Written Answers Nos. 462-481
462. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulatory environment that is applicable under his Department's remit regarding agricultural vehicles of all types, including trailers, quads, tractors, machinery and agricultural equipment such as sprayers and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41589/17]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the competent national authority for the provisions of Council Regulation No. 167/2013 on the approval and market surveillance of agricultural and forestry vehicles.
Regulation (EU) 167/2013 applies to the design and construction standards for agricultural and forestry vehicles, and to systems, components and separate technical units, as well as parts and equipment, designed and constructed for such vehicles.
Specifically, this Regulation applies to the following categories of vehicles: namely (i) tractors (classified based on EU criteria as either categories T and C) ranging from common farming tractors to more specialised vehicles such as tracked forestry tractors; (ii) trailers (category R); and (iii) interchangeable towed equipment (category S) such as balers and slurry tankers.
Regulation 167/2013 does not apply to interchangeable machinery that is fully raised from the ground, for example a plough, or that cannot articulate around a vertical axis when the vehicle to which it is attached is in use on a road.
The new regulatory framework recognises that more and more agricultural vehicles are now widely used on our roads and while built to very high standards it is vital that European Union legislative regimes implemented by Member States recognised and take account of the developments in agricultural vehicle technology. These criteria ensure that in both design and construction, such vehicles comply with the highest standards in relation to a number of key safety areas for both operators and the public.
463. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer participating on a farm retirement scheme would be in breach of the criteria of this scheme if they engaged in hobby farming (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41618/17]
View answerThe Early Retirement Scheme, ERS, was a voluntary scheme that included a condition to cease all commercial farming activity definitively. However, hobby farming of the nature and extent outlined in the details supplied by the Deputy, and in response to further query by my Department, is allowed and carries no implications for participation under the scheme.
464. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has satisfied himself with the performance of Horse Racing Ireland and the Turf Club regarding the disclosure of funds in the pension fund as reported recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41622/17]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland, HRI, is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
HRI has advised that a non-contributory pension scheme for staff employed by racehorse trainers has operated in Ireland since the early 1970s. It is funded by way of deduction from the trainers' percentage of prize money won with the objective of providing some pension benefits for stable staff.
The scheme was operated in trust by the Turf Club and the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association up until 2010 when it was wound up because the liabilities significantly exceeded the assets as was the case with many similar schemes at that time.
Since 2010, deductions from prize money have continued and in 2016 a new defined contribution pension scheme was established with a new trust recently approved by the Revenue Commissioners.
This scheme will be operated by a management committee comprising representatives of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, the Irish Stable Staff Association, the Turf Club and Horse Racing Ireland.
It is currently being launched by way of a series of countrywide roadshows for trainers and their staff. The scheme will be up and running before the end of this year, and will provide equivalent benefits to qualified staff in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
465. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to take action regarding the correspondence sent by a person (details supplied) and forwarded to him as advised regarding serious neglect and treatment of animals; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that GSOC has been contacted regarding the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41623/17]
View answerI have responded in detail to questions previously put down regarding issues raised by the person to whom the Deputy refers. I have explained in earlier replies my Department's responsibilities with regard to the welfare of horses and the options open to the person should he wish to further progress complaints relating to the welfare of horses.
Horse Racing Ireland and the Turf Club have confirmed to my Department that they have fully examined all matters under their remit in respect of this issue and they have apprised the person concerned of the outcome.
As this matter is before the courts it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.
466. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 405 of 26 September 2017, if he will clarify the position that, contrary to the implication in the answer given by his Department, the question did not make a reference to an obligation on greyhound owners to either participate in or express an interest in coursing and was rather in regard to his plans to remedy a situation whereby there is an obligation on greyhound owners who wish to race their dogs in track races here to pay a registration fee to an organisation (details supplied), a body which organises and administers a blood sport, regardless of the owners' own views on or objections to coursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41688/17]
View answerThe Irish Coursing Club is the competent authority with regard to the maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book and has been since 1923.
I have no plans to alter this arrangement.
467. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a copy of a notification issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41697/17]
View answerCopies of the notifications referred to that issued in this case have now re-issued to the person named.
468. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of farm payments for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41724/17]
View answerAn application under the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme/Areas of Natural Constraints, ANC, Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 15 May 2017.
Under the 2017 ANC Scheme, eligible applicants are required to meet a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. Processing of the application has identified that the holding of the person named has not, as yet, met the stocking requirements as per the terms and conditions of the scheme. On completion of this requirement, the application will be further processed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
Advance payments under the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme will commence, to cleared cases, from 16 October 2017.
469. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an AEOS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41727/17]
View answerThe person named was previously a participant in the AEOS Scheme and subsequently applied to participate in the GLAS Scheme. The person named applied for and was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016. Both an advance and balancing payment have been issued in respect of 2016.
Processing of 2017 payments will commence in the coming months.
470. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on pair trawling in view of the quantities of sprat that are removed from the sea during this process and the request from an organisation (details supplied) to ban the practice to maintain the sprat population which benefits seabirds and marine life. [41733/17]
View answerI am aware of the Irish Wildlife Trust's request to ban the practice of pair trawling in coastal areas in order to maintain the sprat population to the benefit of seabirds and marine life. Sprat is a short-lived species and an important prey fish for many marine species thus vital to the ocean food chain as well as an important source of income for inshore fishermen.
The central objective of the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, is to ensure that fishing and aquaculture activities are environmentally sustainable in the long term through the conservation and sustainable exploitation of marine biological resources and the management of fisheries and fleets exploiting such resources. Ireland is committed to ensuring the conservation of the seabirds and marine life around our coast through the Birds and Habitats Directive, among other instruments.
Sprat in Irish waters is not a species subject to fishing quotas or Total Allowable Catches established under EU regulation. Scientifically, relatively little is known about the sprat species. The International Council of the Exploration of the Seas, ICES, considers sprat to be a data limited stock which means that more detailed data is required in order to form a full understanding of the state of the stock.
Available scientific information is that sprat in Ireland spawn from January to June with a fishery normally taking place from October to Christmas. This is a fortuitous situation, allowing some degree of reproductive output as the fishery takes place after the fish have been able to spawn. The Marine Institute advises that there is no evidence that spawning sprat are or ever have been targeted in Irish fisheries nor is there evidence that sprat actually spawn inshore. That of course is not to deny that they are easily targeted inshore when they occur there.
In order to address the lack of accurate information in respect of the sprat stocks in the waters around Ireland, a three-year research project, partially funded by industry, commenced in October 2014 and is now in its final stage, under the auspices of the Marine Institute in co-operation with the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.
This project aims to develop an accurate and detailed understanding of the stock structure of sprat around Ireland. It will determine whether the sprat in Irish coastal waters is one stock or several separate stocks and it aims to increase our understanding of their role in the broader marine ecosystem. This data will in turn contribute to the ICES assessment of the vulnerability or otherwise of sprat in the waters around Ireland.
In addition to this research project, the Marine Institute advises that it will also participate in an observer scheme where it will work closely with Industry to obtain increased observer coverage on any sprat fishery that is taking place. The purpose of the observer scheme is twofold:
- To obtain biological information on the resource itself and on any other fishery bycatch, i.e. herring, juvenile mackerel, etc.;
- To obtain information on any bycatch this fishery might have of protected, endangered and threatened species, under the European maritime and fisheries fund, EMFF, marine biodiversity scheme such as marine mammals, seabirds and listed fish species.
It is expected that these projects/observer schemes will allow for more intensive data collection and enhanced scientific knowledge on the sprat stock thus supporting any future management actions considered necessary including the issue of pair trawling.
471. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he can assist those exporters in the food sector that have been negatively affected by issues associated with Brexit with particular reference to access to the UK market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41940/17]
View answerThere is no doubt that Brexit poses enormous challenges for the agri food sector by virtue of its reliance on the UK market. The most immediate challenge has been the impact caused by the significant drop in the value of sterling against the euro, and I fully understand and appreciate the impact this is having on the agrifood sector.
