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Tuesday, 3 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 401-420

GLAS Payments

Questions (401)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

401. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a balancing payment under the GLAS scheme will issue to a farmer (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28689/18]

View answer

Written answers

The person named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017 and has received the 85% advance payment in respect of 2017.

The required Commonage Management Plan has not yet been finalised, therefore the participant is ineligible for further payments. Both the participant and their advisor have been advised of the requirement to finalise the Plan immediately to ensure further payments and indeed participation in the scheme.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (402)

David Cullinane

Question:

402. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual expenditure on commercial archaeology services in his Department by provider in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28738/18]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy the information requested is outlined in the following table.

2013

Name of Commercial Archaeology Service

Cost €

Julianna O’Donoghue Archaeological Services

1,900

Moore Group Ltd.

4,703

Aegis Archaeology Ltd.

309

2014

Name of Commercial Archaeology Service

Cost €

Nil

2015

Name of Commercial Archaeology Service

Cost €

Geomara Limited

25,900

Julianna O’Donoghue Archaeological Services

3,630

2016

Name of Commercial Archaeology Service

Cost €

ADCO Ltd.

4,920

2017

Name Commercial Archaeology Service

Cost €

ADCO Ltd.

2,379

Laurence Dunne Archaeology

22,140

Mizen Archaeology

7,120

Geomar Ltd.

4,742

2018 to date

Name Commercial Archaeology Service

Cost €

Mizen Archaeology

2,214

Animal Feedstuffs

Questions (403)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

403. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to an academic study (details supplied); and his plans to apply the findings of the study to cattle feed to reduce the levels of methane generated by live cattle stock. [28794/18]

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Written answers

I can inform the Deputy that I am aware of the study he has referenced and my Department, together with Teagasc, is closely monitoring the interesting research work done in Australia and Canada on the use of seaweed as a dietary supplement to reduce methane with a view to deciding if new research to validate the findings under Irish conditions is warranted and, if so, what additional aspects would need to be covered in any new work undertaken here.

While the Australian and Canadian research does indeed look promising, a number of questions remain to be answered before it would be prudent to apply the findings. These include:

- The longevity and sustainability of these reductions in the longer term. For example, feeding trials for similarly promising substances in the past have shown that the emissions reducing effect fades over time as the microbes in the rumen adjust to the new additive.

- The impact on animal performance/animal health and effect on the livestock products (milk and meat). For example, is there a risk of residues in produce?

- The quantities of seaweed required (even at 2%, the area harvestable required per annum would be substantial). Moreover, the red algae in question is not found in Ireland so may need to be imported or a suitable indigenous alternative identified.

My Department will continue to closely monitor the situation ensuring that any Irish research that might be undertaken in the future is customised to addressing the particulars of the Irish livestock production system.

GLAS Issues

Questions (404, 405)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

404. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the grass-cutting date on traditional hay meadows under the GLAS scheme will be brought forward to allow farmers to avail of the good weather to save fodder. [28811/18]

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Brian Stanley

Question:

405. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if flexibility will be provided for grass cutting by farmers on the GLAS scheme to allow them to cut hay before 1 July 2018 in view of the fact that weather conditions are most suitable. [28840/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 405 together.

The Traditional Hay Meadow action in GLAS promotes the maintenance of a traditional method of forage conservation that is beneficial to grassland flora and fauna. Farmers who have opted to participate in this action voluntarily commit to the closure of such meadows until 1 July annually and receive €315 payment per hectare per year to compensate for income foregone. As this date has now passed, the question of an extension is no longer relevant.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Questions (406)

Pat Breen

Question:

406. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28937/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) was approved as an agri-environment scheme by the EU Commission as part of Ireland's RDP with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the suckler herd.

The Person named recently successfully appealed to amalgamate their BDGP application with that of another applicant. Due to the changes applied to the reference area and animals additional animals need to be genotyped in order to adhere to the terms and conditions that govern the Programme.

Genomic test kits for these animals have recently been issued to the person named. Payment will be considered once the Department has been notified that the test samples have been submitted.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Questions (407)

Tom Neville

Question:

407. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be permitted to withdraw from the suckler welfare scheme due to ill health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28948/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) was approved as an agri environment scheme by the EU Commission as part of Ireland's RDP with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the suckler herd. As with all agri environment schemes, applicants commit to participating in the scheme for the full duration of the scheme, which is six years in the case of BDGP. Therefore if a participant withdraws from the BDGP all payments previously made are subject to recovery.

