Written Answers Nos. 196-214
196. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent in each year for the past five years on accountancy and consultancy firms in relation to capital projects; the specific capital project in which the costs were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2254/19]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy on the amount spent in each of the past five years on consultancy firms in relation to capital projects can be found in the following tables. My Department did not engage any accountancy firms in relation to capital projects in the past five years.
2014
|
Consultancy Firm |
Title of Capital project |
Amount Spent € |
|
Willis Risk Management |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
225 |
|
Carraig Consultants (via OPW) |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
1,520 |
|
Smith Carter USA LLC (via OPW) |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
115,230 |
|
Cyril Sweett Ltd t/a Sweett(Ireland) (via OPW) |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
7,228 |
|
Currie & Brown (via OPW) |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
2,410 |
|
RSM McClure Watters (Consulting) |
Forestry Programme 2014-2020 |
96,770 |
|
Forest Solutions |
New Forestry for Fibre scheme |
2,214 |
|
Forest Solutions |
Forest Roads Programme 2014-2020 |
2,952 |
|
WYG Consulting Engineers |
Upgrade of Howth Fishery Harbour Centre (FHC) |
21,782 |
|
Corrosion solutions |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
369 |
|
Malachy Walsh |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
22,676 |
|
Moore AES Ltd |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
418 |
|
Ove Arup |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
21,980 |
|
Cronin Millar Consulting Engineers |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
30,353 |
|
Mott McDonald |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
20,000 |
|
CST |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
307 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners, Mahon Tech Park, Blackrock, Cork |
Upgrade of Dunmore East FHC |
6,888 |
|
J&N Security Consultants Ltd, Glenside House, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry |
Upgrade of Dunmore East FHC |
4,982 |
|
Michael Regan Architects Ltd. (E-Project), 21 Lower Main Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford |
Upgrade of Dunmore East FHC |
19,286 |
|
Arup, 20 Ringsend, Dublin 4 |
Upgrade of Dunmore East FHC |
96,769 |
|
Collins Engineers Ltd, Unit G6, Riverview Business Park, Nangor Road, Dublin 12 |
Cape Clear Island Development Programme |
3,149 |
|
Malone O'Regan, St Catherine's House, Catherine Street, Waterford |
Cape Clear Island Development Programme |
262,835 |
|
Malone O'Regan, St Catherine's House, Catherine Street, Waterford |
Cape Clear Island Development Programme |
7,540 |
|
John O' Donovan & Associates |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
6,150 |
|
MHL & Associates |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
15,369 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
17,607 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
15,135 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
34,723 |
|
RPS Ireland Ltd |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
5,419 |
|
Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd., |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
19,700 |
|
MHL & Associates |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
15,369 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
71,162 |
|
RPS Ireland Ltd |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
25,215 |
|
J&N Security Consultants Ltd |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
4,120 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
22,675 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Pier, Lights & Beacons, Westcove, Co. Kerry |
5,959 |
|
WYG Consulting Engineers |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
5,953 |
|
RPS |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
14,056 |
|
Pearlson RR |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
5,777 |
|
Mott McDonald |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
29,884 |
|
Jennings O’Donovan |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
1,224 |
|
Jennings O’Donovan |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
3,628 |
|
Jennings O’Donovan |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
26,537 |
|
ARUP |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
21,980 |
|
CST |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
4,238 |
|
Corrosion Solutions |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
1,968 |
|
Corrosion Prevention |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
5,568 |
|
WYG |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
57,051 |
2015
|
Consultancy Firm |
Title of Capital project |
Amount Spent € |
|
Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
29,446 |
|
Hydrographic Surveys Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
9,761 |
|
Corrosion Prevention Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
5,190 |
|
Spica Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
246 |
|
CST Group |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
855 |
|
Jennings O'Donovan & Partners |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
29,520 |
|
WYG Engineering (NI) Ltd. |
Upgrading of Howth and Killybegs FHCs |
72,805 |
|
Lenmar Developments Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
15,375 |
|
RPS |
Upgrade of Castletownbere, Howth and Killybegs FHCs |
134,314 |
|
Captain Alan Coghlan |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
4,800 |
|
Orica BQS Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
7,872 |
|
Doran Consulting Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
250,913 |
|
Landmark Geomatics |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
9,225 |
|
Mott McDonald |
Upgrade of Rossaveel and Killybegs FHCs |
28,258 |
|
Frontier Engineering Group |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
4,182 |
|
Aquafact |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
5,843 |
|
Hydro Environmental |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
2,214 |
|
Cronin Millar Consulting Engineers |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
111,716 |
|
Eireco |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
1,776 |
|
JJ Campbell/Frontier |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
5,904 |
|
Sal Laboratories/Concept |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
1,254 |
|
Ryan Hanley |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
4,484 |
|
JODA Engineering Consultants |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
16,033 |
|
Micheal Williams Architect |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
8,149 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
47,379 |
|
Nicholas O’Dwyer |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
18,573 |
2016
|
Consultancy Firm |
Title of Capital project |
Amount Spent € |
|
Smith Carter USA LLC (via OPW) |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
122,960 |
|
Cyril Sweett Ltd t/a Sweett (Ireland) (via OPW) |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
24,095 |
|
Currie & Brown (via OPW) |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
2,410 |
|
Corrosion Prevention Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
28,135 |
|
Firewise Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
246 |
|
CST Group |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
2,239 |
|
WYG Engineering (NI) Ltd. |
Upgrade of Howth and Killybegs FHCs |
48,190 |
|
RPS |
Upgrade of Howth and Castletownbere FHCs |
306,862 |
|
Gavin & Doherty Solutions |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
5,806 |
|
Doran Consulting Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
451,960 |
|
Landmark Geomatics |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
6,716 |
|
Peter McLoughlin |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
305 |
|
C & A O'Connell |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
5,535 |
|
Cronin Millar Consulting Engineers |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
114,321 |
|
