Written Answers Nos. 882-901
882. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department engaged in consultation with the EU Commission regarding the recent limited EU-US trade deal which plans remove tariffs on American lobster imported to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25067/20]
View answerThe Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has the lead role in considering trade deals and their impact on the Irish economy. My Department is liaising with the relevant officials in that Department in this regard and has raised queries with the European Commission in relation to its assessment of the impact of the deal on EU producers of lobster to ensure that the value of this seafood product to Ireland and other EU countries is fully understood and recognised.
883. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department engaged in consultation with the fishing industry here regarding the recent limited EU-US trade deal which plans to remove tariffs on American lobster imported to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25068/20]
View answerThe Chair of the National Inshore Fisheries Forum has formally written to invite me to meet with the Forum which represents the the small scale coastal fleet for whom lobster is a key product. I look forward to meeting with the Forum at the earliest mutually convenient opportunity.
In the meantime, my Department has recently provided the Forum with an update on Ireland's engagement to date on the proposed trade deal.
884. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding spent by Bord Bia on the promotion of Irish beef in each of the past five years; the specific funding spent on the promotion of suckler beef in each corresponding year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25111/20]
View answerBord Bia is the State Body charged with promotion and marketing of Irish food, drink and horticulture products. A total Grant sum is allocated annually to Bord Bia by my Department. For 2020, the total grant in aid is €48.2 million. The final sums allocated in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were €33.2m, €41.1m, €41.3m and €46.6m respectively. The grant allocation to Bord Bia has increased since 2016, as part of my Department's response to the challenges posed for the Irish agri-food sector by the UK's decision to exit the EU.
The specific query raised by the Deputy is an operational one for Bord Bia, and the Deputy may wish to contact them directly for details of specific funding campaigns. However, I am aware that Bord Bia has submitted an application to the EU for a 3 year co-funded promotional campaign for suckler beef with a value of €3.2m. This programme targets Germany and Italy as destination markets. This campaign is presently under competitive consideration by the EU Commission and, if successful, would commence in 2021.
885. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if she will provide details of the correspondence between Meat Industry Ireland and his Department about clusters of Covid-19 in plants and potential closures of plants between 1 March and 16 September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25197/20]
View answerMyself, my predecessors and my officials have had regular meetings with Meat Industry Ireland, and indeed with the other food industry representatives, in the course of the pandemic. At all meetings, it was emphasised that Industry’s priority must be the safeguarding of human health and following HSE guidelines at all levels of operation. The first of these meetings was on 11 March and they have continued on a regular basis since then.
886. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a requirement to have a deep clean carried out in a meat processing facility in which staff members have had a positive Covid-19 test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25223/20]
View answerMy Department is contributing to the whole-of-Government response to managing outbreaks of Covid -19 in food plants. In the context of Covid-19, human health must be the absolute priority for all of us, and therefore it is vitally important that all our decisions and actions led by public health advice.
My Department’s statutory responsibility in relation to meat processing establishments is to ensure that these premises operate in compliance with the EU’s food hygiene legislation, animal health and animal welfare standards. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, my Department is participating in the HSE-chaired National Standing Committee on high risk settings, which meets on an ongoing basis to review existing protocols and compliance measures, and to identify any additional control measures required. My Department is also supporting the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority in monitoring the effective implementation of all relevant Covid-19 guidance in DAFM-approved food plants.
There is no room for complacency with regard to the threat posed by Covid-19, and my Department is continually engaged with industry to ensure that the basic measures are implemented correctly – for example, ensuring that workers are reminded on a daily basis of public health guidance, in a range of languages, screening questions and temperature check on entry every day, social distancing in canteens and locker rooms, adequate PPE for all workers, etc.
Food plants already operate to very high standards as regards cleaning and disinfection for food hygiene purposes. The HSE guidelines for meat plants do not include a specific requirement to sanitise a plant in the context of COVID-19 positive cases. However, Food Plants like other businesses must comply with the HSE Guidance for Business and Retail Sectors which include provisions for cleaning premises where there are suspected or confirmed cases of Covid19. The Local Outbreak Team may also apply further directions.
887. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the spread of ash dieback disease here; the measures being taken to combat the disease; his plans for awareness campaigns in relation to the disease; the funding that has been provided for third-level institutions or researchers in relation to the disease; and the assessments that have been done in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25232/20]
View answerIn April 2018, my Department started a review of the national response to Ash Dieback Disease as it was increasingly evident from experience and the latest scientific advice that eradication of Ash Dieback disease was no longer feasible. This included a stakeholder and public consultation period, detailed field consideration of damage level evaluation together with a broader range of silvicultural and management options with the assistance of Teagasc and international experts.
