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Tuesday, 8 Dec 2020

Written Answers Nos. 843-862

Beef Industry

Questions (843, 844, 845, 846)

Matt Carthy

Question:

843. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the requirements of an applicant's internal IT system in order to access the web service used for the Bord Bia grass-fed beef standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41908/20]

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Matt Carthy

Question:

844. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assistance that Bord Bia provides to applicants who require their IT systems updated in order to use Bord Bia’s grass-fed beef standard web service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41909/20]

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Matt Carthy

Question:

845. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the initial on-site grass fed audit required as part of the Bord Bia grass-fed beef standard to be carried out by a nominated agent has ever been carried out by a nominated agent rather than Bord Bia directly; the regularity with which this occurred in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; if this has not occurred, if it would be permissible for Bord Bia to allow nominating agents to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41910/20]

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Matt Carthy

Question:

846. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the companies that have operated as nominated agents for Bord Bia with regard to monitoring or surveillance audits as a part of the grass-fed beef standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41911/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 843 to 846, inclusive, together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that issues in relaqtion to the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Schemes are operational matters for Bord Bia.

However I can advise that the Bord Bia Grass Fed Beef and Dairy Standards have been developed by Bord Bia following consultation with my Department, Teagasc, farmers and processors. The Standards were validated by the Irish National Accreditation Board under the Bord Bia ISO17065 schedule and approved by the EU Commission under the Technical Directive 2015/1535. There are both producer and Processor members.

In relation to processors, the Grass Fed Standards set out requirements for the processing industry for certification under the Standards. Any processor wishing to become a member must be a certified member of the Bord Bia Meat Processor Quality Assurance Scheme and a verified member of the Origin Green Programme and must, in addition, be certified to the Grass Fed Beef Standard.

Prospective processor members must demonstrate sufficient and relevant IT capacity and systems on application. Any costs associated with upgrades must be borne by the applicants. Bord Bia will provide guidance to the IT services of those organisations where required.

At farm level, the Grass Fed Standards are bound up with the requirements of the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) and the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS). Agridata and Capita Customer Solutions were selected as independent auditor bodies for farm audits following a public procurement process in 2017. During the course of an on-farm audit, they use data collected to determine if it meets the grass fed regulations, largely utilising existing feeding and housing data recorded as current requirements of the two schemes. On-farm audits are scheduled to take place normally at 18 months duration.

As the Dairy Grass Fed Standard was launched in May 2020 and the Beef Grass Fed Standard in October 2020, the issue of previous years does not arise.

The Standards are publicly available on Bord Bia’s website www.bordbia.ie.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (847)

Matt Carthy

Question:

847. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans and proposals to expand the Irish hemp sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41912/20]

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Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government (PFG) has committed to exploring the potential for the growing of fibre crops such as hemp.  

My Department has been active on this issue and undertook a consultation on the hemp industry in 2019. This consultation included those involved in hemp regulation, research and the then hemp representative bodies.

My Department has and continues to engage with relevant stakeholders from different hemp representative bodies and it will engage further with relevant stakeholders in early 2021 to fully explore the viability of growing fibre crops such as hemp and to determine the viability based on production costs, market requirements, etc.

Fishing Industry

Questions (848)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

848. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of boats in the fishing fleet by location and size in each of the years 1990 to 2019 and to date in 2020. [41941/20]

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Written answers

The Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 transferred the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing from the Minister to the Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats, which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in that Act and Ministerial Policy Directives.  The Licensing Authority is the Registrar General of Fishing Boats, an official of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine or, under the superintendence of the Registrar General, the Deputy Registrar General of Fishing Boats. 

The Registrar General of Fishing Boats is charged with maintaining a Register of Fishing Boats and with the proper management of the capacity of the Irish fleet.

The Registrar General has advised me of the number of vessels registered in the Irish fleet for the years 1995-2020.  The statistical information is provided as per vessel length (measured in metres) at:

Statistics Registered

Information on the home ports of fishing vessels is not available.

The Registrar General has further advised me that, while the information being provided from 1995 onwards is available electronically, information prior to that date is not readily available and would take exhaustive resources to retrieve, analyse and collate with no guarantee that the information sought can be delivered as requested. On that basis it is not being provided.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (849)

Joan Collins

Question:

849. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to stop the export of greyhounds from Ireland to countries with no welfare laws; and if a club (details supplied) and its records will be investigated. [42014/20]

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Written answers

Rásaíocht 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. Rásaíocht Con Éireann  is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) has been the keeper for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923. Details of the ownership of greyhounds, are kept in the Stud Book. 

