Written Answers Nos. 831-855
831. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations in place to ensure that pets abused by owners are protected; and if he will conduct a review of the animal breeding and ownership legislation. [5953/20]
View answerThe Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides a modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare. The Act was passed, after a lengthy and constructive debate in both Houses of the Oireachtas and came into operation on 6 March 2014 and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century. The Act is kept under constant review within my Department and, indeed, was amended last Summer by the Greyhound Racing Act 2019.
The Act applies to the welfare of all animals, including those kept as pets.
My policy and the policy of the Government has always been clear and consistent. Where instances of abuse, cruelty or neglect of animals are encountered, evidence is gathered and those responsible are prosecuted through the Courts.
Investigations are carried out by authorised officers of my Department, An Garda Síochána, Customs and Excise and authorised officers of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In addition, the chief executive of each local authority may appoint authorised officers to exercise functions under the Act in the functional area of the local authority concerned.
Since the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 came into operation in March 2014, over 100 cases have been prosecuted through the Courts. Fines in excess of €60,000 have been imposed. Seven persons have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment; these sentences were suspended in four cases. The Probation Act was applied in eight instances.
Sixteen persons have been disqualified from keeping animals under section 58 of the Act.
A number of cases remain before the Courts and further files have been sent to the Chief State Solicitor with a view to be instituting proceedings; other files are currently being examined in my Department with a view to pursuing a prosecution.
I would encourage anyone who has evidence of a breach of animal welfare to report it to the Animal Welfare Hotline operated by my Department. The phone numbers of the hotline are as follows: Call Save: 076 1064408 Phone: 01 6072379
Details of suspected breaches of animal welfare can also be emailed to animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
832. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when greyhound racing can resume under the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7058/20]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
On 1 May 2020, the Taoiseach set out a roadmap for easing the Covid -19 restrictions, which began on Monday 18 May. The Government plans to reopen the economy and society in a slow and phased manner. The roadmap sets out five stages for unlocking restrictions, at three week intervals.
It is currently envisaged that greyhound racing will recommence in stage 3 of the process which is currently scheduled to start on 29 June 2020.
833. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a regulatory impact analysis of the farm to fork strategy has been carried out; if so, if the analysis will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5518/20]
View answerThe Farm to Fork Strategy is currently under development by the EU Commission. The Strategy is scheduled for publication later this month.
The Commission have advised that no impact assessment will be carried out ahead of the adoption of the strategy as a whole. They have also advised that Relevant Better Regulation tools will be applied to the individual initiatives of the strategy. Impact assessments will be carried out where such initiatives are expected to produce significant environmental, social or economic impacts.
834. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the CAP funding allocation will be adversely affected by other agricultural support arrangements put in place by the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5519/20]
View answerThe European Commission has proposed, as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027, an overall cut of approximately 5% to CAP post 2020 funding. The proposed cut is comprised of a 3.9% cut to Pillar 1 (direct payments) and a 15% cut to Pillar 2 (rural development) funding.
I am not aware of any specific proposals for agricultural supports outside of the CAP but clearly the overall budgetary discussions are taking place within the context of financial demands in other areas including the COVID response and Just Transition in the context of climate ambition, migration and security.
I will continue to work hard with my European counterparts, and with Commissioner Wojciechowski, to build consensus around the need to maintain a strong CAP budget post-2020.
835. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the establishment of an independent statutory body will be considered tasked with enforcing the provisions of the EU directive on unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5520/20]
View answer840. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider establishing an independent statutory body tasked with enforcing the provisions of the EU directive on unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5596/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 835 and 840 together.
Directive (EU) 2019/633 on Unfair Trading Practices in Business-to-Business Relationships in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain (UTP Directive), came into force on 30 April 2019. EU Law requires that the Directive must be transposed into national law by 1 May 2021.
The UTP Directive provides a minimum Union standard of protection to suppliers, including farmers, in the agricultural and food supply chain against certain specific unfair trading practises and requires the designation of an Enforcement Authority to discharge the duties of the UTP Directive. The Enforcement Authority can be a new or existing entity.
A stakeholder consultation process was held in December 2019 which invited submissions from interested parties on the transposition and enforcement of the EU Directive, including on the form the Enforcement Authority should take. Some 657 responses were received. These responses are currently being analysed. A decision on the designation of the Enforcement Agency will be made in due course.
836. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has engaged the use of external consultants from 1 January 2020 to date; the details and costs of such engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5522/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested on the engagement of external consultants by my Department from 1 January 2020 to date is set out in the table.
2020
|
Company |
Details of Engagements |
Cost € |
|
HBE |
Legionella Risk Assessment DAFM facilities T9 and T10 Dublin Port |
1,919 |
|
RSK ADAS UK LTD (formerly ADAS UK Ltd.) |
An Evaluation of the Green Low –Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) Required under EU legislation. |
108,536 |
|
Grant Thornton |
Transparency reports for beef sector (3 reports) |
98,000 |
|
ERNST & YOUNG |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Annual Accounts Certification – Financial Year 2019 & 2020 |
379,014 |
|
Grant Thornton |
Cost Benefit Analysis of the TB Programme |
106,272 |
|
Grant Thornton |
Analysis of On Farm Market Valuation |
97,170 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Technical Vulnerability and Security Assessment |
61,439 |
|
Deloitte |
Preparation of Cyber Response plan |
7,995 |
|
RSM Ireland |
Evaluation of EMFF OP 2014-2020 |
109,750 |
|
Quality Wizard |
ISO 17025: 2017 Consultancy |
6,150 |
|
FSD – Forest Environmental Research and Services Ltd |
UNFCCC/EU LULUCF reporting and development of projections and scenario models. |
36,234 |
|
NFI – IFER Monitoring and Mapping |
Use of proprietary IFER software to compile Ireland’s National Forest Inventory and compilation of reports. |
56,868 |
|
UCD |
Soil identification training course |
2,460 |
|
BEC Consultants |
Vegetation assessment training |
1,838 |
837. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a review lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Galway in respect of an overclaim assessed against them is under consideration; if so, when a decision will be made on this review in view of the serious effect Covid-19 is having on the person's income and the importance of farm payments being issued to farmers in a timely manner as a result of the impact Covid-19 is having on livestock prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5569/20]
View answerMy Department reviews all agricultural land parcels in the country on a rolling basis with the whole country being reviewed every three years. All the latest available imagery is reviewed and any ineligible features identified within a land parcel are removed. The area of the parcel is adjusted where necessary and, if appropriate, any overpayment is addressed. Scheme applicants are notified accordingly, and they are given the option, should they wish, to seek a review of any overclaims arising from this process.
In this regard, land parcels submitted under the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) by the person named were subject to an imagery review. Following the imagery review, the Maximum Eligible Area (MEA) of 14 land parcels were reduced and this led to overclaims on the parcels.
A letter issued to the person named on 30 May 2019 outlining the position and the options available to him. These overclaims resulted in a reduction of his 2018 BPS payment and an overpayment was applied. An agricultural advisor submitted a response on behalf of the person named. The advisor stated that they did not agree to the reduced MEA on 12 out of the 14 parcels and requested a further review.
This review was carried out, which took into account the particular landscape of the area and is now completed. This review has made adjustments to the MEAs which has meant that the person named no longer has over claims on his 2018 BPS. The person named also received a balancing payment to his 2018 BPS on 30 March 2020 which has negated the original deduction. Thus, the BPS 2018 payments for the person named are up to date.
838. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a tree felling licence application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5579/20]
View answerAn application for a tree felling licence was received from the person named in July, 2019.
Every application for a forestry licence must undergo careful assessment for the potential effects the proposed operations may have, on its own or in combination with other plans or projects in the area. The proposed site contains archaeological features and an archaeologist’s report was requested and received.
In addition to this, on initial examination of this application, it was determined that 13 designated sites were proximate to the tree felling site. There is a possibility that the proposed tree felling may have an impact on one of these sites – the Lower River Shannon SAC and because of this an Appropriate Assessment report and determination or Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be required.
Officials of my Department will complete the Appropriate Assessment report and determination. However, the person named should be aware that there is a backlog of applications awaiting completion of assessments. The person named may, however, have an NIS completed by a suitably qualified person at their own expense and submit it for review by my Department’s Ecology Unit.
839. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal for a digitised area of conservation by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5582/20]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2019 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes application on the 15th April 2019. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks including, in some cases, remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was the subject of a Remote Sensing land eligibility inspection and was notified by letter on 14th October 2019 of the initial inspection findings, which identified an over-declaration in area. This letter afforded the person named the opportunity to submit comments on the inspection findings. An acknowledgment of the letter was received without comments on the 15th October 2019. A final letter issued on 17th October 2019, which again gave the person named the option of requesting a review of the final inspection outcome.
