Written Answers Nos. 1 - 50
38. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the 2018 total allowable catches, TACs, and quotas for Ireland’s fishing sector as agreed at the December 2017 Fisheries Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7131/18]
View answerAfter an intensive two days of negotiations, I managed to secure a total package of fish quotas worth €266 million for Irish fisherman for 2018. This included an 8% increase in the value of whitefish quotas leading to a new total of €152 million for the quota. Ireland’s quota for prawns also increased by 15% in 2018, which is the biggest single increase in over a decade and shows the very healthy state of this stock.
The rebuilding of many other stocks was also demonstrated by a 34% increase in our whitefish quotas off the North-West coast and a 64% increase in the Irish Sea. These are both areas that were severely depleted just five years ago. This shows that the many years of intensive, industry led conservation measures are paying off. The work done to rebuild these stocks has led to significant increases for quotas for our fleets.
While we did have cuts in stocks including haddock and whiting in the Celtic Sea, these cuts followed the scientific advice to ensure a sustainable fishery. In terms of the herring stock in the Celtic Sea, the reduction applied was in accordance with the provisions of the industry led management plan for the stock. This management plan provides that reductions are applied to give time to allow the stock to rebuild thus supporting the fishery in the longer term.
A very difficult aspect of the proposal concerned our recreational sea bass fishery. The Commission had originally sought a complete ban on angling for 6 months of 2018. After long discussions I argued successfully for a year round ‘catch and release’ fishery instead that would not endanger the stock while protecting an important tourism resource.
While there was a number of difficult issues, I am satisfied that this was a sustainable and balanced result overall. Last December’s Council was another important step towards the objective of having all stocks fished at maximum sustainable yield levels by 2020. The steps taken this year will continue our progress to rebuild our fish stocks which underpin the future of our industry and our coastal communities.
39. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has spoken to his French counterpart regarding the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, recently. [4305/18]
View answerInformal discussions on future CAP policy post 2020 have been afoot since mid 2016 at many different fora. Since then, more formal discussions have taken place at several Agri-Fish Councils in 2017 under the Maltese, Estonian and Bulgarian Presidencies. Such discussions gave me the opportunity to discuss the future CAP policy with counterparts across member states, including France.
As regards specific engagement with my French counterpart, I held bilateral discussions on the future of the CAP post 2020 with the French Minister for Agriculture Stephane Travert in July 2017. I also attended the CAP sur le PAC Conference held by Minister Travert in Paris on 19 December 2017, at which I was invited to speak. This was the opportune time to discuss the European Commission’s CAP Communication on the future of the CAP, which was published on 29 November 2017. In addition, I met with Minister Travert earlier this month where we held a further exchange of views on the future of the CAP post 2020.
In addition to these political contacts, Department officials engage on a regular basis with colleagues in other member states, including France, and in the EU Commission, in relation to the future of the CAP.
Discussions on the future CAP are intensifying under the Bulgarian Presidency, with CAP related discussions being scheduled at each of the Agri-Fish Council of Ministers meetings. I look forward to engaging constructively with my Ministerial colleagues from other Member States, including France, as discussions progress, to ensure that the next CAP continues to support farm incomes and deliver added value for the citizens of the European Union.
40. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the consultation with stakeholders will begin regarding the additional €25 million for the areas of natural constraint, ANC, payment; when a decision will be made on the way it will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7140/18]
View answerI am very aware of the importance of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, which issues annual payments in excess of €200 million to over 95,000 farmers.
The ANC Scheme has always been recognised as a very important support for rural society and farmers across the country who farm constrained lands. In light of the importance of the scheme, the Programme for Government included a commitment to provide an additional €25m for the Scheme in 2018. I am pleased to confirm that this commitment was delivered in Budget 2018 and that, subject to the EU Commission’s approval of an amendment to Ireland's Rural Development Programme, this new funding will be available for payment under the 2018 ANC Scheme.
A number of different options were available in deciding how this additional funding was to be divided. I was conscious of the need for money to be targeted at those farmers on lands with higher levels of constraint.