Mott McDonald |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
187,575 |
|
Frontier Engineering Group |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
4,920 |
|
Tadhg O’Keeffe |
Residence Engineer for SCH PH2 Dredging |
43,465 |
|
Malachy Walsh |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
171,376 |
|
J&N Security |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
14,502 |
|
MHL |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
5,781 |
|
JJ Campbell/Frontier |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
3,813 |
|
Sal Laboratories/Concept |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
1,915 |
|
Ryan Hanley |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
21,607 |
|
JODA |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
9,100 |
|
Micheal Williams Architect |
Upgrade of Castletownbere and An Daingean FHCs |
100,917 |
|
Nicholas O’Dwyer |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
153,438 |
2017
|
Consultancy Firm |
Title of Capital project |
Amount Spent € |
|
Smith Carter USA LLC (via OPW) |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
43,800 |
|
Currie & Brown (via OPW) |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
19,728 |
|
Aqua Fact Int. Services Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
36,900 |
|
Corrosion Prevention Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
4,360 |
|
Digital Land Surveyors Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
738 |
|
CST Group |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
36,325 |
|
Corrosion Solutions & I.S Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
738 |
|
WYG Engineering (NI) Ltd. |
Upgrade of Howth and Killybegs FHCs |
38,309 |
|
RPS |
Upgrade of Howth, Castletownbere and Killybegs FHCs |
190,659 |
|
Orica BQS Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
3,444 |
|
Geomara Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
4,743 |
|
Gavin & Doherty Solutions |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
19,096 |
|
Doran Consulting Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
317,489 |
|
Landmark Geomatics |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
2,829 |
|
C & A O'Connell |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
4,428 |
|
M B A Planning |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
6,298 |
|
G & L Consultancy Ltd. |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
695 |
|
Fontus Enviromental Solution |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
5,000 |
|
Cronin Millar Consulting Engineers |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
160,965 |
|
Mott McDonald |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
52,671 |
|
Archaeological Diving |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
12,227 |
|
Tadhg O’Keeffe |
Resident engineer for SCH PH2 Piling Howth |
74,229 |
|
Malachy Walsh |
Upgrade of Howth and Castletownbere FHCs |
63,623 |
|
JJ Campbell/Frontier |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
7,826 |
|
Hydrographic Surveys |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
3,326 |
|
SAL Laboratories/Concept |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
2,018 |
|
Walsh Goodfellow |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
3,813 |
|
Neat Design |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
5,068 |
|
J&N Security |
Upgrade of Howth, Dunmore East and Castletownbere FHCs |
6,704 |
|
MDK Analytical |
Asbestos Survey |
1,919 |
|
Ryan Hanley |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
80,163 |
|
Micheal Williams Architect (Kane Williams) |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
178,228 |
|
Remco |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
33,496 |
|
Nicholas O’Dwyer |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
96,586 |
|
Michael Barrett Partnership |
Haulbowline Remediation Works |
52,699 |
2018
|
Consultancy Firm |
Title of Capital project |
Amount Spent € |
|
Smith Carter USA LLC (via OPW) |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
95,522 |
|
Chancery Group (via OPW) |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
3,075 |
|
Chris Mee Safety Engineering |
High Containment Laboratory, CVRL Backweston Campus |
799 |
|
McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan |
Forestry Programme 2014-2020 - Mid Term Review |
7,503 |
|
Doran Consultants |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
69,812 |
|
Doran Consultants |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
46,277 |
|
Doran Consultants |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
2,639 |
|
GDG Gavin Doherty Geosolutions |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
24,268 |
|
GDG Gavin Doherty Geosolutions |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
5,227 |
|
WYG |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
28,682 |
|
WYG |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
4,500 |
|
Aquafact |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
57,650 |
|
CST |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
507 |
|
Techworks Marine |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
43,012 |
|
Geomara |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
4,858 |
|
Landmark Geomatics |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
393 |
|
Apex Geoservices |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
11,500 |
|
Geotechnical Environmental Services LTD |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
3.992 |
|
PAT Solutions |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
1,909 |
|
SM Designs |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
2,472 |
|
Hydrographic Surveys |
Upgrade of Killybegs FHC |
2,889 |
|
ADCO LTD |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
9,077 |
|
CMG Crime Management Ltd |
Upgrade of Dunmore East FHC |
5,457 |
|
Cronin Millar Consulting Eng |
Upgrade of Ros an Mhil FHC |
12,300 |
|
Cronin Millar Consulting Eng |
Upgrade of Rossaveel FHC |
43,646 |
|
Gavin & Doherty Solutions |
Upgrade of Ros an Mhil FHC |
49,431 |
|
Kane Williams Architects Ltd |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
87,902 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
12,517 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
29,108 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
3,029 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
6,316 |
|
Mitchell & Associates |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
1,150 |
|
Nicholas De Jong Associates |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
19,284 |
|
Nicholas O'dwyer Ltd |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
269,118 |
|
Oconnor Sutton Cronin &Assoc |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
30,858 |
|
Planbay Limited |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
7,041 |
|
REMCO LTD |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
4,339 |
|
REMCO LTD |
Upgrade of Dunmore East FHC |
85,952 |
|
REMCO LTD |
Upgrade of Dunmore East FHC |
1,046 |
|
REMCO LTD |
Upgrade of Dunmore East FHC |
12,915 |
|
REMCO LTD |
Upgrade of Dunmore East FHC |
9,446 |
|
RPS |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
373,604 |
|
Ryan Hanley Ltd |
Upgrade of Castletownbere FHC |
36,825 |
|
Stephen Foley Architects Ltd |
Upgrade of Ros An Mhil FHC |
12,300 |
|
Walsh & Goodfellow Ltd |
Upgrade of Howth FHC |
18,423 |
|
Michael Barrett Partnership |
Haulbowline Remediation Works |
82,379 |
|
Kane Williams Architects Ltd |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
10,275 |
|
Kane Williams Architects Ltd |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
8,788 |
|
Malachy Walsh & Partners |
Upgrade of An Daingean FHC |
7,995 |
197. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of active participants in the beef data and genomics programme that have received the 85% advance payment of the 2018 payment by county; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting the 85% portion of 2018 payment; the number of beef data and genomics programme recipients that have yet to receive this portion of payment by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2270/19]
View answerThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme provides for six year payments to farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability.
