Written Answers Nos. 477- 502
477. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission under section 10(4) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 to carry out a market study and analysis in the beef market and make recommendations as appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41050/19]
View answerAs an outcome of the recent beef talks, a number of initiatives aimed at increasing transparency along the beef supply chain were agreed in the Irish Beef Sector Agreement of 15th September, which is published on my Department's website.
These included the commissioning by my Department of the following reports:
- An independent review of market and customer requirements, specifically in relation to the four in-spec bonus criteria currently in operation in the Irish beef sector;
- An independent examination of the price composition of the total value of the animal, including the fifth quarter, along the supply chain, and
- a summary of competition law issues as relevant to the Irish beef sector.
In addition, Bord Bia will develop a beef market price index model based on 3 components: cattle price index, beef market price index (retail and wholesale) and an offal price indicator. Teagasc will also review the Quality Payment Grid.
Other relevant commitments in the agreement include:
- additional detailed price reporting on the Beef PriceWatch app;
- examination of transparency models in other jurisdictions; and
- a consultation process on the transposition of the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive.
Work on these commitments is underway and progress will be reported via the Beef Taskforce, set up to oversee the implementation of the Beef Sector Agreement. The Taskforce is comprised of key beef sector stakeholders, with Michael Dowling as independent chair. The Beef Taskforce scheduled for yesterday, 14 October, was adjourned, as members of the Taskforce were prevented from attending the meeting. It is in the interests of everyone involved in the beef industry that the work of the Taskforce goes ahead. The Taskforce’s remit is to monitor the implementation of the actions arising from the agreement reached on 15 September and offers the most viable platform for strategic engagement with key stakeholders. It was a great pity that farm representatives were not in a position to air the legitimate concerns of farmers at the Taskforce.
Finally, as the Deputy will be aware, any concerns in relation the alleged abuse of a dominant position should be reported to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
478. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains assured that adequate opportunities for expansion remain available to the agrifood sector with particular refence to new or alternative markets in the aftermath of Brexit; if he remains satisfied that measures taken to protect the industry are sufficient to meet the challenges ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42011/19]
View answerThe pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food 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 decade. 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.
In overall terms, agri-food exports to countries outside the EU have increased from around €2.7 billion to €3.6 billion in the period 2014 to 2018. This represents very rapid growth of 36% in that four-year timeframe. Among the highlights in 2018, the Chinese authorities opened their market to Irish beef imports by listing several approved Irish beef establishments, and agreements were reached with Qatar and Kuwait, allowing for the importation of Irish beef, sheepmeat and poultry to their markets.
In 2019, the Ukrainian market was opened for Irish beef and pork in April, while in May, the under-30 months restriction on Irish beef exports to Japan was lifted. This was followed in June by an agreement in principle on access for Irish sheepmeat to the Japanese market.
In addition, and against the backdrop of EU-agreed trade deals such as those completed with Canada, Japan and Mexico, my Department continues its efforts to open new markets while further deepening trade with existing markets. Trade Missions play an important role in this work, and in this regard I have visited Turkey, China, Japan and South Korea in 2019, with further missions planned before the end of the year. The choice of destinations are in keeping with the market prioritisation exercise that was completed by Bord Bia in December 2017, at my request. This exercise identified opportunities in new and more mature markets, and will provide valuable market intelligence both for industry operators and policy makers as we continue to navigate the very uncertain environment created by Brexit.
My Department will continue to seek out and identify new markets, and I am ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.
479. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects traceability measures to continue to be enforced in respect of agrifood imports into this jurisdiction; if sufficient inspections continue to be carried out, with a view to ensuring absolute clarity in respect of quality, country of origin, husbandry and processing practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42012/19]
View answer497. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the checking of food and food products entering here from third countries directly or via other EU countries post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42239/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 479 and 497 together.
Food products placed on the marketplace are covered by a range of legislation designed to ensure that products supplied to consumers are of the highest safety standards. My Department plays a part in the enforcement of this legislation along with other Government departments and State Agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the Health Service Executive. The FSAI is the body responsible for enforcement of regulations governing traceability, labelling and provision of food information to customers.
