Written Answers Nos. 1548-1565
1548. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the numbers in the national dairy herd have altered in the past ten years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33812/20]
View answerData on the national herd are published twice yearly by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on the basis of two categories; dairy and other cows. The following table details the number of dairy cows in Ireland using final data extracted from the CSO June Livestock Survey. Figures presented have been rounded to the nearest decimal point.
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
(000 Head) Dairy Cows* |
1,071 |
1,117 |
1,141 |
1,163 |
1,226 |
1,296 |
1,398 |
1,433 |
1,481 |
1,505 |
*Dairy cows are those kept principally to produce milk for human consumption.
Provisional figures for the June 2020 Livestock Survey estimate the dairy cow numbers at 1,568 (000 Head) representing a 4.2% increase over 2019.
1549. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied in respect of markets for all dairy produce in the post-Brexit era; the measures taken to find new markets if necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33813/20]
View answerMarkets for Irish dairy produce, despite significant challenges faced in recent years, in particular the impact of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, continue to perform strongly. My Department remains extremely vigilant in monitoring the current market and emerging trends, and engaging with the industry to ensure a continued strong performance.
In 2019, Ireland exported dairy products to approximately 140 countries totalling over a billion worth of produce. This represented 9.9% growth by value and 12.4% growth by volume compared to 2018. Certification of dairy exports continued to grow in 2019 with the issue of 29,253 certifications. Despite the challenge posed by Covid-19 throughout 2020, and its pressure on foodservice, export market indicators remain positive with figures showing an increase in the exports of dairy products for the first 8 months of 1.4% by value or €61 million.
Irish dairy products have a highly-rated and hard-earned reputation in terms of quality, safety and sustainability, and this gives them a competitive edge in markets over the world. My Department, in conjunction with other stakeholders, including the Irish dairy companies and agencies such as Bord Bia, are playing a key role in building the market for Irish dairy, including through a series of 'virtual' trade missions planned for this month.
The long-term fundamentals of the global dairy market are strong, with growing global demand projected from emerging economies with increasing middle classes and demand for protein. There is continued confidence that the Irish and EU dairy sector is well placed to gain from the opportunity presented by expanding global demand. My Department has engaged and will continue to engage with stakeholders on these and other important issues.
1550. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied in respect of markets for all beef and beef products in the post-Brexit era; the measures taken to find new markets if necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33814/20]
View answerMy Department, together with Bord Bia and Ireland’s diplomatic network, works continuously to open new markets and enhance market access for Irish beef to markets outside the EU. Our approach to market development is a combination of targeted research, high-level diplomacy, consultation with important agri-food stakeholders and co-operation with officials in competent authorities abroad. This approach serves to make the most effective use of available resources and to maximise opportunities for market access.
Since the Brexit vote in 2016, this focus on market development has produced a number of notable achievements. Agreement has been secured for the export of beef to several new third country markets, including: China, Ukraine, Qatar, Kuwait and Barbados. Furthermore, during this period, enhanced beef access was agreed with the US, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, Israel, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
The diversification of available markets for Irish beef exports is reflected in the latest available CSO trade figures; between 2016 and 2019, the value of Irish beef going to third country markets increased by nearly 65%, while their share of overall beef exports increased from 6% to over 10%. While the UK remains the biggest destination market for Irish beef, for sound market reasons, the growth seen in exports to third countries demonstrates the positive impact of my Department’s market development endeavours.
Gaining access for industry is usually the culmination of a lengthy process requiring sustained engagement with importing countries to build trust and confidence in our food production systems. My Department will continue to prioritise the development of overseas markets for Irish beef, which were worth €2.3 billion to the Irish economy in 2019.
1551. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the overseas market for Irish lamb in the future notwithstanding Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33815/20]
View answerThe future prospects of Irish lamb exports in overseas market are statisfactory. Of the four major meat species exported from Ireland, the sheepmeat trade is the least reliant on the UK market. In 2019, according to CSO data, 71% of sheepmeat products in value terms were exported to the EU, 20% to the UK and 9% was exported to third country markets. In volume terms, France was the main destination for sheepmeat products.
