Written Answers Nos. 965-984
965. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of recent reports of bullying and harassment by departmental inspectors while carrying out on-farm inspections; the number of complaints that have been made concerning such bullying in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35817/18]
View answerThe data requested is set out in the table.
|
Year |
Number of customer service complaints from farmers received by Quality Service Unit regarding inspections |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
2015 |
1 |
|
2016 |
3 |
|
2017 |
1 |
|
2018 to date (01/01/2018 - 27/08/2018) |
2 |
The data set out in the table relates to complaints from farmers received by the Quality Service Unit of my Department as part of my Department’s Customer Service Complaints Procedure. It is important to note that this Customer Service Complaints Procedure concerns complaints regarding customer service; it does not cover requests for reviews or appeals against actual decisions taken in the operation of a scheme or service as these have a separate appeals process.
My Department is committed to providing a user-friendly, high quality service to all farmers. Where it is considered that my Department falls short of this, my Department’s Customer Service Complaints Procedure can be availed of by farmers. Having regard to data protection obligations, specific detail in respect of the complaints referred to in the table above cannot be provided, but in general they involve dissatisfaction with aspects of inspections such as the alleged lack of notice, attitude and conduct of Department staff and methodologies employed.
All complaints received to date have been formally acknowledged and dealt with, or are in the process of being dealt with.
There are three possible steps in the customer service complaints process:
- Complaints should first be directed to the senior officer in charge of the business area within the Department to which the complaint pertains.
- If the complainant is dissatisfied with the response received from the Head of the relevant business area, the complaint can be sent to the Quality Service Unit who will examine any customer service aspect of the complaint. The Quality Service Unit will have the matter fully and impartially investigated by an officer who was not involved in the matter giving rise to the complaint.
- If the complainant remains dissatisfied after steps 1 and 2 above, it is open to the complainant to contact the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman examines complaints from people who feel they have been unfairly treated by certain public bodies, for example, Government Departments.
966. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a licensing issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35949/18]
View answerMy Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
In addition, the legislation governing aquaculture licensing provides for an appeals mechanism. Appeals against licence decisions are a matter for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) which is an independent statutory body. Full details of the appeals process can be obtained at http://www.alab.ie/appealsprocess/.
In accordance with the applicable legislation, the Statutory and Public Consultation phase in respect of these applications is now concluded. Every effort is being made to expedite a decision on these applications having regard to the complexities involved. As these licence applications are under active consideration as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.
967. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a series of matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the fodder crisis will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35969/18]
View answerI note the contents of your letter addressed to me from Monaghan County Council dated 10 April 2018 attached to your PQ and in this connection I would like to confirm that my office replied to this letter on the 16 April 2018 with the information current at the time.
Now, however I would like to give the Deputy a full account of the additional actions and measures I have put in place since that time to meet the challenges in this sector.
Following the fodder difficulties of last winter and spring I formed a representative group chaired by Teagasc, including stakeholders such as Co-ops, banks, farm bodies, amongst others, to coordinate advisory messages to farmers this Summer around replenishing depleted stocks of fodder. I have requested the group to co-ordinate advice on managing grazing and fodder conservation through this extended period of extraordinarily dry weather.
On the 26th June last I launched a national fodder survey to be compiled by Teagasc through its client network as well as clients of the other fodder group stakeholders, with another survey currently being undertaken with interim results expected to be available next week.
I met with Commissioner Hogan on the 24th July last and briefed him on the impact on Irish Agriculture of the dry spell. I have secured agreement from the Commissioner to pay higher advance payments this autumn. As a result, advances for Pillar 1 and 2 payments will be increased to 70% and 85% respectively, resulting in €260 million in additional cash flow for farmers at a vital time of the year. I proposed to Commissioner Hogan certain flexibilities for participants under the GLAS scheme which will replenish their fodder stocks for the winter period.
I am very pleased to have secured the agreement of the European Commission for these flexibilities which are now in place since 1st September and which together bring a potential additional 270,000 hectares into fodder production.
Furthermore on the 3rd August I announced a €2.75 million Fodder Production Incentive for Tillage Farmers to encourage tillage growers to actively engage in the fodder market. This measure will provide an incentive of €155 per hectare for tillage growers who grow a temporary crop of short rotation grasses for fodder production over the winter months and €100 per hectare for those growing catch crops such as fodder Rape, Turnips and Brassica crops. Currently over 23,000 hectares of catch crops are supported under the Agri-Environment Scheme, GLAS. This additional funding commitment aims to incentivise a doubling of this area. I am confident this measure will support Tillage farmers to supply into the market for fodder. Tillage farmers are a critical part of our agricultural sector, supplying the brewing and distilling industry, grain to the feed industry and straw to the livestock sector, whilst also delivering other benefits.
