Written Answers Nos. 886-904
886. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there is a backlog in felling licences leading to the importation of the raw material for pallets while thousands of pallets are burned at Halloween each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23571/20]
View answerThe delays in issuing licences, including felling licences, originate from recent case law from the ECJ and the High Court that have changed how the Department implements environmental law. The clarifications brought about by these cases have resulted in the Department introducing a revised Appropriate Assessment Procedure for forestry licensing.
These changes in process are very significant, but unavoidable, and have led to delays in the issue of licences, as most files now require 2nd stage Appropriate Assessment. The delay in issuing licences is not the only delaying factor as there is also a third-party right of appeal on any licence granted. There are approximately 350 cases currently on the books of the Forestry Appeals Committee with this number growing.
My Department is doing everything it can to address this backlog including significant increase in resources for new ecologists and forestry inspectors. We have also put in place detailed project plans for the purposes on increasing the output of new licences with a detailed project management structure.
The Government has approved the urgent drafting of a stand-alone Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Bill. This will reform the forestry appeals process by bringing it into line with similar planning processes. I have published the draft Bill for public consultation on 30 July for a four-week period with a closing date on Friday 28 August. My officials are currently reviewing nearly 9,000 submissions on the draft Bill received by the closing date and, in parallel, work is ongoing with the OPC on further drafting of the Bill with a view to its presentation to the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible.
887. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for a new agri-environmental scheme or an extension of the GLAS scheme at the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23597/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government has set out clearly our strategy for agri-environment policy including our ambition to allocate €1.5bn to a flagship environmental scheme under the next CAP. This new scheme will be included in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan and we intend to pilot some elements of this in the transitional phase between the CAP programming periods as well as adopting the best elements of our existing agri-environment schemes.
As consideration of the next CAP is ongoing, it is not possible to be definitive about the final shape of future schemes. The experience gained from existing agri-environmental schemes such as GLAS and the locally-led schemes run by my Department will be taken into account in designing new measures. However, there are a number of variables still undecided including agreement on the legislative framework for both the transitional period and the next CAP.
We are pressing hard for the earliest possible adoption of the EU regulations to facilitate the operation of schemes during the transitional period as the first priority. This is to provide some certainty until such time as CAP regulations and associated funding arrangements are agreed. As soon as we have this legal certainty, we will provide clarity and engage with all the relevant stakeholders on next steps.
888. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 488 of 19 November 2019, the status of the review of harbour charges for fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23775/20]
View answerMy Department owns, manages and maintains the six State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl. The Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2012 (214 of 2012), which came into effect on the 1st July 2012, sets out the fee schedule for the use of the facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres.
The internal review of the 2012 order, which is at an advanced stage, is ongoing, and prior to a final decision on the introduction of an updated Rates and Charges Order, it is intended to undertake a public consultation process.
889. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a moratorium will be put on the collection of outstanding harbour fees; if a waiver on all harbour dues will be put in place for fishermen that are struggling due to the Covid-19 crisis similar to the commercial rates wavier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23778/20]
View answerThe crisis which has resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for Government from both public health and economic perspectives. The economic challenges are wide ranging and have impacted across all sectors.
The Government response will continue to be reviewed and will evolve in order to best meet current and future challenges as they arise.
While the fishing industry, unlike many other industries, has been permitted to operate throughout the pandemic, I am very conscious of the impact of the pandemic on global seafood markets and the consequential reduction in level of activity. Whilst fish prices have been negatively impacted throughout the Covid period these impacts have been varied depending on the species and market being targeted. For many species, markets have remained open and fishermen have been able to sell their products. In addition, the Covid crisis has occurred during a period when the fuel prices for fishermen have been greatly reduced and that has assisted the viability of fishing activity throughout the period.