Payments under the 2018 Programme year for both BDGP I and BDGP II commenced in December 2018. As of 11th January 2019 a total of 22,032 participants have received a payment to date.
Advance payments do not issue under BDGP. Payments are issued based on the level of compliance reached under each requirement of the Programme.
All participants who have passed approval checks are paid. Further payments will continue to be made over the coming weeks as more participants become fully compliant with the requirements of the Programme.
Please see the following table by County breakdown.
|
County |
Applicants Paid |
Not yet passed all the required approval checks |
|
CARLOW |
276 |
44 |
|
CAVAN |
1121 |
71 |
|
CLARE |
1779 |
129 |
|
CORK |
1516 |
237 |
|
DONEGAL |
1263 |
120 |
|
DUBLIN |
46 |
11 |
|
GALWAY |
2447 |
271 |
|
KERRY |
1186 |
107 |
|
KILDARE |
243 |
63 |
|
KILKENNY |
483 |
116 |
|
LAOIS |
525 |
72 |
|
LEITRIM |
909 |
61 |
|
LIMERICK |
689 |
111 |
|
LONGFORD |
571 |
70 |
|
LOUTH |
197 |
30 |
|
MAYO |
2116 |
202 |
|
MEATH |
507 |
71 |
|
MONAGHAN |
791 |
56 |
|
OFFALY |
532 |
62 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
1294 |
114 |
|
SLIGO |
810 |
152 |
|
TIPPERARY |
926 |
95 |
|
WATERFORD |
289 |
49 |
|
WESTMEATH |
665 |
68 |
|
WEXFORD |
498 |
86 |
|
WICKLOW |
353 |
43 |
|
TOTAL |
22,032 |
2,511 |
198. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial allocations on an annual basis under the 2014 to 2020 RDP to the organic farming scheme; the amount expended on the programme in each year since established; the number of approved applicants in the scheme that have received payments in each year; and the number that have not received payments in each year of scheme since being established, in tabular form. [2271/19]
View answerThe Organic Farming Scheme under the current RDP 2014 - 2020 was launched in 2015. The figures in the following table set out the financial allocation for each year together with the amount expended in those years. The figures regarding payees and the numbers awaiting payment refer to the scheme year in question. The scheme in question is on track to spend its entire allocation as later arrivals into the scheme will be paid in later years.
|
Year |
Financial Allocation |
Amount expended (in each year) |
Payees (per scheme year) |
Number awaiting payment |
|
2015 |
12,000,000 |
8,030,000 |
1,580 |
0 |
|
2016 |
10,000,000 |
8,039,561 |
1,659 |
4 |
|
2017 |
10,500,000 |
8,822,131 |
1,541 |
47 |
|
2018 |
10,500,000 |
10,519,034 |
1,246 |
235 |
|
2019 |
11,000,000 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
199. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the targets committed to, that is, the number of hectares of new land into production and the number of hectares of converted land under the organic farming scheme, for the 2014 to 2020 RDP window; and the progress to date on the targets. [2272/19]
View answerThe target for Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 was to attract some 16,000 hectares of new land into organic production and to support 46,000 hectares of converted land over the lifetime of the programme. I am very pleased to report that this target was exceeded within the first year of the opening of the Organic Farming Scheme. Since 2015, a total of 26,000 ha of land has been added to the total utilisable agricultural area under organic production and supported through my Department's Organic Farming Scheme. There will also be additional land added to this figure as a result of the re-opening of the scheme at the end of last year. My Department is currently assessing the applications under this most recent round. The total area currently under organic production is 72,000 hectares.
200. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the beef and ground beef manufactured here exported to the United States of America on an annual basis over the 2015 to 2018 period in volume and euro value terms, in tabular form. [2273/19]
View answer201. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exports of beef, lamb, pigmeat and dairy to the USA in volume and euro value on an annual basis over 2015 to 2018 period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2274/19]
View answer202. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress on gaining access for meat products, that is, beef, lamb and pigmeat to the USA; the remaining stages in the approval process outstanding; and the timeframe for all stages to be completed and full access granted. [2275/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 to 202, inclusive, together.
