Written Answers Nos. 783-797
784. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of additional staff or whole-time equivalents who have been sanctioned for the purposes of supporting the forest service and forestry appeals process. [28366/20]
View answerA number of additional staff have been appointed to improve the processing of licences by my Department this year including ecologists, forestry inspectors and new administrative staff. There have been six additional Departmental ecologists recruited this year. This means that there are now 14 whole-time equivalent ecologists working in forestry licensing, either as permanent staff members or as contract staff which is an increase from one full-time ecologist last year.
Furthermore, a competition has been concluded to recruit 13 new Forestry Inspectors, a majority of whom will be working in the licensing area.
The staffing of the Forestry Appeals Committee is kept under review, with plans to appoint extra resources shortly to allow the Committee to sit in divisions, as per the amendments recently introduced in the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2020. Additional administrative and technical support has been given to the FAC this year in order to assist with the increased number of appeals.
785. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which funding for the greyhound industry was spent in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, for example, the amount spent on welfare and on which initiatives, in tabular form. [28113/20]
View answerRásíocht Con Éireann 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. Rásíocht Con Éireann is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Monies from the Fund are provided to Rásíocht Con Éireann (RCE) under certain conditions as outlined below.
- RCE must comply with its obligations under legislation and the various codes, circulars and directives issued by Government and by my Department.
- In addition, RCE must comply with sections 14 & 15 of the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 which emphasise the link between funding and delivery on strategic plans, good governance and reporting.
- RCE must not enter into future significant capital commitments without the prior approval of my Department.
- RCE must not dispose of publicly funded assets without the prior approval of my Department.
Decisions on expenditure are a matter for the Board of RCE. However, funding is allocated under the following broad headings for the years outlined below.
|
Year |
Current Allocation €m |
Capital Allocation €m |
Historic Pension Liability |
Prize Money% of balance |
Operational grants to private tracks% of balance |
Regulatory & administrative costs of RCE and other statutory functions of Bord na gCon % of balance |
Welfare and IntegrityMinimum % of total Fund |
|
2015 |
12.556 |
0.044 |
€853k |
60 |
3 |
37 |
|
|
2016 |
14.756 |
0.044 |
€853k |
60 |
3 |
37 |
|
|
2017 |
15.956 |
0.044 |
€853k |
60 |
3 |
37 |
|
|
2018 |
15.956 |
0.044 |
€853k |
60 |
3 |
37 |
|
|
2019 |
16.756 |
0.044 |
€853k |
60 |
3 |
37 |
|
|
2020 |
16.756 |
0.044 |
€853k |
60 |
3 |
27 |
10 |
Spending by RCE on regulation, welfare and integrity measures is set out in its annual reports together with details of specific activities in these areas.
786. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans in place to ensure conformity of regulations between Ireland and Northern Ireland in view of proposed new EU regulations governing the purchase of veterinary medicines in respect of the availability and authorised dispensing of such products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28152/20]
View answer787. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure the continuation of the existing right of suitably qualified persons to sell veterinary medicines to farmers and not restrict such authorisation to qualified veterinarians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28153/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 786 and 787 together.
EU Regulation 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal products comes into effect in January 2022. This Regulation is binding in full and has direct effect on all Member States.
Two issues have now arisen
1. The new requirement under EU Law for a veterinary prescription to be issued before antiparasitic products can be dispensed and
2. The question as to whether Ireland can avail of a derogation in the Regulation which permits professionals other than veterinarians to issue veterinary prescriptions
In relation to the first issue, since 2004 European legislation established a requirement that all veterinary medicinal products that are intended for use in food-producing animals should be subject to a veterinary prescription. However, a 2006 EU Directive allowed for the maintenance of non-prescription status for certain veterinary medicinal products which did not present a risk to human or animal health or to the environment. Ireland availed of the exemption in Directive 2006/130/EC at the time and antiparasitics were allowed to continue to be available without prescription.