With regard to the exportation of greyhounds, rules covering the movement of all breeds of dogs, including greyhounds, between EU Member States are set at a European level. My Department does not certify exports directly to Pakistan.

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) has informed this Department that it is opposed to exports to countries that do not meet Ireland’s welfare standards.  RCÉ emphasises to owners their responsibilities in exporting to any destination and the necessity to ensure that the receiving destination provides the expected levels of greyhound welfare set out in its Code of Practice on the care and welfare of greyhounds. I fully endorse this view. In addition, the International Greyhound Forum continues to give consideration to issues relating to the export of greyhounds.

The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) has confirmed to my department that the owner of Granard Swift complied with Section 10 (1) of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.

The ICC was notified that the greyhound was rehomed to the USA and this is recorded on its database. 

All notified ‘rehomed’ or ‘retired-as-pet’ greyhounds’ default to a generic code on the ICC On-line Registration system which populates the county/country field.  In all instances where a greyhound is notified as ‘rehomed’ or ‘retired as pet’, Tipperary is the default county as the ICC head office is based there.

The circumstances surrounding the subsequent re-export of the greyhound to Pakistan are being investigated by RCÉ and will be notified to my Department.

Brexit Issues

Questions (850)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

850. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of provisions to ensure that Irish food exports have ready access to European markets post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42059/20]

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Written answers

Developing increased non-UK market access and furthering trade opportunities abroad continue to be integral parts of my Department’s response to the challenges posed by Brexit.

My Department has been very active in this regard. Encouragingly, exports to our more traditional and existing markets such as other EU Member States exceeded €4 billion in 2019, for the third year running. Notably strong growth was evident in pigmeat, poultry and dairy exports to the EU, with export values increasing to the Netherlands, Italy and Spain in particular.

On the more practical and immediate issue of transiting the UK in order to continue to access markets, firstly I recognise that the UK landbridge is of huge importance in accessing the EU Single Market, and that we may see severe delays in its operation after the end of the transition period. However, goods moving directly between Ireland and elsewhere in the EU will not be subject to any new procedures.

I would therefore urge traders currently using the UK landbridge to consider direct sailings as an alternative. Ferry operators have indicated that capacity is available on direct routes as is evidenced by the recent announcement of a new service with daily sailings from Rosslare to Dunkirk. This is also the view of the Department of Transport and the Irish Marine Development Office. I would encourage early engagement between all parties - traders, hauliers and the ferry companies - to discuss their needs and options.

Brexit Issues

Questions (851)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

851. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he remains satisfied that meat products imported into Ireland post Brexit will be compliant with all EU husbandry, processing and traceability regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42060/20]

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Written answers

European Union legislation provides for a set of harmonised rules to ensure that food and feed are safe, and to ensure a high level of human, animal and plant health as well as animal welfare along the agri-food chain.

Primary responsibility for ensuring that the obligations set out in Union agri-food chain legislation are met rests with operators.

The Official Controls Regulation is clear that the responsibility to enforce Union agri-food chain legislation lies with Member States, whose competent authorities monitor and verify, through the organisation of official controls, that relevant Union requirements are effectively complied with and enforced. 

From 1 January 2021, my Department will carry out controls on imports of meat products from Great Britain in accordance with the rules set down in the Official Controls Regulation. 

I am satisfied that my Department is well prepared for the changes post-Brexit having invested significantly in staffing, IT and infrastructure to carry out the official controls on all animals and goods entering Ireland from Great Britain after the end of the transition period.

Question No. 852 answered with Question No. 837.

Brexit Issues

Questions (853)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

853. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has in mind plans to compensate families dependent on the fishing industry who may lose out in Brexit discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42062/20]

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Written answers

As the Deputy knows, the EU-UK Trade negotiations are ongoing at present and it is therefore not possible to say what, if any, impacts the outcome may have for our seafood industry.  When we know the outcome of those discussions, I will examine the implications, if any, for Ireland's seafood sector and indeed the wider agri-food sector, and discuss Ireland's views with the European Commission and other Member States.

My Department's European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme continues to offer financial supports to fishermen, aquaculture enterprises, seafood processors and coastal communities for a broad range of measures, including capital investment, professional advice, innovation, marketing, training and capacity building, fisheries management, and socio-economic development.  Any supports I make available must be within the confines of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation and EU State Aid rules.