To date, a broad range of supports have been made available to the fisheries sector through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme and more generally from Government. Fishing vessel owners whose trading income ceased due to the Covid-19 pandemic, or crew members who lost their job or were temporarily laid off, were eligible to avail of income supports under the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, while vessel owners with salaried crew members who instead maintain those crew members on the payroll were eligible for the Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme. Further details on current horizontal measures that are available to the fishing sector are available from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and from the Revenue Commissioners respectively.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, for the months of June, July and August, safety net supports were available through the EMFF Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme to fishermen who choose to tie-up their vessel for up to two months. The Scheme supported the fixed costs of these vessels based on the official data on such costs obtained from the fleet through the Sentinel Vessel Programme and economic survey data provided by inshore fishermen through the grant aid process. Supports of €800 per month were available for vessels 10-12 metres, €750 for vessels 8-10 metres and €500 for vessels under 8 metres. These supports complemented the income supports separately provided by Government.
Supports of up to 80% of investment costs are available through the EMFF schemes administered by BIM for a wide variety of business activities and details of these schemes can be found on the BIM website.
Fishermen operate from a very wide variety of Harbours around the State and the majority of these are owned and managed by the relevant local authority. It is a matter for each local authority to consider the position in relation to charges in those local authority harbours. While there are no current plans to waive harbour dues in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, I will continue to review the matter taking account of the evolving situation and the range of horizontal Government supports available.
890. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received a complaint regarding an unannounced inspection on a farm (details supplied) in which the farmer claims that health guidelines and protocols were not followed and there was a breach of GDPR; the process that will be followed to investigate this complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23799/20]
View answerMy Department has received a complaint from the person named and this complaint will be dealt with in accordance with my Department’s documented customer complaints procedures.
A detailed response, in writing will issue to the farmer following an examination of the circumstances, including the conduct of the inspection.
891. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter regarding a folio (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23816/20]
View answerThe case referred to is a complex one which centred on establishing ownership of a piece of land bordering Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre.
The protracted conveyancing issues which involved more than one interested party were fully resolved with the assistance of the Chief State Solicitor’s Office. This enabled matters relating to the proposed transfer, which include a right of way and a later request for easements submitted by one of the parties involved, to be progressed through the appropriate legal channels. These aspects have now been completed.
Work is continuing in my Department to complete the arrangements for the final transfer which is subject to contract. It is important to note that the final arrangements, once approved, will require the separate approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
892. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23881/20]
View answerHerd Test History Statements and Reports issued to all cattle herdowners with the aim to help them to reduce the risk of Bovine TB in their herds.
The Bovine TB Forum Interim Report identified the need to provide more effective information to farmers to help them reduce the risk of TB in their herd and advocated for the development of herd risk categories that are “simple, clear, and convey sufficient information to enable farmers to make the decisions appropriate to their situation”. Against this background the Department developed individualised reports that provide a simplified TB herd risk category for farmers, with herd-specific advice on how to reduce risk of TB. All advice is based on scientific research and is consistent with advice that has been provided by the Department for several years in newsletters, videos, leaflets and other media. Farmers are already provided with information in relation to their TB risk, but this new report presents this in a very much more user friendly, detailed and practical form.
I have listened carefully to the concerns raised by some farmers following the issuance of these letters and am eager to schedule a TB Forum meeting shortly to further develop a shared understanding of how collectively we can reduce TB incidence. Separately, I understand some queries have been raised in respect of GDPR. The letters were designed to be in line with European and national legislation taking account of data that is already available to herdowners. My Department will engage fully with any data protection concerns that are raised in relation to the TB letters.
Following many successful years of reducing bovine TB levels to the benefit of Irish farmers, there has been a concerning incremental increase in the disease since 2016. This has continued in 2020 with further increases in herd incidence and reactor numbers observed. Herd incidence (on a 12-month rolling basis) has breached 4% for the first time since 2012 and reactor numbers have exceeded 20,000 - the highest number since 2009. These trends highlight the need for urgent action by all stakeholders to manage the risk more effectively across all transmission routes.
893. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep imported in 2018 and 2019 in view of the fact that there is a significant difference in the CSO figures and figures supplied by his Department through the EU trade control and export system; if measures (details supplied) will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23901/20]
View answerAs a member of the European Union, Ireland is part of a single EU market that permits trade between member states without tariffs or quantitative limits. The intra EU movement of animals is recorded on the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), which is the EU-wide online management tool for all sanitary and phytosanitary requirements on intra-EU trade and importation of animals, semen and embryo, food, feed and plants.