On the 24th April 2020, representations were made on behalf of the named person for a review request on a parcel that was affecting their GLAS payment. A review was completed and a letter detailing the outcome, which upheld the original inspection findings, issued to the person named on the 18th May 2020.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office within 3 months.
841. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the implementation of the EU farm to fork strategy is being suspended for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5634/20]
View answerThe Farm to Fork Strategy is currently under development by the EU Commission. The Strategy is scheduled for publication later this month.
842. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority will not sign health certificates for live crab to be shipped to China; and if this is due to Covid-19. [5664/20]
View answerI am advised by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) that it is continuing to issue health certificates for consignments of live crab and other seafood exports in line with official controls. Certification of export consignments of live crab to China and Hong Kong is provided where laboratory test results demonstrate compliance with the relevant standards for Cadmium, a naturally occurring heavy metal that can accumulate in certain parts of crabs.
The SFPA has statutory responsibility for seafood safety controls and the enforcement of seafood safety law. Any queries on the certification of seafood exports should be brought directly to the SFPA.
843. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider an immediate meeting of the beef task force. [5824/20]
View answerThe last meeting of the Beef Taskforce took place on 9th January 2020. Members of the Taskforce recently received a written update on the ongoing work of the Taskforce. These documents are available of my Department's website: www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/beef/beeftaskforce.
Taskforce members have been advised that a meeting of the Taskforce will be convened as soon as practical.
844. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to protect Irish agricultural and fishing interests during Brexit negotiations; and the status of discussions regarding a potential extension to the current deadline in order to facilitate an agreed trade agreement. [5830/20]
View answerThe agri-food sector has greatly increased the value of food and drink exports over the last number of years. In 2019 overall exports were €14.5 billion, and the UK remains our largest market, with exports of almost €5.5 billion. Therefore, our shared primary interest is to secure the best possible outcome from the EU-UK negotiations for the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors, given both the disproportionate exposure of these sectors to the UK market, and the need to maintain existing reciprocal access to fishing waters and resources.
We have been very clear on our key ‘asks’ in the future relationship negotiations, which are:
- continued free access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal or no additional customs and administrative procedures;
- minimisation of the risk from UK trade agreements with third countries; and
- maintenance of existing reciprocal access and quota shares to fishing waters and resources.
The timelines are tight for these negotiations, even more so given the challenges currently posed by COVID-19. While there have been calls for an extension to the transition period, including from significant sectors in the UK, the UK Government response continues to be that the transition period will end on 31 December 2020, and that they will not seek an extension. I do not believe that it is helpful to speculate further on the matter at this juncture, other than to note, of course, that an extension is a matter for agreement by both parties in accordance with the timelines laid out.
We remain fully abreast of stakeholder concerns in these negotiations and I can assure the Deputy that my Department officials and I are continuing to work within a whole of Government effort to ensure the best possible outcome for the agri-food and fisheries sectors.
845. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the most recent developments on reform of the CAP; the progress on agreeing a new programme at EU level; and the progress made in obtaining agreement by all member states to reverse the proposed budget cuts to the next CAP. [5831/20]
View answerSince their publication by the European Commission in June 2018, intensive discussions have taken place on the CAP reform proposals. While significant progress has been made, final agreement has not yet been reached. Before the new CAP can be implemented, it will be necessary to reach overall agreement within the Council, and then with the European Parliament and Commission. Neither the EU Council nor the Parliament have reached agreement on a partial general approach.
It seems clear at this stage that agreement will not be reached by the end of 2020 and that transitional regulations will be required. Both the Council and the Parliament have agreed on their position in relation to the transitional period and therefore trilogue discussions between the Council, the Parliament and the Croatian Presidency are expected to take place in June.
I have worked hard with my European counterparts, and with Commissioners Hogan and Wojciechowski, to build consensus around the need to maintain a strong CAP budget post-2020. However, I am aware that there are divergent views amongst Member States on the appropriate level for the budget. Some, including Ireland, have indicated their willingness to increase their national contributions, once they contribute towards areas of added European value, while others feel equally strongly that the current proposals would be too costly.
There is still some way to go before agreement can be achieved, but I can assure the Deputy that my Department and I will continue to ensure that protecting the CAP budget remains a key priority for Ireland in these negotiations.