Access for beef and pigmeat to the US is already in place. Ireland was the first EU Member State to be granted beef market access to the USA in 2015. In July 2016, my Department received approval to send Beef Intended for Grinding (BIFG), also known as manufacturing beef to the US. A total of 10 Irish plants have been approved for the export of raw intact beef to the US, of which 2 are also approved for BIFG. Ireland does not have access for processed beef, which may also be called manufactured beef.
Ireland has enjoyed uninterrupted access to the US market for raw pork since 2001 and a total of 3 plants are approved for the export of raw pork to the USA.
Sheepmeat exports from the EU to the US are currently banned due to the presence of TSE in certain EU Member States. Sheepmeat access to the USA will depend in the first instance on the USA lifting its TSE ban on EU Sheepmeat. My Department submitted a sheepmeat questionnaire (SRT) in 2017 in preparation for the lifting of this ban and continues to raise this issue with US officials, both as part of the Trade Missions to the USA and with visiting US officials to Ireland. However, it is not possible to predict a timeline for sheepmeat market access to the USA.
The role of my Department is to open new markets and maintain existing markets for Irish food exports and overall targets are set out for agri-food exports in Foodwise 2025, in terms of an increase to €19 billion by 2025. My Department works very closely with the meat and dairy industry but once a market has been opened trade arrangements are left to individual companies and exporters and the actual trade volumes will vary depending on a range of factors such as currency fluctuations, global supply and demand, and local and international factors.
In 2018 Irish agri-food exports reached an estimated €13.6 billion. Within that, dairy exports exceeded €4 billion, an increase in volume of 5% on the 2017 levels and overall meat and livestock exports increased by 1% to an estimated €3.97 billion according to the Bord Bia Performance and Prospects 2018/2019 report which I launched last week.
In order to provide a country breakdown, as requested, it is necessary to use Central Statistics Office (CSO) trade statistics. The following table provides all the Beef, Pigmeat and Dairy exports for each of the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and the January – October period in 2018 to the USA, the latest period for which data is available from the CSO, in both value and volume terms. The USA was the second biggest destination for Irish food exports in 2017 after the UK and up to the end of October 2018, after the UK.
|
- |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
Jan – Oct 2018 |
||||
|
€000s |
tonnes |
€000s |
tonnes |
€000s |
tonnes |
€000s |
tonnes |
|
|
Beef |
5,452 |
912 |
9,840 |
1,772 |
7,719 |
1,571 |
7,749 |
1,766 |
|
Pigmeat |
27,465 |
6,827 |
25,427 |
6,360 |
19,021 |
4,860 |
14,723 |
4,170 |
|
Dairy |
186,184 |
31,232 |
172,435 |
33,819 |
189,046 |
37,929 |
241,304 |
39,063 |
203. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the review of existing export markets in which conditions of certification present barriers to trade or additional costs for exporters. [2276/19]
View answerI launched an action plan on Market Access in April 2017. This plan aims to increase international market access for Irish food and drink exports and focuses on seven particular elements including barriers to trade. My Department actively works and engages with various competent authorities in third countries in order to try and remove various technical barriers to trade and to improve certification conditions.
In relation to meat, my Department has undertaken a review of existing export markets in which conditions of certification present barriers to trade or additional costs for exporters. This review was carried out in collaboration with the industry. The work involved in this review is by its nature on-going and is subject to on-going review, again in collaboration with industry.
Barriers to trade tend to arise in relation to meat products rather than dairy and an example of the work around removing barriers to trade and improving certification conditions relates to the agreed bilateral veterinary health certificates for beef. During the period, since the launch of the Action plan, enhanced beef access has been achieved for the export of Irish Beef to Israel, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Africa as follows:
- Israel - the main changes from the previous certificate are that the new certificate provides for the export of bone-in beef cuts derived from cattle of all ages as well as boneless beef cuts and offal from cattle of all age. The previous certificate restricted exports to boneless beef only.
- Saudi Arabia - the new certificate covers the export of beef and processed beef products including minced beef and cooked beef
- Singapore - the new certificate provides for the export of boneless beef derived from cattle of all ages as well as bone-in beef from cattle aged less than thirty months. The previous certificate restricted exports to boneless beef only derived from cattle aged less than thirty months.
- South Africa - the main change is that there is no longer a requirement that animals aged over 72 months be tested for BSE.
My Department has also launched an online Market Access portal which provides a one-stop-shop for detailed market access and export information on open agri-food markets around the world, http://www.marketaccess.agriculture.gov.ie/.
The information on the portal includes certification arrangements, exporter terms and conditions, individual country trading statistics and the typical products exported to individual markets. This information is updated on an ongoing basis where there are changes in trading conditions or where new markets become open to export. The portal also contains specific email addresses per sector where further information may be requested. Feedback from Industry has been very positive in relation to the portal and it has proved to be an invaluable resource in assessing market conditions for exporters.
204. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the countries to which Ireland has live exports; the breakdown of cattle exported to each country in 2018, by sector, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2277/19]
View answerLive exports are a critical part of the infrastructure of our livestock industry. They play a significant role in stimulating price competition and provide an alternative market outlet for farmers. They are however commercial transactions which can be impacted on by various factors. My Department continues to engage with authorities in third countries to seek to agree market access and to agree relevant health certification requirements to facilitate such trade.
In 2018 live exports totalled 246,226 head of cattle, up 31% from 188,334 for on 2017. This change was driven by a significant increase in exports to other EU countries. Calf exports to Spain increased by 66%, to over 72,500 head in 2018. Exports of Irish calves to Italy and the Netherlands also increased last year, to over 12,500 and 48,500 head respectively. Calf exports to Belgium and France increased from 4,200 to 13,000 head and from 2,500 to 8,500 head, from 2017 to 2018 respectively.