As with other meat commodities, my officials continue to work towards opening new outlets for sheepmeat and enhancing existing access to as many markets as possible. This development and diversification strategy remains central to our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit. It is also consistent with the overarching Food Wise sectoral strategy and the seven-point action plan on market access that has been operational since April 2017. In July 2019, for example, sheepmeat access to the Japanese market was finalised. Once a market has been opened for high-quality Irish lamb, it is up to industry, with the support of my Department and Bord Bia, to exploit the opportunities created as trading conditions permit.
The long-term fundamentals of global meat markets are strong, with growing global demand projected from emerging economies with increasing middle classes and demand for protein. The Irish food industry is well positioned to gain from the opportunities presented by expanding global demand, underpinned by the success of the overseas market development efforts of my Department, Bord Bia, the Irish embassy network, and those of the Irish food industry. My Department has engaged and will continue to engage with stakeholders on these and other important issues.
1552. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied in respect of markets for all poultry and poultry products in the post-Brexit era; the measures taken to find new markets if necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33816/20]
View answerAs a value-for-money source of protein-rich food, poultrymeat has seen an increase in demand in recent years. Ireland exports poultry to over 30 countries worldwide. According to the latest CSO trade figures, the volume of poultry exports rose by 8,000 tonnes to 144,000 tonnes in 2019.
The overall value of Irish poultry exports increased by 12% between 2016 and 2019. While the UK remained the single biggest destination market for Irish poultry exports, this trade has undergone some diversification with the value of poultry going to third country markets almost doubling in the same period. Egg exports have grown by 45% in value in the last four years.
As the end of the Brexit transition period approaches, my Department continues to actively pursue the opening of new markets and the enhancement of existing ones. My Department works closely with stakeholders, and is guided by Bord Bia research, in targeting its market access efforts. At present, my Depratment is seeking access to new markets such as Japan and South Korea for poultry and to Singapore for table eggs.
1553. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures taken to date to ensure the minimum disruption of overseas markets for Irish pigmeat and pigmeat products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33817/20]
View answerMeasures to further develop and diversify markets for Irish pigmeat and pigmeat products are undoubtedly the most effective means of maintaining stable export flows and minimising trade disruption.
Increasing international market access for Irish agri-food exports is a core element of Food Wise 2025, the strategic framework for developing the overall agri-food sector. The strategy recognises that market entry and penetration is essential to ensure a fair return for primary producers of all meat species. The market development part of the strategy is being implemented by a seven-point action plan launched in April 2017. This plan has been activated through a series of actions undertaken in conjunction with Bord Bia and our overseas embassy network. Progress on action plan goals and objectives is reviewed on an ongoing basis by my Department's internal High-Level Market Access Committee.
Pigmeat is the fourth most valuable export of Irish agri-food sector after dairy, beef and beverages. During 2019, Ireland exported pigmeat to over 50 different countries with international markets accounting for approximately one-third of Irish pigmeat exports in value terms. Currently, Irish pigmeat can be exported to a range of international markets including China, Japan, South Korea, the USA and Canada, and most recently, Mexico, which opened to Irish pigmeat exports in May 2020.
The short-term outlook for pigmeat markets will be influenced by global supply and demand dynamics as well as by potential further market disturbance caused by the pandemic and the effect of ongoing uncertainty around Brexit. Nevertheless, my Department will continue to support the Irish pigmeat sector and facilitate its development by prioritising market access both through maintaining existing markets and pursuing access to new ones.
1554. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent of measures taken to protect the integrity of Irish food exports post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33818/20]
View answerDeveloping and increasing third country market access and ensuring the highest standard of food production have long been integral parts of my Department’s strategy for the development of the Irish Agri-food sector. The challenges posed by Brexit have required an increased emphasis on third country market access in order to protect the Agri food sector, given our exposure to the UK market.
Irish agri-food exports continue to grow, with total exports in 2019 of €14.5 billion, an increase of 6% on 2018. It has, and always will be the case, that the integrity of these exports is of paramount importance to Ireland’s reputation globally, and this will remain so post-Brexit.
Trade missions will continue to play a key role in the market advancement of Irish agri-food produce. Of course, with the on-going pandemic, our traditional "in person" method of connecting and developing trade links with new and existing customers is not feasible. To that end, my Department, in collaboration with Bord Bia, is holding a series of Ministerial Virtual Trade Missions to a number of Asian countries shortly.
