Written Answers Nos. 791-815
791. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that are being taken to tackle falling beef prices in view of the fact that beef prices have fallen far behind UK beef prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39776/20]
View answerBeef prices are a function of demand and supply, and a range of other cost factors, including currency relativities, along the supply chain. They are not controlled by Government.
The beef price in Great Britain (GB) is currently 63c/kg (15%) higher than the equivalent Irish price for R3 steers (data w/c 16/11/20). For the full year to date, the GB price has on average been 10% higher than the equivalent Irish price. There are a variety of reasons why prices in different markets may not be readily comparable, including degree of self sufficiency, consumer preference and seasonal factors.
Bord Bia’s beef market tracker includes a comparison of a prime Irish composite price with a comparative export benchmark price based on a weighted average of our key export markets. This shows, for week ending 21 November, that the Irish composite price for prime cattle (€3.55/kg) was 8c lower than the export benchmark price. Taking the full year to date data, the average Irish composite price for prime cattle (€3.54) was 1c lower than the export benchmark comparator.
This tracker was put in place as a result of the work of Beef Market Task Force and provides an additional measure of transperancy in relation to beef prices, which is critically important. The Task Force has also commissioned Grant Thornton to conduct a series of market transparency studies. I am due to convene a meeting of the Taskforce in the coming weeks.
A key component of the Programme for Government is the establishment of a Food Ombudsman. I am now considering how best to bring this forward in consultation and will be consulting with industry on this. I am also considering how to include price transparency and reporting as part of its functions.
The core support for the beef sector under the current RDP is the €300 Million Beef Data and Genomics Programme. In addition to this support, over the last two years, over €200 million of additional supports was made available specifically to the beef sector, including the BEAM and BEEP schemes in 2019, and the Beef Finishers Payment and BEEP-S this year.
I can assure the deputy that my Department is constantly monitoring the market situation for all agricultural commodities, including beef.
792. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep welfare scheme recipients by county in 2021; and the average payment by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39788/20]
View answerPlease find the information requested by the Deputy in the table below. The table below reflects advance payments recently made at a rate of 85% made under Year 4 of the sheep welfare scheme which runs from the 1st of February 2020 to the 31st of January 2021.
I am pleased to confirm that, as part of Budget 2021, I secured an additional €17m to continue the scheme for next year. The fifth year of the scheme will commence on the 1st of February 2021.
|
County |
Number Paid |
Amount Paid |
Average Payment per county |
|
Carlow |
377 |
€426,750.86 |
€1,131.97 |
|
Cavan |
364 |
€230,529.26 |
€633.32 |
|
Clare |
174 |
€61,941.10 |
€355.98 |
|
Cork |
885 |
€729,685.15 |
€824.50 |
|
Donegal |
3,214 |
€1,858,318.49 |
€578.19 |
|
Dublin |
94 |
€95,575.18 |
€1,016.75 |
|
Galway |
2,167 |
€1,576,484.67 |
€727.50 |
|
Kerry |
1,578 |
€1,603,234.10 |
€1,015.99 |
|
Kildare |
330 |
€415,722.40 |
€1,259.76 |
|
Kilkenny |
260 |
€266,883.14 |
€1,026.47 |
|
Laois |
199 |
€157,939.94 |
€793.67 |
|
Leitrim |
606 |
€459,517.35 |
€758.28 |
|
Limerick |
74 |
€73,783.45 |
€997.07 |
|
Longford |
177 |
€119,832.52 |
€677.02 |
|
Louth |
203 |
€216,151.17 |
€1,064.78 |
|
Mayo |
2,682 |
€1,777,610.05 |
€662.79 |
|
Meath |
487 |
€549,361.95 |
€1,128.05 |
|
Monaghan |
195 |
€130,538.54 |
€669.43 |
|
Offaly |
249 |
€240,058.78 |
€964.09 |
|
Roscommon |
887 |
€679,026.65 |
€765.53 |
|
Sligo |
782 |
€545,725.43 |
€697.86 |
|
Tipperary |
390 |
€392,124.98 |
€1,005.45 |
|
Waterford |
216 |
€294,080.94 |
€1,361.48 |
|
Westmeath |
350 |
€290,918.70 |
€831.20 |
|
Wexford |
508 |
€506,000.32 |
€996.06 |
|
Wicklow |
793 |
€962,811.29 |
€1,214.14 |
|
Total |
18,241 |
€14,660,606.41 |
€803.72 |
793. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breeds of niche animals such as goats and horses that are required to be registered in herd books in the UK even though the animals are based in Ireland; if his Department is providing contingency support to the owners of such animals in advance of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39789/20]
View answerWithin Member States purebred animal breeding of the domestic species (bovines, porcines, ovines, caprines and equines) are governed by EU legislation, namely, Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 and it aims to ensure a harmonised approach to trade and for entry into the European Union. With the exiting of the UK from the European Union, this will primarily have an impact on Irish breeders that are members of UK breed societies and/or import purebred breed animals from the UK, as UK breed societies will be outside the scope of the EU Animal Breeding Regulations.
