Written Answers Nos. 525-540
525. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of a 5% increase in subsidies to existing and new participants on the organic farming scheme for produce in cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes and other non-livestock based outputs. [32164/18]
View answerThe Organic Farming Scheme(OFS) is currently closed for new applications. The annual allocation for this Scheme is €10.5 million. Based on current participation, which incorporates all enterprise types, the estimated cost of a 5% increase in OFS payments would equate to €525,000 per annum. As OFS participants engage in mixed farming which include the non-livestock enterprises mentioned, it is difficult to establish a definitive figure specific to the crops named.
While the Scheme is closed for new applications, existing participants have the option to diversify if they so wish to non-livestock enterprises and to increase their holdings to accommodate any such new enterprise.
526. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of a 20% increase in funding for sustainable horticulture research in Teagasc per annum. [32165/18]
View answerMy Department provides Grant in Aid funding to Teagasc annually to enable the organisation provide research, education and advisory services to the agriculture and horticulture sectors. The allocation for 2018 was increased by €4.2m to €132.5m. In addition, Teagasc earn approximately €50m per annum in own generated income from advisory and education fees, research grants, EU funding, farm operations etc. The distribution of funds from Teagasc's annual budget is an operational matter for Teagasc and its governing Authority.
I am advised by Teagasc that most of their horticulture research addresses sustainability in one form or another. In 2018, Teagasc is spending €890,000 on horticulture research comprising €630,000 from Grant in Aid funding and €260,000 from DAFM research projects. Accordingly, the estimated cost of a 20% increase in Teagasc horticulture research is €178,000. The foregoing does not include capital investments in Teagasc infrastructure, which also support its horticulture activities.
527. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated savings if Pillar 1 CAP payments were capped at €100,000 per annum. [32167/18]
View answerBased on 2017 payment data, a cap on Basic Payment Scheme and Greening payments of €100,000 would result in a potential saving of €6.1m.
528. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if research has been carried out in relation to carbon sequestration in marginal, mountain and bog land compared to forestry plantations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32309/18]
View answerScientific research has a central role to play in developing our understanding of the carbon sequestration potential of our natural land resources.
My Department and other research funding agencies such as the EPA have funded a number of projects related to the greenhouse gas balance of different land uses and how they are impacted by management practices.
Ongoing DAFM funded research includes the UCD led “Managing and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration in different landscape mosaics” and the Teagasc led “Irish Land Use Emission and Sequestration Support Tool”. Both projects will further add to the knowledge base regarding greenhouse dynamics in the land sector.
In relation to marginal, mountain and bog land the annual greenhouse gas balance of these areas will largely depend on the degree of grazing pressure, the type of vegetation, the level of drainage and the annual weather conditions. It is not possible to provide a simple comparison of different lands without taking a range of factors into account but in general forests are larger sinks than other land uses.
My Department has implemented a number of initiatives to ensure that appropriate lands are afforested including the setting of minimum productivity standards for lands, the publication of “Land types for Afforestation”, and the provision of related industry training courses. This is in addition to the range of regulations implemented in my Department in relation to environmentally sensitive sites.
My Department is also considering the recently published Teagasc Report “An Analysis of Abatement Potential of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Irish Agriculture 2021-2030” which recommends enhancing carbon sinks and reducing soil C losses as key strategies to reducing sectoral emissions. This will principally be achieved through increased afforestation, reducing losses on organic soils and enhancing pasture sequestration.
529. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the age a forest plantation has to be to become compliant for carbon credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32310/18]
View answerIn terms of accounting carbon stock changes in forests under International agreements and EU Regulations, different rules will be employed for the period up to 2020 and between 2021 and 2030.
In the present accounting regime afforestation refers to forests which have been established after 1990.
For the period 2021 to 2030, accounting rules are laid out in the recently published Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation. For this period, afforested land will refer to land which has been converted to forest in the previous 20 or 30 years. Under both regimes, changes in both emissions and removals of greenhouse gases in biomass, dead organic matter, soils and harvested wood products are estimated during the relevant accounting period.
During the 2021 to 2030 period, Irish forests are forecast to be an accountable greenhouse gas sink of 22 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, primarily as a result of afforestation in recent years, and will make a significant positive contribution to meeting our national emission reduction target.
530. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether targets for combating greenhouse gases will be met as a result of certain circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32311/18]
View answerLand use changes and land management practices, including tilling, often result in soil disturbance and can result in a temporary increase in emissions from some carbon pools. This can also be the case in terms of afforestation irrespective of the species that are planted. However, these disturbances are temporary in nature and commercial forests are substantial sinks of greenhouse gases for the majority of their rotation. EPA research on soil and land use, the SOLUM project, is ongoing and will provide further information on this issue.
In relation to the reporting and accounting of land use and land use changes, Ireland is required to estimate all potential emissions from relevant managed land as reflected in the methodology described in the National Inventory Report submitted by the EPA. Emissions from fuel use in forest practices related to harvesting and transportation are included in national inventories and accounts based on total fuel use nationally across all sectors of the economy.
In terms of estimating embedded energy in harvested wood, a recent publication funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine entitled “Embedded energy in wood fuels” is available on coford.ie. This publication includes typical values for the amount of fossil fuels used in the production of different wood fuels and demonstrates that this represents a small fraction of the energy contained in the fuels.
Mitigation measures in the land sector, such as afforestation, are recognised internationally as essential to meeting global emission reduction targets. This is recognised in both the Paris Agreement and the EU Effort Sharing Regulation. During the 2021 to 2030 period, Irish forests are forecast to be an accountable greenhouse gas sink of 22 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, primarily as a result of afforestation in recent years, and will make a significant positive contribution to meeting our national emission reduction target.
531. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the policy for increasing forestation will be set out; and the form and species it will promote. [32068/18]
View answerThe current forestry programme sets out annual planting targets under my Department’s Afforestation scheme for the period 2014 - 2020. These targets are not scheduled to change until the next programme which will cover the period up to 2027. There is a commitment in the National Development Programme for a publicly funded afforestation programme after the current programme expires in 2020. It is far too early therefore to set out any details of what form the next afforestation programme will take and as always this will be informed by detailed stakeholder consultation.
However, the midterm review of the Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020 completed in February this year did provide my Department with an opportunity to take stock of the existing planting strategy. In doing so opportunities for increasing forest cover and further incentivising the planting of native woodlands where examined. One approach is to encourage farmers to incorporate forestry into their farming mix so that agricultural production can continue alongside timber production. Where grazing land is underutilised for example, animals could be moved off the more difficult fields onto more productive land. In this way agricultural production can be maintained, while at the same time establishing a valuable asset that delivers both economic and environmental benefits. Trees could be grown on active farms not just for timber, but for ecosystem services also. Strategic planting of new forests can intercept nutrient and soil runoff thereby protecting water quality while affording shelter to grazing calves. Native tree species can provide a rich habitat for wildlife, whilst simultaneously producing trees for firewood either for domestic use or for sale in local markets.
In addition to traditional forestry offered by the existing afforestation scheme other planting categories that may be more attractive to farmers are available. Agro forestry is supported under the current forestry programme which allows grazing of animals to take place on land that is also planted with trees. The cutting of silage between rows of trees is also possible in this forest type. The forestry for fibre category provides for the planting of eucalyptus and popular which can be harvested after 15 years, a much shorter rotation than traditional forestry where clearfell could take place between 35 and 40 years from the date of planting. Timber from this type of planting can be used for domestic heating on the farm itself or supplied to local markets to meet a growing demand for firewood. My Department is interested in developing these forestry types further in the next forestry programme.
Although the MTR is a recent publication and its revised measures are relatively new, it is already showing benefits in terms of increased planting rates for broadleaf species. There are challenges in reaching our afforestation targets but my Department is determined to do everything possible to help these targets be achieved in light of the obvious climate and environmental benefits. To this end, I have established an Implementation Group to oversee the implementation of the MTR comprising the forestry sector, landowner representatives, and environmental NGOs. This Group has already had its first meeting and will be central to driving the implementation of the afforestation programme to 2020.
532. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to problems with issued knowledge transfer payments, particularly for partnership farms; the steps he will take to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31060/18]
View answerKnowledge Transfer (KT) is one of a suite of measures included under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and involves the formation of knowledge transfer groups across the beef, dairy, equine, sheep, tillage and poultry sectors. Approximately 19,100 farmer participants are currently registered in KT Groups across the six sectors.