Minister Heydon and I, again in conjunction with Bord Bia, are also currently involved in a series of virtual meetings across priority markets with key international customers.
Regardless of the outcome of the trade negotiations between the EU and the UK, from 1 January 2021, things will change for our agri-food industry. Irish exporters to the UK will have to comply with UK import requirements from 1 January 2021. Whilst my Department has put in place resources to meet the challenges posed by Brexit, including challenges associated with the provision of export certification to the UK post-transition, we await further clarity from the UK Government on the specific export health certificates that will be required.
1555. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that EU standards in respect of all food products on sale here will apply post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33819/20]
View answerRegardless of the outcome of the trade negotiations between the EU and the UK, from 1 January 2021, things will change for our agri-food industry, particularly for importers and exporters of agri-food products, who will have to comply with new customs and regulatory requirements.
EU legislation requires that sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls, in the form of documentary, identity and physical checks must be carried out on imports of animals, plants, and products of animal and plant origin from Great Britain.
Primary responsibility for compliance with EU standards in respect of food products rests with the food business operator.
My Department, in conjunction with other Agencies and Authorities, will ensure that the necessary controls are conducted in a manner that ensures the minimum possible disruption to trade flows but also ensures compliance with EU regulations.
1556. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will allow flexibility with BDGP targets in view of the fact that normal livestock trading has been put into chaos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33826/20]
View answerFor 2020, a key requirement of the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP) I is that participants must ensure that at least 50% of their reference animals are genotyped heifers/eligible suckler cows and rated 4/5 stars on the replacement index. Under BDGP II, which commenced in 2017, the female replacement requirement is 20% of their reference animals. This was clearly set out in the terms and conditions of the BDGP at the outset of the six year programme and was also included in the mandatory training module that each participant was required to attend at the start of the Programme.
Since 2017, ICBF have posted regular “BDGP Eligibility” reports to participants after each genomic evaluation run to give herd owners an up to date picture of where their herds stood in relation to programme targets. Since 2019, the evaluation reports have issued every two months. Therefore, participants could track their progress in meeting their targets over the six years of the programme.
Further supports have been put in place more recently in order to assist participants in meeting this requirement. These included targeted letters and direct phone calls to individual participants by ICBF to offer advice on the best course of action. A ‘Mart Tracker’ app was made available by ICBF which allows farmers see the numbers of genotyped 4/5 star females being traded through marts every day. ICBF, in conjunction with the Department and ICOS, has assisted marts to arrange special sales of genotyped 4/5 star females. Herds with surplus females and herds that needed to purchase these animals were notified of these sales. Ongoing consultation with agricultural consultants by DAFM staff has also been in place.
It has also been agreed that heifers qualifying as 4/5 star in the upcoming November evaluations can be considered for eligibility.
The requirement in question are is a core element of compliance with the terms and conditions of the programme and delivery is essential in order to underpin payment. It is therefore not intended to alter the requirements in relation to this element of the scheme
1557. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will allow livestock marts to take place with buyers present during level 5 restrictions with adequate precautions in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33827/20]
View answerSince the beginning of the Covid crisis, my Department has worked intensively, in cooperation with marts representative organisations, to ensure that marts may remain in operation. My Department has adapted the conditions under which marts must operate since April, to reflect the various measures introduced by the Government to stop the spread of Covid, and to allow marts to continue to operator.
I would like to commend the representative organisations for this good and necessary cooperation. I would like to commend also the marts themselves, and farmers around the country, for the resilience they have shown in the face of Covid, and the speed with which they have adapted to the new circumstances.
On 19 October, the Taoiseach announced that the whole country would move to Level 5 of the Framework for Living with COVID-19 for a period of 6 weeks, starting midnight on Wednesday, the 21 October. This decision was made on foot of strong evidence presented to the Government of a potentially grave situation arising in the weeks ahead.
The Taoiseach has called on us all to work together to suppress the virus, and to reopen as much of our society and economy as possible when it is safe to do so. The core responsibility of this Government is to protect lives and to protect public health, while also protecting livelihoods and supporting the wider economy and society.
