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Tuesday, 15 Sep 2020

Written Answers Nos. 106-130

Trade Agreements

Questions (107)

Bríd Smith

Question:

107. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the Mercosur deal and the way in which it will impact farming here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24346/20]

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Written answers

A political agreement was announced in June 2019, marking the end of a twenty-year period of negotiations on the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement. The agreement is currently undergoing a process of legal scrubbing and translation, with the Commission expecting to bring the matter to the EU Trade Council in the final quarter of 2020.

The provisional application of those aspects of the Agreement which the Commission has exclusive competence for (including trade) will require the agreement of the Trade Council (Qualified Majority Voting) and ratification by the European Parliament. The formal ratification process for the wider Agreement will require ratification by individual Member States, because it contains elements which fall under both EU competence and Member State competence.

As the Deputy knows, there is real concern in Ireland about the potential impact of the agreement, arising in particular from the inclusion of a 99,000-tonne tariff rate quota for beef. Throughout the period of negotiation we consistently sought to minimise the impact of any potential deal on the Irish and European beef sector, and we continue to voice our concerns in this respect.

The European Commission engaged the London School of Economics to carry out a “Sustainability Impact Assessment” on the agreement, the draft final report of which was published on 8th July 2020. This EU study is being augmented at national level by a whole-of-Government review announced by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar T.D. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, in collaboration with my Department, commissioned the Implement Consulting Group to carry out this Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment (ESIA) for Ireland. This report is due presently.

The final outcome of both studies will inform Ireland’s approach to the discussions in the coming months, and to the ratification process.

Questions Nos. 108 to 114, inclusive, answered orally.

Food Waste

Questions (115)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

115. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the plan of the Minister with responsibility for climate action, communication networks and transport to introduce tariffs on two-for-one offers in grocery stores; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24108/20]

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Written answers

My colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment launched the Waste Action Plan for A Circular Economy – Ireland’s National Waste Policy 2020 – 2025 on 4 September.

I understand that the Plan does not suggest the levying of tariffs on the sale of multi-buy packs. It does however include a commitment to "work with retailers to end the sale of multi-buy packs to prevent over-buying by consumers”.

It is my understanding also that all policies deriving from the Action Plan will be carefully calibrated to protect low-income households and applied only where sustainable alternatives are available and affordable.

The plan will help deliver the Government’s ambition around food waste through a Food Waste Prevention Roadmap.  This will involve consultation and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders from both industry and consumer interest groups. 

My Department will work closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to develop this road map, which will supplement the work already being done in my Department and its agencies with regard to food waste and in regard to the Farm2Fork commitment to reduce Food Waste.

This work includes

- funding through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund to support innovative rural projects aimed at food waste reduction by organisations such as Food Cloud, and the Clean Technology Centre at the Cork Institue of Technology; 

- support for research into food shelf life and related issues through the Prepared Consumer Food Centre at Teagasc Ashtown, which is funded by my Department;

- as well as initiatives by Bord Bia  under Origin Green  to encourage food businesses to set targets to reduce food waste and other sustainability issues.

Forestry Sector

Questions (116)

Pa Daly

Question:

116. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the forestry licensing system. [24110/20]

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Written answers

I am acutely aware that current delays in issuing licences has led to difficulties for some in the sector. The Government is very committed to its reform as set out in the Programme for Government including the introduction of new legislation to align the planning and appeal processes with best practice in similar processes elsewhere. We need a system that  works better for all stakeholders.

My Department is intensively engaging with all relevant stakeholders on these issues. The current licensing difficulties are as a result of the changes made to internal Appropriate Assessment Procedures (AAP).  These were introduced in response to important Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decisions and their subsequent interpretation by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and others.  These findings meant that in order to grant licences which fully meet environmental requirements, fundamental changes to the licensing system were unavoidable.

My Department now has a detailed project plan in place for dealing with the current backlog and new applications, which includes significant investment in extra resources required to deliver the plan. These resources are a combination of additional ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff where required. The early results of the project plan are showing progress with the felling licenses issued in August the highest for some 13 months in both volume and area. Clearly we have more work to do but the early signs are promising.