In certain limited circumstances however it may be possible to withdraw from the scheme without recovery of previous payments on force majeure grounds, as set out below.

- death of the beneficiary,

- long term professional incapacity of the beneficiary,

- expropriation of all or a large part of the holding if that expropriation could not have been anticipated on the day of lodging the application,

- a severe natural disaster gravely affecting the holding,

- the accidental destruction of livestock buildings on the holding,

- an epizootic or a plant disease affecting part or all of the beneficiary's livestock or crops respectively.

Any request to withdraw from the BDGP must be made in writing as soon as possible, and should be accompanied by any relevant supporting documentation. Such requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

A member of staff has contacted the person named who has advised that medical evidence will be submitted. The matter will be examined when this material is received.

Animal Identification Schemes

Questions (408)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

408. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the electronic tagging of sheep will be delayed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28960/18]

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Written answers

I announced the extension of EID to all sheep on 2 May 2018. The ability to identify and trace animals is critical from an animal health, food safety and animal welfare perspective. The current system was introduced in 2010. The system is complex, with multiple and different scenarios associated with the movement/trading of sheep – necessitating a 44 page Step by Step Guide published by the Department. The current system necessitates the manual transcription of a series of individual lengthy tag numbers at each point of transaction along the supply chain – which provides significant ongoing challenge in the context of an effective traceability system.

The main benefits of the new arrangements can be summarised as relating to reduced complexity associated with tag types and retagging of animals, readable and accurate records, and reduced administrative burden for farmers. It will critically improve industry and the State's capacity to effectively respond – in a timely, targeted, focused and accurate way - to critical animal health and food safety incidents/events. It also facilitates DAFM, acting on behalf of the industry, in engaging more proactively in seeking and achieving new market access for Irish sheep and sheep meat products.

Hence, the new rules will provide a more robust sheep traceability system and will further support the development and sustainability of the sheep industry as detailed in the Food Wise 2025 Strategy.

I accept that additional costs will accrue to farmers in extending EID to all sheep. In that context I announced the introduction of a one off support measure up to a maximum of €50 per keeper for the first purchase of EID tags. Electronic tag readers and associated software are included as eligible investments in the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) scheme to assist sheep farmers in flock management.

My officials and I have met with a number of the stakeholders in the sheep industry since I announced the new rules on 2 May. A number of submissions have also been made on the matter. I am currently considering the views expressed by all parties and will make a further statement when I have completed these deliberations.

Horse Racing Industry

Questions (409)

Gino Kenny

Question:

409. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will stop horse racing during the heatwave in view of the life-threatening risk posed to horses by heatstroke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29095/18]

View answer

Written answers

Horse Racing Ireland is a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

Horse Racing Ireland inform me that the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board have been working with relevant racecourse management, blue cross, trainers and their staff to ensure that the effects of the current warm weather on horses are managed. There are measures in place to monitor the situation and to act if heat stress is a possibility. Heat stress can occur at any time but the authorities are obviously on alert in these high temperatures. Proper provision of water by the racecourse, veterinary supervision from arrival and the knowledge and experience of stable staff and trainers all contribute to reducing the risk of an issue occurring.

GLAS Appeals

Questions (410)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

410. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS appeal regarding the farming activity on a commonage by a person (details supplied); when he expects a decision on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29144/18]

View answer

Written answers

This applicant has not yet submitted all the required Commonage Management Plans and is therefore currently ineligible for further payments. Both the participant and their advisor have been advised of the requirement to finalise all plans immediately to ensure further payments and indeed participation in the scheme.

Teagasc Courses

Questions (411)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

411. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are sufficient places to accommodate the number of applicants who wish to do a green certificate course. [29163/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Green Cert is delivered by Teagasc and has been developed to meet the training requirements for part-time and full-time farmers. There are three options to complete the Green Cert; (1) on a fulltime basis in the Teagasc Agricultural Colleges which is most suitable for school leavers, (2) on a part-time basis in the Agricultural Colleges and Teagasc advisory regions where applicants are over 23 years of age, and (3) on a distance education basis in respect of applicants who have obtained a Level 6 or higher major award in a non-agricultural discipline.