Protecting the agri-food sector and people in rural communities is at the centre of my Department’s direction, on 20 October, that all marts may continue but to conduct sales using online platforms only. My Department will continue to monitor the situation, and to adapt measures applied to marts in line with public health guidelines. There are no plans at present to allow in-person sales at livestock marts while Level 5 restrictions are in place.
Marts have been using online mart sales systems since April. From a position where few marts had online systems in place in April, there has been a rapid take up of the new systems by marts over recent months. Currently the vast majority of marts have online systems in place and are operating through online platforms. Some remaining marts are in the process of installing online systems. Thousands of cattle and sheep have been bought and sold successfully using the various online platforms. As with any new technology, there have been some glitches and these have been dealt with as they arise.
This is undoubtedly a challenging time. My Department is closely monitoring the situation, and we are seeing some positive aspects of online sales at marts.
Online sales are reaching a much higher number of farmers, dealers, and agents than sales on marts premises did, even prior to the start of Covid restrictions. On Saturday 24 October, the online sales companies reported to my officials that at one stage that day more than 40,000 people were logged in to online mart sales. The majority of marts are reporting good clearance rates and robust prices.
1558. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the views of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on the issue of the placing of barriers to new entrants to the meat processing sector; his views on whether a submission from his Department to the immigrant investor programme evaluation committee in relation to a proposed facility in Banagher represents such a barrier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33837/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department has a statutory responsibility to approve slaughter plants in accordance with the European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020. In relation to the proposed plant referenced, my officials are engaging with the proposed plant operators to ensure that they understand and address the requirements for approval to be registered with DAFM and to operate as a meat establishment under EU and Irish law.
In relation to the proposed development referenced by the Deputy, my Department's submission to the Committee referenced reflected the state of play at that time, in December 2019. I am aware of the CCPC's statutory responsibility for enforcing competition and consumer protection law, and their general remit to promote competition and consumer welfare. I am clear that my Department is not placing any barriers to new entrants to the meat processing sector. However, my Department must operate within the context of the statutory responsibility outlined and the relevant legislation.
With regard to any proposed additional processing facilities, I would urge those involved to engage with my Department veterinary officials at an early stage in order to understand and address the requirements for approval.
1559. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of data protection breaches identified within his Department in 2019. [33838/20]
View answerMy Department recorded fifty data breaches in the year 2019.
All of these breaches were reported to the Irish Data Protection Commission, as required under Article 33 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
1560. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if mechanisms are in place through online mart sales to ensure that a number of buyers are not using the one internet protocol address and based at a single location and thereby undermining the auction process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33861/20]
View answerThere are three providers of platforms for online mart bidding, and these platforms are now in use by the vast majority of marts. These systems have enabled the trade in livestock to continue through Level 5 restrictions. My Department’s role in marts sales relates to animal health and welfare. The Department has no role in approving the online platforms - this is a commercial arrangement between the mart and the online platform. The security of the system is important for the mart to be able to operate.
Marts have been using online mart sales systems since April. From a position where few marts had online systems in place in April, there has been a rapid take up of the new systems by marts over recent months.
My Department is seeing some positive aspects of online sales at marts.
Online sales are reaching a much higher number of farmers, dealers, and agents than sales on marts premises did, even prior to the start of Covid restrictions. Based on the figures produced by the online service providers, the numbers of people logging on to online marts sales on a daily basis are many multiples of the numbers that typically attend marts in person. The majority of marts are reporting good clearance rates and robust prices.
From 19th to 31st October, the cattle throughput in marts came to 88,000 head – this compares to 93,000 head in the corresponding period in 2019. This means that, despite the undoubted disruption caused by moving to Level 5, mart throughput of cattle in this period was 94% of that in 2019. This demonstrates that marts have been able to continue to operate and farmers have been able to continue to buy and sell, thanks to the commitment and resourcefulness of the marts and service providers involved.
My Department's records show that 181 marts sales events took place the week beginning 19th October, with 169 sales events taking place at marts last week. Mart throughput in the June to October 2020 period has been significantly ahead of 2019.
1561. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to work towards carbon reduction targets in the agri-food sector while at the same time protecting Ireland’s beef and dairy industries given that the sector provides food for more than 40 million persons on this country's existing carbon footprint; if he remains satisfied as to the attainability of these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33918/20]
View answerOur beef and dairy sectors continue to be the bedrock that our agri-food industry is based upon. Both sectors are worth approximately €4.7bn in terms of output, and my ambition as Minister is to see these value figures increase over the years ahead. Global demand for food continues to increase and given our cost efficient grass based production system, Ireland is well placed to supply this increased consumer demand.