Also, following consultation in August with my Government colleague the Minister for Planning, Housing and Local Government Mr. Eoghan Murphy T.D., flexibility has been granted on an extension to the closed period for spreading of chemical and organic fertilisers in order to capitalise on autumn grass growth for fodder production. This extra two weeks granted by Minister Murphy will allow application up to the 30th September and 31st October respectively and again maximise the opportunity for Autumn production.
On the 22nd August I announced a €4.25million Fodder Import Support Measure for Autumn 2018. The measure seeks to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage, that is: hay silage, haylage, alfalfa and others from outside the island of Ireland. The measure will operate through the Co-operatives/registered importers and will cover forage imported from 12th August 2018 to 31st December 2018 and will of course be subject to EU State Aid (de-minimis ) rules. I wish to confirm that while the measure will operate through the Co-operatives/registered importers, the actual beneficiaries will be farmers who need supplies of fodder.
I know that the range of measures introduced by me to-date taken together and targeted at producing as much fodder as possible from our own land provide the most effective response to a fodder shortfall. I can assure you that I will continue to closely monitor and engage on this significant challenge during this difficult period.
968. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a grant payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be expedited. [35980/18]
View answerThe applicant in this case has applied under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II. The application has passed the initial administrative checks and requires final technical checks before approval issues. This process is underway.
969. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farm payment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35985/18]
View answerAs the Deputy would be aware from previous recent PQ's, a review by the Director of Agriculture Appeals Office of the decision of the Appeals Officer has been requested in this case in accordance with the provisions of the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001. The Agriculture Appeals Office has indicated that requests for reviews are generally dealt with in order of receipt and that both the Department and the person named will be advised of the outcome when the review has been completed.
970. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the full environmental impact study will be carried out on a bay; when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on an application for an aquaculture licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36002/18]
View answerMy Department has received a number of applications for Aquaculture Licences from the applicant referred to by the Deputy in respect of sites located within Ballyness Bay which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000 site).
All aquaculture activities in Natura site areas require an Appropriate Assessment to be carried out before any aquaculture licensing determinations can be made. My Department is working with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to achieve full compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives through a multi-annual work programme. This data collection programme, which is substantially complete, together with the setting of Conservation Objectives, will enable all new and renewal aquaculture applications to be assessed.
Conservation Objectives have been set for Ballyness SAC. The next step in the process is the carrying out of an Appropriate Assessment by the Marine Institute. This is being progressed and it has been confirmed by the MI that the completion of the Appropriate Assessment is imminent. While the Appropriate Assessments are carried out on a bay by bay basis, each licence application within the bay must be assessed individually.
Addressing the issue of aquaculture licensing in Natura 2000 areas is a key priority for my Department and the Deputy can be assured that every effort is being made to expedite the completion of the process in Ballyness Bay having regard to all the complexities involved.
971. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 28 November 2017, his plans to review a decision to allow pre-harvest spraying of crops in 2016 with glyphosate products; if he has had engagement with the Department of Health or otherwise in the context of the sale of glyphosate in consumer stores in view of the court case in the US regarding a branded glyphosate product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36015/18]
View answerRegulatory decisions on the approval and use of pesticides are based on the scientific consensus view of all the relevant technical information from all sources. My Department is the Competent Authority in Ireland with responsibility for the authorisation of Plant Protection Products (PPPs).
Experts from a range of specialised scientific disciplines engage with scientific experts in other Member States, with other Competent Authorities, with EU regulatory bodies and also with experts in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in relation to the approval of Plant Protection Products. Information and opinions from other bodies would be carefully considered where relevant.
Regarding the use of plant protection products containing glyphosate in Ireland, I continue to be guided by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), who have both concluded, on the basis of extensive reviews involving public consultation, that glyphosate can be used safely without putting consumers or users at risk. The EFSA review included an assessment of potential dietary exposure that could result from pre-harvest use.
My Department will continue to monitor international peer reviewed scientific evidence and the guidance provided by EFSA and ECHA.
972. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a company (details supplied) was granted a licence to be an approved tree and hedging nursery; if so, the year it was granted and revoked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36016/18]
View answerThe primary role of my Department is to ensure that the producers of plant material comply with both EU and Irish plant health legislation. The aim of this legislation is to prevent the movement and spread of plant quarantine harmful organisms within the EU territory and its member states.
To achieve this, an identification label called a ‘plant passport’ must accompany certain plants, which identifies the grower, the origin and verifies that the plant is eligible to move within the EU. Plants which must be accompanied by a plant passport are known as regulated plants. All producers of regulated plant material must apply to and be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
My Department is responsible for checking these producers for compliance with the EU plant health requirements. Once these premises are inspected and are found to be compliant, the plants/plant products can qualify for plant passports and are then free to move within Ireland or to another EU Member State.
Specifically with regard to the party mentioned, authorisation to issue plant passports was initially approved in 2010 and subsequently removed in 2015, therefore preventing any further legitimate trade in certain regulated plants.
973. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a TAMS grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry following a successful review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36019/18]
View answerPayment issued to the applicant concerned on 23 August 2018 in respect of investments under the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme of TAMS II.
974. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when TAMS grants for dairy equipment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36020/18]
View answerThe grant payment for the Dairy Equipment Scheme of TAMS II was paid to the applicant concerned on 14 August 2018.
975. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when GLAS payments for 2016 and 2017 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36021/18]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016 and has received the 2016 advance payment.
All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue. In addition, this case was selected for inspection. Issues in relation to the inspection are near completion.
It is expected that the outstanding 2016 balance payment will issue shortly followed by the 2017 advance. GLAS payments are being made on a weekly basis as cases become eligible for payment.
976. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; if an oral hearing can be held in the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36025/18]
View answerThe recent reduction applied on the parcel in question arose as a result of standard eligibility checks carried out by my Department. As a follow up to this process, a field visit is to be carried out in order to establish the most up to date position. This process should be completed shortly, and the results will be communicated directly to the person named. Should the person named wish to lodge an appeal with the Agriculture Appeals Office, he can do so at that stage and seek an oral hearing.
977. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to support the income of suckler farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36026/18]
View answerExamination of appropriate measures to support all agri food sectors, including the suckler sector, is underway in my Department in preparation for the next iteration of the CAP. The measures adopted will be informed by stakeholder consultation on the needs of the sector to develop in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, as well as the available budget and structure of the new CAP when it is finalised.
Currently, the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This scheme is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit within the herd.
My Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the €4 billion Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014 - 2020. In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmer also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.
I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers, together with ensuring market access to as many markets as possible, both for live animals and beef exports, are appropriate supports for the continued development of the sector. National Farm Survey data suggests that suckler farmers receive support equivalent to approximately €500 per suckler cow on average.
I will continue to argue for as strong a CAP budget as possible, post 2020. In particular, I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP. My view is that such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system.
978. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the winter 2018 fodder crisis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36032/18]
View answerI would like to give the Deputy a full account of the actions and measures I have put in place over the short last while to meet the challenges in this sector. Following the fodder difficulties of last Winter and Spring I formed a representative group chaired by Teagasc, including stakeholders such as Co-ops, banks, farm bodies, amongst others, to coordinate advisory messages to farmers this Summer around replenishing depleted stocks of fodder. I have requested the group to co-ordinate advice on managing grazing and fodder conservation through this extended period of extraordinarily dry weather. Practical advice is being shared across the group on dealing both with the current weather and on filling the significant fodder gap.
On the 26th June last, I launched a national fodder survey to be compiled by Teagasc through its client network as well as clients of the other fodder group stakeholders, with another survey being conducted this week. Given the findings of this survey, the overall priority must be to conserve as much fodder for the coming winter as possible when the opportunity to do so arises.
I met with Commissioner Hogan on the 24th July last and briefed him on the impact on Irish Agriculture of the dry spell. I secured agreement from the Commissioner to pay higher advance payments this autumn. As a result, advances for Pillar 1 and 2 payments will be increased to 70% and 85% respectively, resulting in €260 million in additional cash flow for farmers at a vital time of the year. I also proposed to Commissioner Hogan certain flexibilities for participants under the GLAS scheme which will replenish their fodder stocks for the winter period. In this connection I am pleased to have secured the agreement of the European Commission for these measures which, are now in place since 1st September and which together bring a potential additional 270,000 hectares into fodder production.