Exports to third countries decreased in 2018 – due in part to currency fluctuations in the Turkish Lira. Nevertheless, nearly 13,000 head of cattle were exported to Turkey last year.
In November my Department reached agreement with the Libyan authorities on veterinary health certificates for the export of breeding, fattening and slaughter cattle. A new certificate for breeding cattle and an amended veterinary certificate for the export of fattening and slaughter cattle were agreed. Having an agreed health cert for breeding cattle provides much more clarity for exporters, as previously exports of breeding cattle to Libya had to be agreed on a load by load basis. The age of cattle that can be exported to Libya increased, from 24 to 30 months – this increases opportunities for exporters to export a wider range of cattle. Live exports to Libya more than doubled in 2018 over 2017 to 5,450 head.
Details of all cattle exports in 2018 are set out in the following table.
In December 2018, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD, discussed animal health certificates with the Egyptian Deputy Minister for Agriculture. The Egyptian authorities indicated willingness to consider amending existing health certificates and putting a new certificate for breeding stock in place. My Department continues to work with the Egyptian authorities on re-establishing certification to facilitate live trade as soon as possible.
In December 2018 my Department extended an invitation to Kazakhstan to send a technical team to visit Ireland with a view to begin negotiations for live exports.
The prospects for live cattle exports remain good and my Department continues to engage with third countries and to seek out new markets for live exports.
Agreed health certificates with over 20 non-EU countries, including 11 for the export of cattle, and 7 for sheep, pigs and goats are overseen by my Department. The list of countries and the certificates are available on my Department’s website.
|
Third Country/Territory |
Type |
|
Albania |
Breeding and/or Production Cattle |
|
Australia |
Horses |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Breeding and Production Cattle |
|
Canada |
Horses |
|
China |
Pigs for BreedingHorses |
|
Egypt |
Slaughtering CattleFattening Cattle |
|
Hong Kong |
Horses |
|
Kenya |
Breeding Pigs |
|
Korea, Republic of |
Horses |
|
Lebanon |
Breeding Cattle <36 mtsFattening/ Slaughter Cattle <36 mts |
|
Libya |
Fattening and Slaughter Cattle/Males <30 mtsSheep Fattening & SlaughterBreeding Cattle |
|
Montenegro |
Bovines for Breeding or Production |
|
Morocco |
Beef CattleBreeding Cattle |
|
Russia |
Breeding Cattle |
|
Serbia |
Breeding and Production Cattle |
|
Singapore |
Sheep/Goats for Slaughter |
|
Tunisia |
Fattening CattleBreeding Heifers |
|
Turkey |
Fattening Cattle Male Breeding BovinesCattle for SlaughterFemale Breeding CattleHorses |
|
Ukraine |
Breeding Pigs |
|
UAE |
Horses |
|
USA |
Horses |
|
Live cattle exports by Country |
2018 |
|
Great Britain |
5,488 |
|
Northern Ireland |
24,645 |
|
Belgium |
13,459 |
|
France |
9,055 |
|
Greece |
1,559 |
|
Italy |
24,145 |
|
Netherlands |
48,922 |
|
Spain |
92,495 |
|
Czech Republic |
711 |
|
Hungary |
193 |
|
Germany |
185 |
|
Lebanon |
355 |
|
Kosovo |
61 |
|
Morocco |
686 |
|
Poland |
2,665 |
|
Portugal |
136 |
|
Romania |
792 |
|
Rwanda |
79 |
|
Slovakia |
1,820 |
|
Tunisia |
164 |
|
Libya |
5,450 |
|
Russia |
291 |
|
Turkey |
12,870 |
205. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the countries to which Ireland exports beef; the volume and value in 2018 of such exports by country, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2278/19]
View answer206. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the countries to which Ireland exports lamb; the volume and value in 2018 of such exports by country, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2279/19]
View answer207. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the countries to which Ireland exports pork; the volume and value in 2018 of such exports by country, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2280/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 to 207, inclusive, together.
In 2018 Irish agri-food exports reached an estimated €13.6 billion. Within that, overall meat and livestock exports increased by 1% to an estimated €3.97 billion according to the Bord Bia Performance and Prospects 2018/2019 report which I launched last week.
Bord Bia estimates the total value of beef exports, including offal, at just over €2.5 billion in 2018, an increase of 1% overall. The volume of beef exports, excluding offal, rose to an estimated 579,000 tonnes in 2018. The total volume of pigmeat exports is expected to increase to 264,000 tonnes while the value of pigmeat exports declined by 6% to an estimated €666 million. Sheepmeat exports in 2018 were estimated at €315 million, a 15% increase on the 2017 levels.