The provision of places for the Green Cert is an operational matter for Teagasc. It is Teagasc policy to accommodate all farmers that require a place. I understand from Teagasc that it expects to accommodate all applicants to its fulltime Green Cert in the Agricultural Colleges for the 2018/2019 academic year. Teagasc further advise that the adult Green Cert Programme comprising part-time and distance education options is offered on a rolling basis at circa 30 locations. From a resource and logistical perspective, there is normally a waiting period for the adult Green Cert to allow for completion of course cycles and new courses to commence.

Interest has been exceptionally high in the adult Green Cert Programme in recent years due to the education requirements for some Department schemes and reflecting renewed interest in farming among young farmers. My Department approved the appointment of over 60 temporary staff to maximise participation enabling Teagasc to substantially increase Green Cert intake to over 4,000 since 2015.

GLAS Payments

Questions (412)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

412. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS payment for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29177/18]

View answer

Written answers

The above named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017.

Administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue. Department officials are working proactively to complete the checks in this case. Once this case clears validations the 2017 payment will be made. GLAS payments are issuing on a weekly basis.

GLAS Payments

Questions (413)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

413. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS payment for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29178/18]

View answer

Written answers

The above named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.

The Department deemed the participant not to have complied with the terms and conditions and accordingly rejected the application from the scheme. The participant subsequently appealed this decision. The appeal was partially successful.

The case has been listed for re-instatement and is being progressed by the Department. Once complete, GLAS payments will issue. GLAS payments are currently issuing on a weekly basis.

GLAS Administration

Questions (414)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

414. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the information technology unit will amend the systems to allow the GLAS section make payments to participants who did not receive payment for 2017 due to an information technology issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29179/18]

View answer

Written answers

In 2017 almost €200m was paid out to farmers participating in the GLAS scheme. In addition in 2018 to date GLAS has paid out a further €61.5m.

At this point over 99.5% of eligible GLAS participants have been paid their 2017 GLAS advance. In addition GLAS balance payments have also issued to over 99% of those eligible.

This rate of delivery would not have been possible without the availability of high quality complex IT software systems to support the GLAS business unit in operating the scheme. Since 2014 my Department has adopted a policy of implementing fully digital end-to-end support for all but the smallest of schemes. My Department has an excellent record in the delivery of high quality ICT systems. We have been consistently among the first to make payments in the EU.

In exceptional circumstances, such as a re-instatement of an application, or in response to requests from participants, changes may need to be made and these must be approached on a case by case basis.

While my staff will continue to investigate all cases that have not yet been cleared for payment, in the majority of cases it is outstanding requirements such as Nutrient Management Plans or Commonage Management Plans not submitted or GLAS Training not yet attended that are resulting in non-payment. Outstanding GLAS payments are under constant review and payments are issuing as issues are resolved, GLAS payments continue to issue on a weekly basis.

Afforestation Programme

Questions (415)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

415. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision is expected on an afforestation licence appeal by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29201/18]

View answer

Written answers

The approval for afforestation, issued to the persons named, was suspended by my Department, as the decision was appealed to the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC). No work can commence on site until such time as the FAC has determined the outcome of the appeal.

The FAC is independent of my Department, and therefore I cannot intervene in the progress of an appeal. The FAC will be in touch with all parties concerned. Documentation required by the FAC in relation to the application is currently being prepared by my Department.

Afforestation Programme

Questions (416)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

416. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29249/18]

View answer

Written answers

The approval for afforestation, issued to the person named, was suspended by my Department, as the decision was appealed to the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC). No work can commence on site until such time as the FAC has determined the outcome of the appeal.

The FAC is independent of my Department, and as such, I cannot intervene in the progress of an appeal. The FAC will be in touch with all parties concerned. I understand that an oral hearing has been scheduled for the near future in this case.

Animal Diseases

Questions (417)

Pat Deering

Question:

417. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to an increase in incidents of mycoplasma in the cattle herd recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29260/18]

View answer

Written answers

Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) infection is most commonly associated with respiratory disease and arthritis in juvenile cattle and feedlot beef cattle and with mastitis in dairy cows.