Nevertheless, there are issues that need to be addressed, not least the climate challenge. Emissions from the meat and dairy sectors are biological in nature and the special characteristics of biogenic methane was reference in the Programme for Government. Despite this, absolute emissions from the sector must fall over the years ahead. The sector can achieve these emissions reductions by early adoption of the measures as set in the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC). In addition, I plan to publish a Climate and Air roadmap for the sector which well set out a series of actions that the sector, including farmers on the ground, can implement over the years ahead.
By working together, I am very confident that the sector can reduce absolute emissions while maintaining output. Supporting farmers through this transition remains a key priority for the Department and the new CAP strategic programme will be key in this regard.
1562. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of felling licences issued by his Department and by the independent appeals committee, respectively in each week in September and October 2020; the volume of timber involved each week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33920/20]
View answer1563. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of extra staff, including ecologists appointed to both his Department and the Independent Appeals Committee to deal with the backlog of applications for licences and appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33921/20]
View answer1564. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of extra members appointed to the Independent Appeals Committee dealing with forestry licences following recent legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33922/20]
View answer1565. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made in the past month to ensure that the timber mills will have sufficient raw material of saw log over the coming six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33923/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1562 to 1565, inclusive, together.
I am very aware of the serious issues delays in processing forestry licences and appeals is causing industry stakeholders.
My Department has been working to increase outputs on new licences and has an expected felling licence output this month that will be the highest number of licences and volume since the beginning of the year. 229 tree felling licences issued in October providing a volume of over 761,000m3. A weekly breakdown of licences issued in September and October is below.
There are currently sixteen full-time equivalent ecologists working on licensing files, compared to one at the same time last year, with sanction in place for an additional four permanent ecologists. My Department is currently recruiting 13 Forestry Inspectors, ten of which will be working on licensing files. Seven of the ten are in the final stages of joining the Department and will be deployed over the coming weeks.
The Deputy will be aware that the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act commenced on Tuesday 6th October. Secondary legislation required to give effect to the main provisions of the Act also came into force from today Wednesday 7th October. The new Act, amending the Agriculture Appeals Act was designed to align forestry licensing appeals process with best practice in other appeals processes. Among other things, it allows for the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) to determine appeals by enabling it to sit in divisions of itself
I have moved quickly to resource the FAC to realise the provisions as set out in the Act and have appointed 3 Deputy Chairs along with 2 ordinary members. There are now hearings scheduled for four different FAC Committees. The individuals appointed have been selected on the recommendation of the current Chair of the FAC and have been selected with regard to their particular expertise on issues such as environmental regulation, silvicultural issues and appeals processes. Agriculture Appeals officers will be deployed to sit on these committees also. Two additional persons with planning expertise have also been contracted to assist members of the FAC.
I should emphasise that the FAC are operationally independent of my Department and they report their own outputs on their website.
Number of felling licences issued in September, 2020
|
1-04/09/2020 |
W/E 11th September |
W/E 18th September |
W/E 25th September |
29-30th September |
||||||||||
|
No. |
ha |
Volume |
No. |
ha |
Volume |
No. |
ha |
Volume |
No. |
ha |
Volume |
No. |
ha |
Volume |
|
25 |
282.32 |
25766.2 |
29 |
431.13 |
91653.5 |
15 |
187.16 |
43746.2 |
16 |
261.58 |
48078 |
1 |
20.53 |
6775 |
Number of felling licences issued in October, 2020
|
1-2/10/2020 |
W/E 09/10/2020 |
W/E 16/10/2020 |
W/E 23/10/2020 |
W/E 30/10/2020 |
||||||||||
|
No. |
ha |
Volume |
No. |
ha |
Volume |
No. |
ha |
Volume |
No. |
ha |
Volume |
No. |
ha |
Volume |
|
1 |
14.36 |
4738.8 |
8 |
122.84 |
17893.8 |
42 |
427.26 |
187842.8 |
69 |
710.26 |
210855.4 |
109 |
1112 |
339882 |