 A Project Management Board, with a dedicated Project Manager, is overseeing and monitoring delivery.  There will be a continuous review of the process, in order to effect efficiencies. A communication plan to keep stakeholders fully and regularly informed of progress, with a dedicated central resource to deal with queries, is a key element of the project.

In tandem with this plan a draft amendment to the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 is being introduced which aims to increase efficiencies in the appeals process. My Department is currently reviewing the almost 9,000 submissions received on the Bill before its presentation tio the House very soon for consideration here. Our analysis so far of submissions received shows that  a majority support the introduction of the Bill and the proposals therein.

I know  that the current situation is challenging, but it is a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come.

Questions Nos. 117 to 119, inclusive, answered orally.

Harbours and Piers

Questions (120)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

120. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the proposed deepwater quay at Ros a' Mhíl harbour, Connemara, County Galway, will be included as part of capital expenditure in the forthcoming stimulus plan. [15978/20]

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Written answers

My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHC), located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute.

Funding is made available on an annual basis by my Department to the Fishery Harbour Centres, including Ros an Mhíl, via the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. A phased programme for the infrastructural development of Ros an Mhíl FHC has been progressed over the last number of years. In total, approximately €31m has been invested in capital developments at Ros an Mhíl FHC between 2000 and 2019. In addition, in excess of €1.5m has been allocated for capital works in the harbour in 2020.

The possibility of a deep-water berthing project at Ros an Mhíl FHC has been mooted for some time. The Department commissioned DKM consultants to conduct a Cost Benefit Analysis into the development of a deep water quay at Ros an Mhíl.  A draft report was submitted to the Department in June 2017.  Since the report was drafted, there have been changes to some of the fundamentals underpinning the original analysis.

In 2018, the Department subsequently commissioned engineering consultants to undertake a review of the design solutions, scoping options and operational aspects of a possible future project. An interim draft of the Quay Wall Peer Review Report was received in April 2019. This report identified the need for additional site investigations to be carried out in Ros an Mhíl.

These site investigation works were carried out in August/September 2019 and have now been completed. The final Quay Wall Peer Review report was received on the 27th July 2020 and a further update was issued on the 4th of Sept 2020. The Department will now consider this report including the site investigation results to inform a future assessment of possible design solutions and scoping options, which will, in themselves, inform any future decision on progressing this project.

While planning permission is in existence, a detailed design may have to be undertaken along with a comprehensive costing exercise and a potential further Cost Benefit Analysis before any decision is made to progress this project. As a consequence, it was not possible to include this project in the July stimulus package and, as is the case with all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres generally, any future decision with regard to formally initiating this project in Ros an Mhíl will only be considered on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing national priorities.

Agrifood Sector

Questions (121)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he is taking further steps to ensure the viability of the agrifood industry, notwithstanding recent indicators in respect of Brexit and the effects of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24034/20]

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Written answers

The agri-food sector is Ireland’s most important indigenous exporting industry, playing a vital role in the economy. 137,000 farms produce over €8 billion in output; and we have over 770,000 hectares of forest and over 2,000 fishing vessels & aquaculture sites. The agri-food supply chain stretches from rural and coastal areas all across Ireland to the UK, Europe and further to markets in the Americas, Asia and Africa. In 2019, Ireland’s food and agri-foods products were exported to over 180 markets worldwide and valued at €14.5 billion, a 63% increase from €8.9 billion in 2010.  The sector is thriving and continues to evolve and meet the needs of its customers, domestically and internationally.

While the sector faces significant challenges such as COVID-19, Brexit, and trade uncertainty in general, environmental concerns, and future CAP and CFP reform; the sector also has many opportunities to develop further and prosper. We have a strong international reputation as a supplier of safe, nutritious and sustainably produced food. International consumers seek out our food and beverage products in what is a very competitive international market. We should be proud of this and work to build and enhance that reputation for the benefit of our farmers, fishers and all other stakeholders within the sector.

The agri-food sector has been well served over the last 20 years by having a series of ten-year strategies to guide its development and we have committed in the Programme for Government that this should continue with the preparation of a new strategy to 2030. A Committee of sector stakeholders has been working since late last year on this new strategy. Their terms of reference are to outline the vision and key objectives, with associated actions, required to ensure the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the agri-food sector in the decade ahead.