With this in mind and having considered the views of stakeholders, I have decided to distribute the additional €25 million as follows:
- €13m will be allocated to the 'mountain type land' category
- €9m will be allocated to the 'more severely handicapped' category' and
- €3m will be allocated to the 'less severely handicapped' category.
These allocations will have the effect of increasing the current payment per hectare rates across all land categories. Those farming on what is called “mountain type land” will see their payment increase from €109.71 to €135 on their first 10 hectares, and from €95.99 to €112 on remaining hectares up to a maximum of 34 hectares. Farmers with land categorised as “more severely handicapped lowland” will see an increase from €95.99 to €104 per hectare up to a maximum of 30 hectares. Finally, those with “less severely handicapped lowland” will see an increase from €82.27 to €88.25 per hectare up to a maximum of 30 hectares.
I am satisfied that these increased payment rates are consistent with the underlying logic of the Scheme, where the highest level of support is targeted at those who are faced with the highest level of constraint on their land.
These changes must now be formally agreed with the EU Commission, by way of an amendment to our Rural Development Programme (RDP). This will involve further consultation with stakeholders, via the RDP Monitoring Committee which must be consulted on all amendments to the RDP. My officials have initiated this process, with a view to introducing these new rates for payment in 2018.
41. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being made to seek new markets in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7013/18]
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 agri-food 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 may present significant new challenges for the agri-food sector.
Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region. Our efforts will be focused in these areas foreseeable future, but we will also be working hard to maintain our position and deepen market penetration in traditional markets such as those in the EU, including the UK, and the US.
In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025 I led a very successful Trade Mission to the Gulf Region in February 2017, visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This was followed by an extensive Trade Mission to the US and Mexico in June. These markets offer significant potential for Irish exporters. The US is the largest food and beverage market in the world and has a population of 324 million people. Furthermore, some 35 million Americans 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.
I also led a trade mission, to Japan and South Korea in November 2017, accompanied by 40 representatives of the Irish food sector, as well as by experts from my Department, the Chief Executive of Bord Bia and senior representatives from Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc.
This was a very opportune time to bring a delegation of Ireland’s food leaders to this part of the world, given that the EU has concluded a Free Trade Agreement with South Korea as well as agreeing an Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan. These are markets of high potential for beef, pigmeat and sheepmeat exports, and so it is important that we raise the profile of Irish agri-food enterprises that already have access to these markets, and make progress in negotiating access for others.
I have also returned from Turkey recently, where live exports were the primary focus.
My Department is currently making arrangements with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland for a trade mission to the US and Canada at the end of the February. This will include participants from across the agri-food sector and will feature extensive trade contacts as well as relevant level political engagements.
These and the other trade missions in 2018 will raise the profile of Ireland as a producer of high quality food, provide commercial opportunities for Irish business operators and improve market access in these destinations.
This work will be informed by market prioritisation exercise commissioned by my Department, and undertaken by Bord Bia. This exercise identified opportunities in both new and more mature markets, and provides valuable market intelligence both for industry operators and policy makers.
I have already overseen an intensification of my Department's efforts to develop a globally focussed agri-food sector, and since October 2016 I have provided more than €14 million in additional funding to assist Bord Bia in its marketing and promotion efforts. In addition, my Department will participate fully in the Government's plan to double Ireland's global footprint by 2025.
Against the background of this work the value of Irish agri food exports has continued to grow and in 2017 exceeded €13 billion. I can assure the deputy that my Department and its agencies will continue to work closely with industry to identify new market opportunities for the Irish agri food sector.
42. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to strengthen welfare regulations in the puppy farming industry here in view of a recent announcement by the UK Parliament on tightening legislation, including on cross-border sales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6853/18]
View answerI am aware that DEFRA have begun a consultation process on proposals to introduce a ban on commercial third party sales of puppies and kittens in England, the outcome of which is not expected until later in the year. The UK proposals are a matter of consultation so it is too early to speculate as to what their detailed impact on the sector in Ireland might be other than to note that the focus of the consultation document appears to be on methods of sale and not the issue of breeding or rearing.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 has general powers in relation to animals which places a duty of care upon all animal owners and handlers. However the activity in question is directly legislated for by the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 which also has welfare as a central focus. This Act is the responsibility of the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the individual Local Authorities in whose functional area any establishment is located.