The result of this review was a new support scheme for affected landowners called the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme or RUS which opened in June, 2020. This provided owners affected by the disease a suite of options that will give the opportunity to recover the maximum economic value possible from their affected ash plantations. Following the launch of the revised supports to ash plantation owners including the new Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme DAFM will include details of these new supports in its seasonal promotional and publicity material on available grants and schemes to owners. In addition training is being organised for the sector around the detail of the new RUS scheme and damage level assessment.
In 2019, the Minister awarded a co-funded DAFM, DAE Northern Ireland, project NEXCELSIOR to investigate strategies for managing ash forests (infected and at-risk) under Irish conditions. Identifying key knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of alternative management strategies and their effect on (i) wood quality degradation, (ii) impact of other pathogens with ash dieback infected trees, and (iii) pathogen spread in relation to management regime and microclimate.
The group including Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin and AFBI Northern Ireland recognise that an all-Ireland approach is required to address its management. The overall aim of NEXCELSIOR is to develop evidence-based guidance for foresters to minimise the impact of the disease and to maximise the recovery of timber or other products/services and preserve ash as a component in Irish forests. Involvement of stakeholders from industry, government and NGOs will contribute to developing this guidance. DAFM awarded €132,600 with DEARA contributing an additional €132,600 in the cross border fund.
888. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the introduction of a new early retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25237/20]
View answerIn recent years, the priority of my Department has shifted to the encouragement of generational change for farmers by assisting the development of our young farmers. There is a range of supports in place including specific agri-taxation measures to incentivise this generational change. The agri-taxation measures specifically aimed at young farmers include 100% stock relief on income tax for certain young trained farmers and stamp duty exemption on transfers of land to young trained farmers.
Under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, there is also an enhanced capital investment Scheme for young trained farmers under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes. This Scheme provides them with grant aid at a rate of 60% of the cost of the investment, compared to the standard grant rate of 40%, and I believe it is an important support and encouragement to young farmers starting in agriculture for the first time.
Generational renewal continues to be a priority for my Department and will form an important part of the CAP post-2020. My Department and I are actively engaging with other Member States and the EU on these issues during the current negotiations on new CAP proposals. We can then consider in more detail when we have the final EU Regulations as part of the wider consideration of all proposals for the next CAP.
889. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the CAP pillar 1 payments to each farmer by county and category (details supplied), in tabular form. [25307/20]
View answerIn accordance with EU Regulation 1306/2013, my Department is obliged to ensure annual ex-post publication of all of the beneficiaries of CAP funding, both legal and non-legal persons. The database was published on 29th May this year and is available on the Department’s website.
I attach herewith a copy of the requested data, all of which can be sourced on the afore-mentioned database.
890. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of the lobster industry here in terms of landings by weight and value to ports and lobster export value in view of the recent announcement on the removal of tariffs on lobster imported from the United States of America; the number of vessels engaged in the fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25332/20]
View answerLike many elements of Irish seafood, the lobster fishery relies on a healthy export market. BIM’s Business of Irish Seafood report, which is available online, values Irish lobster exports in 2019 at €15m and quantifies landings of 100 tonnes by the Irish Fishing Fleet in 2019.
Lobster is a particularly important species for the inshore fishing fleet and is fished predominantely using pots right around the coast. Any Irish sea-fishing boat with the appropriate licence conditions is eligible to fish for lobster. The Report of the Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats for 2019 indicates that this may number up to 1,400 vessels. However, these vessels are also eligible to fish for certain other species and the business model varies from boat to boat.
891. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to harmonise brown crab export health certificate requirements across Europe for the export of crab to China to ensure a level playing field for fishers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25333/20]
View answerThe Deputy should be aware that China, as a third country, outside of the European Union, sets its own health standards for incoming food products and notifies the WTO of the standards in place. I understand that the Chinese authorities have recently launched a consultation on the health standards that will apply for crab as a food product and my Department is actively examining what the potential change may mean for trade in Irish crab products.
With regard to harmonising health certificate requirements for Member States of the European Union with third countries, EU Regulation 625/2017 (Official Controls Regulation) sets down the requirements which the competent authorities in each Member State must meet. As with other areas of European law, the European Commission conducts audits or inspections to ensure the national authorities are fulfilling their legal obligations.
892. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Teagasc has carried out research and evaluations on the advantages and disadvantages on the use of anaerobic and biogas systems to Ireland for the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; if so, if he will provide the research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25411/20]
View answerTeagasc considered bioenergy production including anaerobic digestion and biogas as part of its MACC report published in 2018 (see link below).
