Written Answers Nos. 1108-1135
1108. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); the potential impact on the horticultural and nursery sectors; the measures he is taking to mitigate the impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44848/20]
View answerIn relation to peat extraction, my Department has no involvement in its regulation. This is a planning process under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) license process, under the remit of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
On 7th September 2020, my colleague Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, published a report on the review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. The review report was prepared by an inter-agency working group following on from the submissions from stakeholders.
After the publication of this report, Minister Noonan proposed the establishment of a working group to include representatives from relevant Government Departments and State Agencies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and industry stakeholders under an independent chairperson to examine the issues identified during the review. In this respect the working group will address the key issues raised in the report itself, including future use of peat by the horticulture sector. The position of Chair for the Independent Working Group was advertised and the closing date for receipt of the applications was the 23rd of November 2020. Once the Chair is in place, membership of the working group can be established.
In addition to these developments, my Department is actively looking at alternatives to peat and has funded two research projects to date. It has also recently sought further research be conducted here to explore alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production in this area in its latest Research Call for 2021. These must be available, affordable and sustainable and meet quality as well as environmental requirements.
1109. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) will be permitted to not have to repay the premium and plantation grant for six acres of forestry that he or she had to take out after six years of growth in order to control the spread of tuberculosis on his or her land; if this will be considered as force majeure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44855/20]
View answerThe person named is not a participant in my Department's Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme.
This plantation was established with support under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme by the previous owner who, as it stands, remains responsible for any liabilities arising from the scheme. The previous owner advised the Department in January 2020 that the site had been sold and was issued with material regarding change of ownership and steps to be taken to effect same, including being advised of the requirement for full repayment of all grants and premiums where a new owner does not continue in the scheme. To date, the new owner has not yet applied to continue in the scheme.
My Department has advised representatives of the new owner in April 2020 of the scheme conditions that remaining premiums would not be paid to the new owner unless change of ownership under the scheme was effected and that deforestation is not allowed under the scheme, unless alternative lands are replanted in accordance with the scheme conditions. They were also advised that TB was not a reason to deforest, that any felling required a felling licence under the Forestry Act 2014 and that illegal felling is an offence and can result in fines.
I have asked Department officials to review all aspects of this case in light of the information above and to communicate directly with the parties involved. If illegal felling has taken place, this will be fully investigated and result in prosecution, if appropriate.
1110. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision is likely to be made on proposed changes to regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44923/20]
View answerEU Regulation 2019/6 comes into force in January 2022 and from this date anti-parasitic veterinary medicinal products for food producing animals will require a veterinary prescription in order to be supplied. My Department has made it clear to stakeholders that all current suppliers of anti-parasitic veterinary medicines will continue to be able to supply them post-January 2022.
Policy and legislative decisions related to Regulation 2019/6 will be finalised during 2021 and will be subject to consultation with stakeholders.
1111. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider putting a strategic plan in place to protect the health of Connemara ponies into the future in view of the seriously concerning statistics on hoof wall separation disease. [44956/20]
View answerThe Connemara Pony Breeders Society (CPBS) has been approved by my Department to maintain the Studbook for Connemara Ponies and, in this regard, operates a breeding programme for the breed.
My Department has allocated funding to the Connemara Pony Breeders Society under the Equine Infrastructures Scheme since 2015, to facilitate research into this genetic defect. The research work carried out in conjunction with Weatherby's, in this regard has enabled the Society to test for the presence of the HWSD gene. This has allowed the Society put together a strategy to bring about a decrease in the incidence of this genetic defect towards its eventual elimination.
1112. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if further tranches of funding will be rolled out to animal welfare organisations in view of the fact that an organisation (details supplied) received just €2,000 in the most recent round of funding to support its work in 2021. [44975/20]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that animal welfare is a high priority for my Department and considerable resources and funding are provided to address the issue. The Programme for Government contains an undertaking to provide additional funding to support animal welfare in the coming years to which I am fully committed. In December 2020, I announced record funding of €3.2 million to 101 animal welfare organisations throughout the country. This included an award made to the organisation named which represented a doubling of the funding awarded in 2019.