My Department uses the TRACES system to record all sheep movements in terms of both imports and exports for the purposes of slaughter, breeding and fattening between Ireland and all other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.
There are inconsistencies between CSO trade data and TRACES data in terms of numbers of live animals, as the focus in the CSO dataset is on the value of imports or exports, rather than on animal numbers. My Department has raised the issue with the CSO, which is working to resolve the matter.
It should be noted that the majority of sheep imports received into the State annually originate in Northern Ireland. According to the TRACES system, a total of 521,798 sheep were imported into Ireland in 2018 and a total of 461,522 were imported in 2019.
My Department regularly updates sheep import movements in the Department’s Meat Market Report which is published on my Departments website weekly.
The sustainable beef and lamb assurance scheme (SBLAS) is developed and operated by Bord Bia, eligibility and verification criteria for the measure are detailed on Bord Bia's website.
Veterinary protocols and traceability requirements, including the recording of movements of animals in regard to the importation of ovine livestock between Ireland and other EU jurisdictions, is governed by EU Council Directive 91/68 EC on animal health conditions.
894. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for writing to farmers identifying animals in the herd that are at high risk of contracting tuberculosis and requesting their destruction. [23908/20]
View answerThe Bovine TB Forum is due to reconvene shortly and my Department will continue to engage in this round table effort to eradicate Bovine TB. The Bovine TB Forum Interim Report (July 2019) identified the need for effective information to be provided to farmers. It advocated for the development of herd risk categories that are “simple, clear, and convey sufficient information to enable farmers to make the decisions appropriate to their situation”.
In line with this proposal from the Forum, my Department developed individualised reports that provide a simplified TB herd risk category for farmers, with herd-specific advice on how to reduce risk of TB. Farmers are already provided with information in relation to their TB risk, but this new report presents this in a very much more user friendly, detailed and practical form.
The TB herd history risk statement sets out to provide information to farmers about their own herds. It does not require farmers to do anything. It is advice which they can choose to take if they wish to reduce the risk of their herd to TB. DAFM bases its policy and advice on the science - there is a large body of independent robust scientific research on how TB infects cattle, which must continue to be the basis of disease policy and advice. It is by acknowledging the science of how TB spreads between cattle that will help us eradicate this disease.
While bTB disease is low relative to historical levels, TB herd incidence and reactor numbers have been gradually increasing since 2016. The pace of deterioration has accelerated in 2020. Herd incidence at 4.2% is now at its highest level since 2012 while reactor numbers at 21,000 are back at 2009 rates.
It is imperative that all stakeholders work together in reducing TB rates to support and protect farm families.
895. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the methodology used to identify animals that are deemed to be at high risk of contracting tuberculosis. [23909/20]
View answerOngoing research over many years has identified the risk factors which can put animals and herds at higher risk for Bovine TB. Much of this research has been performed in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain with similar results emerging. The Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Research Analysis (CVERA) in UCD has been responsible for much of the research in Ireland but similar studies on risk emanate from Northern Ireland and Britain also. The results of these epidemiological analyses inform the Department's advice and initiatives on helping farmers to reduce risk to TB on their farms. Examples of the issues which can put an animal or a herd at a higher risk of TB include:
1. Animals that had previously tested inconclusive to a TB skin test, but had passed all tests thereafter are higher risk. This is because the skin test will identify only 80% of infected animals, on average, because of the failure in some cases of the animals immune system to mount a strong enough reaction. Because of this, previously inconclusive animals are restricted to the herd of disclosure for life and are removed if that herd experiences a TB breakdown.
2. Animals which had been present during a TB breakdown previously are at a higher risk for TB. The reason for this is similar to inconclusives higher risk. The animals were exposed to TB during the original breakdown and, in some cases, these may have become infected but for immunological reasons some may not react to testing and therefore remain as false negatives, i.e. clear animals. This phenomenon is called residual TB and is a significant reason why it can take up to 10 years for a herd to return to normal levels of risk after experiencing a TB breakdown. It is advisable for animals that were previously present during a breakdown to be considered for culling when decisions are being made on farms on which animals to retain, if the herdowner wishes to reduce the risk of a TB breakdown.