Brexit Issues

Questions (854)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

854. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects Irish beef exports to continue unimpeded in the aftermath of Brexit to all destinations or alternative destinations in the loss of some markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42063/20]

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Written answers

Brexit poses very significant challenges for the Irish beef sector in particular because of its exposure to the UK market.  In value terms, Ireland exported €2.4 billion worth of beef last year, of which Great Britain accounted for €909 million (39%).

If there is no agreement in the EU-UK negotiations, tariffs will apply on exports to and imports from Great Britain. Particularly high rates of tariff rate equivalent, estimated by my Department at 72%, will apply to beef exports, based on the UK Global Tariff as announced.

Even with an agreement, the need to comply with the new customs and regulatory requirements will increase the cost of trade, although every effort is being made by my Department and across Government to ensure the minimum possible disruption to trade flows and supply chains. 

Regardless of Brexit outcomes, the British market remains a priority market for Irish beef. I have had good engagement with key retail and food service customers in Britan, and I know that Ireland's reputation for safe, quality assured grass-fed beef is valued by those customers and by British consumers in general.

 Market diversification efforts have been stepped up considerably by my Department since the Brexit vote in order to mitigate the potential impact of trade disruptions.  Market access or enhanced access for beef has been achieved with a number of third countries in this period including USA, China, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. 

My Department and Bord Bia have led trade missions to key European and international markets, and that effort is continuing, albeit for the moment in terms of 'virtual' trade missions. Bord Bia's funding has been increased to allow for greater investment in market insight and development in priority markets. My own Department's network of agricultural attachés has similarly increased, particularly in Asia, where we now have attachés in the Embassies of Ireland in Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul.

As a result of Brexit uncertainty, exceptional aid payments direct to beef farmers and additional beef schemes were made available in 2019 and 2020. 

My Department has put in place financial and budgetary measures to help the agrifood and fisheries sectors meet the Brexit challenges they have faced to date. These measures were aimed at enhancing competitiveness and market and product diversification and included low cost loan schemes, supports for Bord Bia and Teagasc, direct aid for farmers and capital funding for the food industry.

The Government's Brexit Readiness Action Plan makes it clear that further measures to support businesses and affected sectors will be considered in the coming months.

The Brexit Adjustment Reserve announced by the European Union will be an important additional support for those adjusting to the new reality of trading with the UK as a third country. Every effort will be made to ensure that the agrifood sector gets a fair allocation from this Reserve that is commensurate with the impact on the sector.

Tuberculosis Eradication Programme

Questions (855)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

855. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the bovine TB eradication scheme continues to meet its targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42064/20]

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Written answers

Following many successful years of reducing bovine TB levels to the benefit of Irish farmers, there has been a concerning incremental increase in the disease since 2016. This has continued in 2020 with further increases in herd incidence and reactor numbers observed. Herd incidence (on a 12-month rolling basis) has breached 4% for the first time since 2012 and reactor numbers have exceeded 20,000 – the highest number since 2009.  These trends highlight the need for urgent action by all stakeholders to manage the risk more effectively across all transmission routes. 

Whilst the immediate trends are disappointing and worrying, good progress has been made over the past decade. During 2009, 5,860 herds were subject to restriction whilst the number in 2019 was 4,060.  By working together, we have made progress before and we can do so again.

The next TB Forum meeting scheduled for Tuesday 8 December is to further develop a shared understanding of how collectively we can reduce TB incidence.  My Department remains committed to reducing and ultimately eradicating TB in Ireland as demonstrated by the recent sanctioning of an additional 16 officers to assist the TB Programme. Attaining TB-free status remains critical from a farm family profitability and sustainability perspective and from a trade perspective at national and at international level. I am acutely conscious that every TB restriction represents a significant challenge to the farm family concerned.

It is a deep regret that today over 2,700 herds are currently restricted which represents a 21% increase on the same time last year. I want to work with all stakeholders in ensuring fewer herdowners experience the challenges associated with a TB restriction and that we work purposefully towards eradication of this disease, thus eliminating this on-going cost on farmers and the State.

Tuberculosis Eradication Programme

Questions (856)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

856. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which outbreaks of bovine TB have been isolated and attributed in each of the past five years to date; the measures taken or proposed to curtail any spread in the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42065/20]

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Written answers

The table at the link details the number of herds experiencing a new restriction, due to bovine TB, since 1st January each year, by county. While TB disease is low relative to historical levels, the number of new restrictions and reactor numbers have been gradually increasing since 2016. The pace of deterioration has accelerated in 2020.