The need to safeguard animal welfare is one of the main reasons for which local Authorities have the power to refuse authorisation or to issue Improvement Notices of Closure Notices. Such notices carry a right of appeal to the court system, which in some cases has been successfully used by establishment proprietors.
The information available to me is that in the great majority of cases, such establishments operate without giving rise to serious animal welfare concerns. Where serious deficiencies are found and the relevant local authority takes action it is also then the remit of the court system to deal with specific cases.
43. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding Ireland obtaining an extension to the derogation on the spreading of pig slurry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7017/18]
View answerThe Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government is the lead authority for the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations, otherwise known as the Nitrates Regulations, with a major role being played by my Department.
Ireland successfully agreed with the European Commission in late 2017 on its fourth Nitrates Action Programme running from 2018 to 2021, this is contained in S.I. No. 605/2017.
The new Action Programme places a particular emphasis on disrupting pollution pathways in order to prevent agricultural run-off affecting the water environment. It addresses soil fertility problems and emphasises the importance of knowledge transfer.
The previous Nitrates Action Programme, effective from 2014 to 2017, contained a transitional provision whereby farmers importing pig or poultry manure or spent mushroom compost were allowed to exceed crop maximum phosphorus rates by 3 kg/ hectare in 2015 and 2016; this provision ended on 31 December 2016.
Both Departments were aware of the immediate difficulties created for pig farmers as a result of the ending of this transitional provision as regards locating adequate spreadlands for the disposal of pig manure. Ireland successfully negotiated and agreed with the Commission on an extension of these provisions under the new Action Programme. In 2018 farmers importing pig manure are allowed to exceed the crop phosphorus limit by 3kg/ha, reducing to 2 kg/ha in 2019, 1 kg/ha in 2020 and 0 kg in 2021. Furthermore the Commission also agreed to a retrospective extension of the transitional provisions for pig manure for 2017.
The extension of these transitional provisions for the coming years will facilitate pig farmers in locating adequate spreadlands. My Department and Teagasc continue to actively promote pig manure as a valuable and cost effective source of nutrients, replacing chemical fertiliser.
44. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to ensure that puppies are not being sold illegally from here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6665/18]
View answerThe welfare of animals is regulated by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The Act applies to all animals, whether kept for commercial, domestic, sport, show or other purposes and contains robust measures against the ill-treatment of animals. The Act also provides for the application of fines and imprisonment on conviction of an offence.
Trade within the EU of dogs is governed by EU law. Dogs moved to another EU Member State from Ireland must be accompanied by an EU pet passport and a health certificate issued by a Department veterinarian, be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination. Before travel, dogs must undergo a clinical examination by an authorised veterinarian, who must verify that the animals show no obvious signs of disease and are fit to be transported.
The premises exporting dogs to the other EU Member States must be registered with my Department in advance of the export.
These procedures ensure that only healthy dogs, over the age of 15 weeks, are allowed to be exported.
Exporters must also comply with national and EU law on the protection of animals during transport, while the transport of animals by air is also governed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Information about any breaches of these regulations can be provided to my Department, which will treat any information received in the strictest of confidence.
There is on-going co-operation between my Department, An Garda Síochána and an Officer of Customs and Excise on the enforcement of export requirements and checks carried out at ports.
45. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a pilot scheme in south County Kerry to eliminate tuberculosis in badgers by way of vaccinations and removal of badgers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6672/18]
View answerI am informed that the outbreak in South Kerry is largely confined to eight electoral divisions. During 2017, 53 herds in these areas were restricted with a total of 302 reactors removed, 32 of the restrictions followed reactor disclosure at a contiguous herd test.
The first breakdown in the area took place in Autumn 2016 and since then outbreaks have been investigated and managed by my Department in conjunction with the local herdowners and veterinary practitioners.