According to DEFRA, there are two breeds of goat and twenty two breeds of equine where UK breed societies have extended their breeding programmes into Ireland and are offering registration services to Irish breeders.
From 1st January 2021, the procedure of registering purebred animals with UK Societies that are kept in Ireland will no longer be in line with EU legislation. Any living animals that are currently registered in a UK breeding book, but kept in Ireland must be entered, by 1st January 2021, into an equivalent breeding book either in Ireland or within another EU member state if the equivalent EU breeding book has extended into Ireland.
My Department is aware that DEFRA have corresponded to their UK breed societies informing them of this position and have advised them to contact their breeder members in EU member states and update them accordingly of the position from the 1 January 2021.
My Department has been proactive in terms of its engagement with breed societies and pedigree breeders and is currently assisting Irish breeders explore their options so they can continue to enter their purebred breeding animals in breeding books when the UK leaves the Union. These options include establishing a breed society in Ireland, entering their animals in another EU recognised breed society for the same breed in Ireland or another member state or continue breeding outside the legislative framework.
My Department will this week be placing adverts in the main farming publications to create an awareness of the impact of Brexit on Irish breeders of purebred breeding animals and their germinal products and to provide an avenue for such breeders to seek further information on the subject as required.
794. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for urgent and substantial financial supports for the inshore fishing sector following recent correspondence from organisations (details supplied) to him to compensate them for their serious financial losses due to the global pandemic crisis. [39817/20]
View answerThroughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Government has made available financial and other supports for employees and businesses negatively impacted by the Pandemic. Both the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Wage Subsidy Scheme have supported the incomes of employees and the self-employed in our seafood sector. Government has also made available low-cost loans to seafood businesses for working capital and other purposes.
Earlier this year the European Union amended the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation to ensure that Member States’ Operational Programmes could be used to support their seafood sectors from the specific impacts of the pandemic. However, the EU provided no additional funds for this purpose and the measures available through the amendments will end on 31 December 2020. Two options were available to Member States, either a fleet tie-up scheme or a storage aid market support scheme. During discussions with fishing representatives earlier in 2020 it was made clear that storage aid was not wanted by the sector. Instead a temporary fleet tie-up scheme was implemented over three months from June to August 2020 to support the fixed costs of vessel owners who chose to tie-up during periods of market turbulence, with the Pandemic Unemployment Payment complementing such a scheme by supporting the incomes of crew.
Last year the inshore fisheries sector adopted on its first industry-led strategy, the Inshore Fisheries Strategy 2019-2023, which sets out a blueprint for how the sector could develop in the coming years. The Chair of the National Inshore Fisheries Forum has formally written to invite me to meet with the Forum and I look forward to meeting with the Forum in December. The Programme for Government strongly commits to supporting the fisheries and wider seafood sector in achieving its potential, with a commitment to protecting the interests of our fishing sector in EU negotiations with the UK on a Free Trade Agreement.
795. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a report (details supplied); the actions he is taking on the issue to reassure farmers and to combat the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39837/20]
View answerIreland is currently in the high risk period (October to April) for the introduction of Avian Influenza (AI) as a result of the migration of wild birds returning to overwinter from areas where AI is widespread. This year a particularly virulent form of the disease, known as Highly Pathogenic AI (HPAI) with subtype H5N8, has been confirmed in several species of wild birds on mainland Europe, the UK and there have been three cases in wild birds in the republic of Ireland.