Last week, I met with the Chair of the Committee to discuss progress and spoke with the Committee members also, and I am satisfied that their work will  make a very important contribution to ensuring the future viability and development of the agri-food sector.  The Programme for Government has committed to publishing the strategy within six months of Government formation.

In the meantime, work continues under Food Wise 2025, the current strategy for the agri-food sector. The implementation process for Food Wise is driven by a High Level Implementation Committee. I look forward to chairing my first meeting of that Committee on Thursday, where the focus will be on our ongoing response to COVID and Brexit.

In the meantime, I will ensure that my Department continues to assist the Sector through the provision of significant financial support from the CAP, the CFP and National funding.  I will also ensure that its Agencies continue to provide support for research and innovation, for marketing and for investment where this is needed.

Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 117.

Food Imports

Questions (123)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

123. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis his Department has carried out on the potential impacts of the importation of US lobster under the recent limited EU-US trade deal, particularly with regard to lobster fishermen here and native lobster stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24006/20]

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Written answers

On 21 August, the EU Commission and the United States announced agreement on a package of tariff reductions on a range of products, including US live and frozen lobster products.  The EU Commission figures indicate that last year the EU27 imported €42 million of lobster products from the US (15% of overall extra-EU imports), out of a market worth €290million in total and in which EU producers are supplying less than 5% of EU consumption.  The US lobster is not the same species as the European lobster although both are fished wild which acts as a constraint on supply.  

I am aware of the uncertainty that this agreement has created for the Irish fishing industry.  If EU imports of US lobster increase significantly it could combine to further impact on prices and demand; however, the US also exports to other international markets.   Irish seafood, particularly products like lobster, rely on healthy export markets and the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality, retail and café sectors across the EU and elsewhere has undoubtedly made 2020 a difficult trading year  For this reason, Ireland's representatives put the concerns of the Irish fishing industry on record at the recent Trade Policy Committee meeting in Brussels when the EU Commission presented the agreement.  In the meantime, Bord Bia has advised that the European lobster, the species caught in Ireland, has greater recognition which helps in maintaining a higher market position and that prices received reflect this in the EU market place.

Common Agricultural Policy

Questions (124)

Matt Carthy

Question:

124. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the transitionary period of the Common Agriculture Policy; the schemes that will remain operational; and his plans regarding convergence and other proposals for the period. [23967/20]

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Written answers

My thanks to the Deputy for this question. It is an issue that is at the top of my agenda, and I have already met with some of the farm bodies since my appointment to hear their views. 

The issue is somewhat complicated by the ongoing delay in the adoption of the transitional rules, which is not now expected until late October at the earliest. Budgetary details will have to be incorporated into the regulations after agreement on the EU budget has been reached with the European Parliament, and the duration of the transition period - one or two years - is also still to be finally agreed.

Regarding the plans for the existing schemes under the Rural Development Programme, no final decisions will be made, including in relation to agri-environment schemes, until we have clarification on budget and duration.

On convergence and other proposals, these will require further consideration, and I am currently consulting widely on these matters. We will need to ensure that what we do in the transitional period is consistent with Programme for Government commitments, as well as providing a solid foundation for the development of our CAP Strategic Plan for the period to 2027. In addition, the very ambitious targets set out in the EU Bio-Diversity Strategy and Farm to Fork Strategy will have to be taken into account. 

I intend to continue my meetings with the farm bodies and stakeholders over the coming weeks to hear their views.  I am also conscious that we have very limited time to make decisions and implement workable solutions.

Forestry Sector

Questions (125)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

125. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific measures being taken to expedite the issuing of felling and afforestation licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23813/20]

View answer

Written answers

I am acutely aware that current delays in issuing licences has led to difficulties for stakeholders.  The Government is committed to reform of the planning and appeals processes as set out in the Programme for Government and we have presented draft legislation to this effect which I expect to be presenting to the House in due course.

