Martin Kenny
Question:473. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on health and safety initiatives for fishers in each of the years 2008 to 2017, inclusive. [6995/18]
View answerFishing Industry
Questions (473)
Written answers
The information requested by the Deputy concerning the amount spent on health and safety initiatives for fishers is set out in the following table.
|
YEAR |
MARINE TOURISM SAFETY SCHEME € |
ENHANCED SAFETY TRAINING SCHEME € |
FLEET SAFETY SCHEME € |
|
2008 |
54,061 |
371,408 |
|
|
2009 |
64,460 |
353,266 |
|
|
2010 |
60,621 |
806,834 |
|
|
2011 |
0 |
258,393 |
|
|
2012 |
0 |
161,347 |
|
|
2013 |
11,038 |
142,331 |
|
|
2014 |
8,910 |
166,826 |
389,937 |
|
2015 |
21,084 |
113,456 |
379,081 |
|
2016 |
12,990 |
79,418 |
390,108 |
|
2017 |
9,791 |
56,557 |
718,504 |
|
TOTALS |
242,955 |
416,256 |
3,971,209 |
GLAS Data
Questions (474)
Martin Kenny
Question:474. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid out under the GLAS scheme; the number of recipients in each of the years 2008 to 2017, inclusive; and the payments forecast for persons in each of the years 2018 to 2023, inclusive. [6996/18]
View answerWritten answers
The GLAS scheme commenced in 2015. The following table details the expenditure on GLAS since its inception.
|
- |
Scheme Year |
Scheme Year |
Scheme Year |
Scheme Year |
Scheme Year |
Scheme Year |
Scheme Year |
|
|
Actual 2015 |
Actual 2016 |
Actual 2017 |
Projected 2018 |
Projected 2019 |
Projected 2020 |
Projected 2021 |
|
Spend |
€11,452,000 |
€102,615,247 |
€195,583,187 |
€203,000,000 |
€213,511,160 |
€213,511,160 |
€154,869,183 |
Projected payments are estimates for a number of reasons such as the fact that the number of recipients varies as applicants may leave the scheme or withdraw actions, penalties may be applied or payments delayed in a given year due to scheme requirements not being complied with, such as required documents not being submitted.
Teagasc Courses
Questions (475)
Martin Kenny
Question:475. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding provided to Teagasc for the purposes of training young farmers in each of the years 2008 to 2017, inclusive. [6997/18]
View answerWritten answers
Teagasc training of farmers encompasses a wide variety of activities in terms of formal education courses, on-farm training and the provision of advice through its advisory services. It engages with 60,000 farmers annually, of which approximately 40,000 are contracted clients.
My Department provides Teagasc with a yearly block Grant in Aid subvention to support the delivery of its training, research and advisory services. The distribution of funding between services is an operational matter for Teagasc to determine.
The following table details Grant in Aid allocations from 2008 to 2017.
|
Year |
Allocations |
|
2008 |
€139.964m |
|
2009 |
€131.927m |
|
2010 |
€126.165m |
|
2011 |
€132.156m |
|
2012 |
€128.460m |
|
2013 |
€121.838m |
|
2014 |
€119.210m |
|
2015 |
€121.639m |
|
2016 |
€126.780m |
|
2017 |
€128.130m |
The Grant in aid provision for 2018 has been increased by over €4m to €132.5m.
Teagasc also earn operational income from competitive research programmes, client fees for the provision of research, advisory and training services, EU research funding, farm operations etc.
Its overall operating budget for 2018 is an estimated €203m. Typically, some 40% of the yearly budget is devoted to research with the remainder split half and half between advisory and training services.
Forestry Premium Payments
Questions (476)
Tom Neville
Question:476. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a forestry premium payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has been reduced; if the payment will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7003/18]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was in receipt of payments under the Afforestation Scheme in respect of a forest area of 9.37ha since 2013. Following a review of the mapped area against more recent aerial imagery in 2017, the Department discovered that the forest was inaccurately digitised on the Department’s mapping system. The forest was then re-digitised and found to measure 9.01ha. The 2nd grant and annual premium for 2018 was paid on the revised area of 9.01ha.