My Department has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N8 in three wild birds in counties Limerick, Mayo and Monaghan. The case in Limerick involved a peregrine falcon, the case in Mayo involved a curlew and the case in Monaghan involved a cygnet (mute swan). These individual wild bird findings serve as a reminder that the avian influenza virus is currently circulating in the wild bird population in Ireland. This poses a risk to our poultry flocks and industry. The virus can spread from the wild bird population to poultry farms, through direct contact and in particular through faeces from wild birds infected with the virus.
My Department has implemented a comprehensive awareness campaign and advises poultry owners to take increased biosecurity measures to help mitigate the risk of the virus spreading to poultry. This applies to all flocks, irrespective of size. In particular, my Department advises flock owners to feed and water birds inside or under cover where wild birds cannot access the feed or water. Keep poultry separate from wild birds by putting suitable fencing around the outdoor areas they access. Flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Regional Veterinary Office.
In addition, I intend to introduce regulations in relation to biosecurity on farms, and banning gatherings of birds.
796. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a sheep welfare payment for 2020 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39864/20]
View answerUnder the Sheep Welfare Scheme, applicants were assigned a reference number for payment which was based on the average of the number of eligible breeding ewes declared by applicants on their 2014/2015 sheep census return. Payment under the scheme, set at €10 per eligible breeding ewe, is subject to the participant completing the selected actions and fulfilling all scheme criteria and is based on the lower of the Scheme Reference Number or most recent Sheep Census return.
The advance payment due to the person named, which is based on his scheme reference number, was issued by my Department on 17th November.
797. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry inspector grade 1 posts that were recruited into his Department in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [39887/20]
View answerThere are currently 147 staff working across my Department's three Forestry Divisions comprising a combination of forestry inspectors, ecologists, archaeologists and administrative staff.
We have invested heavily in resources to help speed up the processing of forestry licences There are 16 fulltime equivalent ecologists working on licensing files where previously this was one. My Department is also recruiting 13 Forestry Inspectors, which are in the process of joining the Department, most of which will be working on licensing files.
With regard specifically to Inspectors at Grade 1 level, it should be noted that recruitments are normally made at Forestry Inspector Grade 3 level so Grade 1 vacancies are not filled by external recruitment.
Grade 1 is a management grade and posts are filled by way of internal merit-based competition. The last such competition was 2019. In relation to posts since 2018 the following outlines the situation. The Forestry Appeals Committee is independent of the Department.
|
Year |
Number |
Role |
|
2018 |
0 |
N/A |
|
2019 |
2 |
Forestry Inspectorate x1 and Forestry Appeals Committee x 1 |
|
2020 |
2 |
Forestry Inspectorate x1 and Forestry Appeals Committee x 1 |
798. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if plans and guidelines are being drafted regarding the selling of Christmas trees in an outdoor setting under the different public health restriction levels; if his Department is supportive of tree growers selling their output in order for their business to survive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39942/20]
View answerMy Department is very supportive of the Christmas tree sector. Irish growers produce around 650,000 Christmas trees each year with 450,000 sold at home and about 200,000 exported abroad, mainly to the UK, France and Germany. The industry contributes €25 million to the Irish economy. The quality improvement in Irish trees has been facilitated by the Department’s Scheme of Investment Aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector.
My colleague, Minister of State Pippa Hackett has recently issued a press release, encouraging the purchase of real Christmas trees. Minister Hackett also confirmed that under the new Covid-19 guidelines, Christmas trees will be available to buy from the usual retail outlets, including garden centres and Christmas tree farms from 1st December.
It takes seven to 10 years of hard work to produce a good quality Christmas tree. Irish growers deliver high-quality Irish Christmas trees, which require year-round care and investment. It is important therefore, that we support Irish growers.
799. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a portion of the 10% set aside for the greyhound care fund is in fact being ring-fenced to develop and maintain a traceability system for greyhounds, given that traceability is an operational cost for any industry; the reason care funds that are specifically for animal welfare purposes are being used to for operational matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40037/20]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) 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. (RCÉ) is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. However, my Department takes the welfare of greyhounds extremely seriously and I am committed to maintaining and enhancing those standards.
The conditions attached to the allocation to RCÉ under the Horse & Greyhound Fund require that a minimum of 10% of the allocation be spent on welfare and integrity measures. RCÉ has a range of measures in place in the areas of regulation, integrity and care and welfare.