3. Animals which have had multiple movements are at higher risk for TB than animals which have not. This is associated with the increased potential for exposure to sources of infection because of movement between different herds and lands.
4. Significant variation in inherited susceptibility to TB has been identified and farmers can now choose to breed from bulls whose offspring are more resistant to TB.
5. Many studies have reported increased prevalence of TB with age meaning older cows are higher risk for TB. This is associated with increased chance to exposure to infection sources. This factor should be considered when making culling decisions to increase herd resilience.
The definition of a closed herd is one where none of the animals within the herd have been purchased from, or returned from, outside the herd. Animal Health Ireland and Teagasc have published advice over many years on the benefits for animal disease in maintaining a closed herd. This crucial biosecurity measure is beneficial across all cattle diseases – not just TB.
My officials provide this advice to farmers so that they can make choices appropriate to their own farming circumstances to reduce their risk of TB, should they so wish.
896. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the practice of writing to farmers requesting the destruction of animals identifying as high risk of contracting tuberculosis. [23910/20]
View answerThe Bovine TB Forum is due to reconvene shortly and my Department will continue to engage in this round table effort to eradicate Bovine TB. The Bovine TB Forum Interim Report (July 2019) identified the need for effective information to be provided to farmers. It advocated for the development of herd risk categories that are “simple, clear, and convey sufficient information to enable farmers to make the decisions appropriate to their situation”. My Department developed the TB Herd History Risk Statement and Report in line with that proposal.
The TB herd history risk statement sets out to provide information to farmers about their own herds. It does not require farmers to do anything. It is advice which they can choose to take if they wish to reduce the risk of their herd to TB. DAFM bases its policy and advice on the science - there is a large body of independent robust scientific research on how TB infects cattle, which must continue to be the basis of disease policy and advice. It is by acknowledging the science of how TB spreads between cattle that will help us eradicate this disease.
897. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of animals slaughtered under the tuberculosis eradication programme deemed to have the disease post-mortem. [23911/20]
View answerWhen cattle are slaughtered as reactors under the TB eradication programme, it is because they have tested positive for infection with TB. In the past 12 months, 20,993 cattle have been slaughtered as reactors under the TB eradication programme, as they are deemed to be infected with the TB disease agent. The test specificity is estimated at 99.98%, meaning the number of false positives to the skin test is estimated at 1 animal in 5,000 tested. However, the skin test has an estimated sensitivity of 80% which means that approximately 1 in 5 animals infected with TB will not be identified by the test, on average. This means that false negatives are much more problematic for the TB programme than false positives.
Visual inspection of reactor carcases at post-mortem finds that, on average, approximately 30% of such reactors have visible lesions of tuberculosis, meaning the infection has progressed to a stage where the disease process has caused such significant tissue damage that it can be seen with the naked eye. If a reactor does not have visible disease lesions, it does not mean it is not infected; visual inspection cannot detect the presence of microscopic lesions and bacteria within the tissues of such animals.
Separately from the slaughter of TB reactors, all non-Tb reactor cattle routinely slaughtered in Ireland are subjected to a post-mortem veterinary inspection which includes surveillance for lesions suspected to be caused by TB. Each year, approximately 3,600 such suspect lesions are identified and of these, approximately 45% are subsequently found by laboratory testing to have been caused by TB. The herds from which those animals came are then subjected to follow-up testing to identify any other undetected infected cattle.
898. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the outcome of the areas of natural constraint, ANC, review in County Donegal; the townlands excluded; and the reason each was excluded. [24050/20]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being prepared and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy when it is available.
899. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a case (details supplied); if the person has recourse in the case; if a late application can be accepted under the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24134/20]
View answerThe objective of the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Suckler is to further increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd through better quality data on herd performance, supporting decision making on farm and support of best practice in welfare management.
The scheme opened on 12th March 2020 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 15th May 2020. Applications were made via my Department’s online application system at www.agfood.ie. The application period was well publicised and promoted and in excess of 27,000 applications were successfully submitted on time. It is not possible to accept a late application in these circumstances.
900. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the Common Agricultural Policy. [24154/20]
View answerThe Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a vitally important European policy aimed at achieving a number of objectives, including the provision of a safe and secure food supply for EU citizens, supporting farmers' incomes while helping them to become more market-oriented, and addressing important challenges in the area of environmental sustainability.
Despite much criticism, the CAP has evolved very effectively over successive reforms in response to developments in the agri-food sector itself and in the wider environment in which the sector operates. In this way it has helped farmers and the sector more widely to deal with challenges associated with issues such as market volatility and climate change.
This process of evolution continues with the latest proposals for the post-2020 CAP, which, among other things, seek to increase further the level of climate ambition and give Member States more autonomy in designing measures to achieve EU objectives, while also requiring them to monitor and report on performance in a more comprehensive manner. Member States will also be expected to set out how they will contribute to the achievement of the targets outlined in the new EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies.
While it is fair to say that I am content with the overall direction of travel that the CAP is taking, there remains a number of issues to resolve in the ongoing negotiations. I am consulting widely with stakeholder organisations on these issues and will input appropriately to the discussions in the coming weeks. I will also continue to consult with stakeholders on the development of Ireland's new CAP Strategic Plan, and on the measures that should be implemented in the transitional period between the current and future CAP frameworks.
I would also add that it is imperative that the level of ambition for the CAP is matched by appropriate funding. In this regard, I welcome the agreement in July by Heads of State and Government on the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework and Next Generation EU Recovery Instrument, and I look forward to the timely conclusion of the next phase of discussions with the European Parliament.
901. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when new legislation on forestry will be brought forward. [24155/20]
View answerAt its meeting of 27 July, the Government approved my Memorandum seeking approval to draft an urgent amendment to the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 along the lines of the Heads of Bill presented. This will reform the forestry appeals process by bringing it into line with similar planning processes and is one of the commitments in the Programme for Government.
I have subsequently published the draft Bill for public consultation on 30 July for a four-week period with a closing date on Friday 28th August. My officials are currently reviewing nearly 9,000 submissions on the draft Bill received by the closing date and, in parallel, work is ongoing with the OPC on further drafting of the Bill with a view to its presentation to the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible.
902. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the food ombudsman will be set up; when farmers will feel the effects in terms of prices for produce; and if he has a strategy for the interim period. [24156/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to:
Ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain by establishing a new authority called the National Food Ombudsman (NFO) to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. This new authority will enforce EU-wide rules on prohibited unfair trading practices in the food supply chain and will have powers to enforce this Directive, penalising those who breach regulations. The NFO will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland.
Directive (EU) No. 2019/633, the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP Directive), must be transposed into Irish law by 1 May 2021. This can be done by way of a Statutory Instrument, but any measures that extend beyond the minimum harmonisation requirements of the UTP Directive will require primary legislation.
Therefore, I propose to adopt a two-step approach to this commitment.
Firstly, my officials are currently drafting a proposal for an Statutory Instrument to directly transpose the UTP Directive as it stands.
Secondly, the legal requirements for the establishment of a new Office of a Food Ombudsman are also being considered, including the requirement for primary legislation in order to give that Office additional powers going beyond those in the UTP Directive.
903. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to regularise the seaweed harvesting industry in a manner that protects traditional techniques of harvesting and supports the individual that harvests seaweed in this manner. [24157/20]
View answerThe Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility for the consent process under the Foreshore Act 1933 in relation to the harvesting of wild seaweed. I have no function in this matter.
904. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Teagasc is classified as a non-profit body; and if so, if the criteria for the classification will be provided. [24160/20]
View answerTeagasc is a non-commercial state body established under Section 3 of the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988, to perform the functions conferred on it by this Act in relation to the provision of research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food sector. Its mission is to support science-based innovation in the agri-food sector and the broader bioeconomy that will underpin profitability, competitiveness and sustainability.
As a public body, Teagasc is mainly state funded with the majority of funding coming from exchequer Grant in Aid. It also generates own income from the provision of research, advisory and training services; income from national and EU research programmes and revenue from farming activities etc.
Its financial statement is audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General's office. All revenues earned along with any surplus income generated is re-invested by the organization in pursuit of its public good strategies and programmes to support Irish food and agriculture within the framework of Government policies and priorities.