Labelling of food is governed by the EU food legislation on the provision of Food Information to Consumers (Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011), which lays down strict rules on labelling of ingredients. Country of origin labelling is mandatory for certain meats and other products such as honey and wine. From 1 April 2020 it will be mandatory to indicate the country of origin of the primary ingredient (which makes up more than 50% of a food) if it is different from the country of origin of the product as a whole.
Primary responsibility under EU law for the safety and traceability of food placed on the market lies with food business operators. The role of National Competent Agencies is to verify compliance with this requirement. This is done via a combination of inspecting establishments and auditing the food safety management systems which operators have in place. These controls are applied at different stages in the food supply chain. Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002 sets out the general principles and requirements of EU food law and stipulates that food business operators must, at all stages of production, processing and distribution within their business, ensure food law requirements are satisfied. In regard to traceability, the regulations require that food business operators have what is referred to as the ‘one step forward, one step backward’ traceability system. There are additional requirements for certain fishery and aquaculture products under the Control Regulation (Regulation 1224/2009 and Implementing Regulation 404/2011) from first sale to subsequent stages of production, processing and distribution up to retail.
My Department has a permanent veterinary presence at all of its approved slaughter plants. Controls at plants only engaged in secondary processing are carried out at a frequency based on an annual risk assessment. An annual audit of imported products is carried out in each Department-approved plant, including checks on physical identity, labelling and documentary checks.
Extra veterinary checks are carried out on selected consignments of foods imported into DAFM-approved establishments from other EU Member States or from Third Countries outside the EU. These checks include, physical checks of product condition, checks of accompanying documentation and checks of labelling and health markings.
The import of products of animal origin from third countries is governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by Member States in the first instance, and audited by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (formally the FVO), to ensure compliance with all of the relevant food safety standards. The legislation imposes health and supervisory requirements designed to ensure that imported products meet standards equivalent to those required for production and trade between Member States. Border Inspection Posts are operated by my Department. Import control procedures on products of animal and fish origin are highly prescriptive and strictly audited by the Directorate to ensure compliance. Inspection reports are published on the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety’s website.
I am satisfied that the controls and checks in place and enforced by my Department ensure that Irish consumers are protected and correctly informed when they purchase and consume food products.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has service contracts in place with the official agencies performing official controls, to verify compliance with the extensive requirements of food labelling legislation, in these establishments. The FSAI reports in detail on the number of inspections and checks carried out, and non-compliance findings.
480. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider using the €22 million underspend from the BEAM scheme to compensate beef and suckler farmers for losses post 12 May 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42015/19]
View answerThe objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) is to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132. BEAM is funded by a combination of EU aid and Exchequer support, provided in light of the difficult circumstances that Irish beef farmers have been facing as a result of market volatility and uncertainty.
The scheme was designed to target aid to those who had been most impacted by the market disturbance for which it was requested.
Under the implementing regulation, Ireland may grant additional national support for the measures taken under Article 1 of the regulation up to a maximum of 100% of EU funding. Therefore, undrawn funds cannot be used for other purposes outside of the measure.
As the scheme is voluntary, it was a decision for individual eligible farmers as to whether to participate or not. In response to requests from farm bodies, the period for receipt of applications was extended to 20 September and there was support and advice available to prospective applicants from my Department at the National Ploughing Championships.
In total 34,517 applications were received, representing a potential payment of €78,192,380. A further 560 applicants, who did not qualify for the support as they had failed to meet the eligibility criteria laid down in the scheme Terms and Conditions, submitted an application under appeal in order to have their eligibility for the scheme reviewed.
In Budget 2020, there was almost €85 million provided in targeted schemes to support sustainable beef farming. This includes almost €45 million for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP), and a further €40 million for targeted supports. The mechanism for distribution of these funds will be announced following the appropriate stakeholder consultation.
481. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the four month notice to change weight requirements for the in-spec bonus applies to Kepak in view of the decision to publish its weight penalties for the various cattle categories (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42020/19]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the text of the Agreement reached on 15 September 2019, which is availble on the DAFM website at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/farmingsectors/beef/Agreement15September170919.pdf.
Specifically in relation to this issue, industry committed to 'no change in weight limits without a minimum of four months notice to the farmer'.