There is currently research underway in Teagasc to optimise the biomass production for feed stocks that meet the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive. In addition, Teagasc, in collaboration with NUI Galway, are also carrying out collaborative research investigating the optimisation of the digestion process to increase gas yields per unit of feedstock, to further improve the economic viability of biogas production.
www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/An-Analysis-of-Abatement-Potential-of-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions-in-Irish-Agriculture-2021-2030.pdf.
893. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is actively considering anaerobic and biogas systems as a means by which Ireland can meet its EU Nitrates Directive and EU Water Framework Directive obligations in view of the impact they have in addressing both nitrate emissions and environmental impact on watercourses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25412/20]
View answerMy Department recognises the potential environmental benefits of using Anaernobic Digestion (AD), including climate mitigation, water quality and air quality.
The AD industry in Ireland is at an early stage of development compared to the more established industry in many European countries. Potential for the growth of the AD sector in Ireland is strong but it should be seen as a long term development. Research suggests that there is potential for a significant role for biogas / bio-methane in the decarbonisation of the heat and transport sectors with corresponding climate benefits.
The Nitrates Directive is one of the 11 key Directives encompassed by the Water Framework Directive and is the main agricultural measure included in River Basin Management Plan. Ireland operates the EU Nitrates Directive on a whole territory basis through the implementation of the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) or Nitrates Regulations (Statutory Instrument No. 605 of 2017). The GAP Regulations provide a considerable environmental baseline which all Irish farmers must achieve and by doing this, Irish farmers are contributing to the sector’s WFD obligations regarding the protection of water quality. The Department of Housing, Planning and Heritage is the lead authority for these regulations with a major role played by DAFM.
The current Nitrates Action Programme is in place to the end of 2021. Ireland will commence shortly a preliminary consultation to review the next Nitrates Action Programme. It is planned to undertake a final consultation with all stakeholders in 2021. The outcome of the review will have to be agreed at a national level and be presented to the EU Commission for approval. The next NAP is anticipated for implementation in January 2022. The review of the NAP will have to consider wider strategic policies such as the Green Deal, Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies and the bio-circular economy.
894. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of anaerobic and biogas systems are currently in operation by sector, that is, pork, dairy, poultry, organic and others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25413/20]
View answer895. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if projections have been made on the number of anaerobic and biogas systems that will be developed over the next five to ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25414/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 894 and 895 together.
Indigenous renewable energy plays a vital role in our domestic fuel mix and will become even more important in the context of reducing our reliance on imported fuels and in meeting our challenging renewable energy targets for 2020 and 2030 and decarbonising our energy systems by 2050.
My Department is committed to working closely with the Department for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, which is the lead Department in this area, to ensure that the supply of domestic fuels available in the forest and agriculture sectors are mobilised to support energy generation from a range of bioenergy technologies including Anaerobic Digestion.
My Department has a key regulatory role to play when an operator is using animal-by-products as feedstock for Anaerobic Digestion and currently there are 12 Biogas Plants approved to operate using this material as a feed stock. A further two plants are at an advanced stage in the approval process, one plant is at the early stages of the planning process and my officials are dealing with a number of preliminary enquiries.
The approval to operate an anaerobic digestion plant under the EU Animal By-Products Regulations is not specific to any particular sector as most of the plants use a range of animal by products and non-animal by products for feedstock including poultry litter and other manure from farmed animals, former food stuffs including milk cheese and other foods of animal origin.
896. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a veterinarian will be present on all live export consignments to third countries in accordance with commitments made in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25509/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits the Government to “provide additional resources to monitor welfare standards, by increasing the veterinary presence available on all live export consignments to third countries”.
You can be assured that my officials will be working on the implementation of this commitment on an ongoing basis. My Department continues to evaluate and modify its export control systems as and when appropriate.
897. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the views of a number of animal welfare groups on the shipment and quarantining of live animals from here to Libya could contravene EU rules on protecting transported live animals to third countries; his views on such concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25513/20]
View answerThe export of animals is a critical part of Ireland’s livestock industry. It plays a significant role in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri-sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards. In 2019, the combined total value of animal exports to the Irish economy was €167 million.
The vast majority of animals moved are for trade within the EU. A smaller proportion are exported to non-EU countries. All live export shipments from Ireland are conducted in full compliance with legislative requirements. My Department implements a stringent system of controls on the welfare of animals being exported, in particular, through a comprehensive legislative framework relating to the transport of animals by sea (The Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 (S.I. 356 of 2016).