There is a similar exemption available under the new EU Regulation 2019/6. However, since that time, our knowledge regarding the impact of extensive use of antiparasitics has changed. In 2019, the Health Product Regulatory Authority’s (HPRA) Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) established a Task Force to review the method of supply of antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products that are intended for food-producing animals against the criteria set out in Regulation 2019/6. A copy of the Report is available on the HPRA’s website www.hpra.ie.
The Report states that the available scientific evidence shows that antiparasitic veterinary medicines that are intended for use in food-producing species do not comply with the criteria for derogation from veterinary prescription specified in EU Regulation 2019/6. Therefore, antiparasitic veterinary medicines must require a veterinary prescription before they can be dispensed from January 2022. Ireland has no national discretion on this issue.
On the second issue, there is a separate derogation in the Regulation, which allows professionals other than veterinarians to issue veterinary prescriptions, in limited circumstances, but only if this was provided for in a Member State's national legislation prior to Regulation 2019/6 coming into force in January 2019.
Ireland's national legislation has never permitted anyone other than a veterinarian to issue a veterinary prescription. Therefore, Ireland has no national discretion to now provide for a regime which would permit Responsible Persons in Licensed Merchants or pharmacists to dispense antiparasitic veterinary medicines without a veterinary prescription issued by a veterinarian.
Prior to January 2019, UK national legislation did provide for persons other than veterinarians (known as Suitably Qualified Persons) to issue veterinary prescriptions. Therefore Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) in Northern Ireland will be permitted under EU law to continue issuing veterinary prescriptions for antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products after January 2022. SQPs in Northern Ireland are not permitted to issue prescriptions to anyone from outside Northern Ireland.
In Ireland it is only legal to buy and use veterinary medicinal products obtained from suppliers who are licensed in accordance with national legislation. To do otherwise and to use unauthorised medicines in Ireland is a contravention to EU and Irish legislation and offending parties are subject to prosecution.
Across every economic activity, there are different laws and regulations that apply in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Authorities on both side of the border work in a cooperative manner to ensure national laws are respected.
I recognise these legislative changes will result in challenges for all impacted stakeholders. In recognition of this, my Department has established an Antiparasitic Resistance Stakeholder Group chaired by the Chief Veterinary Officer. Two meetings have been held to date and a programme of work containing over 30 antiparasitic related projects is currently underway. This group will examine all the issues related to the changed route of supply with two principal objectives:
- Protecting the efficacy of antiparasitics which are critical to the Irish pasture-based production model.
- Establishing a regulatory system that is pragmatic, retains a substantive role for existing stakeholders and delivers value for money for farmers
My Department is fully committed to working with all stakeholders in considering how best to implement the new EU Regulations on veterinary medicinal products. There is a dedicated email address allowing communications on the new Regulation: vetmedregs@agricuIture.gov.ie.
788. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of cattle that go down with TB and are actually that are found to have it when slaughtered in the factory; and the uses made of the meat from those animals. [28190/20]
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.
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.
At Post Mortem following slaughter, the handling of any bovine found to have TB is prescribed in EU Commission Regulation 2019/627 and is followed in all Food Businesses. The procedure is that all meat from animals in which post-mortem inspection has revealed localised lesions, similar to tuberculoid lesions, in a number of organs or a number of areas of the carcase, are declared unfit for human consumption. However, where a tuberculoid lesion has been found in the lymph nodes of only one organ or part of the carcase, only the affected organ or part of the carcase and the associated lymph nodes are declared unfit for human consumption.
789. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspectors in his Department employed as inspectors at meat processing and food processing facilities; and the full-year cost of their employment. [28196/20]
View answerInspectors are employed in a range of business areas throughout my Department in the areas of Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare, amongst others.
My Department is committed to the protection and safety of our food industry.
There are currently 50 Veterinary Inspectors employed by my Department as inspectors at meat and food processing facilities throughout the country. The total salary cost of these inspectors for the 12-month period from October 2019 to September 2020 is €4,443,300.72.
Veterinary Inspectors employed at meat and food processing facilities are supported by other staff, including Technical Agricultural Officers and Supervisory Agricultural Officers, as well as Temporary Veterinary Inspectors, engaged by the Department to undertake ante mortem and post mortem inspection services.
790. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants per county per year since 2015 for the organic farming scheme; the number of successful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28219/20]
View answerUnder Ireland's current Rural Development Plan (2014 -2020), a budget of €56m was allocated to fund the Organic Farming Schemes opened during this period. This is the largest allocation ever to an Organics support scheme. The amount of land under organic production has seen an increase of nearly 50% to nearly 74,000 hectares.
The Organic Farming Scheme accepted applications in 2015 and 2016 and was re-opened on a targeted basis in 2019.
The details of applicants who commenced in the Organic Farming Scheme is found below.
|
Year |
2015 |
2016 |
2019 |
2019 |
|
County |
Successful Applicants |
Successful Applicants |
Applications |
Successful Applicants |
|
Carlow |
3 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
46 |
14 |
14 |
1 |
|
Clare |
45 |
16 |
6 |
2 |
|
Cork |
127 |
49 |
15 |
9 |
|
Donegal |
27 |
17 |
9 |
1 |
|
Dublin |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Galway |
55 |
28 |
8 |
3 |
|
Kerry |
50 |
28 |
4 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
19 |
10 |
6 |
4 |
|
Kilkenny |
18 |
17 |
4 |
1 |
|
Laois |
21 |
18 |
7 |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
58 |
31 |
13 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
69 |
30 |
8 |
2 |
|
Longford |
20 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
|
Louth |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
24 |
15 |
8 |
2 |
|
Meath |
11 |
13 |
2 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
23 |
3 |
8 |
3 |
|
Offaly |
32 |
17 |
3 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
123 |
40 |
5 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
19 |
7 |
7 |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
67 |
40 |
13 |
7 |
|
Waterford |
16 |
9 |
2 |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
34 |
21 |
3 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
10 |
16 |
10 |
8 |
|
Wicklow |
16 |
13 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total |
937 |
465 |
167 |
60 |
All valid applications received in the 2015 and 2016 tranches were accepted.
791. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén fáth nár chuir a Roinn fáisnéis i nGaeilge ar fáil don phobal maidir leis an bpróiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí a bhain leis an Dréacht-Bhille Foraoiseachta (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 2020 chun go gcuirfí ar a gcumas a bheith rannpháirteach i nGaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [28280/20]
View answerTuigeann mo Roinn go maith na freagrachtaí atá uirthi faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus tá gach iarracht á dhéanamh chun a chinntiú go bhfuiltear ag comhlíonadh fhorálacha an Achta. De bharr práinn a bheith ag baint leis an reachtaíocht a ritheadh sa Dáil an 30 Meán Fómhair, an tAcht Foraoiseachta (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 2020 anois, b’éigean an fógra maidir leis an gcomhchomhairliúchán poiblí don dréachtreachtaíocht a fhoilsiú faoi ghéarphráinn chun go mbeadh an oiread ama is féidir ann don chomhchomhairliúchán poiblí agus faraor ní raibh dóthain ama ann an fógra maidir leis an gcomhchomhairliúchán poiblí a aistriú go Gaeilge. Rinneadh an tuarascáil ar thorthaí an comhchomhairliúcháin phoiblí a fhoilsiú i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge áfach agus tá sí le fáil ar láithreán gréasáin na Roinne ag an nasc seo a leanas: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/publicconsultation/ReportonConsultationProcessforForestryirish250920.pdf
Fuair mo Roinn beagnach 9,000 aighneacht le linn an phróisis comhchomhairliúcháin phoiblí le déanaí maidir leis an mBille chun an tAcht um Achomhairc Talmhaíochta a leasú, arb é sin an tAcht Foraoiseachta (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 2020 anois. Léiríonn an líon mór aiseolais a fuarthas go raibh rannpháirtíocht ghníomhach ann le linn thréimhse an chomhchomhairliúcháin phoiblí agus rinneadh aon aighneacht a fuarthas i nGaeilge a bhreithniú go hiomlán dar ndóigh mar chuid den phróiseas athbhreithnithe ar aighneachtaí.
792. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis carried out by his Department into the carbon sequestration potential of coniferous forests here; the comparative analysis his Department has carried out regarding the carbon sequestration potential of deciduous forests as opposed to coniferous forests here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28404/20]
View answerThere have been a number of scientific studies nationally and internationally which have examined the carbon sequestration potential of forests. Forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services which include carbon sequestration and storage. Irish forests are a net sink for CO2 and make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions each year.
Approximately every 5 years, my Department carry out a detailed national forest inventory which collects a wide range of data which is used to estimate and model the carbon stocks in Irish forests. It is estimated based on data collected that these forests removed on average 3.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere over the period 2007 to 2016. DAFM also estimate that the total carbon stock in Irish forests is approximately 312 million tonnes which includes the carbon stored in trees, soils, leaf litter, deadwood and roots. It is important to note that carbon stocks are dynamic and change as the forests matures, when new forests are planted and when trees are harvested. DAFM are currently carrying out the 4th national forest inventory and data collection will be completed in 2021. These national forest inventories are important as it provides data on a wide range of parameters which includes species composition, carbon stocks, including information on the health and vitality of the forest estate.
Forests are excellent at sequestering carbon dioxide however depending on the species some trees will remove carbon at different rates. Broadleaves and conifers sequester roughly the same carbon dioxide; the maximum value is approximately 150 tonnes of carbon per hectare but this is achieved in 75 years for spruce, compared to 180 years for oak. However, carbon sequestration does vary from year to year depending on management and soil type.
793. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of requests made to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, by other EU member states with regard to the application of penalty points to Irish sea-fishing boat licences in cases in which the licence holder was found to have carried out serious infringements of the Common Fisheries Policy in the territorial waters of other EU member states in each of the years 2011 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28405/20]
View answer794. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of occasions the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, has assigned penalty points to Irish sea-fishing boat licence holders which were found to have carried out serious infringements of the Common Fisheries Policy in Irish waters; the number of occasions the SFPA has assigned penalty points to foreign licence holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28406/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 793 and 794 together.
I should advise the Deputy that the monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as those referred to by the Deputy.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
795. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial supports available for farmers that wish to start snail farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28506/20]
View answerHelicicilture, more commonly known as snail farming, is a niche farming concept. Climatic conditions in Ireland are suitable for year round snail breeding and Bord Bia conducted research in 2018 which showed the strong export market potential for snails, particularly in Europe.
Farmers interested in snail farming may wish to refer to the helpful guidance document on snail farming produced by Teagasc which is available on their website at https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2017/Snail-Farming-Fact-Sheet-17.pdf.
Furthermore, advisory support for those looking to diversify their enterprise is available through the Teagasc ‘Options for Farm Families Programme’ and interested farmers should contact their local Teagasc office, details of which are available on their website: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/rural-economy/organics/Options-2020-Flyer.pdf. Teagasc recommends that potential snail farmers visit a commercial snail farm and get involved in a course, prior to investing any resources.
To register as a snail farmer, you must obtain a herd number for your holding (land used for farming purposes) from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Snail farmers who intend to process snails must be registered as a snail farmer with their local Department Regional Veterinary Office (https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/contact/regionalveterinaryoffices) and they must also be registered as a meat establishment with the Department’s Meat Hygiene Division.
There are currently no schemes under the Rural Development Programme to support snail farming. However, the Deputy may also wish to note that snail farming may benefit from wider supports such as the Enterprise Ireland's Innovation Voucher Scheme for which the Teagasc’ Food Research centres are Knowledge Providers. This scheme awards vouchers of €5,000 to small companies who have a business opportunity or problem. The voucher can be exchanged for advice and expertise. Further details can be found on their website https://www.teagasc.ie/food/research-and-innovation/research-areas/food-industry-development/information-and-marketing-supports/innovation-voucher-scheme.
796. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the dredging of Howth harbour; if it remains his intention to lodge a planning application for the Howth dredging project in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28514/20]
View answerHowth Fishery Harbour Centre (FHC) is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.
Siltation in Howth Harbour has been recognised as an issue for some time, and the requirement for a dredging project to restore adequate depth in the entrance channel and within the harbour is accepted. The Harbour was last dredged in the early 1980’s. A number of investigative and preparatory works and initiatives have been undertaken over the last few years in respect of a potential dredging project in Howth FHC.