I have appointed Michael Dowling as independent Chair of the Taskforce, and its membership includes representatives from my Department, relevant State agencies, farm organisations and the meat industry. The Beef Taskforce scheduled for yesterday, 14 October, was adjourned, as members of the Taskforce were prevented from attending the meeting. It is in the interests of everyone involved in the beef industry that the work of the Taskforce goes ahead. The Taskforce’s remit is to monitor the implementation of the actions arising from the agreement reached on 15 September and offers the most viable platform for strategic engagement with key stakeholders. It was a great pity that farm representatives were not in a position to air the legitimate concerns of farmers at the Taskforce.
482. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who applied for the BEAM scheme; the number deemed ineligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42128/19]
View answerThe object of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) is to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132. BEAM is funded by a combination of EU aid and Exchequer support, provided in light of the difficult circumstances that Irish beef farmers have been facing as a result of market volatility and uncertainty.
Applications for BEAM were accepted from 19 August until 20 September. In total 34,517 applications were recieved with a potential payment of €78,192,380.
A further 560 applicants who did not qualify for the support as they had failed to meet the eligibility criteria laid down in the scheme Terms and Conditions submitted an application under appeal in order to have their eligibility for the scheme reviewed.
Arrangements for the processing of these applications are in place in order to ensure the timely issuing of payments under the measure.
483. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of dairy farmers who have slaughtered cattle between May and September 2019 that were outside the eligibility criteria for the BEAM scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42129/19]
View answerThe object of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) is to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132. BEAM is funded by a combination of EU exceptional aid and Exchequer support, provided in light of the difficult circumstances that Irish beef farmers have been facing as a result of market volatility and uncertainty.
Under the scheme, aid will be paid on adult cattle slaughtered between September 24, 2018, and May 12, 2019, at a rate of €100 per animal subject to a maximum of 100 finished animals per herd. Aid will also be paid on suckler cows that calved in 2018, at a rate of €40 per animal subject to a maximum of 40 sucklers per herd.
In order to be eligible for payment applicants needed to be a participant on one of the following schemes;
- Organic Farm Scheme (OFS)
- Green Low Carbon Agri-Environmental Scheme (GLAS)
- Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP)
- Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP)
or
- Be a participant or agree to join the Bord Bia – Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS).
A total of 12,546 herds had 198,811 adult cattle slaughtered in the relevant period but were deemed ineligible for payment under BEAM as they were recorded as milk suppliers, as defined in the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, and had greater than 40 dairy cows on the 31st of December of 2018 as per the Department's AIM system.
484. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ANC and SFPs that are held up due to satellite inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42131/19]
View answerEU regulations governing the administration of the Basic Payment Scheme, the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme and other area-based schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including Ground or Remote Sensing (Satellite) inspections where applicable, are fully completed to ensure eligibility with the various schemes requirements before any payments issue. There are certain minimum numbers of inspections that must take place annually under the various schemes.
The method of selecting cases for inspection is set down in EU regulations and is undertaken by means of a risk analysis process with cases being selected on a risk and random basis. All cases to be selected for inspection must be eligible beneficiaries under the various schemes. Therefore, the selection of cases for inspection, while commencing after the closing date for receipt of applications, i.e. 15th May, is an on-going process so as to ensure this specific regulatory requirement is adhered to.
My Department accepted late applications up to 9th June 2019, with a penalty deduction. Furthermore, as amendments to applications could be accepted by my Department up to 9 June, and allowing for the Preliminary Checks process whereby applicants could amend their application further up to 19th June as a result of issues notified to them by my Department, the details of the land to be subject to the inspection process cannot be finally established until these periods have elapsed.
The process of a Remote Sensing inspection involves a comprehensive review of the satellite imagery received at two stages during the year, and also the assessment of additional imagery, where required, to ensure that the actual claimed area in the application form corresponds to the area farmed by the applicant, that the crop types are as claimed and that ineligible land or features are not included for payment purposes. The governing regulations further prescribe that where it is not possible to make an accurate determination on the eligibility of a parcel or parcels of land by means of an assessment of the available imagery, a field visit must be undertaken to verify the position on the ground.