The sector is of critical importance to our economy given its regional spread and the fact that it underpins the socio-economic development of rural areas in particular. I am determined to safeguard its interests.
In order to assist those exporters who have strong trading relationships in the UK I have actively supported Bord Bia, our food marketing agency, in their marketing strategy. I have done this by allocating €3.6 million to them in the last Budget for market work in 2016 and 2017 and more recently by allocating a further €6.7 million to support a market prioritisation exercise and a range of strategic marketing and promotion activities.
It is critical at this time to work toward reducing our dependence on UK markets for our agri products, while at the same time retaining our market share in the UK.
In order to retain the hard won markets within the UK, I have met with the CEOs of the major UK retailers to impress upon them the value of their trade to the Irish agrifood sector. Next month, I will lead a further Trade Mission to South East Asia, this time to Japan and the Republic of Korea where I, along with Bord Bia, hope to enhance existing markets and develop new markets.
However, the scale of the difficulties being created by the current period of exchange volatility requires that other approaches be considered. Accordingly, will be keeping developments under close review and adapting State-support mechanisms as necessary.
472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which new markets are being located for Irish food exports in view of the need to replace losses arising from currency or Brexit-associated issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41941/17]
View answerThe pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agrifood sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade. Indeed, this is all the more relevant after the UK’s decision to leave the EU, which presents significant new challenges for the agrifood sector in particular.
Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agrifood exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region. This is where our efforts will be focused for the foreseeable future, particularly given the need to diversify our markets and to reduce our reliance on traditional destinations such as the UK.
In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025, I and Minister Doyle led trade missions to China, Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea in September 2016. In November, I also led a trade mission to Morocco, which was extended at senior official level to include Algeria. Earlier in 2016, senior officials with Bord Bia led a trade mission to Iran and travelled on to Turkey and met officials to discuss trade of live animals.
In February 2017, I also led a very successful Trade Mission to the Gulf Region. This covered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Most recently, in June of this year I led an extensive Trade Mission to the US and Mexico. Both markets offer many aspects that are very attractive to Irish exporters. The US is the largest food and beverage market in the world and has a population of 324 million people. Around 35 million Americans also claim Irish ancestry. Mexico has a population of 127 million, making it the eleventh-largest country in the world in population terms and the fifteenth-largest economy in the world, with projections that it will move into the top five by 2050.
My Department is currently making arrangements with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland for a forthcoming trade mission in November to Japan and South Korea. Again, this will include participants from across the agrifood sector and will feature extensive trade contacts as well as high-level political discussions. Both of these markets had been identified by my Department as offering huge potential to the Irish agrifood sector.
This and the other missions that my Department are planning for 2017 and early 2018 will serve to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in these destinations. It will also promote Ireland's reputation as a producer of high quality, safe and sustainably produced meat and dairy products. My Department will continue to seek out and identify new markets and I am ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.
I also recently announced additional market access resources in my Department in order to further support its efforts to increase the Irish footprint globally.
473. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of new markets identified for Irish food exporters in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41942/17]
View answerThe past two years has seen great strides taken in regard to the opening of new markets and the deepening of trade for existing markets for Irish Agri food exporters.
In 2015, we gained access to the US market for Irish beef. In the same year, we also got access to the Canadian market for Irish beef and to the Omani market for Irish beef and sheepmeat. In 2016, we gained access to the Maldives for beef, sheepmeat, pigmeat and poultrymeat. We also gained access to the Iranian market for sheepmeat and we regained access to the Israeli market for beef. In 2017, the market in Egypt was re-opened to exports of beef from Ireland and we got access to the Chilean market for Irish pork.
