Written Answers Nos. 480-495
480. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which applicants should engage with his Department regarding the announced farmer-led farm safety proposals to be funded under the European Innovation Partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42666/20]
View answerAs part of the package of new farm safety measures in Budget 2021, €1m in funding has been provided to support ‘locally-led’ farm safety initiatives (EIP). This EIP is being run in a two-stage process.
Stage one of the call for proposals on Farm Health, Safety and Wellbeing has just been launched by Minister of State, Martin Heydon, with a closing date of Friday 29 January 2021. Full details of how farmers and interested parties can participate in the scheme are available on my Department's website at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/18a855-european-innovation-partnership-scheme/
Minister Heydon is now asking interested parties to come together and develop their ideas to address issues of farm health, safety and wellbeing. We look forward to seeing proposals for initiatives that can be supported under this programme.
481. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the forestry dashboard provided to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas will be updated to include applications received and the status of the applications in order to provide a complete overview of the existing backlog within the forestry licensing process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42667/20]
View answerMy Department receives forestry licence applications and issues decisions every week of the year. This means there is a constant turnover of applications at various stages of processing. Licensing output is updated to stakeholders, including the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and the Marine, through a dashboard. The purpose of the dashboard is to summarise the main outputs for the week in a user-friendly format.
The dashboard includes information on:
- the number of licences issued on a weekly and monthly basis, including those with ecology input.
- the hectares, kilometres and the volume of licences issued for afforestation, forest roads and felling.
- the hectares planted and the kilometres of road constructed.
- the number of licences appealed as well as capital spending on the Forestry Programme to date. 7
- Comparisons with the previous year are also provided.
My Department also publishes comprehensive data on forestry applications received, licences issued and related matters on the Government’s website, gov.ie. Details of all forestry licence applications received and decisions issued are published three times weekly on the forestry page of the gov.ie following the link to public consultation. This page also provides a link to the Forestry Division Monthly Reports, which give a detailed account of applications received and other outputs of Forestry schemes and licensing. As outlined previously, there are currently 4,700 applications on hand for processing which are at various stages of progressing through the system. It would not be possible to update on this level of detail in a dashboard format.
My Department launched phase one of the Forestry Licence Viewer (FLV) on 1st December, 2020. The FLV provides the user with information on forestry licences, indicating the status of the application, for example, received, in progress, under appeal or decided. The next phase, which I expect to be launched shortly, will show application and supporting documentation for applications received from the go-live date.
482. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42694/20]
View answerI can confirm that certain professional fees are paid by my Department, primarily in instances where such fees are a prerequisite to ongoing qualification to practice in the role.
A key area in this regard is with respect of Veterinary Practitioners employed by my Department, whereby relevant professional fees are paid by my Department to the Veterinary Council of Ireland.
In 2020, my Department paid fees in respect of 309 Veterinary employees totalling €146,775.
In addition, certain fees for other professional memberships are paid by my Department on behalf of employees. To date in 2020, 40 membership fees to the value of €11,390.55 were paid and these are detailed in the attached spreadsheet.
483. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle slaughtered from tuberculosis programme defined feedlot herds in each of the years 2014 to 2019 and to date in 2020; if beef produced from feedlots can be included under the proposed PGI application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42719/20]
View answer484. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the weekly breakdown of the number of cattle slaughtered from tuberculosis programme defined feedlot herds in each week of 2019 and to date in 2020 in tabular form; the weekly feedlot kill as a percentage of the total weekly beef kill in each week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42720/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 483 together.
There is no legal definition of a feedlot herd. The Department defines certain herds as Controlled Finishing Units in the context of the Bovine TB Eradication Programme. This definition is unique to that programme and does not necessarily mirror definitions of the term "feedlot" as proscribed by the public and/or other institutions. Therefore, eligibility for any scheme or payment is not determinable based on the definition of a Controlled Finishing Unit under the Bovine TB Eradication Programme. Please see below two tables as follows:
Kill numbers (rounded) at EU approved slaughter plants originating in Controlled Finishing Units by month and year
The above figures are published on a monthly basis here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/f55f2-bovine-birth-and-movements-monthly-reports/#kill-numbers-at-eu-approved-slaughter-plants-originating-in-controlled-finishing-units
These figures are not produced on a weekly basis.
Kill numbers at EU approved slaughter plants originating in Controlled Finishing Units by month and year as a % of total national kill.
* Details for November not available until mid-December.
Under the PGI application for Irish Grass Fed Beef, feedlots are defined and excluded as per the Grass Fed Beef Standard as follows: “A Farm enterprise where, through assessment of Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) Audit data, it is determined that animals are farmed in confined systems and whose diet consists of high levels of concentrate feeding.”
The PGI specification requires that “Irish Grass Fed Beef” only includes cattle that:
(a) Derive at least 90% of their feed intake from grass. This is primarily grazed grass, with winter feeding of conserved grass (silage and hay).
(b) Spend a minimum of 220 days per year throughout their lifetime grazing pasture with a tolerance for exceptional conditions,
as determined by the Bord Bia 1, Grass Fed Standard 2.