However, in order to provide a breakdown of exports at country level, as requested, it is necessary to use CSO trade statistics. CSO trade statistics for the whole of 2018 are not yet available. The following tables provide all the beef, pigmeat and sheepmeat exports for the period from the start of January to the end of October for 2018, the latest period for which data is available.
|
Beef |
Jan-Oct 2018 |
|
|
Country |
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
United Kingdom |
986,815 |
220,418 |
|
France |
192,711 |
41,221 |
|
Netherlands |
161,404 |
32,130 |
|
Italy |
149,940 |
21,474 |
|
Germany |
110,518 |
13,807 |
|
Sweden |
74,077 |
16,558 |
|
Hong Kong |
50,567 |
16,198 |
|
Belgium |
45,805 |
4,873 |
|
Spain |
45,610 |
8,417 |
|
Denmark |
34,100 |
9,096 |
|
Philippines |
25,931 |
14,356 |
|
Switzerland |
19,050 |
1,692 |
|
Portugal |
14,065 |
2,778 |
|
Czech Republic |
12,733 |
2,339 |
|
Poland |
8,126 |
2,940 |
|
United States |
7,749 |
1,766 |
|
Ghana |
7,311 |
7,191 |
|
Malta |
4,738 |
654 |
|
Luxembourg |
3,892 |
297 |
|
Austria |
3,887 |
1,24 |
|
Other |
33,513 |
17,564 |
|
Pigmeat |
Jan-Oct 2018 |
|
|
Country |
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
United Kingdom |
390,888 |
95,407 |
|
China |
61,319 |
47,352 |
|
Denmark |
47,722 |
18,433 |
|
Japan |
32,795 |
11,895 |
|
Germany |
26,977 |
13,931 |
|
France |
16,491 |
2,704 |
|
Australia |
14,909 |
5,391 |
|
United States |
14,723 |
4,170 |
|
Czech Republic |
13,433 |
5,308 |
|
South Korea |
11,481 |
5,096 |
|
Spain |
11,379 |
1,338 |
|
Netherlands |
7,928 |
2,201 |
|
Philippines |
6,837 |
7,193 |
|
Sweden |
6,288 |
5,397 |
|
Canada |
4,491 |
1,344 |
|
Poland |
3,331 |
1,369 |
|
Italy |
2,951 |
592 |
|
Belgium |
2,675 |
2,144 |
|
Hong Kong |
2,106 |
1,050 |
|
Portugal |
2,033 |
168 |
|
Other |
15,355 |
7,917 |
|
Sheepmeat |
Jan-Oct 2018 |
|
|
Country |
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
France |
85,606 |
15,700 |
|
United Kingdom |
44,978 |
11,440 |
|
Germany |
32,799 |
5,133 |
|
Belgium |
23,565 |
3,216 |
|
Sweden |
19,822 |
3,804 |
|
Switzerland |
15,368 |
1,032 |
|
Italy |
9,473 |
1,679 |
|
Denmark |
9,277 |
1,224 |
|
Netherlands |
6,048 |
1,308 |
|
Canada |
3,611 |
841 |
|
Hong Kong |
2,848 |
1,123 |
|
Austria |
975 |
143 |
|
Spain |
662 |
91 |
|
South Africa |
574 |
708 |
|
Finland |
553 |
105 |
|
Ivory Coast |
526 |
748 |
|
Poland |
450 |
139 |
|
Bulgaria |
424 |
32 |
|
Luxembourg |
421 |
52 |
|
Portugal |
282 |
25 |
|
Other |
2,0484 |
745 |
208. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the countries to which Ireland exported food and drink products to in 2017 and 2018; the volume and value of such exports by country, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2281/19]
View answerIrish Agri-food exports and imports are broken down into categories identified and agreed by my Department and the Central Statistics Office. Products and Raw goods are categorised using combined nomenclature codes, a European harmonised system used to classify goods for customs and trade purposes. These categories include items such as Forestry and Animal Hides and Skins, along with traditional Food and Beverage products.
In 2018 as part of a wider exercise in relation to trade, my Department undertook an exercise examining the way in which we classify Agri-food sector products. This exercise aims to provide an up-to-date and detailed statistical representative of Ireland’s Agri-food sector. The exercise resulted in the addition of a number of combined nomenclature codes, mainly in the forestry and wood-based products categories and the deletion of other codes relating to waste paper products.
This brought the total of Irish Agri-food exports to approximately €13.8 billion in 2017, including non-edible products such as forestry, animal foodstuffs and animal hides and skins (which account for approximately €1.5billion of the total).
In 2017 Irish Agri-Food goods were exported to over 180 countries worldwide; increased output and the consistency of global demand for key products were the driving force behind these results.
Full year figures for 2018 are not yet available. However projections based on exports from January – November indicate that total value of Agri-food exports for the full year 2018 will be down between 1.5-2% on full-year 2017 figures while it is estimated that the volume of exports for 2018 will be up by around 3-3.5% compared to 2017.
The table in the following link provides a full breakdown of export destinations in 2017 in respect of both value and volume of goods based on CSO data. The provisional 2018 export data from the CSO will be available in mid-February 2019 with final 2018 export data available in mid-March 2019.
209. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the countries to which Ireland exports dairy products; the volume and value in 2018 of such exports by country, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2282/19]
View answerIn January to October 2018, Ireland exported dairy products, including dairy ingredients to 137 countries totalling over €3.7 billion worth of produce in the first 10 months of the year. The following table, based on CSO data, outlines details in respect of values and tonnage by country. It is understood that the first CSO estimates for the full year 2018 will be available in mid-February. Irish dairy products have a highly rated and hard earned reputation in terms of quality, safety and sustainability, and this gives them a competitive edge in markets over the world. My Department, in conjunction with other stakeholders, including the Irish dairy companies and agencies such as Bord Bia, are playing a key role in building the market for Irish dairy with intensive Ministerial trade mission programmes and other promotional work. Against the backdrop of our efforts to significantly increase dairy output and grow the sector, export market diversification is of the upmost importance, and this is particularly true in the context of a post-Brexit scenario.