Some 6,840 applicants have been selected for a Remote Sensing inspection in respect of the various 2019 area-based schemes. As of 14th October, my Department had received inspections results in respect of 71% of these cases for final processing. Of these cases, over 90% have been finalised and advanced to payment stage processing, which ensures that any non-inspection related scheme criteria have been met. For example, an applicant under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme must meet scheme specific criteria relating to stocking density and stock retention periods before payment can issue.
Where an over-declaration in area, at scheme level, is identified as part of the inspection process, officials in my Department contact the applicant concerned giving them the opportunity to accept the inspection findings or to submit comments for examination. Currently, 9% of cases for which inspection results have been received are at this stage of the process and will be finalised when the applicant contacts my Department.
My Department continues to finalise the outcome of Remote Sensing inspections on a daily basis to ensure that payments due are issued as quickly as possible.
485. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations in cases in which a small number of turkeys are kept for domestic personal use in terms of killing birds for domestic use on such farms. [42147/19]
View answerWhile the provisions of Regulation 853/2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin and Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing do not apply to domestic use and slaughter of poultry for domestic consumption, the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 do apply.
Anyone who keeps poultry in Ireland must register their premises with my Department. This is a legal requirement under Irish law. Flock owners should therefore be registered with their local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) as a backyard flock. Information on how to register is available on my Department's website at:
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/avian_influenza/poultryregistration/howtoregisteryourpoultrypremiseswiththedepartment/.
486. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a late applicant (details supplied) to the BEAM scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42182/19]
View answerApplications for the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure scheme (BEAM) were accepted through the www.agfood.ie online portal from the 19th of August 2019. The original closing date of the 8th of September was initially extended to the 15th of September when my Department hosted 16 online clinics across the country to facilitate applications. The closing date was further extended to the 20th of September in order that applications could be facilitated at my Department's stand at the National Ploughing Championships in Co. Carlow.
Both extensions were publicised on my Department's website, through social media channels and nationally in the farming press. 34,517 eligible applications were successfully submitted by the close. There is no provision for accepting any late applications at this stage.
487. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if 75 positions is still the most up-to-date figure for the total number that have been identified to be filled in a hard Brexit scenario by his Department following correspondence (details supplied) on 16 August 2018 from his office. [42183/19]
View answer488. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of veterinary and plant portal positions that have been identified to be filled in a hard Brexit scenario by his Department; and the number of new veterinary and plant portal positions recruited to date for this scenario. [42184/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.
My Department has indicated that it would have 240 staff resources available to deal with East-West Import controls on 31st October 2019.
To date, an additional 148 new staff have been recruited across a range of disciplines. In addition, 60 staff are available through internal redeployment. My Department has also signed contracts with 31 Private Veterinary Practitioners (PVPs) to deliver import inspection services in Dublin and Rosslare ports.
My Department has been working with the Office of Public Works to provide additional inspection bays in Dublin Port to further accelerate the inspection process. Should this additional infrastructure be available on 31st October, my Department will assign an additional 22 staff to man these inspection bays.
I should also mention that the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) has identified an additional requirement for up to 60 staff to undertake the controls that will arise from Brexit in the areas that fall within their operational remit.
My Department will continue to recruit staff to backfill the vacancies that will arise from the redeployment of staff to Brexit duties, and will continue to keep the overall staffing numbers under review.
489. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the monetary amount that will be made up of each of the financial instruments, equity, loans and grant aid in tabular form following the announcement in budget 2020 of a first tranche of no-deal Brexit supports totalling €110 million; the monetary amount that will be made up of these financial instruments for each of the sectors identified, beef sector, fishing fleet and food companies wishing to re-orient production and marketing towards non-UK markets, and support to other sectors to improve competitiveness; and the total euro amount of the €110 million fund that will be ring-fenced to farmers and fishermen, respectively. [42185/19]
View answerThe following table sets out the distribution of the first wave of exchequer funding to be provided through my Department in the event of a No Deal Brexit. The detailed specifications of relevant schemes are still under consideration, but it is envisaged that the supports will be in the form of grants or direct payments (i.e. not equity, loans or financial instruments).