Farmer participants attend group meetings and produce a Farm Improvement Plan in consultation with their KT Facilitator. For each year of the three year programme participants receive a reimbursement in the amount of €750 for a primary sector and €375 for a secondary sector where all requirements of the programme have been met.
In line with commitments under the Farmers' Charter payments to farmers commenced in October, 2017. To date, approximately 18,015 farmers have been paid €11.8m. Work is ongoing to clear the remaining cases to payment stage. These mainly relate to changes of ownership on herds including those where the applicant has moved into or out of a Registered Farm Partnership. The issue arises from the requirement to match data in their Farm Improvement Plan to the individual farmer participant in the Registered Farm Partnerships for payment purposes. This issue is being addressed as a matter of priority, with a view to issuing payment to affected farmers as soon as possible.
533. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the increased animal mortality rate for spring 2018 vis á vis spring 2017 nationally, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31633/18]
View answerThe following Table provides details of On Farm Deaths in 2017 and 2018 for the period January to April inclusive. The information was extracted from the Department's Animal Identification and Movement Database (AIM).
Care needs to be taken in the interpretation of raw data in the absence of a denominator i.e. the animal population, the underlying number of births, etc.
An analysis is conducted annually by the Department on cattle herds accounting for farm size, type and region to understand variations in welfare outcomes.
The six-month calf mortality rate in 2017 is similar or lower than for the previous ten years.
A recent Department publication in the Irish Veterinary Journal reported a mean herd calf mortality rate of 5% – lower than other EU countries and compared with third countries with similar management practices.
|
On Farm Bovine Deaths |
||
|
|
2017 |
2018 |
|
January |
18,910 |
22,528 |
|
February |
33,454 |
36,466 |
|
March |
43,711 |
53,258 |
|
April |
34,405 |
44,625 |
|
Combined Total for the period concerned |
130,480 |
156,877 |
534. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a farmer (details supplied) in County Tipperary has been subject to a number of TB herd tests from 2016; the reason restrictions on their farm remain in place despite passing the herd tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31649/18]
View answerIreland's bovine TB Eradication Programme is a critical component in protecting and growing markets for Irish beef which was worth €2.7 billion in 2017. My Department is committed to continuing its efforts to eradicate bovine TB by 2030 through partnership with all stakeholders. Eradication of bovine TB would represent a significant boost to Irish farmers. This objective will only be met through appropriate, targeted measures which can mitigate against the spread of bovine TB.
Irish research has shown, that herds that have experienced a High Risk breakdown (2 or more infected animals with infection acquired and/or transmitted within the herd) are at increased risk of having further TB breakdowns and that the longer an animal remains in such a herd following a clear test the greater the likelihood of infection in that animal.
On foot of the research mentioned above, my Department amended its policy regarding testing of high risk herds. Under existing arrangements high risk herds are required to undergo 3 herd tests at 6 monthly intervals over the 18 months succeeding de-restriction. This change was introduced in order to mitigate the risk of diseased animals moving out to other herds and spreading infection. A herd is classified as high risk when it has within herd acquisition of TB infection and spread as evidenced by 2 or more TB infected animals (standard SICTT reactors or TB lesions in other animals in the herd or trace back to the herd) at a breakdown.
The herdowner in question came out of TB breakdown in December 2016 and the herd went into a post de-restriction testing regime as outlined above.
On 27 February 2018 the herdowner in question was issued with a TB test notification letter to have a Classification Related Special Check Test completed on their herd by 7 April 2018. To-date this test has not been carried out and therefore the trade status of the herd has been suspended. This suspension will remain in place until a clear test is carried out on the herd.
535. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the level of funding to be provided for CAP post-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31652/18]
View answer536. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the likely timescale for finalising the CAP budget post-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31653/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together.
The European Commission has proposed, as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, that funding for the Common Agricultural Policy should be set at €365 billion. This would indicate a cut of around 5% for the next MFF period of 2021 - 2027.
The Multiannual Financial Framework sets the budgetary ceilings for the next seven years across a range of headings. The MFF concerns the entire EU budget and the CAP proposals are one element. Setting the EU budget is a challenging task which requires unanimous agreement and in the light of the departure of the UK from the European Union, net contributions to the EU budget will be reduced by approximately €12 billion which will make this more challenging. Therefore agreeing an MFF which maintains current levels of CAP funding will be challenging.
