
Meath |
334 |
62 |
|
Monaghan |
471 |
80 |
|
Offaly |
277 |
78 |
|
Roscommon |
852 |
83 |
|
Sligo |
505 |
39 |
|
Tipperary |
1,037 |
256 |
|
Waterford |
190 |
31 |
|
Westmeath |
363 |
40 |
|
Wexford |
495 |
71 |
|
Wicklow |
218 |
57 |
|
Grand Total |
15,849 |
2,342 |
1363. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of knowledge transfer group participants that have and have not completed their farm improvement plans. [38473/17]
View answerOn closure of Year 1 of the KT Programme at midnight, Wednesday 22 August, 17,690 Farm Improvement Plans had been submitted by the relevant KT Group Facilitator with a further 382 partially completed on the KT system. 991 Farm Improvement Plans have not been undertaken on the KT Farm Improvement Plan online system.
Some further data has been received which will now be reviewed by Department for further processing - for example, some elements were received by email in cases where the person submitting the data may have experienced submission issues etc.
Taken with completion numbers for the Animal Health Measures the overall position is that some 18,400 KT Participants have either fully or partially submitted the data submission requirements for Year 1 of KT. These participants will now be subject to the standard administrative and verification checks in order to process them for payment, including verification of having attended the required number of Group meetings etc.
1364. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken to future-proof existing policy to deal with labour shortages in the dairy sector. [38474/17]
View answerI am aware of the issues facing the entire farming sector, particularly dairy, in relation to the impact of the availability of sufficiently skilled labour. The ambitious growth targets for the sector laid out in Food Harvest 2020(FH2020) and Food Wise 2025 (FW2025) will require the availability of a dynamic and adequately skilled labour force in order to come to fruition. The tightening situation in the dairy sector is of course influenced by the broader economy and the increasing competition for labour from other sectors.
The expansion of the dairy sector, as envisaged in FH2020 and FW2025 is resulting in an increase in the numbers of cows being milked by individual farmers. The general rule is that a single labour unit can handle 80-100 cows effectively. The increase in cow numbers is causing a demand for additional personnel. However the lack of people with the necessary skills to work and manage these dairy farms has the potential to hinder development in the sector.
My Department has formulated a number of responses to this, including the commissioning of Teagasc to conduct research into the factors affecting the labour shortage in the dairy sector in order to inform the development of the necessary interventions. My Department has also conducted workshops with industry stakeholders from which recommendations were made to the High Level Implementation Committee for Food Wise 2025 which are currently being examined.
My Department also co-funds a milking skills training course run by Teagasc and Farm Relief Services aimed at providing the necessary skills to ensure efficient milking on an expanded scale.
Data from Teagasc shows that the number of graduates from Agricultural Colleges actively seeking employment in the dairy industry is lower than might be expected. Teagasc is keeping this issue under continuous review and I intend to have the matter considered by the High Level Implementation Group of Foodwise 2025.
1365. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Teagasc-facilitated knowledge transfer, KT, groups in operation under the knowledge transfer group, KTG, scheme; and the number of persons who are not Teagasc clients but are in its KT groups and are being charged membership fees by the same organisation. [38475/17]
View answerThe issue raised is an operational matter for Teagasc.
I am advised by Teagasc that there are 700 Teagasc-facilitated KT groups, consisting of 11,000 participants in total. Teagasc further advise that they only facilitate KT discussion groups for clients who have a contract with them.
1366. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and percentage of measures in the rural development programme 2014 to 2020 that contain climate reducing measures. [38476/17]
View answerThe methodology for the calculation of support by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) for climate change objectives is set down by Article 2 and Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 215/2014.
Based on the European Commission's methodology, Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will provide support of €3.4 billion for climate change objectives.
The €3.4 billion figure is based on the following:
- 40% of the financial allocation to Priority 3(b) supporting farm risk prevention and management under measures 1, 2 and 16 of Ireland's 2014-2020 RDP.
- 100% of the financial allocation to Priority 4 restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems related to agriculture under measures 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 16 of Ireland's 2014-2020 RDP.
- 100% of the financial allocation to Priority 5 promoting resource efficient and supporting the shift towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy under measures 1, 2, 4, 10 and 16 of Ireland's 2014-2020 RDP.
- 40% of the financial allocation to Priority 6(b) fostering local development in rural areas under measure 19 of Ireland's 2014-2020 RDP.
- Examples of schemes within the RDP which have a specific climate focus include the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the GLAS agri-environment scheme. Both of these schemes combined have a budget of approximately €1.5bn over the lifetime of the RDP and will provide measurable climate related benefits for Ireland and Irish agriculture.