Applications for annual funding from animal welfare organisations are assessed carefully and awards are made on the basis of objective criteria, including the level and type of assistance provided by the organisation in the delivery of care and welfare services to animals and the level of funding raised by organisations from other sources to support welfare activities.
My Department's scheme for support to animal welfare charities in 2022 will be advertised later this year and applications from eligible organisations will be welcomed.
1113. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 662 of 15 December 2020, if his Department makes its various payments to the person whose name is attached to the herd number; if he will further clarify the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45007/20]
View answerEntitlement to payment under the Department's various schemes and services is predicated upon, application for and compliance with, the various requirements and qualifying criteria of the schemes concerned. Payment under the various schemes and services is made to the applicant once the qualifying criteria are met and the applicant is otherwise compliant. Registration as a herdowner does not infer entitlement to payments under any schemes operated by my Department.
The requirement to hold a valid Herd Number is an eligibility condition under a number of the schemes run by my Department. In order to qualify for payment under such schemes, all other eligibility conditions and scheme requirements must also be met. In general, payment will issue to the person(s) named on the relevant herd number subject to all scheme conditions being satisfied. There are circumstances in which payment can be made to third parties, for example, where an attachment order has been issued by the Courts.
1114. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding supports for fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45038/20]
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 the Wage Subsidy Scheme and its successors 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.
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 covid-specific supports I make available must be within the confines of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation and EU State Aid rules.
In 2020, the European Union amended the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation to ensure that Member States’ 2014-20 EMFF 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 were allowed only up to 31 December 2020.
For the fishing sector, 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. As the Regulation confined such supports to fishing vessels, the scheme was available to registered fishing vessels only and vessels in the aquaculture segment of the fleet could not be accommodated.
In relation to the aquaculture sector, the amendment to the EMFF Regulation allowed Member States to pay compensation to aquaculture enterprises for the lost sales or production caused by the pandemic. The representative body for the aquaculture sector sought such supports for shellfish producers and I implemented a support scheme for oyster and rope mussel producers towards the end of 2020.
1115. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the locations and operators of the 12 biogas plants approved to operate in Ireland; and the locations and operators of the two plants that are at an advanced stage and the plant that is at an early stage, as outlined in Parliamentary Question Nos. 894 and 895 of 22 September 2020. [45089/20]
View answerThe names and locations of the 12 biogas plants approved under the EU Animal By-Product Regulations are set out in the table below. This information is available on the Departments website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/044de-eu-approved-abp-plants/
My Department cannot comment on the details of plants or operators which are undergoing the approval process.
|
Approval/Registration Number |
Name |
County |
|
BIOG 8 |
BEOFS, Bio Energy Organic Fertiliser Services |
Kilkenny |
|
BIOG 51 |
Green Generation |
Kildare |
|
BIOG 55 |
Greengas AD |
Limerick |
|
BIOG 64 |
Ballyshannon Recycling Ltd |
Wexford |
|
BIOG 81 |
Rockbrook AD Ltd |
Laois |
|
BIOG 92 |
Timoleague Agri Gen Ltd |
Cork |
|
BIOG 98 |
Kilowen Biogas Ltd |
Waterford |
|
BIOG 100 |
Glenmore Generation Limited |
Donegal |
|
BIOG 103 |
Ashleigh Farms |
Waterford |
|
BIOG 106 |
Eras Biogas |
Cork |
|
BIOG 108 |
Huntstown Bioenergy Ltd |
Dublin |
|
BIOG 116 |
Recycled Products Ltd |
Donegal |
1116. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45127/20]
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 in July 2020.
The Appeals Office requested the file and a statement on the grounds of appeal from my Department and all relevant documentation has been forwarded to the the Appeals Office.
I am advised that the appeal has been assigned to an Appeals Officer for examination and I am assured that the appeal will be dealt with in due course.
1117. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the animal welfare standards other countries must meet in order to receive live exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45153/20]
View answerWith regard to intra-community live exports, all EU member states are subject to common EU welfare standards both during transit and within the destination of country.
In the case of 3rd countries, agreed veterinary health certificates outline herd of origin, transport and welfare requirements to be met. Ireland adheres strictly to these standards.
My Department implements the most stringent system of controls on the welfare of animals being exported.