The Department has written to the person offering him the option to seek a review.
Fodder Crisis
Questions (477)
Eugene Murphy
Question:477. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a meal voucher scheme for farmers who are without fodder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7024/18]
View answerWritten answers
Weather 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 €1.3 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.
As indicated earlier, the main reason that farmers may be short of fodder in some cases is that poor weather last autumn particularly, prevented harvesting of the normal requirement for hay or silage on those farms. Therefore, in order to provide additional assistance to those livestock farmers severely affected, 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, centreing 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.
Beef Exports
Questions (478)
Willie Penrose
Question:478. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if prime beef will be sold by Irish meat plants to China in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7162/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has made significant progress towards securing market access in the last two years. In April 2017, together with the AQSIQ Minister Zhi Shuping, I signed a Protocol on the requirements for Frozen Beef to be exported from Ireland to China. The Chinese Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) carried out a comprehensive audit of plants in August/September of last year; this represented a significant milestone in the process towards gaining beef market access.
In late December CNCA provided us with a draft report on their visit which was then considered by staff in my Department as a matter of priority. My Department worked closely with industry to respond fully to this report and provide relevant documentation to Chinese officials.
My officials continue to liaise closely with their Chinese counterparts to provide every assurance in relation to the quality and safety of Irish beef.
We understand that Ireland is now in the final stages of the market access process with China. However, despite this significant progress, the pace of the opening of the market access will be largely determined by the Chinese authorities and not by my Department.
Sheep Welfare Scheme
Questions (479)
Willie Penrose
Question:479. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the operation of the sheep welfare scheme; the amount spent in 2017; the projected spend in 2018; and the amount of the scheme funded by the EU. [7163/18]
View answerWritten answers
In December 2016 I introduced The Sheep Welfare Scheme to contribute to the continuing viability and sustainability of the sheep sector in Ireland. The Scheme is funded through the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 - 2020 and it complements the range of other RDP supports available to sheep farmers under schemes such as GLAS, TAMS, Knowledge Transfer and the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme. The EU cofunding element is set out in the RDP at a rate of 53%.
Advance payments in the amount of €16 million under Year 1 of the Sheep Welfare Scheme issued in 2017. This is the total amount of expenditure under the Scheme in the calendar year 2017. Balancing payments in respect of Year 1 of the Scheme will issue in 2018. In 2018, the advance payment for Year 2 of the Scheme is also scheduled for payment. This will give rise to a total expenditure of approximately €19m in the calendar year 2018.
Pig Quality Assurance Scheme
Questions (480)
Willie Penrose
Question:480. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to legally define the use of the term "free range pork" to provide assurance to both producers and consumers. [7164/18]
View answerWritten answers
While many small to medium sized pig herds operate outdoor systems very successfully, free range pig production is not carried out on a large scale in this county.
The term "free range" is legally defined for eggs and poultry meat under EU legislation. Only these two types of food can be called free range and only where they meet the requirements set out for use of this term in the relevant legislation which include rules around access to open-air runs, vegetation, stocking density and housing. Poultry and eggs that carry a free range label must have been produced in registered establishments complying with these legislative requirements. However, there may be foods on the market labelled as free range which conform with voluntary standards albeit without a legal basis for doing so.
Bord Bia’s Pigmeat Quality Assurance Scheme (QAS) which sets out the requirements for best practice of pig production at farm level contains an additional requirement for free range farmed pigs. The scheme ensures, for both consumers and retailers, that Irish pigmeat is produced to the highest standards at primary production level. The scheme is open to all producers who have a valid National Pig Identification and Tracing Scheme herd number.
Brexit Issues
Questions (481)
Willie Penrose
Question:481. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to re-open the agriculture cashflow support loan scheme, following the closure of same in September 2017, with an increased amount of funding. [7166/18]
View answerWritten answers
The successful "Agriculture Cashflow Loan Scheme" has provided a template for publicly-assisted loan schemes. This includes the "Brexit Loan Scheme", which I expect to launch shortly with my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
The Scheme will make up to €300 million of affordable, flexible working capital finance available to SMEs and mid-cap businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit or who will be in the future. Given their unique exposure to the UK market, my Department’s funding ensures that at least 40% of the fund will be available to food businesses (DAFM is providing €9 million out of the total €23 million in public funding). The new Scheme will be delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) through commercial lenders.