RCÉ established a Care Fund in July 2019. This Care Fund receives its income from 50% of sponsorships, 10% of admissions income, 10% of restaurant packages and 5% of net Tote profits. Income from the Care Fund is dedicated to the implementation of an ongoing care and welfare programme of activities focused on the care and welfare of the greyhound.
Measures progressed to date in the areas of welfare and integrity include:
- The opening of the first Care Centre in Thurles in July 2020 which will act as a half-way house between the end of a racing career and the placing of the greyhound in its ‘forever home’. The centre will allow greyhounds to be socialised and for interested parties to consider the fostering or adoption of a greyhound in such a setting.
- The implementation of an extensive rehoming programme with over 1,300 greyhounds rehomed in 2020 to date with assistance from the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust, an entity established by RCÉ.
- The introduction of a financial incentive for all domestic rehomings to encourage further rehoming in Ireland.
- The implementation of a Foster-to-Adopt Scheme.
- The operation of an Injuries at Track Financial Support Scheme whereby funding is available to address injuries sustained to racing greyhounds to ensure that they can be retired from greyhound racing.
- The establishing of a confidential phone line/email through which any welfare issues can be reported on a 24/7 basis. All reports are fully investigated by RCÉ welfare staff.
- The full utilisation of the Exclusion Order process whereby a party can be excluded from being on a greyhound racing track.
- The updating of the Code of Practice for the Care and Welfare of the Greyhound which has been the subject of a public consultation process. The Code is provided for under Section 6 of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.
- The continuing of an intense testing regime both at race events and through out of competition testing. The urine sampling regime has been expanded in 2020 to also cover on a periodic basis blood sampling. Work is also underway in terms of the necessary protocols to implement further enhancements of the testing regime through hair sampling.
- RCÉ implemented a Covid-19 Care Payment Scheme during the period of suspension of racing activity from March to June 2020. Some €998,000 was paid under the scheme to ensure that the welfare needs of the racing greyhound were met during a period when racing activity was suspended
The introduction of a traceability system is viewed as essential as an integrity measure to provide for traceability in relation to key life events for the racing greyhound. RCÉ has confirmed that the costs of the traceability system are not being met from the Care Fund established by RCÉ.
800. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the inspection procedures that have been set out for greyhound breeders to ensure they are in compliance with the greyhound Act 2011; and if the new greyhound racing industry code of practice will give clear guidance on inspection procedures and record keeping. [40038/20]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) 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. Rásaíocht Con Éireann is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
RCÉ has a significant welfare team that responds to any issues regarding care and welfare brought to the attention of RCÉ. There is a confidential phone line in place which operates on a 24/7 basis where any care and welfare issues can be reported to RCÉ. Inspections undertaken by RCÉ can include any premises where greyhounds are housed and such inspections are undertaken on the basis of assessing compliance with the relevant care and welfare requirements.
As part of its routine programme of inspections, greyhound breeding establishments were inspected during 2019/20. Issues were identified at one premises and addressed by the service of a ‘Welfare Notice’ by RCÉ welfare officers.
The draft Code of Practice for the Care and Welfare of the Greyhound, which is placed on public consultation to end of November 2020, includes sections regarding breeding activity and record keeping.
801. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are criteria set out for the operation of greyhound care centres under the greyhound welfare fund; if inspections are carried out on the care centres, if not, the reason; the vetting process in place for those awarded contracts to operate care centres and greyhound retirement centres; and if there is a requirement for those operating and employed by the centre to be in compliance with the Greyhound Racing Ireland code of conduct, including the code pertaining to the exportation of greyhounds only to destinations that provide the expected levels of care as set out in the code. [40039/20]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) 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. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
RCÉ undertook a detailed procurement process through the e-tenders process in respect of seeking expressions of interest for operation of Care Centres. The request for tender included a detailed specification setting out the criteria for assessment of any expressions of interest.
RCÉ received 17 submissions and following a detailed evaluation in accordance with the criteria of the procurement process, a panel of approved applicants was recommended and approved by the Board of Rásaíocht Con Éireann. All greyhounds entering into the care centre are approved in advance by Rásaíocht Con Éireann. Rásaíocht Con Éireann has ongoing contact with the operator of the care centre and there are ongoing inspections and visits of the facility. Rásaíocht Con Éireann is fully satisfied with the operation to date and the quality of service being provided.