A final site investigation report was received in October 2016 and has been assessed by my Department's Engineers. This report included vital information on the nature and amount of the material to be dredged. The Department also appointed Consulting Engineers in 2016 to advise on a number of possible developments in Howth, including a dredging project. A final report was issued from the Consulting Engineers in late October 2017 which confirmed that the concentrations of contaminants in the sediment to be dredged are such that while the material cannot be considered inert, it can be classified as non-hazardous. This means that dumping at sea will not be permitted, which in turn has a significant effect on the project cost.
Department Engineers subsequently met with Fingal County Council, to review possible operational and permitting requirements. Engagement with the Council is ongoing in regard to exploring disposal options for the dredged material. It is my Department’s view that an option to re-use the dredged material to the west of the West Pier as part of the methodology for the project is the most effective and efficient option.
It is estimated that circa 225,000 cubic metres of silt will need to be removed from the harbour in the event that a full harbour dredge is undertaken and, for illustration purposes, this is equated to an estimated 20,000-30,000 possible truck movements. It is also the position that if the option to re-use the material is not possible, the potential costs of the project increase significantly and the overall scope of the project would have to be re-examined.
The project itself will require Planning Permission, an Environmental Impact Statement and a Waste License which are being progressed. The permitting process is likely to take up to 24 months. A variety of factors will impact on the cost of a potential dredging project, including the disposal options, overall scale of the project, and market factors.
The Department went to tender on the 3rd of October 2018 for a Consulting Engineering practice to bring the project through the planning, environmental permitting and design phase, and should a decision be made to progress the project, this consultant will also be responsible for the supervision of onsite works. The successful tender was commissioned for these works on the 19th of December 2018.
Site investigation works are being undertaken, as are technical and environmental impact assessments; however the COVID19 pandemic has had a significant effect on the ability to complete the research and investigation works. These works are required as part of an overall planning application submission.
Overall our Capital Programme in 2020 has been affected by both the COVID19 pandemic and other contractual issues and I am now taking time to assess the implications of these issues going forward before making further commitments.
As is the case with all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, any future decision with regard to initiating a full dredging project in Howth FHC will only be considered on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing national priorities.
797. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if dedicated sector-specific supports will be provided to the forestry sector in view of the impact of Covid-19 on same. [28588/20]
View answerThe Government has introduced a number of measures to make it easier for all businesses impacted by COVID 19 related issues to access finance. The COVID 19 Credit Guarantee Scheme is designed to incentivise finance providers to continue to support economic activity by providing liquidity and finance agreements to businesses. The Scheme is targeted towards businesses which have experienced an adverse impact of minimum 15% in actual or projected turnover or profit due to the impact of COVID 19 and have difficulties in accessing credit.
The CCGS will provide an 80% State-backed guarantee on bank lending to SMEs until the end of this year, for terms between 3 months and 6 years, i.e. the State will take 80% of the losses incurred on defaults. The CGS will be administered for the State by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and SMEs will be able to go directly to the banks, and the guarantee can be used for a wide range of lending products between €10,000 and €1 million, for terms between 3 months and 6 years. It will be available to all SME sectors, including companies operating in the forest sector.
Furthermore, as part of the Government’s response to counter the economic impact of the coronavirus, the Brexit Loan Scheme was repurposed as the €250million Covid-19 Working Capital Loan Scheme, which is open to SMEs and mid-caps (i.e. up to 500 employees). An additional €125 million (bringing the total to €375 million) has been announced and is currently being put in place by SBCI.
The COVID-19 Business Loan from Microfinance Ireland supports small businesses through the current challenges and protect job creation and sustainment in Ireland. Businesses that have experienced a reduction of 15% or more in turnover or profit, and is unable to secure finance from banks and commercial lending providers can access the MFI COVID-19 Business Loan. Loans can be used for working capital or changes required by the business to manage COVID19. Loans of between €5,000 to €25,000 can be secured at an interest rate of 0% interest and zero repayments for the first six months.
These supports are, of course, in additon to the employment subsidy supports available to all employers in Ireland.