I also announced in Budget 2018 that my Department is considering the development of potential Brexit response loan schemes for farmers, fishermen and for longer-term capital financing for food businesses, for which I have secured €25 million of funding in 2018. I will announce more details as they become available.
Artisan Food Sector
Questions (482, 511)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:482. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the new schemes being introduced in 2018 to develop the artisan food sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7168/18]
View answer
Bernard Durkan
Question:511. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which new opportunities will arise for the artisan food sector; the extent to which his Department continues to assist in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7459/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 511 together.
Food Wise 2025, the strategy for the Agri-food industry acknowledges the unique and important position of the artisan food sector in both the rural and national economy and its positive growth prospects and recommends actions to support the sector to realise its potential. These include supports for artisan food businesses, a pipeline for new entrants to the Artisan Food Market at Bloom, promoting meet the buyer opportunities, delivery of small business specific consumer and market insights, and programmes to assist producers to extend business reach and festival markets.
Supports for the artisan food sector are available from the development agencies. Many artisan businesses have participated in the Food Academy programme developed by Bord Bia, Local Enterprise Offices and Musgraves/Supervalu; the Food Works programme (developed by Bord Bia, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland for start-up food entrepreneurs) and from technical assistance from Teagasc.
In terms of small food businesses in general, close to 500 food companies with a turnover of €100,000 to €3.5m are registered with Bord Bia for supports and services. These owner managed businesses produce high-end products with a strong focus on the domestic market.
The farmhouse cheese sector alone includes over 50 cheese-makers producing more than 150 types of cheese valued at over €12 million per annum at farm gate level. The sector is innovative with over 17 new farmhouse cheeses developed in the past year. My Department has supported a three year Bord Bia farmhouse cheese programme under the EU Promotion regime.
Farmers markets remain a valuable entry point for many potential food entrepreneurs and those building a local and visitor customer base. In the past year Bord Bia ran workshops for market managers to support the development of this important local route to market. Feedback was highly positive.
My Department provides bursaries for the UCC Diploma in Speciality Food Production, a food science and business course for food producers, potential start-ups and those interested in developing businesses and /or promoting the artisan sector. Bord Bia, Teagasc and the FSAI contribute to the work of the Diploma. Over 180 students have graduated; many are successfully running small artisan and speciality food businesses.
Growth prospects for the sector are positive overall, driven by increased consumer interest in the provenance of food, environmental concerns, health and a desire to support the local economy.
There is also provision in the Rural Development Plan (RDP), for schemes to support new and existing artisan, micro and small food producers to address emerging challenges through investment in areas such as market development, competitiveness and innovation. My Department is in discussion with the Commission regarding the details of these proposals.
Food Exports
Questions (483)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:483. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the schemes being developed to help create new markets for Irish food exports in the wake of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7169/18]
View answerWritten answers
Since the UK referendum to leave the European Union, my Department has placed great emphasis on enhancing its own capacity and that of Bord Bia’s in the area of market diversification and new market access. In all I have provided an additional €14.5 million to Bord Bia since then.
This funding is intended to support food and drink companies facing Brexit challenges through market diversification measures, including the provision of access to local expertise in international markets, the promotion of quality assured products in UK and Continental markets and funding for Marketplace Ireland 2018. It will also support market insight research and projects to be carried out by the Bord Bia Thinking House. My Department has also provided the funding for Bord Bia's Brexit barometer, which provide food companies with the opportunity to assess their own readiness for Brexit.
My Department is also working with the Department of An Taoiseach and other Government Departments on the expansion of the State’s Global footprint, in order to ensure that the future development of the Irish agri-food sector is incorporated into this strategy.
In addition, and against the background of Brexit, I asked Bord Bia to conduct a market prioritisation exercise in order to identify opportunities in new and more mature markets. The initial results of this exercise, which were published in early December 2017, have already provided valuable market intelligence both for industry operators and policy makers, and I look forward to further exciting developments as the next stages of this project unfold.