On the dairy front, Ireland exported in the region of €4 billion in dairy products to approaching 130 countries in 2016. Against the backdrop of EU agreed trade deals, such as those completed with Canada and Japan, which will obviously have benefit for the sector, my Department continues to prioritise efforts to gain access to new third country markets and, equally importantly, to deepen existing markets for Irish dairy products. In many instances such efforts are on foot of trade missions at Ministerial level. In addition, against the background of Brexit, I have asked Bord Bia to conduct market profiling exercise to identify opportunities in new and more mature markets, and the output of this exercise will provide valuable market intelligence both for industry operators and policy makers.
CSO data for the year to end June showed that Irish dairy exports were approaching 20% ahead of the same period in 2016, on foot of factors such as improving global prices, particularly evident in sectors such as butter, but also increases in volumes exported also across a range of product categories. This demonstrates that our aforementioned efforts are contributing positively to Irish dairy sector exports.
This however does not reflect the increased growth in exports to the following markets:
The value of exports to emerging markets in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central/South America stood at almost €2.2 billion in 2016. The value of trade to these markets increased by 52% in the period 2012 to 2016. Exports to these markets now account for 19% of total food and drink exports compared to 16% in 2012. This growth in share of exports occurred during a period when total food and drink exports jumped by more than 23%.
Growth to emerging markets has been led by Asia, with trade growing by more than 150% to €1.2 billion, and led by China, which recorded a more than three-fold increase (total €880 million v. €283 million in 2012). Exports to other Asian markets grew by 73% in the same period to €318 million.
Trade to Africa has maintained around the €500 million during this period notwithstanding the challenges faced by those West African countries whose economies are so reliant on a strong international oil price. Encouragingly, exports to North African countries grew by just under 50% in five years helping to counterbalance this impact.
Exports to the Middle East grew by 21%, to €370 million.
The pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agrifood exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agrifood sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade. Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agrifood exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region. This is where our efforts will be focused for the foreseeable future, particularly given the need to diversify our markets and to reduce our reliance on traditional destinations such as the UK.
In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025, I and Minister of State, Deputy Andrew Doyle, led trade missions to China, Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea in September 2016. In November 2016, I also led a trade mission to Morocco, which was extended at senior official level to include Algeria. Earlier in 2016, senior officials accompanied a Bord Bia trade mission to Iran and travelled on to Turkey and met with officials to discuss trade of live animals.
In February 2017, I also led a very successful Trade Mission to the Gulf Region. This covered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Most recently, in June of this year I led an extensive Trade Mission to the US and Mexico. Both markets offer many aspects that are very attractive to Irish exporters. The US is the largest food and beverage market in the world and has a population of 324 million people. Around 35 million Americans also claim Irish ancestry. Mexico has a population of 127 million, making it the eleventh-largest country in the world in population terms and the fifteenth-largest economy in the world, with projections that it will move into the top five by 2050.
My Department is currently making arrangements with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland for a trade mission to Japan and South Korea in November. Again, this will include participants from across the agrifood sector and will feature extensive trade contacts as well as high level political discussions. Both of these markets had been identified by my Department as offering huge potential to the Irish agrifood sector.
This and the other missions that my Department are planning for 2017 and early 2018 will serve to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in these destinations. It will also promote Ireland's reputation as a producer of high-quality, safe and sustainably produced meat and dairy products. My Department will continue to seek out and identify new markets and I am ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.
I also recently announced additional market access resources in my Department in order to further support its efforts to increase the Irish footprint globally.
474. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which provisions can be put in place to protect the fishing industry with particular reference to threats arising from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41943/17]
View answerAs I have stated before, fisheries is, and will remain, a high priority for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations. I am determined to ensure that fisheries remain high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that the interests of Ireland's fishing communities are fully protected.
A key element in protecting the interests of our fishing industry will be ensuring that fisheries does not become isolated from the wider negotiations. I am glad to say that Michel Barnier and the relevant Member States are as equally determined as Ireland in that regard.
Existing access arrangements and percentage shares of fish stocks have been agreed by all EU Member States, including the UK, over many years and were most recently affirmed in 2014 when the current Common Fisheries Policy came into force. Let me be absolutely clear: I see no basis whatsoever for the kind of reordering of the current arrangements apparently sought by some in the UK.