Herd Restrictions

The reasons for the increased TB incidence in the herds in these areas are multi-factorial and require a range of measures to address the issue. Within each county the TB programme focuses on wildlife, how disease is distributed in the area, contiguous programmes, gamma interferon testing, cleansing and disinfection, testing compliance and frequency and isolation of reactors. Each TB outbreak is investigated by a veterinary inspector to identify the source of infection. In the case of every outbreak involving two or more standard reactors, there is a veterinary visit to advise the herdowner on how to eliminate infection and necessary measures to assist in reducing the risk of recurrence.

My Department is engaged with all stakeholders through the TB Forum to bring forward a renewed strategy to move forward towards eradication of the disease.  

Please see www.bovinetb.ie for more information.

Brexit Issues

Questions (857)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

857. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he remains satisfied that Irish lamb exports will continue to have ready access to its traditional markets post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42066/20]

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Written answers

Brexit poses challenges for the Irish sheep meat sector in because of its exposure to the UK market.  In value terms, Ireland exported €318 million worth of sheep meat ear, of which Great Britain accounted for €62 million (around 20%). 71% of export value was accounted for by EU markets, reflecting a lower degree of exposure to the British market than is the case for many other agri-food exports.

If there is no agreement in the EU-UK negotiations, tariffs will apply on exports to and imports from Great Britain. Particularly high rates of tariff rate equivalent, estimated by my Department at 58%, will apply to sheep meat exports, based on the UK Global Tariff as announced.

There may be opportunities for Irish lamb to displace UK lamb in other markets in the absence of a trade deal. 

Even with an agreement, the need to comply with the new customs and regulatory requirements will increase the cost of trade, although every effort is being made by my Department and across Government to ensure the minimum possible disruption to trade flows and supply chains. 

Market diversification efforts have been stepped up considerably by my Department since the Brexit vote in order to mitigate the potential impact of trade disruptions.  Market access or enhanced access for sheep has been achieved with a number  of third countires in this period including Japan, Kuwait and Quatar. This is reflected in the fact that 9% of export value is now accounted for by international markets.

My Department and Bord Bia have led trade missions to key European and international markets, and that effort is continuing, albeit for the moment in terms of 'virtual' trade missions. Bord Bia's funding has been increased to allow for greater investment in market insight and development in priority markets. My own Department's network of agricultural attachés has similarly increased, particularly in Asia, where we now have attachés in the Embassies of Ireland in Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul.

My Department has put in place financial and budgetary measures to help the agrifood and fisheries sectors meet the Brexit challenges they have faced to date. These measures were aimed at enhancing competitiveness and market and product diversification and included low cost loan schemes, supports for Bord Bia and Teagasc, direct aid for farmers and capital funding for the food industry.

The Government's Brexit Readiness Action Plan makes it clear that further measures to support businesses and affected sectors will be considered in the coming months.

The Brexit Adjustment Reserve announced by the European Union will be an important additional support for those adjusting to the new reality of trading with the UK as a third country. Every effort will be made to ensure that the agrifood sector gets a fair allocation from this Reserve that is commensurate with the impact on the sector.

Food Imports

Questions (858)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

858. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of breaches of traceability guidelines in respect of food imports that have been identified in each of the past five years to date; the actions taken in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42067/20]

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Written answers

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy’s office as soon as it is available.

Food Exports

Questions (859)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

859. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken to ensure ready markets for Irish dairy produce in the future; the action taken or likely to be taken to compensate for any market share globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42068/20]

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Written answers

Markets for Irish dairy produce, despite significant challenges faced in recent years, in particular the impact of Brexit uncertainty 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 into the future.

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.  CSO figures show that dairy exports, which account for 37% of agri-food exports year-to-date, are up by €31m or 0.8% in value to the end of September 2020. This is an excellent performance in light of the difficulties markets have faced this year.  

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’s ongoing market access activities are focused on the development of new non-EU markets and the retention and enhancement of existing markets. Bord Bia, operating under the aegis of my Department, also play a key role in developing markets through market monitoring, and ongoing trade missions.

Recently, along with Minister of State Heydon, I participated in a series of 'virtual' dairy-focused trade missions, organised by Bord Bia, to five key markets in South East Asia. Engagement with our trading partners will continue into the future with the goal of enhancing global market share of Irish dairy produce.