Nonetheless it should be noted that the proposal published by the European Commission is an initial MFF position. The final outcome will be determined by negotiations by Finance Ministers at EU level over the coming year. Achieving Ireland’s priorities in these negotiations will be a key issue for the Government.
I believe that European agriculture policies have delivered for Irish farmers and consumers and it is important that support continues to be provided to these programmes. These high standards, and the family farm model, are part of the fabric of European values. EU citizens have shown that they support this model. A strong CAP is a prerequisite if these objectives, which are in the best interests of all citizens, are to be achieved.
I have been working to build consensus among my agriculture colleagues across the European Union to support a reversal of the cuts proposed to the CAP budget. Recently in Madrid, I agreed a Memorandum with five of my European colleagues, seeking to maintain CAP funding for the period 2021-2027 at current EU 27 levels. Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Finland all signed the Memorandum. Support has grown for this position and I understand that up to twenty Member States have expressed support for this position.
I would like to reassure the deputy that I will continue to fight for a strong CAP budget in the upcoming negotiations.
537. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); if an oral hearing will be held in this case as soon as possible in order to discuss the specific circumstances which led to the initial penalty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31661/18]
View answerThe Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that an appeal was received from the person concerned relating to their 2017 BPS application. The Appeals Office has advised that the Appeals Officer has arranged an oral hearing for next week.
538. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an agricultural appeal by a person (details supplied); if the penalty applied in this case will be reviewed in full in view of the severity of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31679/18]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received payments in respect of the 2015 and 2016 scheme years.
The Department is aware of an issue with the 2017 payment in this case as a result of a request from the person named to remove an area of land from the scheme. Department officials will be in contact with the applicants planner with a view to identifying a solution to the issue.
539. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the ratio of men and women at each Civil Service grade within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31685/18]
View answerOne of the goals outlined in my Department's current Statement of Strategy is to continue to develop a highly skilled, diverse and gender-balanced workforce. My Department is committed to supporting a positive working environment for all staff, one that provides equality of opportunity and supports work-life balance.
Staff in my Department work in various locations around the country and the workforce is made up of over 100 grades. These include specialist grades across a number of specialist disciplines, such as veterinary, technical, laboratory, inspectorate and state industrial, in addition to the civil service administrative grades.
The ratio of men and women in my Department as of 11 July 2018 is outlined in the following table, based on the Civil Service "Job Code Equivalent" which categorises the various non-administrative grades in accordance with the standard civil service grading structure:
|
Job Code Equivalent |
Male |
Female |
Estimated Ratio |
|
Administrative Officer |
405 |
150 |
27:10 |
|
Assistant Principal |
317 |
186 |
45:27 (rounded) |
|
Assistant Secretary |
12 |
3 |
4:1 |
|
Cleaner |
0 |
3 |
0:3 |
|
Clerical Officer |
189 |
583 |
27:83 (rounded) |
|
Executive Officer |
524 |
338 |
44: 28 (rounded) |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
156 |
152 |
39:38 |
|
Non-Payscale General |
2 |
0 |
2:0 |
|
Industrial Grades |
67 |
1 |
67:1 |
|
Principal Officer |
82 |
30 |
10:4 (rounded) |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
0 |
1:0 |
|
Services Officer |
45 |
8 |
45:8 |
|
Staff Officer |
13 |
25 |
13:25 |
|
|
|
|
|
540. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a recent report (details supplied) that a shipment of 3,000 live bulls is due to be exported to Libya; if all live exports will be suspended during the current heatwave in line with his Department’s policy of not allowing live exports during the months of July and August and in line with EC Regulation 1/2005 (Transport Regulations); and the reason these animals cannot be slaughtered here and exported on the hook and not on the hoof to Libya and other countries. [31738/18]
View answerLive exports are an important component of Ireland’s livestock industry. I am conscious of the vital role they play in stimulating price competition, and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. The ongoing search for new third-country markets is a priority for my Department, particularly in the context of the challenges posed by the upcoming UK exit from the EU.
Restrictions are applied in the case of road transport during extreme hot weather spells. These restrictions are not applicable in the case of direct shipments on boats approved by my Department where a series of safeguards are in place in compliance with the Regulations applicable.