Cattle being exported are monitored during the prescribed isolation period by Department Veterinary Inspectors and, in some cases, by Official Veterinarians from the importing countries. This is in addition to work carried out by Private Veterinary Practitioners who carry out the testing required prior to export to enable certification. Animals are inspected and certified by Official Veterinarians from the Department with regard to their health status and fitness for travel.
All proposed journeys must be notified to the Regional Veterinary Office at least 48 hours in advance, and veterinary certification will only be provided where the journey complies with all animal transport regulations.
Ireland continues to work closely with other EU Member State and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) with a view to improving animal welfare practices worldwide. In this regard, Ireland has reaffirmed its on-going commitment to animal welfare through additional OIE multi-annual financial assistance (€75,000 per annum over the period 2017-20) to support its activities directed towards enhancing animal welfare worldwide.
898. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of planting 125,000 hectares of foresting with a mixture of broad leaf and native species. [25516/20]
View answerThe Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme offers a fixed grant towards the costs, subject to the maximum laid down in the Scheme’s terms and conditions. In addition, annual premiums are payable on new forests that qualify for an afforestation grant for a maximum period of 15 years.
The Scheme offers 12 different grant and premiums categories (GPC) based on different species options. Grants are payable in two instalments; on initial afforestation along with the first year’s premium and the remaining instalment four years later. It is worth noting that all GPCSs have a mandatory 15% broadleaf element.
In calculating the costs the Deputy has requested, the percentage of forestry planted in each of the broadleaf and native species GPCs in 2019 was applied to planting 125,000ha. Therefore, the total grant payable would be €723.04m; the total first premium would be €80.09m. The additional premiums payable annually for up to 15 years would cost €1,113.57m. The total outlay for 125,000ha of new afforestation would be €1,916.71m.
899. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that livestock vessels (details supplied) which were awarded certificates of approvals in Ireland in early 2020 were already under approval in Romania and that this is a potential breach of Article 19 of EU Regulation 1/2005 which may invalidate the certificates of approval in Ireland; if and when this was rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25648/20]
View answerMy Department is aware of the issue in relation to the certificates of approval of the vessels in question, which was an administrative matter and did not impact on the welfare of animals. The issue was resolved in April 2020.
The Department has now updated the procedure for issuing certificates of approval for the dedicated livestock vessels.
Article 1(3) of Council Regulation 1/2005 states:
“This Regulation shall not be an obstacle to any stricter national measures aimed at improving the welfare of animals during transport taking place entirely within the territory of a Member State or during sea transport departing from the territory of a Member State”
Stricter provisions have indeed been set down in national law and the approval process provided in S.I. 356 of 2016 S.I. No. 356/2016 - Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016. This is now a separate approval process to approval under S.I. 675 of 2006 European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations.
If an application complies with the requirements of S.I. 675 of 2006 but does not comply with the requirements of S.I. 356 of 2016, the vessel will not be approved for departure from Ireland.
900. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands her plans to reintroduce the CLÁR group water top up that was part of the CLÁR programme until 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25101/20]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. As the Deputy is aware, no funding was available for new applications under the programme between 2010 and 2016 due to constraints on the public finances.
Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a range of different Measures including:
- Safety measures around schools and community facilities
- Outdoor play facilities
- Local access roads
- Targeted community infrastructure needs
- First response support measures
- Support for mobility and cancer care transport
- Community wellbeing supports
- Community recreation areas
- Meals on wheels and linked services.
This year's programme places a particular focus on supporting CLÁR communities to deal with the impact of COVID-19 in their areas. At present, I have no plans to reintroduce a group water top-up to the programme.
A review of the CLÁR programme is currently underway and this review will examine a number of issues which will inform the future direction of the programme, including the implications of 2016 Census of Population data on CLÁR areas, and whether factors other than depopulation should be considered as part of the eligibility criteria.
This review will also help to determine the most appropriate measures to be included in CLÁR programmes in the future.
901. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands her plans to reintroduce measure 1V of the CLÁR scheme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25102/20]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. As the Deputy is aware, no funding was available for new applications under the programme between 2010 and 2016 due to constraints on the public finances.
Since the programme was relaunched in 2016 it has supported a range of different Measures, including the First Response Support Measure which I understand is the Measure referred to in the Deputy's question.
The First Response Support Measure provided funding for vehicles and equipment directly involved in emergency rescue or first response efforts. Funding of approximately €2.8m was provided for 144 projects under the First Response Measure from 2017 to 2019.
The Measures to be included in the CLÁR Programme are reviewed and revised each year. In 2020, new Measures have been introduced to support CLÁR communities to deal with the impact of COVID-19 in their areas. As a result, funding is not being provided for the First Response Support Measure in 2020.
I will keep the position in respect of funding for the First Response Support Measure under review in 2021.