While Brexit will bring particular challenges for the Irish dairy sector in 2021, the long-term fundamentals of the global dairy market are strong, with growing global demand projected from developing economies with increasing middle classes and growing demands 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.

Brexit Issues

Questions (860)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

860. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the potato industry to be in a position to adapt and meet the requirements of the catering sector in Ireland after Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42069/20]

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Written answers

I am of course very aware of both the challenges and opportunities that may present themselves to the potato industry post-Brexit. The restrictions around importation of potatoes presents a very significant opportunity to our potato industry to displace imported potatoes with high quality produce from our own farmers.

To ensure that the sector is well placed to exploit such opportunities, my Department is engaged in the Potato Development group. This group also includes representation from Bord Bia, Teagasc and IFA. Recently this group has specifically identified the fresh chip sector as an area with huge potential for Irish growers through the ‘Fresh Cut Chipping Potato project’.

The project has two aspects, the first is focused on the technical aspects of producing good quality chipping potatoes that will fulfil the Irish chip shop requirements. To this end, Teagasc has hosted a number of on-farm demonstrations to provide advice and guidance to growers. The second aspect focuses on the market research and promotion of the Irish grown potato. In addition, Bord Bia has produced a video, promoting the quality of Irish potatoes for supply to the fresh chipping market.

Of course, the challenges to the sector after Brexit are also real. In this regard, my Department continues to engage directly with the potato industry in raising awareness of these challenges through the issuance of Trader Notices to the sector, direct meetings and via other agency meetings including the Potato Development Group, the Potato Conference, IFA, Bord Bia, Teagasc, Horticulture Industry Forum and Irish Potato Federation.

Horticulture Sector

Questions (861)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

861. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total acreage of potatoes sown in Ireland in each of the past five years to date; the plans for expansion in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42070/20]

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Written answers

The total area of potatoes sown in Ireland has remained relatively stable over the recent period. In 2016 the area sown was 8,945Ha; in 2017 it was 9,067Ha; in 2018 the area reduced to 8,233Ha; in 2019 saw an increase to 8,634Ha and this continued in 2020 with plantings of 8,873Ha.

I am firmly of the view that opportunities to increase the national acreage of potatoes will emerge post-Brexit particularly on the fresh chipping market. To ensure that the sector is well placed to exploit such opportunities, my Department is engaged in the Potato Development group. This group also includes representation from Bord Bia, Teagasc and IFA. Recently, this group has specifically identified the fresh chip sector as an area with huge potential for Irish growers through the ‘Fresh Cut Chipping Potato project’.

The project has two aspects, the first is focused on the technical aspects of producing good quality chipping potatoes that will fulfil the Irish chip shop requirements. To this end, Teagasc has hosted a number of on-farm demonstrations to provide advice and guidance to growers. The second aspect focuses on the market research and promotion of the Irish grown potato. In addition, Bord Bia has produced a video, promoting the quality of Irish potatoes for supply to the fresh chipping market.

Also, jointly funded potato industry and EU promotional schemes have helped to increase consumption of potatoes here and there has been strong evidence of increased sales at retail level throughout 2020.

Horticulture Sector

Questions (862)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

862. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to encourage the seed potato industry in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42071/20]

View answer

Written answers

Under EU legislation, Ireland is one of a small number of areas within the EU officially recognized as a High-Grade Seed Area to produce seed potatoes. This is because the country is free from a number of significant potato diseases that occur in other member states.

My Department continues to support the Irish Seed potato sector by providing significant funding to Teagasc who carry out a very successful potato breeding programme in Oakpark. My Department further supports the seed potato sector through the production of High Grade seed material in the Tops potato facility in Donegal where capacity will be expanded in 2021. In addition DAFM has a nationwide seed certification team to ensure the production of high-grade seed with the capacity to deliver on additional acreage and the laboratory capacity required underpinning that certification process. The certification scheme includes a programme of soil and tuber sampling and testing for pest and disease control. This high quality disease-free seed is made available to the industry for further multiplication and supply to commercial growers and for export.

I am firmly of the view that post-Brexit there will be significant opportunities to increase the production and supply of Irish grown seed potatoes to replace UK imports.  My Department has engaged directly with industry and other stakeholders in raising awareness around the potential implications and opportunities inherent in any prohibition on the importation of seed potatoes from Great Britain from 1 January.

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