|
€ |
- |
- |
|
€85m |
Beef farmers |
First phase of a Market Support and Adjustment Aid: supports for farmers finishing cattle for slaughter |
|
€14m |
Fisheries |
First phase of a tie-up scheme for the most affected vessels |
|
€6m |
Other livestock farmers and mushrooms sector |
Additional investment aid to improve competitiveness and increase environmental efficiency for these primary sectors |
|
€5m* |
Food and drinks processing industry |
First phase of a Food Transformation capital investment scheme for large and SME food companies for product and market innovation; and additional supports for innovation in the prepared consumer foods and drinks sectors |
* in addition to funding from Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation
490. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of further targeted farm supports worth €40 million following the announcement in budget 2020 for each respective scheme that will be allocated this funding in 2020. [42186/19]
View answerIn Budget 2020, there was almost €85 million provided in targeted schemes to support sustainable beef farming. This includes almost €45 million for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP), and a further €40 million for targeted supports. The mechanism for distribution of these funds will be announced following the appropriate stakeholder consultation.
491. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the individual allocation to each respective scheme under the €235 million announced for agri-environmental schemes in budget 2020. [42187/19]
View answerThe individual allocations for 2020 will be set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which will be published later this year.
492. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the individual allocation to each respective pilot scheme that will be operationalised in 2020 following the €3 million to fund additional pilot projects aimed specifically at climate measures in agriculture which was announced in budget 2020. [42188/19]
View answerThe All-of-Government Climate Action Plan to tackle climate breakdown sets targets and actions for each sector including the agriculture, forestry and land-use sector to support decarbonisation of our economy and society. The targets and actions for the agriculture sector are ambitious and challenging; it is not going to be easy; and early adoption and high levels of take-up of the series of measures as identified in the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve are essential.
The Government’s policy position for the agriculture sector is an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise our capacity for sustainable food production but is also cognisant of the important economical contribution agriculture makes to our economy and to the economy of rural Ireland. Our three pillar approach to carbon neutrality is through:
1. Reducing agricultural emissions;
2. Increasing carbon sequestration; and
3. Displacing and substituting fossil fuel and energy intensive materials.
As recognition of the importance of acting quickly I have allocated an additional €3 million to fund additional pilot projects in 2020 aimed specifically at climate measures in agriculture. Building on the success of our locally-led environmental schemes through the Rural Development Programme, some of this fund will be used to fund a call for a new pilot EIP scheme on reduced management of farmed peat-land. My Department will issue a call for proposals in due course. This is designed to increase carbon sequestration and contribute to meeting our commitments as part the Government Climate Action Plan. It will also enhance the protection of bio-diversity and water quality and provide a template for action in advance of Irelands next Common Agriculture Policy.
With regard to the rest of the allocation, my officials are currently in the process of scoping out additional pilot projects that will deliver on our climate ambition and will follow my Department’s three pillar approach to carbon neutrality as highlighted above. These projects will then go through a prioritisation process to ensure that they are most effective in positive environmental impact and present best value for money. Behavioural change will be a key component of any project as action will be required on all our 139,000 farms.
My Department will continue to review options that will enable our farmers to transition to a low carbon economy while also being aware of the need to maintain economic competitiveness and increase our agricultural output.
493. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total funding to the organic farm scheme in 2020. [42189/19]
View answerI am very happy to have secured almost €12m in funding for 2020 for the Organic Farming Scheme. The increase of €1m in the budget for this Scheme is evidence of this Government's ongoing commitment to further development of the organic sector in Ireland. This €12m, together with additional capital funding for the development of the sector, will enable us to continue to build successfully on the investment to date under the current RDP.
494. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on an application for an aquaculture licence; the date the application was received; the reason for the delay with the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42217/19]
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 national and 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.
The applicant referred to by the Deputy has submitted to my Department a number of licence applications for sites in Ballyness Bay which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 sites).
All applications in ‘Natura 2000’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. The Appropriate Assessment Report for Ballyness Bay was completed in February 2019 and the applications referred to went to Public and Statutory Consultation during March 2019. The Public Notice in respect of these applications was published by the applicant in the Donegal Democrat on 14 March 2019. The Public and Statutory Consultation phase for these applications has now concluded.