Furthermore on the 3rd August I announced a €2.75 million Fodder Production Incentive for Tillage Farmers to encourage tillage growers to actively engage in the fodder market. This measure will provide an incentive of €155 per hectare for tillage growers who grow a temporary crop of short rotation grasses for fodder production over the winter months and €100 per hectare for those growing catch crops such as fodder Rape, Turnips and Brassica crops. Currently over 23,000 hectares of catch crops are supported under the Agri-Environment Scheme, GLAS. This additional funding commitment aims to incentivise a doubling of this area. I am confident this measure will support Tillage farmers to supply into the market for fodder. Tillage farmers are a critical part of our agricultural sector ,supplying the brewing and distilling industry, grain to the feed industry and straw to the livestock sector, whilst also delivering other benefits.
Also, following consultation in August with my Government colleague the Minister for Planning, Housing and Local Government Mr. Eoghan Murphy T.D., flexibility has been granted on an extension to the closed period for spreading of chemical and organic fertilisers in order to capitalise on Autumn grass growth for fodder production. This extra two weeks granted by Minister Murphy will allow application up to the 30th September and 31st October respectively and again maximise the opportunity for Autumn production.
On the 22nd August I announced a €4.25million Fodder Import Support Measure for Autumn 2018. The measure seeks to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage ,that is: hay, silage, haylage, alfalfa and others from outside the island of Ireland. The measure will operate through the Co-operatives/registered importers and will cover forage imported from 12th August 2018 to 31st December 2018 and will of course be subject to EU State Aid (de-minimis ) rules. I wish to confirm that while the measure will operate through the Co-operatives/registered importers, the actual beneficiaries will be farmers who need supplies of fodder.
I know that the range of measures introduced by me to-date taken together and targeted at producing as much fodder as possible from our own land provide the most effective response to a fodder shortfall. I can also assure you that I will continue to closely monitor and engage on this significant challenge during this difficult period.
979. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of badgers culled in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, nationally and by county in tabular form; the number tested for TB; the percentage that tested positive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36034/18]
View answerThe numbers of badgers culled annually are published as part of the Annual Report of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and I attach for the Deputy’s convenience the figures for 2015 and 2016 extracted from those Annual Reports – tables 1 and 2 below. While the figures for 2017 are not yet published, I am in a position to attach the, as yet unconfirmed, figures for 2017 – table 3 - on the basis that they are subject to finalisation in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Numbers are not yet available in respect of 2018 as these are normally prepared towards the end of each year in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Samples from culled badgers are not routinely cultured for TB, as previous studies have shown that the levels of TB in badgers is high when the TB prevalence in cattle locally is high. Similarly, when local bovine TB levels are lower, the levels of TB in badgers is lower. Tissues from badgers are tested for TB when required for specific studies, and the details of such tests carried out by my Department’s Regional Veterinary Laboratories and the Irish Diagnostic Laboratory Services are provided in tables 4 and 5 below.
The Deputy should be aware that under current operating protocols, where herds are identified with a serious outbreak of bovine tuberculosis, and where my Department’s epidemiological investigations into the cause of the breakdown implicates badgers as a possible source, a capturing program is set up in the local area. The aims of the program are to manage the local population of badgers downward to an average level of 0.5 badgers per Km2 which is the optimal density that mitigates badger to cattle transmission. An annual culling effort is managed to ensure these lower density levels are maintained. The long-term culling of badgers is not ideal or sustainable. They are protected by national legislation and are listed within the Berne Convention. Therefore, they are captured under a licence granted to my Department by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Field trials testing the effectiveness of badger vaccination as an alternative to removal confirmed that vaccination of badgers can play a role in reducing the level of infection in cattle. From January 2018 the formal vaccination programme commenced in the areas which formed part of the field trials, i.e. in parts of counties Monaghan, Longford, Galway, Tipperary, Waterford, Kilkenny, Cork and in all of Louth. Badgers in a vaccination area will be captured/vaccinated/released instead of being captured/culled. The vaccination program will continue on an annual basis, so each year’s births in vaccination areas will be vaccinated as they are captured. The vaccination area will be expanded incrementally to all parts of the country during the 2018-2022 period and it is anticipated that the rate of badger removal will reduce over that period. In areas with severe TB outbreaks epidemiologically linked to badgers, some level of badger removals may still continue to be necessary, but the overall level of removals is likely to be significantly reduced.