Aggregate dairy exports in the January-October 2018 period increased by approx 2.7% in volume against 2017, indicating another robust performance by the Irish dairy sector in international markets. Where anomalies are identified in the statistical data, the Department will liaise with the Central Statistics Office to highlight and amend the information as required.
|
Exports of dairy from Ireland |
||
|
Country destination |
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
Afghanistan |
5,153 |
2,833 |
|
Algeria |
40,596 |
13,879 |
|
Angola |
5,603 |
3,070 |
|
Argentina |
2,722 |
1,080 |
|
Australia |
3,659 |
659 |
|
Austria |
9,731 |
2,786 |
|
Azerbaijan |
77 |
9 |
|
Bahamas |
1,783 |
255 |
|
Bahrain |
4,185 |
804 |
|
Bangladesh |
8,089 |
4,890 |
|
Barbados |
255 |
37 |
|
Belarus |
397 |
79 |
|
Belgium |
130,480 |
26,763 |
|
Benin |
183 |
119 |
|
Bermuda |
289 |
41 |
|
Brazil |
3,253 |
1,122 |
|
British Virgin Islands |
407 |
239 |
|
Bulgaria |
782 |
217 |
|
Burkina Faso |
7,333 |
4,068 |
|
Burma |
1,111 |
551 |
|
Cameroon |
366 |
160 |
|
Canada |
7,175 |
932 |
|
Cape Verde |
647 |
200 |
|
Cayman Islands |
256 |
38 |
|
Ceuta |
80 |
52 |
|
Chad |
927 |
624 |
|
Chile |
3,862 |
558 |
|
China (inc Hong Kong) |
457,025 |
79,824 |
|
Colombia |
7,308 |
1,068 |
|
Congo |
5,028 |
2,854 |
|
Congo (Dem Rep) |
13,700 |
8,054 |
|
Costa Rica |
2,948 |
1,063 |
|
Croatia |
1,278 |
333 |
|
Cyprus |
2,928 |
294 |
|
Czech Republic |
3,504 |
816 |
|
Denmark |
12,211 |
5,079 |
|
Dominica |
482 |
415 |
|
Dominican Republic |
3,812 |
897 |
|
Ecuador |
1,117 |
141 |
|
Egypt |
17,805 |
6,602 |
|
El Salvador |
2,581 |
660 |
|
Ethiopia |
425 |
48 |
|
Finland |
230 |
53 |
|
France |
163,257 |
44,780 |
|
Gabon |
868 |
527 |
|
Gambia |
2,050 |
1,149 |
|
Georgia |
191 |
44 |
|
Germany |
293,674 |
86,007 |
|
Ghana |
12,829 |
8,426 |
|
Gibraltar |
119 |
17 |
|
Greece |
12,377 |
2,431 |
|
Guatemala |
6,105 |
1,463 |
|
Guinea |
3,596 |
2,031 |
|
Guyana |
754 |
210 |
|
Honduras |
1,184 |
296 |
|
Hungary |
518 |
177 |
|
India |
135 |
188 |
|
Indonesia |
11,949 |
6,254 |
|
Iran |
487 |
100 |
|
Iraq |
42,007 |
19,462 |
|
Israel |
19,420 |
2,498 |
|
Italy |
23,161 |
8,347 |
|
Ivory Coast |
7,847 |
4,787 |
|
Jamaica |
1,109 |
496 |
|
Japan |
30,025 |
9,186 |
|
Jordan |
16,641 |
4,546 |
|
Kenya |
923 |
463 |
|
Kuwait |
11,833 |
1,646 |
|
Latvia |
1,677 |
415 |
|
Lebanon |
7,398 |
2,342 |
|
Liberia |
744 |
429 |
|
Libya |
13,513 |
3,274 |
|
Lithuania |
139 |
23 |
|
Madagascar |
544 |
191 |
|
Malawi |
4,400 |
1,824 |
|
Malaysia |
39,476 |
20,552 |
|
Maldives |
35 |
47 |
|
Mali |
24,371 |
15,906 |
|
Malta |
3,814 |
1,320 |
|
Marshall Islands |
31 |
3 |
|
Mauritania |
2,754 |
1,599 |
|
Mauritius |
1,820 |
681 |
|
Mexico |
34,004 |
8,886 |
|
Morocco |
14,869 |
3,884 |
|
Mozambique |
21 |
14 |
|
Nepal |
16 |
23 |
|
Netherlands |
495,140 |
153,460 |
|
New Zealand |
7,409 |
4,664 |
|
Nicaragua |
63 |
5 |
|
Niger |
4,250 |
2,554 |
|
Nigeria |
63,394 |
35,643 |
|
United Kingdom |
845,152 |
340,277 |
|
Norway |
1,023 |
195 |
|
Occupied Palestine |
5,059 |
513 |
|
Oman |
8,469 |
1,390 |
|
Pakistan |
8,682 |
4,928 |
|
Panama |
3,227 |
275 |
|
Peru |
8,553 |
1,876 |
|
Philippines |
15,786 |
7,712 |
|
Poland |
65,267 |
23,231 |
|
Portugal |
3,357 |
935 |
|
Qatar |
4,397 |
571 |
|
Romania |
2,134 |
525 |
|
Russia |
20,550 |
6,494 |
|
Sao Tome & Principe |
46 |
27 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
78,855 |
13,139 |
|
Senegal |
37,931 |
21,484 |
|
Seychelles |
666 |
94 |
|
Sierra Leone |
302 |
172 |
|
Singapore |
16,146 |
7,072 |
|
Slovakia |
297 |
84 |
|
Slovenia |
891 |
234 |
|
Somalia |
597 |
80 |
|
South Africa |
19,087 |
7,969 |
|
South Korea |
2,785 |
809 |
|
Spain |
48,463 |
12,712 |
|
Sri Lanka |
40 |
7 |
|
St Vincent & Grenadines |
142 |
69 |
|
Sudan |
964 |
516 |
|
Surinam |
1,487 |
471 |
|
Sweden |
5,675 |
1,266 |
|
Switzerland |
4,045 |
1,172 |
|
Syria |
1,954 |
2,567 |
|
Taiwan |
15,118 |
1,779 |
|
Tanzania United Rep |
1,347 |
823 |
|
Thailand |
20,540 |
8,104 |
|
Togo |
9,760 |
5,869 |
|
Trinidad & Tabago |
7,090 |
2,101 |
|
Tunisia |
4,545 |
1,648 |
|
Turkey |
30,372 |
6,006 |
|
Ukraine |
0 |
0 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
32,896 |
11,687 |
|
United States |
241,304 |
39,063 |
|
Vietnam |
8,170 |
1,735 |
|
Yemen |
2,923 |
1,398 |
|
Zambia |
1,621 |
775 |
|
Zimbabwe |
1,392 |
860 |
210. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of additional staff to be taken on in all agencies and bodies under his aegis in 2019 (details supplied); the cost of hiring additional staff in each agency or body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2283/19]
View answerAs regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
211. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the reauthorisation of chlorothalonil at EU level; and if a position paper has been submitted in relation to the issue to the European Commission in this regard. [2284/19]
View answerMy Department is acutely aware of the importance of chlorothalonil to the cereal producing sector in Ireland, not only as a primary disease control tool but more critically as a resistance management tool, protecting other chemical families from the development of pathogen resistance.
A key issue in the reauthorisation process is a change in the classification for carcinogenicity proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following technical peer review. The ultimate decision on the appropriate classification will be based on an assessment that the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will undertake when a dossier is submitted to it by EFSA. It is important that this process provides for all relevant information to be taken into account in a final decision on classification.