Every effort is being made by my Department to expedite the determination of all outstanding applications having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all relevant national and EU legislation. As these applications are currently under consideration by my Department as part of a statutory process, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the specific applications at this time.
495. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which adequate protective measures are available to assist families dependent on the fishing industry, with particular reference to the situation post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42237/19]
View answerThere are a number of opportunities and threats to our seafood sector in the coming years. Clearly, the potential impacts of a hard Brexit remain a significant concern and my Department and its agencies, and indeed other State bodies such as Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta, have been working closely with stakeholders in planning for all scenarios. There are also very many reasons to be positive about the future of our seafood sector. Demand on international markets is such that there are valuable business opportunities for quality Irish seafood. My Department and its agencies are pursuing a number of strategies to assist our seafood enterprises in realising those opportunities.
My Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme is the vehicle for financial supports to the seafood sector for the period 2014 to 2020. The Programme delivers a wide range of supports for aquaculture, fisheries and seafood processing through a suite of 18 schemes. The Programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Through the EMFF Programme, I am continuing to support the seafood sector through a broad range of advisory and financial supports. Notwithstanding the threats associated with Brexit, the catching sector continues to invest strongly in 2019 with EMFF supports in equipment on-board to add value to catch, improve quality, enhance safety and hygiene and embrace energy efficiency.
More broadly, the seven EMFF Fisheries Local Action Groups are providing EMFF support to projects within coastal communities around Ireland. The FLAG Scheme aims to promote innovative approaches in coastal communities to create growth and jobs in those areas, in particular by adding value to fishery and aquaculture products and diversifying the local economy towards new economic activities. The EMFF Programme also provides supports for capital investment to support the landing obligation, for innovation in fisheries technology and methods, for specialist training for the fishing fleet, and in science to support the sustainable exploitation of our fish stocks.
496. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which fish processing here can rely on fish supplies post Brexit; the steps to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42238/19]
View answerThe Government published a Contingency Action Plan on 19 December last year, setting out its approach to dealing with a no-deal Brexit. In light of ongoing uncertainty, preparatory work has continued to take account of all possible outcomes.
The Government has already introduced a range of measures to deal with the short-term impacts of Brexit. In terms of dealing with the competitiveness issue, my Department introduced a €150 million low-cost loan scheme and increased funding under the Rural Development and Seafood Development Programmes in the 2017 Budget. In Budget 2018, I, along with my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, introduced a new €300 million “Brexit Loan Scheme” to provide affordable, flexible financing to Irish businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit or who will be in the future – at least 40% of which will be available to agri-food and seafood businesses.
Budget 2020 provides for a “No-Deal” contingency fund to support our most vulnerable sectors. €110 million will be made available in the first tranche, which includes €14 million for support for the fishing fleet as well as support for food companies wishing to re-orient production and marketing towards non-UK markets (€5 million) and to provide necessary support to other sectors to improve competitiveness (€6 million).
Our enterprise agencies are continuing to work with seafood companies to help them to deal with Brexit through making them more competitive, diversifying market exposure, and up-skilling teams. Brexit Information Seminars were held recently in Dublin, Wexford and Cork to help agri-food, including seafood, businesses to prepare for Brexit.
My priority has been, and remains, to maintain existing levels of access to waters and resources. The European Commission has put in place a legal framework to allow the authorisation of EU and UK vessels to continue to fish in each other's waters until 31 December 2019, if agreement is reached between the UK and the EU on such access. The Commission has put forward a proposal to extend this temporary framework to 31 December 2020, if a Withdrawal Agreement is not in place. The Regulation does not provide a commitment of ongoing reciprocal access – it simply creates the necessary legal framework to allow for the possibility of such access. However, in the worst case scenario of a disorderly departure, we can expect that those reciprocal arrangements will be impacted, at least in the very short term.
Both my officials and I have had intensive discussions with the European Commission, other relevant Member States and stakeholders regarding the potential negative impact of a disorderly or no-deal Brexit on the Irish fishing industry and the wider seafood sector as whole. These discussions intensified in recent months and were based on preparatory work already done. I have met with the Irish Fishing Industry regularly since the 23rd June 2016, most recently on the 5th September.