The TB Eradication Programme incorporates a wildlife strategy since 2004 which includes the removal of badgers from areas where there has been a TB outbreak with evidence of an epidemiological link to badgers. This strategy is informed by considerable scientific evidence of a link between badgers and cattle in the context of the spread of bovine TB. In line with this policy, where badgers are identified as a likely source in County Kerry a survey is carried out and badgers are captured and removed under licence issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. This is currently on-going in the South Kerry area.
My Department has recently commenced the vaccination of badgers against tuberculosis as an integral part of the bovine TB eradication programme. This marks a major step forward in the bovine TB eradication programme and follows years of scientific research. The most recent research findings confirm that vaccination of badgers can play a role in reducing the level of infection in cattle whilst protecting the badger population.
The vaccination programme has commenced in the areas which have already been part of the field trials demonstrating the effectiveness of badger vaccination over time, with vaccination gradually replacing the need to continue to remove badgers. It is not recommended that vaccination be used whilst there is an active disease outbreak.
I would also point out that there are other factors that contribute to the spread of tuberculosis which may be contributing to the problem in this area. A significant number of animals are traded locally within the area and the clustering of outbreaks indicates that the contiguous spread between herds is also likely a factor. Farmers in the area are to be congratulated for their efforts to increase biosecurity which will further reduce the risk of future outbreaks.
Finally, while it is too early to formulate any definitive conclusions, early indications are that the situation in South Kerry is showing signs of improvement. The rate of reactor disclosure and herd restrictions has abated. A significant number of herds have recently had one clear test and a smaller number have had their second clear test and are no longer restricted.
46. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the discussions held to date with the stakeholders relating to bovine EID tagging; the progress made to comply with the July deadline required in the EU regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7143/18]
View answerMy Department provides for the use of EID (electronic) tags in the supply of bovine tags to herd keepers by approved tag vendors. In this regard herd keepers can voluntarily choose to identify bovine animals using a conventional and electronic tag. If a keeper wishes to use EID on all the animals in the herd, a request should be made to the Regional Veterinary Office whereby one of the tags can be removed under RVO supervision and replaced with EID tags matching the number on the conventional tag. In 2017 EID tags represented approximately 10% of the market for cattle tags.
Regulation (EU) No 653/2014 provides for the introduction of electronic identification of bovines on a voluntary basis by 18 July 2019. The EU Commission plans to introduce the required Implementing and Delegated Acts prior to July 2019 and in this regard my Department will keep the position under review at EU level.
Each Member State is required to have facilities in place to provide bovine EID on a voluntary basis by 18 July 2019. A Member State may introduce national provisions for mandatory bovine electronic identification.
The bovine identification and traceability system in Ireland is acknowledged as being a very effective system. It is important to harness the benefits of electronic developments in developing and underpinning the system to ensure that Ireland continues to have an effective and future proof system. In that context I am mindful of developments internationally where many competitor countries are now moving towards the use of EID in their cattle populations.
I am presently considering the scope for the possibility of introducing mandatory electronic identification of bovines in the context of the benefits that EID will provide to all interested stakeholders. The development of a plan to implement EID will require consultation with stakeholders, including farm organisations, mart organisations, Meat Industry Ireland and approved tag suppliers. My officials have had some preliminary discussions with the farm organisations on the introduction of EID recently.
47. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which produce of aquaculture can be sold and marketed from Lough Foyle in view of the fact that there is no licensing procedure for the farms; the way in which produce is distinguished from licensed produce in the rest of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7135/18]
View answerIn Ireland, applications for Aquaculture licences are considered by my Department under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act, and applicable EU Legislation.
However in the case of Lough Foyle the Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC). This body is one of the six North South Implementation Bodies created under the Agreement. The Loughs Agency, as part of the FCILC, has been given responsibility for fisheries related matters in respect of both Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough and the legislation envisages that the Agency will enter into a management agreement with the relevant authorities in both jurisdictions with a view to assuming responsibility for aquaculture licensing within the loughs. Discussions in respect of this management agreement are ongoing.
In relation to the placement of aquaculture products on the market, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) controls all live bivalve mollusc production areas, including Lough Foyle, to ensure compliance by Ireland with its official control obligations, and compliance by operators with their food safety obligations.