My Department’s Veterinary Laboratories have been involved in investigating a number of disease incidents in recent years - in which adult dairy cows have developed arthritis and this has been attributed to M. bovis infection.

The Laboratories will continue to work closely with herd-owners and attending veterinary practitioners in investigating affected herds to try and gain a better understanding of this disease process and to advise the farming community and veterinary practitioners, accordingly.

In addition, my Department is also planning to undertake a study to establish the prevalence of M. bovis infection in the national herd.

Illegal Dumping

Questions (418)

Micheál Martin

Question:

418. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce minimum fines for illegal dumping, particularly in cases in which waste companies are involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28652/18]

View answer

Written answers

Waste legislation does not provide for minimum fines as the approach of the Oireachtas has generally been to specify in law a maximum penalty for an offence, so that a court, having considered all the circumstances of a case, may impose an appropriate penalty up to that maximum.

Penalties under the Waste Management Act are already substantial. Persons who are found to be responsible for, or involved in, the unauthorised disposal of waste are liable to a maximum fine of €5,000 on summary conviction and-or imprisonment for up to 12 months, and to a maximum fine of €15 million on conviction on indictment and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years.

There have been instances of individuals jailed for offences committed under the Waste Management Act and in 2015 the Environmental Protection Agency secured a record €20 million fine against a company for causing pollution at a former landfill in County Kildare.

My Department has previously issued a policy direction to local authorities which remains in force, instructing them to pursue illegal holders of waste in accordance with the maximum potential sanctions available under the law in order to maximise the deterrent factor and aim to eliminate the economic benefit deriving from such illegal activity.

At the recent launch of the anti-dumping awareness campaign for Connacht-Ulster, I stated that current financial penalties for littering were being increased from €150 to €250 and that legislation needed to be strengthened to deal with repeat offenders.  I also highlighted a pilot project currently running in Sligo County Council, where the local authority is requesting customer Eircodes from waste collectors to ensure that people are disposing of their waste responsibly. It is my intention that this project would be rolled out nationally in due course and would be supported by necessary bye-laws requiring householders to retain their receipts as proof of how they are disposing of their waste.  

Illegal Dumping

Questions (419)

Micheál Martin

Question:

419. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if funds have been allocated to clear illegal dumping sites, particularly those near the coast as publicised in the media (details supplied). [28653/18]

View answer

Written answers

Since coming into office, illegal dumping is an issue that I have actively dealt with through significant funding increases and supports for local authorities. My Department works closely to support and assist local authorities in tackling difficult enforcement challenges, alleviating environmental risk and prosecuting cases in the appropriate courts.

  Issues concerning the enforcement of waste legislation are statutory matters for local authorities or the Environmental Protection Agency as appropriate, which both have significant powers under waste regulations to secure compliance from waste operators. The role of my Department is to provide a comprehensive legislative and policy framework through which the enforcement authorities operate.

Notwithstanding this, State intervention and support has been required and continues to be required for the remediation of sites where for a variety of reasons the parties responsible for the illegal dumping cannot be readily pursued and where the polluter pays principle cannot be applied. It remains a matter of policy that where the competent authorities concerned under waste legislation are obliged to step in and secure the protection of human health and the environment, my Department will support the authorities concerned in this task and an allocation of €11 million has been made available to support the remediation of historic or unauthorised landfill sites across the State this year.

I describe illegal dumping as economic and environmental treason. That is why I asked my officials to develop the anti-dumping initiative to target those who are responsible for the unauthorised movement and disposal of waste and to reduce incidents of illegal dumping nationally. This is being achieved by providing funding for projects tackling the problem including the provision of support for monitoring and surveillance, both covert and overt, of dumping black-spots and the development of an integrated and effective approach to dealing with this issue using a collaborative approach with local authorities, communities and other State Agencies. By the end of this year over 400 anti-dumping projects will have been completed nationwide supported by funding of €3.3 million from my Department.

Environmental Regulations

Questions (420)

Micheál Martin

Question:

420. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the incinerator levy suggested in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28786/18]

View answer

Written answers

The potential introduction of economic instruments designed to improve environmental behaviour, including an incineration levy and a number of other options, is being considered in the context of a review of the Environment Fund. I understand that the initial review is very close to finalisation and will be submitted to me in the coming weeks.

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