A disorderly departure, that included a loss of access to UK waters, would have very serious consequences for our seafood industry. I am satisfied that, in cooperation with our stakeholders and EU partners, we are doing all that we can to plan to mitigate the potential impacts.
498. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which existing markets remain available to Irish food and food products after Brexit; if adequate new markets have been identified for exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42240/19]
View answerMy Department has been very active in securing access to new third country markets for Irish food companies, while at the same time, maintaining access to existing markets.
The agri-food sector has greatly increased the value of food and drink exports over the last number of years, to reach €13.6 billion in 2018. Bord Bia figures indicate that half of this growth has come from markets outside of Europe.
Encouragingly, exports to our more traditional and existing markets such as other EU states exceeded €4 billion for the second year running. Notably strong growth was evident in pigmeat, poultry and dairy exports to the EU, with export values increasing to the Netherlands, Italy and Spain in particular.
Market and trade insight suggest that global demand for Irish food and drink will remain positive to the end of 2019.
Developing market access and trade opportunities is a key part of this Department’s response to the challenges posed by Brexit, and is very much in line with the market development theme of Food Wise 2025. This strategy 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. However, it must also be acknowledged that this is a long-term strategy, and that new markets can take time to develop and grow.
Trade Missions play an important role in this work. In March 2019, I visited Turkey to promote live animal exports while in May and June, I visited China, South Korea and Japan, where agreement was reached in principle to allow access for Irish sheepmeat to the Japanese market. This development followed the announcement in May 2019 of the removal of the under-30 months restriction for Irish beef exports to Japan. This means that all Irish beef is now eligible for export to this very valuable market.
These, and the other missions that my Department are planning for the latter half of 2019 and early 2020, will also serve to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access. The destinations are also in keeping with the market prioritisation exercise that was completed by Bord Bia in December 2017, at my request. This exercise identified opportunities in new and more mature markets and will provide valuable market intelligence both for industry operators and policy makers as we continue to navigate the very uncertain environment created by Brexit.
My Department will continue to seek out and identify new markets, and I am ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.
499. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which alternative markets for beef, lamb, pig and poultry meat continue to be available, or alternative if necessary in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42242/19]
View answerUncertainty surounding the UK's future trading relationship with the EU reinforces the need for the widest possible access to international markets for Irish food and drink products, including meat exports. Available data testifies to greater diversification in export outlets for the agri-food sector generally. The value of food and drink exports has increased substantially over the last number of years, to reach €13.6 billion in 2018, with much of this growth coming from markets outside Europe. The challenge now for meat industry stakeholders is to build on this positive trend.
Developing new markets and growing existing markets on the basis of market insights – is one of the five themes of Food Wise 2025, a ten-year strategy for the Irish agri-food sector. Market development and diversification is also a key response to mitigate the exposure of the Irish meat industry to Brexit.
In April 2017, I launched a seven-point action plan on market access. This plan is being implemented through a variety of actions, including:
- A market prioritisation exercise and subsequent detailed studies carried out by Bord Bia on behalf of my Department. The countries selected for a detailed examination with regard to meat were Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Mexico and Malaysia;
- A market access web portal was launched in May 2018 and is available on the Department’s website. It provides much valuable information on potential market opportunities for exporters: http://www.marketaccess.agriculture.gov.ie/
- An enhanced programme of Ministerial agri-food trade missions, in cooperation with Bord Bia and other State agencies.
These missions feature high level political meetings as well as promotion opportunities for Irish meat which serve to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in those destinations.
Recent trade missions have focused on key growth markets such as:
- Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia;
- North America: USA, Mexico and Canada;
- The Gulf States and Turkey.
Since April 2017, agreement has been secured for the export of Irish meat to several new third country (non-EU) markets, including:
- Beef (frozen boneless under 30 months) to China;
- Sheepmeat to Japan;
- Beef & Pork to Ukraine;
- Beef, Sheepmeat & Poultrymeat to Kuwait and Qatar.