In addition to meeting the provisions of Council Regulation 1/2005, Ireland implements a comprehensive legislative framework relating to the transport of animals by sea (The Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 (S.I. 356 of 2016). This legislation goes above and beyond the requirements of the EU Council Regulation.
1118. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an impact assessment has been conducted by his Department with respect to the Irish feed industry following the imposition of duties on products listed in the EU-US WTO Aircraft Dispute - Regulation 2020/1646; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45185/20]
View answer1119. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is putting in place to support the Irish feed industry following the imposition of an additional 15% duty on products listed on Annex 1 of the EU-US WTO Aircraft Dispute - Regulation 2020/1646 and a 25% duty on those products listed on Annex II of the same regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45186/20]
View answer1120. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there was no consultation with the Irish feed industry or an organisation (details supplied) during the negotiation phase or the pre-implementation phase of the EU-US WTO Aircraft Dispute - Regulation 2020/1646 when other EU member states did provide ample opportunity to discuss and review the proposed list, consult with industry and provide comment; the reason no notice period was provided for or requested by the Irish delegation when supporting this regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45187/20]
View answer1121. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will immediately engage with an organisation (details supplied) to address significant concerns regarding the imposition of duties and tariffs following the implementation of the EU-US WTO Aircraft Dispute - Regulation 2020/1646; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45188/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1118 to 1121, inclusive, together.
I appreciate the impact that recent developments in the ongoing WTO-adjudicated Airbus and Boeing disputes have had on the Irish feed importers. On 9th November 2020, the EU decided to impose tariffs on a range of US exports to the EU, including beet pulp and cane molasses. These tariffs became effective on 10th November 2020. It should be noted that one of the EU's criteria for product selection, in this instance, is that the EU is not reliant on the US for the supply of these particular products.
There are no plans to put measures in place to support the industry as a result of the imposition of these tariffs.
Questions regarding international trade are primarily a matter for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. As a general proposition, however, Ireland's position on the Airbus/Boeing dispute has been that such matters are better resolved, where possible, without recourse to retaliatory tariffs.
1122. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the customs controls at Rosslare Port will be closed at any point during the working day; if so, the reason for such closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1026/21]
View answerThe Office of the Revenue Commissioners is the office responsible for customs controls in Ireland. My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, is responsible for the implementation of food safety, plant and animal health controls on consignments of live animals, plants and products of plant and animal origin, being imported into Ireland, and the EU, from non-EU countries.
The hours of operation of the border control post operated by my Department, at Rosslare Port, are currently 16 hours a day, seven days a week, from 4 am to 10 pm. The hours of operation have been set based on analysis of demand and to coincide with the arrival of the morning and evening ferries. The arrangements also take account of possible ferry delays, and factor in the requirement for haulage companies to pick up unaccompanied trailers and to meet delivery time targets.
1123. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the losses in the specific species the fishing fleet will have to give up (details supplied); the details of the decommissioning proposal given to him and the Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1079/21]
View answerThe EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement will, unfortunately, have an impact on our fishing industry. However, this impact would have been far greater had the Barnier Task Force agreed to UK demands or had we been in a no-deal scenario which would have seen all EU vessels barred from UK waters and subsequent displacement into Ireland's fishing zone. This week, I have published a Preliminary Analysis of Transfers of Quota Shares on the gov.ie website which details quota transfers for Ireland across the different stocks. The economic effect will be felt across the pelagic and the whitefish fleet. The Deputy will see from this document that reductions in the Annexes to the Agreement are graduated over the 5.5 year period of reciprocal access, but the largest part of the reduction, 60%, is between 2020 and 2021.
In the context of funding that may be made available to Ireland through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to assist our seafood sector with the consequences of a reduction in Ireland's quotas, my Department is exploring a variety of measures, including a possible temporary cessation scheme from the second quarter of 2021 to provide short term assistance to fishing vessels most impacted by the quota agreements with the UK and a possible decommissioning scheme to follow at a later date to address the longer term consequences on the balance between fleet capacity and fishing opportunities.