Agreement on the next MFF is a matter for Heads of State and Government, and requires unanimity by all Member States at the European Council. The proposed budget must also be agreed by the European Parliament.
846. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the 2020 basic payment scheme by county. [5834/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in tabular form as follows.
|
County |
Total |
|
CARLOW |
1,622 |
|
CAVAN |
4,901 |
|
CLARE |
6,113 |
|
CORK |
12,981 |
|
DONEGAL |
8,935 |
|
DUBLIN |
638 |
|
GALWAY |
12,169 |
|
KERRY |
7,932 |
|
KILDARE |
2,112 |
|
KILKENNY |
3,353 |
|
LAOIS |
2,916 |
|
LEITRIM |
3,463 |
|
LIMERICK |
5,194 |
|
LONGFORD |
2,444 |
|
LOUTH |
1,508 |
|
MAYO |
11,501 |
|
MEATH |
3,871 |
|
MONAGHAN |
4,184 |
|
OFFALY |
3,006 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
5,749 |
|
SLIGO |
3,996 |
|
TIPPERARY |
6,883 |
|
WATERFORD |
2,422 |
|
WESTMEATH |
3,023 |
|
WEXFORD |
4,026 |
|
WICKLOW |
2,156 |
|
AWAITING HERD NUMBER |
1,908 |
|
Total |
129,006 |
847. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the 2020 ANC scheme by county. [5835/20]
View answerPlease see the information requested by the Deputy in tabular form.
|
County |
Total Number of Applications with ANC eligible land |
|
Carlow |
811 |
|
Cavan |
4,682 |
|
Clare |
5,911 |
|
Cork |
7,547 |
|
Donegal |
8,541 |
|
Dublin |
159 |
|
Galway |
11,705 |
|
Kerry |
7,562 |
|
Kildare |
620 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,853 |
|
Laois |
1,724 |
|
Leitrim |
3,353 |
|
Limerick |
4,442 |
|
Longford |
2,341 |
|
Louth |
822 |
|
Mayo |
11,120 |
|
Meath |
1,501 |
|
Monaghan |
3,941 |
|
Offaly |
2,463 |
|
Roscommon |
5,528 |
|
Sligo |
3,838 |
|
Tipperary |
4,764 |
|
Waterford |
1,462 |
|
Westmeath |
2,799 |
|
Wexford |
1,539 |
|
Wicklow |
1,857 |
|
Total |
102,885 |
848. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the BEEPS programme by the closing deadline by county in tabular form. [5836/20]
View answerThe figures in relation to applications received under the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot - Suckler (BEEP-S) are set out as follows.
|
County |
Applications received |
|
CARLOW |
336 |
|
CAVAN |
1,389 |
|
CLARE |
2,195 |
|
CORK |
1,803 |
|
DONEGAL |
1,504 |
|
DUBLIN |
63 |
|
GALWAY |
3,002 |
|
KERRY |
1,263 |
|
KILDARE |
312 |
|
KILKENNY |
636 |
|
LAOIS |
632 |
|
LEITRIM |
1,088 |
|
LIMERICK |
771 |
|
LONGFORD |
876 |
|
LOUTH |
213 |
|
MAYO |
2,647 |
|
MEATH |
628 |
|
MONAGHAN |
996 |
|
OFFALY |
605 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
1,721 |
|
SLIGO |
1,077 |
|
TIPPERARY |
1,113 |
|
WATERFORD |
309 |
|
WESTMEATH |
891 |
|
WEXFORD |
597 |
|
WICKLOW |
405 |
|
Total |
27,072 |
849. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues and the HSE to ensure immediate priority testing in meat and dairy processing plants to ensure the safety of workers and the continuation of food supply chains during the Covid-19 emergency. [5837/20]
View answerA national Outbreak Control team has been established by the HSE to deal with all issues relating to Covid 19 in meat plants. DAFM is represented on this committee and it is expected that recommendations, including any in relation to testing, will issue from this group in due course.
Any clusters of cases in individual meat plants, in common with clusters in other workplaces, are dealt with by local HSE-led outbreak control teams. To date, I am not aware of any issues of significance that have arisen in relation to dairy processing plants.
850. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of discussions with fishing representative bodies with regard to establishing a fishing cessation tie-up scheme for vessels to support the industry through market disruption caused by Covid-19; the amount of unused funds from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund that could be allocated towards such a scheme; the details of other potential domestic sources in this regard; and the progress of talks with the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries to make additional EU funds available for such a scheme. [5838/20]
View answer858. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of discussions with fishing representative bodies with regard to a storage aid market support measure to support the industry through market disruption caused by Covid-19; and the progress of talks with the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries to make additional European Maritime and Fisheries Fund funds available for such a measure. [5912/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 850 and 858 together.
Our fishing sector has been particularly hard hit by the severe market disruption in Europe and internationally caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic. The closure of many markets and disruption of established distribution channels, particularly to restaurants and the food service industry domestically and internationally, has seen market demand and sale prices drop very substantially in many of our key markets. However, there are still markets open, both domestically and internationally, and it is important that we continue to supply these markets to maintain food supply, service our established customers and be in a position to take advantage of increased demand as markets open up. That reopening of markets may commence now that some countries are commencing a phased re-opening from lockdowns, but may take some months to return to a level of normality.
As part of the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative, the European Union has enacted a new Regulation 2020/560 amending the provisions of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (508/2014) to enable Member States to use their EMFF Operational Programmes to address the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on their seafood sectors. Regrettably, no additional EU funds were made available to accompany the EU initiative. EMFF Programmes operate over the 2014-20 period and since the Pandemic has hit at a time when EMFF Programmes are coming to an end, Ireland like many other Member States has limited funds remaining I continue to lobby Commissioner Sinkevicius to make additional EU funds available. However, it is important to note that any EMFF interventions to support our seafood sector during the Pandemic must be funded in the first instance through funds voted for 2020, and EU co-funding is only received retrospectively in 2021.
I have met with representatives of our fisheries and processing sectors on a number of occasions, most recently on 29 April, to hear their views on the impacts of the Pandemic and how the EMFF Programme may support them during this difficult period. Representation included the four fisheries producer organisations, the National Inshore Fisheries Forum, the fisheries cooperatives and the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association. There was a positive and constructive engagement, with a broad consensus from industry representatives that aid for temporary tie-up of fishing vessels should be the priority, enabling some vessels to tie-up, while others fished to meet market demands. There was little support for a storage aid scheme, with those in favour of it wanting it used only to subsidise the cost of cold storage of fish already in storage. Otherwise, fishing representatives feared that it would create an overhang on the markets and contribute to continued poor market prices when markets recover. Clearly, using scarce funds for a measure with little industry support, and one that would do nothing to support fishermen going forward, would be a poor use of resources.
Throughout my discussions with fishing representatives, I have emphasised to them the cross sectoral supports being made available by Government at very significant cost, including the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, the Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme, and the Future Growth Loan Scheme, Micro-Finance Ireland Covid-19 Business Loan, Credit Guarantee Scheme and Covid-19 Working Capital Scheme, made available through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland. I have also highlighted to industry the loan holiday arrangements from the banking sector.
In line with the strong preference of fishing representatives, I announced on 8 May a Covid-19 Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme for fishing vessels in the Polyvalent, Beam Trawl and Specific segments of the fleet, to be implemented under Ireland’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme 2014-20. The Covid-19 Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme will be operational from 1 June and will be available to the inshore fleet and to larger vessels. It will allow vessel owners to voluntarily opt to tie up for a maximum of two months over the period June to August.
The Scheme will support the fixed costs incurred by the vessel owners and is designed to complement the Covid-19 wage supports and loan arrangements already being provided by Government to the fishing sector and indeed other sectors of our economy. The supports to fixed costs available under the Scheme are outlined in the table below and range from €6,000 per month for a maximum of two months for the very largest vessels over 24 metres, to €500 per month for a maximum of two months for the very smallest vessels under 6 metres in length.
|
Size of vessel |
Payment over 1-month tie-up period |
Payment over 2-month tie-up period |
|
> 24m |
€6,000 |
€12,000 |
|
18 < 24m |
€4,600 |
€9,200 |
|
15 < 18m |
€2,000 |
€4,000 |
|
12 < 15m |
€1,900 |
€3,800 |
|
10 < 12m |
€800 |
€1,600 |
|
8 < 10m |
€750 |
€1,500 |
|
6 < 8m |
€500 |
€1,000 |
|
<6m |
€500 |
€1,000 |
In order to underpin the Government’s policy of ensuring that the food chain is maintained and to maintain an essential presence in our markets, the Scheme will be available to a maximum of 66% of the fishing fleet, in the different size categories, in any one month. Any vessel not receiving support to tie-up in any particular month may continue to fish.