The 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 presents significant new challenges for the agri-food sector in particular.
Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, including in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region.
In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025 I led a series of very successful Trade Missions during in 2017, to the Gulf States, the US, Mexico, Japan and South Korea.
My Department is currently making arrangements with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland for a trade mission at the end of the February to the US and Canada. Again this will include participants from across the agri-food sector and will feature extensive trade contacts as well as relevant political engagements. Both of these markets had been identified as offering significant potential to the Irish agri-food sector.
My Department and its agencies will continue to work with industry in a dynamic way as the negotiations on Brexit progress.
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Funding
Questions (484)
Brendan Smith
Question:484. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expenditure on areas of natural constraint in 2017; the financial provision in his Department's Estimates for ANC in 2018; if the additional funding will be allocated on a proportionate basis to all recipients of ANC payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7180/18]
View answerWritten answers
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. This additional funding brings the overall budget allocation for the 2018 ANC scheme to €227m.
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. My officials have initiated this process, with a view to introducing these new rates for payment in 2018.
Brexit Issues
Questions (485)
Eugene Murphy
Question:485. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeframe for the roll-out of the farmer low cost loans scheme announced in budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6908/18]
View answerWritten answers
The successful "Agriculture Cashflow Loan Scheme" has provided a template for publicly-assisted loan schemes. This includes the "Brexit Loan Scheme", which I expect to launch shortly with my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
The Scheme will make up to €300 million of affordable, flexible working capital finance available to SMEs and mid-cap businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit or who will be in the future. Given their unique exposure to the UK market, my Department’s funding ensures that at least 40% of the fund will be available to food businesses (DAFM is providing €9 million out of the total €23 million in public funding). The new Scheme will be delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) through commercial lenders.
I also announced in Budget 2018 that my Department is considering the development of potential Brexit response loan schemes for farmers, fishermen and for longer-term capital financing for food businesses, for which I have secured €25 million of funding in 2018. I will announce more details as they become available.
GLAS Administration
Questions (486)
Eugene Murphy
Question:486. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that the next round of GLAS payments are not delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6910/18]
View answerWritten answers
The overriding factor in the processing of all EU funded schemes is to ensure that all regulatory requirements are respected in issuing payments. This includes the requirement that payments cannot commence until after 15 October annually.
As of today, there are 49,700 active participants in the GLAS scheme and 93% of those eligible have received their 2017 advance payment since these payments commenced in November as scheduled. In addition GLAS training payments to both participants and approved GLAS Trainers have commenced with over €6.3m issued to date.
Of the remaining cases approximately 2,700 are a matter for the GLAS participants themselves and there is nothing that can be done to pay these until they complete the necessary steps themselves. Payments are continuing as we speak and will continue until the remaining payments are cleared.
Updates are published weekly on the Department’s website and clearly show that steady progress is being made in reducing outstanding cases. While officials are prioritising the clearing of cases and where a farmer has been contacted for additional information it is important that any such request is responded to as the information requested is essential to finalise all checks.
Basic Payment Scheme Payments
Questions (487)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:487. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a basic payment scheme payment for 2016 for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7219/18]
View answerWritten answers
Applications to transfer entitlements for the years 2017 and 2016 were received by my Department requesting the Transfer of Entitlements from the first person named to the second person named. My Department has been in contact with the parties named and has recently resolved issues relating to a 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application. This has allowed the 2017 Transfer to be processed. My Department has contacted both parties named to advise them that payment will issue under the Basic Payment Scheme shortly.
Beef Industry
Questions (488)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:488. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the growing campaign relating to the beef grid, particularly in circumstances in which his predecessor gave a commitment to review the matter in November 2015; and the reason for the protracted delay in providing a review. [7224/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Quality Payment System (QPS) was introduced in December 2009 following intensive negotiations between Meat Industry Ireland and farmers representatives in order to incentivise and reward the production of quality beef for cattle with a superior carcass confirmation. The payment system involves the use of a base price agreed between processors and suppliers for cattle with a carcass confirmation of R= and R- and a fat class of 2+, 3 and 4. Cattle grading better than these base criteria will receive a premium above the base price and cattle grading below these base criteria will receive a price less than the base price.