If and when the UK finally leaves the EU, it should equally retain their current shares and entitlements. We are not asking that they lose their rights of access to EU waters or face any reductions in their current shares and see no reason why we should lose ours.
As the Deputy will be aware, there has been an enormous amount of work on this issue in terms of analysing potential impacts for our fishing industries under the various possible scenarios since well before the UK referendum. This work has been carried out by my Department, the Marine Institute and BIM in close co-operation with the fishing industry.
At EU level there have been, and will continue to be, regular contacts with the Barnier Taskforce, Fisheries Commissioner Vella and like-minded Member States at all levels. In all of these contacts, I have stressed the importance of a unified EU front and our determination to maintain all of our current rights. This is a view shared by all of those Member States that have rights in the UK zone.
In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that I aim to ensure that fisheries are inextricably linked to overall trade discussions during the negotiations. I will also be unequivocal in opposing any dilution of our existing EU quota shares, including protecting the benefit to Ireland of the Hague Preferences, and any limitations on our existing rights of access.
475. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which fish conservation policies have benefited fish stocks in the seas around Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41944/17]
View answerIreland's goals for sustainable fisheries are supported through the Common Fisheries Policy. The Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, provides the framework for the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters. The CFP utilises the best scientific advice as a key determinant in setting annual fishing quotas.
The main features of the policy involve: setting Total Allowable Catches, TACs, and quotas to deliver maximum sustainable yield, MSY, by 2015, where possible, and in all cases by 2020; a discards ban (Landing Obligation) to be phased in over the period 2015 to 2019; and the establishment of a regional decision making arrangement.
A key element of the CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of maximum sustainable yield. Fishing opportunities for each Member State are agreed on an annual basis at the EU Fisheries Council of Ministers on the basis of a proposal produced by the European Commission that is informed by the best available scientific advice. The Common Fisheries Policy specifically calls for the progressive restoration and maintenance of populations of fish stocks above biomass levels capable of producing MSY. To achieve this, the FMSY exploitation rate shall be achieved for all stocks by 2020 at the latest. This should ultimately lead to healthy fish stocks, higher quotas for both Irish and EU fishermen and lead to more sustainable fishing patterns.
The landing obligation (also referred to as the "discards ban") was also introduced as part of the current CFP. Its objective is to eliminate the wasteful and unsustainable practice of discarding. The reform is being rolled out in a practical and phased manner. The first part of the landing obligation, the ban on discarding pelagic stocks such as herring and mackerel, came into effect on 1 January 2015. The landing obligation was extended to certain demersal stocks (whitefish and prawns) from 1 January 2016 and will be fully phased in by 1 January 2019.
Scientific information on the state of the fisheries exploited by the Irish fleet is compiled by the Marine Institute and is published in the Stock Book each year. The most recent Stock Book, 2016, contains 74 stocks that are subject to the scientific advice of the Marine Institute. From the 74 stocks, 28 are assessed as being sustainably fished in 2016. This number has grown every year since 2013. This in turn leads to the number of stocks being overfished declining from 22 in 2014 to 15 in 2016. The biomass of stocks, the quantity of mature fish in the sea, has also increased. In 2016, there were 22 stocks in a positive state above biomass trigger points. This was also an increase over the preceding years.
There remains work left to do to achieve all the goals set out in the CFP, but the progress so far must be acknowledged. The European Commission has also noted that the state of fish stocks in European Atlantic and nearby waters continue to improve which indicates that we are seeing the benefits of prudent and responsible fisheries management practices.
I am confident that we will continue to make significant progress that will ensure the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processors while supporting the communities that depend on a vibrant fishing industry.
476. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which fish stocks have fluctuated in the past five years; the degree to which this affects the catch; his plans for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41945/17]
View answerThe Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, provides the framework for the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters. A key element of the CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of maximum sustainable yield. The Common Fisheries Policy specifically calls for the progressive restoration and maintenance of populations of fish stocks above biomass levels capable of producing MSY.