1 - Irish Food Board
2 - https://www.bordbia.ie/globalassets/bordbia2020/farmers--growers/grass-fed-standard/grass-fed-beef-standard-revision-02-draft1.pdf
485. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of unannounced inspections in the 23 meat plants with mechanical grading to date in 2020; the corresponding figure for the nine plants without mechanical grading; the number of instances of factories being instructed to revert to manual classification when a machine was found to be working outside of tolerance; if he will he review the policy of not manually regrading carcasses which have already gone through the mechanical grading machines in advance of identifying a breach of the tolerances; the accuracy rate for conformation and for fat in 2019 and to date in 2020; his plans to review the current legislation which provides for an accuracy rate of 60% when the machines can easily operate at an accuracy rate of 90% for both conformation and fat cover; if he will provide the reference for the legislation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42721/20]
View answer486. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the instances of non-compliance with carcase trim specifications his inspectors have identified in beef plants each month to date in 2020; when the names of plants involved will be published; the payments made to the farmer supplier to reflect loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42722/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 485 and 486 together.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing. To date in 2020, officers from the Carcase Classification Division of my Department have conducted 405 inspections across 32 factories. There were 302 inspections in factories where mechanical classification is carried out and 103 inspections in the nine manual grading factories. Over 36,000 carcasses were inspected. The average number of inspections to date in 2020 per factory was 12 and the average number of carcasses inspected at each inspection was 88. The legal requirement is eight inspections per year and a minimum of 40 carcasses at each inspection. These inspection figures significantly exceed the numbers required under the relevant EU legislation.
These unannounced checks by classification officers verify the on-going accuracy of the automated beef grading methods by using a system of points and limits defined in EU legislation. The mechanical classification method must operate within legally defined tolerances at all times. When any mechanical system is found to be working outside of these tolerances, the meat plants concerned are instructed to revert to manual grading. Farmers are advised through their remittance dockets where manual grading is applied.
The suspension of mechanical grading following an inspection by DAFM occurred on four occasions to date in 2020 and the factories in questions were instructed to revert to manual grading. In all instances, classification officers from my Department conducted a classification check before a factory was allowed to recommence mechanical grading.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 sets out the legal tolerances for authorisation of a mechanical classification system. The figure quoted of 60% is the minimum accuracy figure for conformation and fat cover that must be achieved for a mechanical classification system to be authorised for use in any EU state. The average performance for conformation in Ireland in 2019 was 93.3% and 95.1% for fat cover. To date in 2020, average performance for conformation is 93.3% and 95.6% for fat cover.
The role of my Department is clearly defined in the Irish legislation (SI 249/2019) in terms of monitoring and supervision of classification, weights and carcase presentation. This legislation does not provide for any appeal mechanism by the competent authority in relation to the classification of carcasses by mechanical methods.
During these 405 inspections, classification officers also monitored compliance with the EU reference carcase presentation specification. Monitoring of carcase presentation continues to be carried out by my Department's Veterinary Public Health staff based in the factories, on a daily basis.
To date in 2020, one factory has been fined for non-compliance with carcase presentation, details of which will be published on the Department website in due course. Any payments made to a Farmer Supplier, including in relation to issues such as this, are a matter between the Farmer/Supplier and the Processor/plant.
487. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the study into establishing the prevalence of mycoplasma bovis infection in the national herd has commenced; if the study will differentiate between feedlot produce beef and extensively produced beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42723/20]
View answerMy Department completed a seroprevalence survey for Mycoplasma Bovis in the dairy herd in 2018, and had previously undertaken a survey for M. bovis as part of a post mortem study on weaned animals in 2017. The latter study did not differentiate between feedlot and extensively-produced beef cattle. Animal Health Ireland provides advice on its website for the prevention and control of endemic or "production" disease in cattle such as those caused by M. bovis infection.
488. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce legislation to allow farmers access to meat plant CCTV of their animals in view of the fact that such material is presently made available by meat plants to their customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42739/20]
View answerAll slaughter plants whose meat is destined for human consumption must meet the requirements set out in detailed EU regulations relating to food safety and animal health and welfare. Installation of CCTV at slaughter establishments is not a mandatory regulatory requirement. Where slaughter establishments do have CCTV in place, access to CCTV footage is a private matter between the farmer and slaugthter plant and my Department has no plans to introduce legislation on the matter.
My Department has a permanent veterinary presence in each of the slaughter plants under its supervision and Department staff carry out regular checks as part of official regulatory controls.
489. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount expended by a trust (details supplied) on rehoming dogs outside of Ireland in each year since the trust was established; the amount from the budget of the trust that was spent on travel abroad and associated expenses over that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42750/20]
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.
The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT) was established in 1997. Within the time available, it has not been possible to provide the detail sought by Deputy ans I have asked the RCÉ to provide the data directly to you.
Details of expenditure on transportation costs as per IRGT accounts are provided below for the period (2016-2020 to date).
490. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount expended on flights, accommodation and other expenses per person involved in rehoming dogs abroad through the Greyhound Racing Ireland and or the Irish Greyhound Board and a trust (details supplied) in the past five years and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42751/20]
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.
The published accounts of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust for the period 2016 -2019 include the following amounts for overseas travel:
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
€527 |
- |
€1,653 |
No costs have been incurred to date in 2020.
A breakdown of transportation costs to determine what elements of that cost relate to flights or other expenses relating to the partnership with Finding Loving Irish Greyhound Homes Together (FLIGHT) international rehoming programme is not currently available. I have asked the RCÉ to provide the data to the Deputy.
491. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of active racing greyhounds exported in the past five years and to date in 2020; and the number of retired racing greyhounds exported in the past five years and to date in 2020. [42752/20]
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.
The EU wide Trade Control and Export System (TRACES) records dogs being exported under the classification of ‘canines’. Consequently it is not possible to determine the number of greyhounds that have been exported. The Greyhound Racing Act 2019 provides for the introduction of a traceability system for racing greyhounds. RCÉ tendered for a system in early 2020 and has been working with the appointed contractor over recent months. It is expected that the traceability system will be operational before year end. The systems will, as data is generated, provide details of racing greyhounds being exported
RCÉ has provided information regarding the international rehoming of racing greyhounds over the period 2016 – 2020 (to date) as set out below
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
422 |
429 |
372 |
351 |
529 |
Rehoming of racing greyhounds on an international basis may also take place outside of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT) supported schemes. Private greyhound rehoming organisations and private rehomings are not accounted for through the activities of the IRGT.
492. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures and protocols and the animal welfare and well-being standards in place regarding rehoming racing greyhounds abroad; the number of persons that accompany a dog for travel outside of Ireland; and if an official from Greyhound Racing Ireland and or a trust (details supplied) travel with the greyhound. [42753/20]
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 and the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT) only collaborate with reputable International Greyhound Rehoming Organisations who have shown to have a proven track record in the rehoming of retired greyhounds and who have demonstrated that the care and welfare of the greyhound is of paramount importance.
I have been advised by the RCÉ that the transporting of retired greyhounds to U.K. and Europe is only carried out through the use of commercial greyhound transporters who are authorised by this Department or other relevant international authority. The transporting of retired greyhounds to the U.S. is only carried out through the use of specialist pet transporting companies who are members of organisations such as IATA. Greyhounds are also rehomed to U.S. and Canada through Finding Loving Irish Greyhounds Homes Together (FLIGHT) which involves a volunteer flight patron travelling with one, two, three or four greyhounds.
The transportation of greyhounds is normally managed by the international rehoming organisation involved or by the specialist pet transporting company. The transportation of a small number of greyhounds accompanied by a volunteer flight patron is a cost saving initiative by the IRGT as costs are lower compared with transporting commercially through a pet transporting company.
All requirements for a volunteer patron to travel are approved by the Trust in advance. Officials from RCÉ do not travel with greyhounds being transported abroad.
The care and wellbeing of all greyhounds is of the greatest importance to my Department.
493. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to create a national islands plan and to give legislative protection to Ireland’s island communities to ensure their economic and heritage sustainability into the future during her term of office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42621/20]
View answerMy Department is charged with progressing the development of a new National Policy for the Islands. Prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic my officials had been engaged in a process of consultation with island communities in relation to the development of the policy. This consultation was carried out through public meetings on the islands.
The consultation process was temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, to avoid health risks for the island communities. However, my Department has been holding on-line consultations with representatives of the island communities where it was not possible to travel in person, and these consultations are almost complete.
My Department will also consult with other key parties in the New Year, with meetings being arranged with stakeholders such as the Education Training Boards, relevant Local Authorities, the HSE, the Irish Coast Guard and Comdháil OiIeáin na hÉireann.
Following these final consultations, work will proceed on drafting the new policy. While it is not envisaged that the policy will lead to island-specific legislation, an Action Plan to address all aspects of sustainability of island communities will form an integral part of the policy delivery. In this regard, the development and drafting of the policy will be overseen by an Inter Departmental Committee, comprising representatives of key Departments across government.
494. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42707/20]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development was established on 19th July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland.
My Department does pay fees for some employees, for particular professions , as appropriate. This year my Department has paid professional fees for four employees to the value of €822.93 as set out in the table below.
|
Number of Staff |
Name of Professional Body |
Professional Fee Amount |
|
1 |
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors |
€303.93 |
|
3 |
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development |
€519.00 |
|
Total 4 |
|
€822.93 |
495. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a group (details supplied) can expect payment for phase one of a project; when its payment can be expected following submission of the invoices for phase two; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42754/20]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy was approved for funding under the 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The scheme is administered by the Local Authorities on behalf of my Department.
I can confirm that payment claims for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project have been received by my Department. The Phase 1 payment has been made to Wexford Co. Council, while the Phase 2 claim is in the process of being paid and should be received by the Local Authority in the coming days.