The classification of mollusc production areas is an explicit obligation of the EU food safety regulatory framework. Regulation 854/2004 requires Competent Authorities to classify and subsequently monitor mollusc production areas, while Regulation EC No 853/2004 requires Food Business Operators (FBOs) to only harvest molluscs for human consumption from areas which have been classified by the Competent Authority.
In the case of Lough Foyle, the SFPA has classified two production areas for the production of both molluscs and oysters. In approximate terms, taken together, the two classified areas include all waters to the Donegal Shore of a line from Magilligan Head to Inishowen Head.
The official sampling of molluscs for both microbiological and biotoxin monitoring purposes is performed by the Loughs Agency under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
Under EU Food Safety Regulations Food Business Operators may only harvest Live Bivalve Molluscs for human consumption from production areas which have been classified by the Competent Authority, and which have not been closed for health reasons by the Competent Authority.
Operators are required to ensure that any consignments of molluscs harvested are accompanied by a document indicating various pieces of information, referred to as the ‘Gatherers Document’ or more correctly the Shellfish Registration Document.
In relation to fish health, the Marine Institute is focused on the assessment of biotoxins in shellfish product and harmful algal bloom monitoring in Lough Foyle, as part of the National Biotoxin Monitoring Program. Only when the Lough is in open status can shellfish product be harvested and placed on the market for human consumption. In the event of an area in the Lough showing a positive result for biotoxin, or harmful algal bloom, the Loughs Agency is responsible for coordinating between Ireland and the United Kingdom over this shared waterbody to ensure that product would not be allowed to be harvested from the Lough when a biotoxin regulatory limit is exceeded.
As will be seen, therefore, the management of aquaculture and associated foreshore licensing functions in Lough Foyle gives rise to legal and jurisdictional complexities. Negotiations regarding the jurisdiction of the Lough Foyle area are, in the first instance, a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
My Department organises and participates in an inter-departmental working group which is pursuing a way forward in terms of the future management of aquaculture and associated foreshore activities on Lough Foyle, in parallel with a workable resolution of the complex jurisdictional issues involved.
In view of the multi dimensional and cross jurisdictional nature of the issues involved it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
48. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being made to safeguard the fishing sector in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7130/18]
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 safeguarded.
In recent months, I have continued to have positive, regular meetings with my European colleagues, especially those from the group of 8 member states whose fisheries are most impacted by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
I am confident that we are all in agreement when it comes to our collective determination to ensure that our existing rights and entitlements are fully protected into the future.
My engagement with the Barnier Task Force, in close collaboration with the Tánaiste, has also intensified as we begin discussions on the possible transition phase and the future overall relationship between the EU27 and the United Kingdom.
My continued objective is to ensure that the implications for fisheries are fully taken account of in the establishment of the framework for a future EU-UK relationship. Ireland’s key asks in this regard will be maintenance of current access to fishing grounds in the UK zone in the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and north of Donegal and protection of Ireland’s existing quota shares.
I am glad to say that the Commission has concurred with our viewpoint that fisheries arrangements must be an integral part of the overall future relationship agreement. They also accept the key point that fisheries is a zero sum game and that any gain for the UK would mean a loss for Ireland and the rest of the EU.
I am also working closely with key stakeholders in the Irish fishing industry and am pleased at the level of unity on these key issues both within Ireland and across the rest of the EU fishing industry.
In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that, working together with the Barnier Task Force, I aim to ensure that fisheries are inextricably linked to overall future relationship negotiations and that all of our existing access rights and quota entitlements are fully protected.
49. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase the level of direct support for the suckler cow herd to €200 per cow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6667/18]
View answerI am acutely aware of the vital importance of the suckler sector to Ireland's rural economy and the wider agri-food industry. My Department provides a range of income and investment supports to suckler farmers, including direct payments and existing grant schemes such as BPS, ANC, GLAS and TAMS, as well as the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP). Indeed analysis of Teagasc National Farm Survey data shows that current direct payments to suckler farmers provide support equivalent to approximately €500 per suckler cow.