Furthermore, during this period, enhanced meat access was agreed with Japan, Israel, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
The role of my Department is to open and broaden market access for Irish meat. It is up to industry, with the support of my Department and Bord Bia, to exploit the opportunities created as trading conditions permit. Since the UK referendum result in 2016, I have allocated significant additional funding to Bord Bia to enable it to develop new markets and enhance existing ones.
500. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which measures are in place to meet climate change requirements without damaging the economy in general and the food industry in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42243/19]
View answerMy Department is actively engaged as part of the whole-of-Government approach to transitioning to a low-carbon, competitive, sustainable and climate resilient economy and society.
The All-of-Government Climate Action Plan to Tackle Climate Disruption sets a series of step-up measures and underpinning actions and proposed targets for all sectors including the agriculture, forestry and land use sector. To achieve these challenging and ambitious targets will require immediate action through early adoption and high levels of take-up of the identified actions across our 139,000 plus family farms. I see three important actions that can be advanced immediately.
- Deepening engagement with farmers and other stakeholders along the food supply chain to promote the necessary deployment of new technologies and changes in farming practices;
- Improving nitrogen use efficiency such as widespread adoption of low emissions slurry spreading or introduction of clover in grassland swards; and
- Continuing our support for research and innovation such as animal breeding, improved grassland and fertiliser management and examining the potential of novel feed additives in grass-based production systems.
In addition, Food Wise 2025, the latest ten year strategy for the agri-food sector published in July 2015 identifies the opportunities and challenges facing the sector and provides an enabling strategy that will allow the sector to grow and prosper. Food Wise includes more than 400 specific recommendations, spread across the cross-cutting themes of sustainability, innovation, human capital, market development and competitiveness; as well as specific sectoral recommendations.
If these recommendations are implemented, the expert committee, which drew up the Food Wise 2025 Strategy, believes that the growth projections are achievable by 2025. With regard to employment, Food Wise foresees the creation of 23,000 additional jobs in the agri-food sector all along the supply chain from primary production to high value added product development.
Preparations have begun within my Department on developing the next 10 year strategy to replace Food Wise 2025. It is envisaged that this will be published in 2020. Without pre-empting the content of the next plan, it is clear that the broad, cross-cutting themes contained in Food Wise will continue to remain highly relevant. Clearly, there are broader policy developments that will have a strong impact on the development of the strategy, particularly CAP reform, climate action and Brexit.
501. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has identified extra costs likely to affect the food industry in the aftermath of Brexit; the degree to which alleviation measures are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42244/19]
View answer502. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which financial supports and-or incentives are in place to address the negative impact of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42245/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together.
Over the last three Budgets, the Government has acted to assist business, and farming in particular, to navigate the challenges of Brexit. Government responses include a series of low interest loan schemes, including most recently the new “Future Growth Loan Scheme”, which will bring up to €300 million of loans to the market and will support strategic long-term capital investment in a post-Brexit environment by SMEs, farmers and fishermen. The Scheme will build on last year’s €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme. Up to 4 October 2019, a total of 2,118 applications have been approved for these two schemes with 495 progressed to sanction at bank level to a total value of €94.2 million, of which about €35.9 million relates to farmers and food businesses.
Budget 2019 also saw the introduction of a €78 million Brexit Resilience Package for the Agri Food sector. The measures included €44m of direct aid for farmers, €27m in Brexit related supports for the food industry and €7m for DAFM Brexit-preparations. Bord Bia received an additional €5 million, bringing their total Grant in Aid to €46.6 million. This represented a 60% increase in funding for their food and drinks marketing, promotion and training programmes since 2014. Additional funding was also allocated to Teagasc to assist in the development of the Prepared Consumer Foods Centre in Ashtown and the National Food Innovation Hub in Fermoy.
In August, I introduced the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) which provides for up to €100m in support, in light of the difficult circumstances that Irish beef farmers have been facing as a result of market volatility and uncertainty arising out of Brexit.
And finally, as part of the ‘No-Deal’ contingency fund announced in Budget 2020, €110m will be made available in the first tranche to the agri-food sector, to be supplemented by any exceptional aid provided from the EU. This will provide immediate support for our beef sector (€85m), our fishing fleet (€14m), our food companies (€5m) and necessary support to other sectors to improve competitiveness (€6m) in the event of a hard Brexit on 31 October.