The first stage in achieving this is to form a detailed picture of the biological status of the stocks of greatest concern to Ireland. Scientific information on the state of the fisheries exploited by the Irish fleet is compiled by the Marine Institute with data from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas, ICES, and is published in the Stock Book each year. The most recent Stock Book, 2016, contains 74 stocks that are subject to the scientific advice of the Marine Institute. The following tables (1+2) both taken from the Stock Book 2016 show the fluctuation of fish stocks with Irish interest over the last five years.
Table 1: Summary of stocks fished sustainably (fished below Fmsy) and unsustainably (fished above Fmsy):
|
- |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|||||
|
Pressure status |
Num |
% |
Num |
% |
Num |
% |
Num |
% |
Num |
% |
|
Fished Below Fmsy |
25 |
42 |
20 |
34 |
25 |
34 |
26 |
36 |
28 |
38 |
|
Fished Above Fmsy |
13 |
22 |
14 |
24 |
22 |
30 |
19 |
26 |
15 |
20 |
|
If Unknown, Undefined Fmsy or NA |
21 |
36 |
25 |
42 |
26 |
36 |
27 |
38 |
31 |
42 |
|
Total Number of Stocks |
59 |
59 |
73 |
72 |
74 |
Table 2: Summary of the biomass of stocks fished (quantity of mature fish in the sea):
|
- |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|||||
|
Stock Status/B trigger |
Num |
% |
Num |
% |
Num |
% |
Num |
% |
Num |
% |
|
SSB > Btrigger |
20 |
34 |
18 |
31 |
17 |
23 |
20 |
28 |
22 |
31 |
|
SSB>Blim <Btrigger |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
SSB<Btrigger |
8 |
14 |
7 |
12 |
12 |
16 |
14 |
19 |
18 |
25 |
|
SSB Unknown, Undefined or NA |
30 |
51 |
34 |
58 |
44 |
60 |
38 |
53 |
33 |
46 |
|
Total Number of Stocks |
59 |
59 |
73 |
72 |
74 |
From the 74 stocks, 28 are assessed as being sustainably fished in 2016. This number has grown every year since 2013. This in turn leads to the number of stocks being overfished declining from 22 in 2014 to 15 in 2016. The biomass of stocks, the quantity of mature fish in the sea, has also increased. In 2016, there were 22 stocks in a positive state above biomass trigger points. This was also an increase over the preceding years. These trends should ultimately lead to healthier fish stocks and higher quotas for Irish fishermen.
Fishing opportunities for each Member State are agreed on an annual basis at the EU Fisheries Council of Ministers on the basis of a proposal produced by the European Commission that is informed by the best available scientific advice. The 2017 TAC and Quota regulation achieved tangible progress toward the goals of the CFP while also ensuring the economic viability of an industry that supports vital jobs of numerous coastal communities around Ireland.
477. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which markets for Irish poultry at home and abroad have developed or are likely to develop if imports from EU or third countries have affected the trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41946/17]
View answerThe poultry sector is a key element of the valuable agrifood industry, with the sector worth over €200 million in 2016. The poultry sector supports around 6,000 jobs, most of these in rural areas. Growth trends in the poultry sector indicate a continued trajectory of sustained, steady growth, consistent with previous years.
Strong consumer demand for Irish poultry meat and eggs has led to a steady increase in domestic production. Overall, poultry meat production for 2016 increased by approximately 14.6% year on year to c. 92 million birds, with industry expecting production to exceed over 100 million birds this year. Egg production also continues to rise, driven by recent growth in egg consumption, largely attributable to the fact that eggs are perceived as a healthy food due to their protein content. Domestic production of shell eggs grew by 3.5% last year, with average consumption per person up c. 4%. Imports declined by 27% with exports up 6% reflecting strong growth.
The poultry sector remains very competitive, and given that Ireland is over 100% self-sufficient in poultry meat and egg production it is important to have the edge provided by Bord Bia's Quality Assurance Scheme. Between 2006 and 2016, consumer awareness of Bord Bia's Quality Mark has grown from 62% to 91% in 2016; Bord Bia will continue to work with all members of the industry to promote Bord Bia Quality Assured poultry and egg products.