The QPS or beef grid as referred to in this question, is a payment mechanism whereby a price is determined and paid by processors to farmer suppliers. As this is a commercial matter between processors and farmers I cannot interfere with this and it would be inappropriate for me or my Department to take a role in a review of any pricing mechanism.
It is therefore the responsibility of the beef processing industry and farming organisations to discuss the QPS and formulate the methodology of any review. It is their agreement and therefore it must be their review and I have stated this position several times. However, if both parties do wish to undertake a review of the QPS I have offered the services of Teagasc to provide any technical assistance in any review of the grid.
Beef Industry
Questions (489)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:489. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason live exporters are not represented at the beef forum (details supplied). [7225/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Beef Roundtable was established in April 2014 in order to facilitate open discussion between industry and farming organisations on the strategic path for the beef sector over the coming years. There have been eleven meetings of the Roundtable, the most recent being on 6 February. No decision has been made to widen representation at the Roundtable beyond the original participants.
While the agenda of the most recent meeting did not include a specific item on live exports, the issue was discussed during the Roundtable. The Deputy will be aware that in the last year I have undertaken several trade missions to facilitate access to new markets and develop existing markets for Irish exports. In the last week of January I, along with officials from my Department and Bord Bia, and representatives of Irish live cattle export companies, visited Turkey, which last year was our third largest market for the export of live cattle. I had a successful meeting with my Turkish counterpart, Minister Fakibaba, and we agreed to set up an official contact group to facilitate detailed discussions on certification issues. Minister Fakibaba also confirmed that, from the end of May, private sector buyers will be permitted to import cattle for fattening. Currently this trade is through State body ESK only.
My Department and I will continue to place a great importance on the cattle export trade as a means of providing an alternative market outlet for Irish cattle farmers. This is very much reflected in the increase in live exports in 2017 with an increase of approximately 45,000 head of cattle or 30% compared to 2016. In addition, in 2017 I reduced the veterinary inspection fee that is payable on live exports of calves less than three months of age to €1.20 per animal from €4.80, in order to bring greater equity in the fees payable per consignment in respect of calves, weanlings and adult cattle.
Question No. 490 withdrawn.
Fur Farming
Questions (491)
Clare Daly
Question:491. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 252 of 1 February 2018, his views on the inconsistencies in the inspection report of 2016 regarding declarations of compliance (details supplied). [7276/18]
View answerWritten answers
The suggested inconsistencies in the inspection reports for the dates of inspection 25/11/2016 and 14/12/2016, to which the Deputy refers, relate to inspections of two entirely different mink farms, completed by two different inspectors from my Department and are therefore not comparable in terms of detail.
Horse Racing Ireland Staff
Questions (492, 493, 494)
Clare Daly
Question:492. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason stable staff employed in Northern Ireland have never received pensions or received moneys from the now wound up defined benefit stable staff pension scheme. [7279/18]
View answerClare Daly
Question:493. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the winding up of the defined benefit stable staff pension scheme; the number of beneficiaries; the amount of money distributed; and the cost to administer the wind up. [7280/18]
View answerClare Daly
Question:494. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria which are applied for stable staff employees to become members of the newly formed defined contribution scheme, the stable employees pension scheme; his views on the adequacy of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7281/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 492 to 494, inclusive, together.
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The questions raised by the Deputy are an operational matter for HRI.
In line with Dail procedures this request can be made directly to HRI using the dedicated email address: oireachtas@hri.ie. The Deputy's questions have been passed on by my Department via this mechanism.
Herd Number Applications
Questions (495)
Eugene Murphy
Question:495. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) can be furnished with a copy of a dormant herd number that is attached to their folio of land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7282/18]
View answerWritten answers
Officials from my Department have reissued the person named with a copy of the application and documentation dated 2nd June 2010, setting out details of the herd number granted following submission of an application by them utilising the stated folio of land.