My Department is intensively engaging with all relevant stakeholders on these issues. The current licensing difficulties are as a result of the changes made to internal Appropriate Assessment Procedures (AAP).  These were introduced in response to important Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decisions and their subsequent interpretation by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and others.  These findings meant that in order to grant licences which fully meet environmental requirements, fundamental changes to the licensing system were unavoidable.

My Department has a detailed project plan in place for dealing with the current backlog and new applications, which includes significant investment in extra resources required to deliver the plan. These resources are a combination of additional ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff where required.

A Project Management Board, with a dedicated Project Manager, is overseeing and monitoring delivery.  There will be a continuous review of the process, in order to effect efficiencies. A communication plan to keep stakeholders fully and regularly informed of progress, with a dedicated central resource to deal with queries, is a key element of the project. This plan is already yielding progress with felling licences issued in August the highest in the previous 13 months in both volume and area.

In tandem with this plan a draft amendment to the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 is being introduced which aims to increase efficiencies in the appeals process. I very much welcome the almost 9,000 submissions on the Bill which we are now reviewing in advance of presenting the Bill to the House for consideration in the very near future.

I know  that the current situation is challenging, but it is a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come.

Potato Sector

Questions (126)

Verona Murphy

Question:

126. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will apply to the EU for a derogation on the ban of diquat on behalf of potato growers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23972/20]

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Written answers

Diquat has been the most commonly used desiccant in the potato sector for many decades. As the deputy is aware, diquat is no longer approved for use as a plant protection product within the EU. However, to facilitate industry transition and to support growers as they move to other methods of dessicating potato crops, I have granted a temporary, once-off and short term emergency authorisation for diquat.

This is line with the legal provisions of the EU regulations govering pesticide approvals.

The authorisation is subject to a number of strict conditions to ensure appropriate protections are in place. These conditions reduce the maximum allowed application rate and spray volume, and introduce specifications in relation to buffer zones and drift-reducing nozzles. They are the same as those provided for in an emergency use authorisation recently granted by Denmark, albeit the provision in Ireland is for a reduced period of time.

This authorisation will remain in place for a period of sixty days from September 10th  facilitating the limited use of diquat to desiccate the potato crop. 

To ensure that a similar situation does not arise in the future, I am requesting Teagasc to engage with stakeholders across the potato sector to address the challenges of potato crop desiccation in the absence of diquat.

Food Exports

Questions (127)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he foresees the possibility of expansion of the markets for agrifood exports here with particular reference to the need to compensate for negative developments arising from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24035/20]

View answer

Written answers

Developing increased third country market access and furthering trade opportunities abroad are both integral parts of my Department’s response to the challenges posed by Brexit. 

These goals are aligned with the strategic market development theme of Food Wise 2025. This strategy outlines the significant potential for growth of our agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Gulf region. 

My Department has been and continues to be very active in securing access to new third country markets for Irish food companies. To that end, our food and drink exports have greatly increased in recent years. Total Irish agri-food exports came to €14.5 billion in 2019, an increase of 6% on 2018. Bord Bia has indicated that half of this growth has come from markets outside of Europe. 

Trade missions play a key role in market and trade advancement.  In recent years, successful visits have taken place  to Turkey, China, Japan, South Korea, Algeria and Egypt, among others. Increased market access opportunities and developments have been achieved with these visits, including the abolition of the age restriction on beef exports to Japan, additional beef plant approvals for export to China and the progression of beef access in South Korea. Destinations are selected strategically and in keeping with the Bord Bia market prioritisation exercise of December 2017.

The Government's focus on, and commitment to, new market development has been illustrated by its appointment of my colleague, Martin Heydon T.D., as  Minister of State with specific responsibility for this task. In addition, my Department's international trade activities are being reorganised and further developed, as we deal with the twin challenges of Brexit and the Covid 19 pandemic.

Common Agricultural Policy

Questions (128)

Brendan Smith

Question:

128. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position on funding for CAP post 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23969/20]

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Written answers

Funding for the CAP is normally determined as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations.  On this occasion, in respect of the 2021-2027 period, the MFF has been accompanied by a new COVID-19 fund known as the Next Generation EU Recovery Instrument.

European Council agreement on this package, including the CAP budget, was reached at its meeting in July 2020. 