The predominant outlet for Irish chicken is the Irish retail market for fresh raw product. While the majority of poultry meat sold at retail level is Irish, the vast majority of poultry meat sold in the food service sector is imported. While Ireland is over 100% self-sufficient in poultry meat, the industry is not export-driven, although a growing understanding and utilisation of so-called 5th Quarter products, such as feet, together with international demand for cuts which are not in demand domestically, will ensure the continuation of export opportunities.
Poultry meat exports in 2016 amounted to 119,259 tonnes valued at €258 million. Of these 97,864 tonnes valued at €240 million was exported to EU countries. South Africa was the largest third country market accounting for 18,422 tonnes valued at €14.710 million. Some 374 tonnes valued at €1.179 million were exported to Singapore, with the remainder mainly consisting of offal and lower value cuts being exported to various third countries. We are continually seeking to obtain market access to third countries. Malaysia and Indonesia have been identified as priorities in this regard.
478. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which fish processing facilities here remain adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41947/17]
View answerThere are at present 197 approved seafood processors in Ireland and these are largely dispersed around our main fishing ports. The scale of these premises varies greatly from micro enterprises, to medium-sized enterprises, to large enterprises.
A range of supports are available to seafood processors through my Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme 2014-20. Depending on the scale of the enterprise, it may apply for supports for capital investment to its local Fisheries Local Action Group or to Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Additional supports are available from BIM for new product development, business planning, market research and route to market structures.
479. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the cereal sector remains strong and sufficient to meet current requirements and challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41948/17]
View answerThe maintenance of an efficient and viable cereals sector in Ireland is clearly very important to the well being of the agrifood industry. Indigenous production of cereals is of course an important part of primary agriculture production. In addition to generating an income for our tillage farmers, the cereals sector is a key source of seed production, grain for the milling and malting industry and feeding stuffs for the livestock sector. The long-term average cereal production in Ireland is in the region of 2.2 million tonnes per annum and it is desirable to sustain this level of production in order to avoid over dependence on imported cereals.
The 2017 harvest is estimated by Teagasc to be in the region of 2.1 million tonnes, despite a decrease in the area devoted to tillage. This is mainly due to the availability of new improved varieties capable of higher yields and thereby helping to sustain a viable tillage sector. Cereal prices are highly sensitive to global supply and demand and volatility in prices is likely to become a constant feature of Irish cereal prices in future and grain producers should factor such fluctuations into their planning and marketing strategies. I nonetheless acknowledge the continued tight margins experienced by growers and the challenges facing the sector, as global production due to higher yields continues to outstrip demand. The Deputy will be aware of a number of ongoing measures I introduced in this regard to sustain the tillage sector and promote its growth in the future. Among these measures was a targeted crop loss support measure to assist growers most affected by the wet weather harvest conditions of September 2016.
In addition to this measure I also introduced the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme and extended it to cover the tillage and horticulture sectors. I have been advised by the banks that all of the remaining €150 million is committed and is in the process of being drawn down. I am pleased at the very positive reaction by farmers, including tillage farmers, to the Scheme, which has proved that significant demand exists for low cost flexible finance.
As a further support to tillage farmers I also introduced the Tillage Investment Scheme under TAMS II earlier this year. 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 second tranche is open until 6 October 2017. There was a significant level of interest in investments under this measure particularly in relation to precision equipment to improve profitability at farm level with a total number of 490 applications received in the first tranche for the tillage sector alone. Some 450 approvals have now issued in respect of the first tranche and payments and approvals are issuing on an ongoing basis.
My Department operates a range of services aimed at improving the level of production, quality and viability of the Irish cereal sector. These services include seed certification, seed testing, variety testing and the publication of recommended lists of varieties, research funding through the "Stimulus" competitive research programme and funding for the quality assurance scheme. In addition, Teagasc provides research, training and advisory services for cereal producers. The value of all these support services is reflected in the fact that Irish cereals producers have consistently achieved some of the highest yields in the world.
480. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the dairy industry has stabilised and expanded following the abolition of quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41949/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Ireland strongly supported the abolition of the milk quota regime in 2015, on the basis that quotas were widely regarded by all concerned as a brake on the potential of the Irish dairy sector to respond positively to market opportunities. The ending of milk quota regime represented an exceptional opportunity for the dairy industry to increase milk output and reach the 50% target set out in Food Harvest 2020.
The previous two years were extremely challenging in the dairy sector. Factors contributing to global price volatility in 2015 and 2016 included the Russian Ban and the softening of Chinese demand on one side, coupled with increased production among key global producers including the EU on the supply side. While the outlook in 2017 has been more positive, there are a number of factors which continue to contribute to price volatility in the sector, including political factors outside our control. Notwithstanding challenges on the horizon, amongst which Brexit is paramount, stakeholders in the Irish dairy sector are well placed to benefit from expanding global demand.
In terms of market returns to primary producers, raw milk prices remain in the region of 35 to 36 cents per litre which is ahead of the EU average and over 50% ahead of where prices were this time last year. Peak production months have passed in Ireland and by the end of September, circa 80% plus of the average dairy farmer's annual production has been completed. This combination of good prices and stronger supply means that 2017 can be expected to be a very good year for Irish dairy farmers in terms of market returns for their raw milk, which is welcome in the context of a very difficult 2016 in particular.
My Department continues to monitor the market and provide support to the sector through Rural Development Schemes such as TAMS, and by providing funding to bodies such as Teagasc, AHI and ICBF to improve efficiency at farm level. My Department recently announced the provision of an additional €6.75 million to fund critical marketing and promotion activities in existing and future markets for Irish dairy produce through Bord Bia, in support of programmes such as Origin Green and the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme, as well as the Market Prioritisation exercise to inform strategic decisions in terms of investment of resources.
Ireland is strongly positioned as a competitive producer of dairy. It has enviable natural resources, adaptable and resilient producers, a strong international reputation, an effective dairy processing sector and a strong core of research infrastructure and expertise. My Department will continue to work with our partners in the industry to develop measures which can minimise the effects of such downward volatility in the future and ensure sustainable growth.
481. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the future development of the agrifood sector notwithstanding Brexit or other challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41950/17]
View answerThe pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agrifood sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry's strategy for development over the coming decade. Indeed, this is all the more relevant after the UK's decision to leave the EU, which presents significant new challenges for the agrifood sector in particular.
Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agrifood exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region.
In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025, I have initiated a number of very important steps including the introduction of a seven-point plan to increase international market access for Irish food and drink exports. The plan operates with significant input from Bord Bia and Irish Embassies around the world, to help increase the footprint of our food and drink exports.
It is critical at this time to work toward diversifying market outlets for our agri products, while at the same time retaining access to the critically important UK market. To that end, I have supported Bord Bia's marketing strategy by initially allocating €3.6 million for market work in 2016 and 2017 and more recently by allocating a further €6.7 million to support a market prioritisation exercise and a range of strategic marketing and promotion activities.
In order to retain the hard-won markets within the UK, I have met with the CEOs of the major UK retailers to impress upon Ireland's continued commitment to meeting the requirements of UK retailers and consumers. Next month, I will lead a further Trade Mission to South East Asia, this time to Japan and the Republic of Korea where I hope to deepen trade ties and develop new market opportunities.
This strategy for the identification of new markets links the market access efforts of my Department with both the market insights and supports available from Bord Bia and the measures to improve competitiveness at company level operated by Enterprise Ireland. An active programme of trade missions combines these efforts and those of Ireland’s embassy in a "team Ireland" approach to trade development.
I wish to assure the House that I and the Government remain very focused on supporting the agrifood industry through the challenges ahead. I will continue to consult with the industry as the negotiations develop, and press Ireland's case for continued free access to the UK market, without tariffs and with or burdensome customs and administrative procedures.