Table 1 - Badgers Captured per RVO area: 2015
|
RVO Office |
Total Badgers |
|
Carlow |
138 |
|
Cavan |
205 |
|
Clare |
381 |
|
Cork Central |
126 |
|
Cork North East |
199 |
|
Donegal |
273 |
|
Dublin |
188 |
|
Galway |
271 |
|
Kerry |
312 |
|
Kildare |
123 |
|
Kilkenny |
172 |
|
Laois |
125 |
|
Leitrim |
298 |
|
Limerick |
232 |
|
Longford |
115 |
|
Louth |
0 |
|
Mayo |
376 |
|
Meath |
208 |
|
Monaghan |
168 |
|
Offaly |
62 |
|
Roscommon |
307 |
|
Sligo |
172 |
|
Tipperary North |
317 |
|
Tipperary South |
200 |
|
Waterford |
258 |
|
Westmeath |
160 |
|
Wexford |
430 |
|
Clonakilty |
300 |
|
Total |
6116 |
Table 2 - Badgers Captured per RVO area: 2016
|
RVO Office |
Total Badgers |
|
Carlow |
153 |
|
Cavan |
149 |
|
Clare |
372 |
|
Cork Central |
141 |
|
Cork North East |
242 |
|
Donegal |
254 |
|
Dublin |
188 |
|
Galway |
196 |
|
Kerry |
288 |
|
Kildare |
366 |
|
Kilkenny |
155 |
|
Laois |
186 |
|
Leitrim |
285 |
|
Limerick |
278 |
|
Longford |
113 |
|
Louth |
0 |
|
Mayo |
341 |
|
Meath |
145 |
|
Monaghan |
109 |
|
Offaly |
94 |
|
Roscommon |
353 |
|
Sligo |
155 |
|
Tipperary North |
317 |
|
Tipperary South |
196 |
|
Waterford |
204 |
|
Westmeath |
194 |
|
Wexford |
405 |
|
Clonakilty |
282 |
|
Total |
6161 |
Table 3 - Badgers Captured per Regional Veterinary Office area: 2017
|
RVO Office |
Total Badgers |
|
Carlow |
147 |
|
Cavan |
201 |
|
Clare |
401 |
|
Cork Central |
91 |
|
Cork North East |
190 |
|
Donegal |
231 |
|
Dublin |
202 |
|
Galway |
205 |
|
Kerry |
303 |
|
Kildare |
405 |
|
Kilkenny |
142 |
|
Laois |
85 |
|
Leitrim |
295 |
|
Limerick |
238 |
|
Longford |
92 |
|
Louth |
0 |
|
Mayo |
285 |
|
Meath |
127 |
|
Monaghan |
193 |
|
Offaly |
63 |
|
Roscommon |
291 |
|
Sligo |
133 |
|
Tipperary North |
298 |
|
Tipperary South |
168 |
|
Waterford |
202 |
|
Westmeath |
170 |
|
Wexford |
330 |
|
Clonakilty |
323 |
|
Total |
5811 |
Table 4 - Badgers Tissue Analysis at Regional Veterinary Laboratory
|
Year |
No. of Badgers tested for TB |
No. of Badgers Positive |
% Positive of total tested |
|
2018 to date |
134 |
42 |
31.34% |
|
2017 |
152 |
42 |
27.63% |
|
2016 |
166 |
44 |
26.5% |
|
2015 |
220 |
53 |
24.09% |
Table 5 - Badger Culture Analysis - Irish Diagnostic Laboratory Services (IDLS)
|
Year |
No. of Badgers tested for TB |
No. of Badgers Positive |
% Positive of total tested |
|
|
2018 to date |
None to date |
None to date |
None to date |
Culturing to commence in late Sept. 2018 |
|
2017 |
282 |
31 |
10.99% |
Some cultures are still incubating |
|
2016 |
Not performed yet |
Not performed Yet |
None |
Anticipate 300 to be performed in next 24 months |
|
2015 |
1565 |
207 |
13.23% |
980. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appeal by a person (details supplied) in respect of an ANC payment for 2017 has been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36074/18]
View answerThe Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that an appeal was received from the person concerned on 5 March 2018. On receipt of the Department file the appeal was assigned to an Appeal Officer for their consideration. The Appeal decision letter issued to the person concerned on 25 May 2018 advising him of the outcome of his appeal.
981. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if hill land that is farmed in the traditional manner will now not need to be fenced in cases in which other general compliance measures are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36118/18]
View answerThe Terms and Conditions of the Basic Payments Scheme outline the requirements regarding the fencing of land. The Terms and Conditions state that there must be a defined external boundary, and that the boundary must be sufficient to control the farmers' and neighbouring animals.
The only exemption to the requirement for stock-proof fencing is outlined in the Department's publication “A Guide to Land Eligibility Direct Payment Schemes 2015”, this publication was sent to all farmers in 2015. On the matter of fencing it states ;“An exemption to this rule is that the need for stock proof fencing is not required for exclusively owned hill lands, provided the lands continue to be farmed in the traditional manner by hill farmers in compliance with the requirements of the EU regulations”. The land must be both actively farmed and farmed in the traditional manner. This traditional farming refers to farmers having the hill land and the appurtenant low land, so typically the farmer would graze the hills in summer and have the appurtenant low land for the winter period.
In cases where the land has been redistributed and therefore is no longer farmed in the traditional manner there may be issues regarding fencing requirements. The farmer can apply to the Local Authority to fence the lands, this decision is made in conjunction with the NPWS, where required.
982. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a GLAS 1 application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36122/18]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full payments for scheme years 2015 and 2016. The 2017 advance (85%) has also been paid with the 2017 balance delayed due to an outstanding Commonage Management Plan (CMP).
At the time the application was submitted on the Department's online application system the applicant's privately owned Natura land was not included. The approved GLAS contract did not include these lands.
My Department will review the position in relation to this application and will notify the applicant directly of the outcome once the review has been completed.
983. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to end the use of glyphosate following a case (details supplied) in the United States of America in summer 2018. [36178/18]
View answerRegulatory decisions on the approval and use of pesticides are based on the scientific consensus view of all the relevant technical information from all sources.
Regarding the use of plant protection products containing glyphosate in Ireland, I continue to be guided by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), who have both concluded, on the basis of extensive reviews involving public consultation, that glyphosate can be used safely without putting consumers or users at risk.
The Department will continue to monitor international peer reviewed scientific evidence and the guidance provided by EFSA and ECHA.
984. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the conclusions and findings contained in the newly updated draft appropriate assessment conclusion statement in which proposals to manage and licence aquaculture activities in the west of the Ardara/Maas Road Special Area of Conservation are outlined; his further views on whether the activities for which a licence is required would be consistent with conservation objectives for a Natura 2000 site; his further views on whether such activities will not lead to a disturbance to local habitats and species and will therefore not result in a deterioration in the attributes of same; the details of the information and the source of same which informed this statement; if he plans to approve the draft statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36188/18]
View answerAll 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. The legislation provides for a period of public and statutory consultation.
All applications in ‘Natura 2000 areas, i.e. areas designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and/or Special Protection Areas (SPAs), are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and/or Habitats Directives. The obligation to undertake Appropriate Assessment derives from Article 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC as transposed into Irish legislation by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. West of Ardara/Maas Road has been designated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive. An Appropriate Assessment report has been completed by the Marine Institute in respect of aquaculture applications located in or adjacent to the West of Ardara / Maas Road SAC and considers the risks posed by the proposed activities to the conservation features of the Natura site. The assessment process complies with best scientific practice.
My Department has prepared a draft Appropriate Assessment Conclusion Statement which outlines how it is proposed to manage aquaculture in West of Ardara / Maas Road Special Area of Conservation in compliance with the Habitats Directive. This draft Conclusion Statement is available on my Department’s website:Draft Conclusion Statement
The Appropriate Assessment Conclusion Statement, which is currently in draft form, supplements the Appropriate Assessment report and should be read in conjunction with it. The Conclusion Statement will be finalised taking account, if appropriate, of any written submissions or observations made to my Department during the public and statutory consultation phase for aquaculture applications as they relate to the conservation features in the West of Ardara/Maas Road SAC, and any other relevant information. The statutory and public consultation phase for aquaculture applications in this SAC has not yet been completed.
My Department is continuing to examine aquaculture applications in the West of Ardara/Maas Road SAC in accordance with the applicable legislation and full account is being taken of the engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects relevant to each application. Aquaculture projects in this SAC will only be authorized if they (individually or in combination with other plans or projects) do not give rise to significant adverse impacts on the integrity of West of Ardara / Maas Road SAC, having regard to its Conservation Objectives.
As the aquaculture licence applications in this SAC under active consideration as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.