Separately, RCÉ has updated its Code of Practice for the Welfare of the Greyhound and in accordance with the Welfare of Greyhounds Act, 2011, this draft Code was placed on public display with public submissions being received up to end November 2020. The Code will be brought to the Board of Rásaíocht Con Éireann for approval. It is expected that all operating in the greyhound community and in any way involved in the care and welfare of greyhounds will abide by the provisions of the Code of Practice.
802. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhound breeders with fewer than five bitches; if there is no information on these breeders to date, if they will be included in the new traceability scheme; and if not, the reason. [40040/20]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) 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. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In accordance with the Welfare of Greyhounds Act, 2011, any party that has four or more greyhound bitches which are older than 15 months and which have been, or are being, used for breeding purposes must register with the Irish Coursing Club, which is charged with maintaining a register of breeding establishments. This mirrors a requirement in the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010 where parties who have six or more bitches which are older than six months and which are capable of being used for breeding purposes are required to register. You will note that a more stringent requirement is applicable to greyhounds in respect of the number of breeding bitches. The number of greyhound breeders with less than five bitches is unknown as anyone can breed a greyhound or any other breed of dog.
The new traceability system being brought forward by Rásaíocht Con Éireann is focused on traceability regarding racing greyhounds. It is intended the system will trace the life events in the life of a racing greyhound including birth, microchipping, registration, racing career, changes of ownership/trainer, location, export, retirement and end of life. Greyhounds will be tracked on the system from time of microchipping in accordance with the regulations on microchipping. i.e.12 weeks.
803. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that brown crab from Ireland is currently being exported to China through Holland rather than directly to China from Ireland at a financial loss to Irish inshore fishermen; and if he will engage with his European Union counterparts to negotiate with the Chinese Government and Chinese food health authorities to agree a uniform approach that addresses their concerns across the European Union when exporting to China. [40055/20]
View answerThe Irish inshore fisheries sector has been heavily reliant on a thriving food service industry both in Europe and in other markets for their seafood products and unfortunately food service globally has been particularly affected by the pandemic. I understand that Ireland's exports figures indicate that there have been significant exports of crab to the Netherlands in recent years. For trade within the internal market there are no health certification requirements for such exports.
As the Deputy has previously been made aware 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 held a consultation on the health standards that will apply for crab as a food product and I hope that the outcome of this will bring some benefits for trade in Irish crab products. Ireland works closely with the EU Commission on the development of European positions on market access and food safety matters and the recent Chinese consultation was no exception.
The Government's focus on, and commitment to, new market development has been illustrated by its appointment of my colleague, Martin Heydon T.D., as Minister of State with specific responsibility for this task. In addition, my Department's international trade activities are being reorganised and further developed, as we deal with the twin challenges of Brexit and the Covid 19 pandemic.
804. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40131/20]
View answerI have made inquiries into the matter. The issues raised by the person concerned are currently being examined by the relevant officials and a detailed response will be issued in writing to the person concerned shortly.
805. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of the barley used to make Irish whiskey that is Irish-grown barley; if genetically modified barley grown outside Ireland is used in the production of Irish whiskey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40180/20]
View answer806. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to encourage Irish whiskey producers to source the barley for their produce from farmers within the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40181/20]
View answer807. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider requesting to amend the Irish whiskey protected geographical indication, PGI, technical file to state barley for Irish whiskey must be sourced on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40182/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 805 to 807, inclusive, together.
Approximately 17% of total Irish barley production is procured by the drinks sector; the balance of the national barley crop is grown for animal feed and seed production. It is open to individual farmers to decide what enterprise they undertake and to what scale it should be undertaken, according to their land type and with due consideration to the market terms for their products.
As only basic malt is produced in Ireland, drinks requiring specialised malts are often either reliant on imported malt or the export of Irish grain for processing and the re-importation for use in the drinks industry.
Independent reports estimate that 93% of all barley used in brewing and distilling is native barley, and that the balance is sourced mainly from the UK, with some imports also from the EU. No genetically modified barley exists in the UK or the European Union.