In order to limit the benefits of the Scheme to active vessels, an applicant vessel must have carried out fishing activities at sea for at least 120 days over the 2-year period 2018/19 and have made total first sales of fish to a minimum value of €5,000 in the calendar year 2019, by reference to the Irish Sales Note System administered by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.
851. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of the 13 May 2020 EU Agriculture Council of Ministers meeting regarding Covid-19 supports to farmers and the agrifood sector including the use of CAP market disturbance aid and exceptional aid; the status of discussions with the Commission in this regard; and the proposals Ireland and like-minded countries made at the meeting. [5839/20]
View answer852. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of the 13 May 2020 EU Agriculture Council of Ministers meeting regarding CAP reform post 2020; the latest discussions with the Commission in this regard; the status of the EU Commission farm to fork and biodiversity strategies which will be published soon; the proposals Ireland and like-minded countries made at the meeting regarding these strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5840/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 851 and 852 together.
On the 13 May, I attended a video-conference meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers with Agriculture Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowski, and Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius, to discuss the effectiveness of measures introduced by the Commission to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture and fisheries.
I welcome these measures, which include, inter alia private storage aid in the dairy and meat sectors which were a response to an Irish initiative. However, I also reiterated my ongoing concerns regarding the depth and potential duration of the crisis, and made it clear that these actions can only be the first step. In particular, I called for additional funding to be made available in the form of exceptional aid for livestock producers.
I also called for the CAP post-2020 budget to be fully restored in the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the important role farmers play in putting food on European tables. They are also expected to contribute to achieving higher levels of climate ambition post-2020, and so we must ensure that we have a CAP budget that is fit for purpose.
853. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his attention was first drawn to the fact that a company (details supplied) was bringing workers into Ireland; the actions taken as a result of this development at departmental level in view of Covid-19 with respect to public health advice; and the number of meetings and conference calls he held with his ministerial colleagues in this regard. [5841/20]
View answerThe sourcing of labour by employers in the agri-food sector is a matter for those employers themselves.
It is estimated that 6,600 are employed in the Horticulture industry, while a further 11,000 are employed in downstream businesses, with a small percentage of this total employment being seasonal labour. Sources of seasonal labour are multifaceted. Employers generally focus on their historical sources of labour both from the domestic labour market but also eastern Europe (Balkan and Baltic regions) which provides a valuable source of experience, skilled people from an agrarian background well prepared for the role.
In response to the Covid-19 situation, my Department has been working closely with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to ensure employers are aware of the supports for business to help them source labour from the domestic economy. A national recruitment campaign by my colleague, Regina Doherty, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection has commenced with the aim of recruiting temporary workers for the Horticulture sector from the live register within Ireland. This campaign will focus on the Fruit harvest peaking in mid-May to mid-June and the Vegetable harvest from mid-June.
Advice and guidance on travel requirements into the country is made fully available to prospective visitors on the official Government website, and is updated regularly.
854. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an impact analysis has been performed on the EU-Mexico trade deal signed on 28 April 2020, specifically with respect to the Irish beef sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5888/20]
View answerI welcome the conclusion of negotiations on the modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement, as it provides for significant access to the Mexican market for EU agri-food products, particularly in the dairy, pigmeat and poultry sectors. It also provides full protection for 99% of European Union Geographical Indications.
This agreement was included in the Free Trade Agreements study commissioned by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and carried out by Copenhagen Economics in 2018. The results indicated a minimal level of impact to the Irish beef sector with regard to any Mexican beef exports to trading partners.
855. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will change the clause in the BEAM scheme instructing farmers to reduce their stock by 5% due to the difficulty in selling and the low price of stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5893/20]
View answerThe objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) was 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. This aid was granted to provide temporary market adjustment support in response to a specific market disturbance as outlined in Ireland's notification to the EU Commission and the 5% reduction was part of the conditionality sought by the EU.
Approved BEAM participants have given a commitment to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on the holding by 5% for the period 01 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 as compared with the period 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 as recorded on Department systems. Given that this requirement only begins next July and is reviewed across the duration of a year, it would be premature to be considering amendments at this time.
Participants who need advice on how to manage this reduction can contact the Department or consult an agricultural advisor to work out which changes will make most sense on their farm.