The original proposed 5% cut to the CAP budget was reversed, with the result that Ireland's estimated overall allocation is estimated at €10.7 billion, in current prices. This represents a marginal increase on our current 2014-2020 allocation. It includes a special Rural Development allocation of more than €330m, in current prices. 

The European Council agreement is a major step forward in finalising the CAP budget.  However, work remains to be done. The funding package is a complex one, with additional mechanisms including the new European Recovery Instrument. This is also the case for the CAP budget, which has a number of elements including Pillar 1 (direct payments), Pillar 2 (rural development), special allocations for Member States (including Ireland) and European Recovery Instrument funding which will be spent under the rural development heading. Discussion is still ongoing in Brussels on some of the detail, including the timeframe for allocation of the European Recovery Instrument funding.  

The budgetary package must now be agreed with the European Parliament, and I am hopeful of an early agreement in order to give certainty to farmers in realtion to funding and provide the foundation for an agreement on the post-2020 CAP.

Farm Costs

Questions (129)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

129. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports planned to compensate the farming community for losses and the impact that Brexit uncertainty, sterling volatility and Covid-19 has had on the community across all sectors; and if there are additional plans in the event of a no-deal Brexit. [23930/20]

View answer

Written answers

Brexit, sterling volatility and Covid-19 have had a significant impact on the agri-food and fisheries sectors. 

My Department's Brexit preparedness work has resulted in various supports being introduced over successive budgets to help the agri-food and fisheries sectors mitigate the impact of Brexit.

These include supports in the form of direct aid, as well as the provision of low cost loans such as the €300 million Future Growth Loan Scheme. In addition, in 2019, my Department introduced the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) in recognition of a very difficult year for the beef sector and a prolonged period of price uncertainty caused by various factors, including Brexit. Budget 2020 also made provision for an initial fund of €110 million to be deployed in the event of a hard Brexit in order to help farmers, fishermen and food SMEs to deal with such an outcome. In the event, this did not prove necessary. 

More recently, my Department launched the €50 million Beef Finisher Payment Scheme which is a one-off, exchequer-funded grant aid scheme under the Covid-19 State Aid Temporary Framework to provide support for beef finishing farms in Ireland that have been severely impacted by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

All of these impacts on the farming community will, of course, be kept under ongoing review. In this regard the recently published Brexit Readiness Action Plan confirms that further measures to support affected sectors will be considered over the coming months. I also welcome the Multi-Annual Financial Framework agreement reached in July by Heads of State and Government, which includes a €5 Billion Brexit Adjustment Reserve for those Member States and sectors most affected by Brexit. We will work to ensure that the agri-food sector gets an adequate allocation from that funding.

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Questions (130)

Holly Cairns

Question:

130. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to make the Agriculture Appeals Office an entirely independent and discrete body. [24038/20]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.  The Office was established in 2002 in accordance with the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001 and the Agriculture Appeals Regulations 2002.  There are distinct and specific statutory functions assigned to the officials delivering the appeals service which require the Appeals Officers and the Director under law to be independent in the performance of their functions when making determinations on appeals made by affected persons against decisions taken by the Department.

The legislation also requires Appeals Officers to have regard to the principles of natural justice and to comply with the terms and conditions and EU regulations applying to the Department schemes. The Agriculture Appeals service is implemented through a separate executive office with its own premises and staff which operates independently of the Department. The functioning of the Office is overseen by the Director of Agriculture Appeals. I am advised by the Director of Agriculture Appeals that officials working as Appeals Officers are fully aware of their legal obligations and the independence of that Office. 

As the Deputy may be aware, in accordance with a commitment in the previous Programme for Government, a review of the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001 to ensure the independence and efficiency of the Agriculture Appeals Office in dealing with appeals was carried out in 2017.  A report containing a number of recommendations was published in 2018 which confirmed the independence of the Office. Some of the recommendations contained in the report have been put in place or in the process of being put in place.  One of the most significant recommendations concerns the introduction of an independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel to include private individuals which will require amendment to primary legislation. The current Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish an independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel in legislation. 

A new Director has been recently appointed to the Agriculture Appeals Office and the further implementation of the recommendations including the establishment of an Independent Review Panels is currently under consideration.

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