My Department will this year fund a Teagasc facility which will allow for testing raw materials for malting and the production of small batches of specialised malts for the craft beer sector or for test batches for distilling companies. The equipment will also provide a facility for brewing and distilling companies to try new varieties/crops at a small commercial scale or to produce different styles of malt for different beers or spirits at a craft scale. It is expected that this facility will assist in identifying how home grown grain can be used to meet the requirements of the drinks industry.
The technical files for each of the Geographical Indication (GI) for Irish Spirit Drinks (Irish Whiskey/Uisce Beatha Eireannach/Irish Whisky, Irish Cream and Irish Poteen/Irish Poitín) were confirmed by the European Commission in March 2019 as meeting the required conditions laid down in relevant EU Regulation.
Whilst the Irish Whiskey Technical file contains specifics relating to the types and combinations of grains to be used for the creation of mashes for the production of each of the varieties of Irish Whiskey, it does not specify any requirements regarding the sourcing of the raw materials including grains utilised in the production of Irish Whiskey.
Restricting the sourcing of inputs such as cereals/grains in the production of Spirit Drinks cannot conflict with the EU Treaty rules on the freedom of movement of goods. However, notwithstanding the absence of such a requirement in the specification, the malting sector has undoubtedly delivered an added value outlet for Irish barley growers in recent years with the brewing and distilling sectors utilising approximately 250,000 tonnes of Irish barley annually of which 90,000 tonnes were purchased for the Irish whiskey industry.
808. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of all consultancy firms, accountancy firms, legal firms, project management firms and IT firms his Department has engaged to carry out work its behalf in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; if he will summarise the work they were engaged to do and the full costs of the engagements; if disputes over costs ensued; if they were resolved with or without sanctions and or financial penalties and or withholding of funds; and if contracts are subject to legal challenge or mediation. [40204/20]
View answerDue to the volume of the information requested by the Deputy, it was not possible to provide a comprehensive response in the required timeframe. I will arrange for a reply to be forwarded directly to the Deputy within 10 working days.
809. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when certification will issue to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40252/20]
View answerBiocidal products may only be marketed and used in Ireland once they are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and are entered on the “Product Register” in accordance with Regulation 20 of Statutory Instrument 427 of 2013.
On 3 August 2020, applications for two biocidal products bearing the trade names referred to were received by my Department. Updates to the applications (i.e. fully completed, signed application forms) were received on 13 October 2020. The following day 14 October, officials from my Department acknowledged receipt of the applications and as these are air sanitising/misting products, further information/data in relation to the human health safety aspects of the products was requested from the applicant. To date, this information/data has not been received. A further product application from the same company was received by my Department on 13 October and this will also be acknowledged and processed in due course. All applications received for registration of biocidal products are processed in chronological order.
You will appreciate, therefore, that processing times for these applications are running longer than usual. However, in order to expedite the processing of outstanding applications, additional staff resources have been allocated to this area of activity.
The application fees for such applications are €300 per product and to date no payments have been received by my Department in relation to any of the above mentioned applications.
810. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the TAMS will be extended into 2021 for new applications; when details will be available to applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40263/20]
View answerThe suite of seven TAMS II measures launched under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 have been very popular with over 33,000 approvals issued to date.
Payments under TAMS have now reached €255m with a further €135m committed in approvals. Payments are currently issuing at an average rate of €1.4m per week. I was very pleased to secure funding for next year of €80m in Budget 2021. Participants who have completed approved works are advised to submit their payment claims as soon as they are in a position to do so to allow for the early issue of payments.
The details for TAMS for 2021 are still under consideration in light of the transitional regulations. A two year transitional period is expected with the final rules to be agreed at EU level by the end of the year. expect to be making an announcement on this when final decisions are made.
811. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a beef finisher payment. [40284/20]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
I have been advised, however, that the records of the Agriculture Appeals Office indicate that an appeal was received from the person named on 27th October 2020.
The Appeals Office requested the file and a statement on the grounds of appeal from my Department and all relevant documentation have been forwarded to the Appeals Office.
I am advised that the appeal will shortly be assigned to an Appeals Officer for examination and I have been assured that the appeal will be dealt with in due course.
812. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment under the 2018 areas of natural constraints scheme. [40286/20]
View answerAn application for the 2018 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme was received from the person named on 11th May 2018. The person named has not demonstrated to date that he has met the minimum stocking requirements as set out in the 2018 scheme terms and conditions. These requirements must be met before payment can issue under the scheme.