The BDGP is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, and provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. So far under this programme approximately €125 million has been paid out to farmers, and I will continue to support this programme through the lifetime of the current RDP. In addition to improving the environmental footprint of the national suckler herd, the programme will, through increasing the genetic merit of the national suckler herd, make a positive contribution to productivity and efficiency at farm level.
Ireland strongly supported the greater market orientation of the CAP over recent reforms, including by decoupling of payments from production, because allowing farmers freedom to respond to market signals is vital for the sustainable development of the sector, as set out in the Food Wise 2025 strategy.
As the Deputy is aware, any proposal for a coupled payment for suckler cows under Pillar I of the CAP would necessitate a linear cut across the Basic Payment Scheme for all farmers.
In terms of providing additional supports under Pillar II, which provides for Ireland’s RDP, there is no surplus funding above and beyond the funding already allocated to the RDP, which has been committed to existing schemes within the current programme.
In the context of the post-2020 CAP, we have to examine the most effective way of supporting the sector, while at the same time being aware of the future direction of the CAP in terms of both public good and environmental benefits. We need to explore further ways in which we can improve both economic and environmental efficiency, while at the same time respecting the constraints of WTO and State Aid rules in terms of farm supports.
The future CAP will play a key role in the sustainable development of the sector, and I would urge people to participate in the public consultative meetings on the CAP post 2020 currently taking place around the country.
50. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the persons who qualify for the recently announced fodder transport support scheme; the counties included in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6911/18]
View answerWeather conditions for much of last autumn were challenging for farmers in some parts of the West and North West in particular. Difficulties in harvesting fodder in some of these areas were compounded by the need to house livestock earlier than usual, resulting in additional pressure on fodder supplies over the course of the winter.
To immediately address this issue I prioritised the payment of farm supports to assist farmers with cash flow. The European Commission agreed to his request, informed in part by the poor weather conditions of last autumn, for an advance payment of the 2017 Basic Payment Measure and Agri-environment measures. These payments commenced after the earliest date possible which was 15th October 2017, and balancing payments issued in early December 2017. These payments together with those issued under the Areas of Natural Constraints Measure, injected over €1.4 billion into the Irish rural economy by the end of last year and are providing a very welcome boost for Irish farm families and will help to finance additional fodder purchase where necessary.
At this time I also requested Teagasc, through its farm advisory service, to identify farmers who would be most at risk of running out of fodder and provide them with support to carry out fodder budgeting on their farms and explore all viable options to ensure that they had sufficient feed for the coming winter.
In order to provide additional assistance to those livestock farmers severely affected by ongoing fodder shortages, mainly in parts of the West and North West, I introduced a targeted Fodder Transport Support measure, operated through the Co-operative structure, to partly offset the cost of transporting fodder between those areas where it is available and those where it is scarce. This measure applies only to fodder purchased in the period from 29 January 2018 until 20 April 2018.
While the areas identified by Teagasc as being the most affected are predominantly located in parts of the West and North-West, the measure is not county specific within the region. As with all measures, certain criteria apply. Farmers, in a locality within the region, identified by Teagasc as having a significant fodder shortage, having completed a fodder budgeting exercise with their FAS agricultural advisor, will be eligible to receive a financial contribution towards the costs of transport of fodder, sourced through the Co-operative system. Only the shortfall in fodder will be eligible to receive support under the measure.
Teagasc assessments of whether there are significant forage shortages in specific areas is ongoing. It is important to emphasise that this is a targeted and locally focused measure, centering on areas of fodder scarcity that normal local trading in fodder cannot service.
This measure will provide a financial contribution of €8 per standard bale of hay or straw for feeding and €12 per standard bale of silage or haylage towards the additional cost of transporting the fodder from the East and South of the country to the affected areas of the West and North West. Farmers will still pay the cost of the fodder in the normal way. To ensure that normal local trade in fodder is not disrupted, a minimum transport distance of 100 km will apply.
Financial assistance under the Fodder Transport Support Measure is payable in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 on de minimis aid in the agricultural production sector. No applications for support under this measure were received up to last Friday, 9 February. Processing and verification of applications for support will be carried out in a timely fashion.
Full details on the operation of the measure, including application forms and Department contact details are available on my Department’s website.