The ability of growers to use chlorothalonil products safely, without endangering themselves, consumers or the environment, and in compliance with regulatory approval criteria will be of primary importance in this process.
My officials have highlighted the importance of this substance in Ireland at meetings of the Standing Committee relating to Plant Protection Products legislation and I have also identified the issue directly with Commissioner Andriukaitis. The EU Commission will give a short update in relation to this issue at the next meeting of the standing committee.
212. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to pursuing protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication for Irish grass fed suckler beef at EU level. [2285/19]
View answerThe European Union scheme of geographical indications (GI) protects the names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs where a strong link exists between the product’s characteristics and a defined geographical area. In the case of a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) the product must be produced or processed or prepared in the geographical area and a specific quality, reputation or other characteristics must be attributable to that entire area.
My Department is actively engaging with the EU Commission and relevant stakeholders at industry level with a view to examining the possible options involved in applying for Protected Geographical Indication status for Irish beef.
213. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to proposals (details supplied) by an organisation. [2286/19]
View answerMy Department is evaluating relevant measures to feed into the next iteration of the CAP. Decisions on all aspects will be informed by the final outcome of CAP negotiations at EU level, the available budget, empirical data and extensive stakeholder consultation. The organisation referred to by the Deputy has made a submission as part of my Department's public consultation process. All such submissions will be considered in the context of developing a National CAP plan.
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.
Earlier this year I was pleased to secure an allocation of €20 million in the 2019 Budget for a new pilot scheme for suckler farmers, specifically aimed at further improving the carbon efficiency of beef production. The Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP) will target the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves - measuring the liveweight of the calf at weaning as a percentage of the cow's liveweight. This data will be used to target improvements on a herd basis by giving the farmer detailed feedback on the performance of individual animals. The data collected will also be a valuable addition to Ireland's already impressive database on cattle genomics.
I am also confident that suckler farmers will be significant beneficiaries of the additional €23 million in funding which I announced in Budget 2019 for the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme.
The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This will improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit. In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for beef farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmers also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.
214. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on recent comments by the UK Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. George Eustice (details supplied); and if he has contacted his counterparts in the UK Government since these comments were made. [2287/19]
View answerThe reported comments by George Eustice MP are somewhat speculative in nature, and I would point out by way of counter-argument that, according to the UK National Beef Association, the UK is about 75% self-sufficient in beef. In addition, Bord Bia’s recently published Export Performance and Prospects 2018/2019 report, it states that exports of beef to the UK, continued to increase, increasing by 4% in 2018.
In any event, retention of the UK market for the Irish beef and other sectors is a key component of the Government's response to Brexit. For example, the range of support measures that I have introduced over the last three budgets has been particularly aimed at cost reduction so that our producers can maintain their competitiveness to the maximum possible extent. In addition, I have met with the chief executives of all of the major British retailers to impress upon them the commitment of Irish suppliers in continuing to supply the UK market post-Brexit.
It is also important to point out that the additional funding that I have provided to Bord Bia since the UK referendum - a total of €19.5 million - is being used, among other things, to provide direct support and advice to individual companies in the context of its Brexit Barometer initiative, including in relation to how they can maintain customer relationships, and deal with supply chain and logistics challenges.
More generally, the pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports, including beef exports, is 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 years. Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Gulf region. This is where our efforts will be focused for the foreseeable future, particularly given the need to diversify our markets and to reduce our reliance on traditional destinations such as the UK.