An appeal submitted on behalf of the person named by his agricultural advisor was received by my Department on 4th November 2020. A member of staff of my Department has been in contact with the agricultural advisor on foot of the appeal and has requested additional supporting documentation regarding the stock held by the person named during the relevant period. The application will be reviewed once the additional supporting documentation has been received.
813. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the general Brexit preparations for the forest and timber sector ahead of 1 January 2020, with specific reference to registration procedures, import procedures, export procedures, phytosanitary checks and wood packaging material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40348/20]
View answerMy Department has undertaken a range of initiatives over the last four years preparing for Brexit, including investments in infrastructure in ports and airports; staffing; the development of IT support systems; and communications with stakeholders.
In addition the Government has also made available a range of supports, including advisory, financial, and upskilling supports to all businesses to help them in their preparations.
The details of these supports are accessible through the 'Getting Ireland Brexit Ready' website hosted by the Department of the Taoiseach: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/de6c1-brexit-and-business/
More specifically, with regard to the agri-food and fisheries sectors, including the forestry and timber sector, detailed information and practical steps for businesses on trading with Great Britain, have been set out on the same website.
My Department has also prepared a number of issue and sector specific Trader Notices for businesses to help them to prepare and is providing further assistance to those businesses in preparing for the changes, through its dedicated call centre. The call centre can be contacted by telephone or email at 076 106 4443 and Brexitcall@agriculture.gov.ie.
In addition, dedicated forestry staff from my Department have established and maintained engagement directly with the Irish sawmilling sector, wood packaging material producers and third country timber importers. This has included visits by my officials to places of production, detailed consultations with stakeholder representatives including IBEC and Forest Industries Ireland, and direct discussions with companies operating in the sector.
This has all been with the clear objective of both explaining the new phytosanitary import and export requirements that will arise as a result of the UK leaving the EU, and to inform my Department's own planning and communications activities around these matters.
If businesses in the forestry and timber sector have any specific queries in relation to any of these matters I strongly encourage them to access the supports outlined above and to contact my Department’s dedicated call centre.
814. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that were ruled out of the ANC scheme due to the fact they did not meet the stocking density criteria in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40360/20]
View answerUnder the terms and conditions of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, applicants must meet minimum stocking requirements to qualify for payment under the scheme. Not all eligible applicants to the scheme will necessarily satisfy all the scheme requirements in order to qualify for a payment. For example, many will make on-farm decisions in relation to their stocking rates which will impact on their eligibility for payment.
Please see below the details of the number of applicants for the scheme who held eligible ANC land but who did not satisfy the minimum stocking requirements by year. Please note that for scheme year 2020, applicants have until the end of the year to meet their minimum stocking requirements .
|
Scheme Year: |
Number of applicants who have not met the minimum stocking requirements: |
|
2015 |
6,461 |
|
2016 |
5,221 |
|
2017 |
4,872 |
|
2018 |
5,547 |
|
2019 |
5,187 |
|
2020 |
9,825 |
815. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of active herd numbers that were eligible under the ANC in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of active herd numbers that received payments in those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40361/20]
View answerPlease find the information requested in relation to the numbers of eligible applications received for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme for the years 2015 to 2020 in the table below.
|
Year |
Number of applicants who hold ANC eligible land |
Number paid |
|
2015 |
103,458 |
96,890 |
|
2016 |
100,537 |
95,287 |
|
2017 |
100,949 |
96,004 |
|
2018 |
101,379 |
95,723 |
|
2019 |
104,709 |
99,283 |
|
2020* |
104,443 |
92,279 |
* Figures for the 2020 scheme year are as of the 27th November 2020.
Under the terms and conditions of the ANC scheme, applicants must meet minimum stocking requirements to qualify for payment under the scheme. Not all eligible applicants to the scheme will necessarily satisfy all the scheme requirements in order to qualify for a payment. For example, many will make management decisions in relation to their stocking rates which will impact on their eligibility for payment. For those applicants with eligible land in the table above who did not receive a payment, the vast majority of cases did not meet the minimum stocking density requirements of the scheme.
Payments in relation to the 2020 ANC scheme continue to be made as cases are cleared for payment. In addition, arrangements are now being finalised to issue the balancing payments due under the 2020 ANC Scheme in December.