1124. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the proposal by Bord na Móna to divert a large portion of peat previously allocated for the horticulture industry to retail factories in Ireland and the UK, and Edenderry power factories; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this will damage the horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1081/21]
View answerIn relation to peat extraction, my Department has no involvement in its regulation. This is a planning process under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) license process, under the remit of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
Regarding the future use of peat moss in the horticulture sector, on 7th September 2020, my colleague Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, published a report on the review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. The review report was prepared by an inter-agency working group following on from the submissions from stakeholders.
After the publication of this report, Minister Noonan proposed the establishment of a working group to include representatives from relevant Government Departments and State Agencies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and industry stakeholders under an independent chairperson to examine the issues identified during the review. In this respect the working group will address the key issues raised in the report itself, including future use of peat by the horticulture sector. The position of Chair for the Independent Working Group was advertised and the closing date for receipt of the applications was the 23rd of November 2020. Once the Chair is in place membership of the working group can be established.
In addition to these developments, my Department is actively looking at alternatives to peat and has funded two research projects to date. It has also recently sought further research be conducted here to explore alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production in this area in its latest Research Call for 2021. These must be available, affordable and sustainable and meet quality as well as environmental requirements.
1125. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a complementary redistributive income support for sustainability as recommended by the European Commission; the basis by which this support will be funded; the expected number of farmers who will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1082/21]
View answerThe CAP post-2020 legislative proposals set out a number of measures relating to distribution of payments. These include a proposal to implement a mandatory overall cap of €100,000, as well as degressivity, or gradual reductions, for payments above €60,000. The proposals also include a complementary redistributive scheme to redistribute payments from larger to smaller and medium sized farmers. Under the recently-agreed Council General Approach, this is a voluntary option for Member States.
My Department is carefully considering all aspects of the CAP proposals in order to assess their potential impact on farmers. However, the final agreement on the CAP is dependent on the outcome of the trilogue process, which is still ongoing in Brussels. Until that process is concluded, and the parameters for any measures are decided, it is not possible to provide further details on any potential schemes, including a CRISS scheme.
My Department will continue to examine the options presented during the negotiations in order to achieve the best possible outcome for farmers.
1126. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to cap the upper limit of payments that farmers will receive from the Common Agricultural Policy in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1083/21]
View answerDuring the transitional period, the provisions for capping of payments from EU Regulation 1307 of 2013 still apply.
Ireland chose to apply the maximum capping of payments possible under this regulation and will continue to do so during 2021. Therefore, the maximum payment that will be granted to any one farmer under the Basic Payment Scheme (excluding the Greening Payment) in 2021 is capped at €150,000.
I have previously committed to further looking at the maximum payment level.
1127. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the convergence that will take place for CAP payments in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1084/21]
View answerConvergence is a feature of the current CAP and the new CAP proposals intend to continue with this policy. Ireland has supported this element of these proposals. Convergence aims to redistribute and flatten the value of CAP payment entitlements and like all elements of the CAP, there are differing views regarding its implementation.
Under the current CAP, some €93million was redistributed from farmers with payment entitlements values above the national average to raise the value of payment entitlement held by farmers that were below the national average. This was implemented in a planned, phased manner over the five years of the Basic Payment Scheme and the steps of the convergence were notified to each farmer. This period of planned convergence ended in 2019 following its successful implementation.
The regulations regarding the transition period enable member states to continue convergence during the transition period, if they so wish. In order to provide for stability, some certainty for farmers and consultation on CAP measures, Ireland chose to rest convergence during the years 2020 and 2021.
I am reflecting on the approach that should be adopted and I will continue engagement with the relevant stakeholder organisations. I am mindful that any decision on convergence during the transition period is interlinked with plans for convergence in the new CAP. The regulations for the new CAP period have not yet been finalised.
1128. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has been informed that a worker at mink farms has tested positive for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1085/21]
View answerThe Department of Health and the HSE are the competent authorities responsible for dealing with public health including testing and tracing. I can confirm that my Department has not been informed of a worker at a mink farm having tested positive for Covid-19.
1129. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will conduct an assessment of the Brexit-related impact on farm incomes; his plans to financially support those farmers who have been negatively impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1086/21]
View answerIn line with other parts of the economy, much of the analysis and economic modelling to date on Brexit for the Irish agrifood sector has concentrated on the outcome of a no deal scenario. Recent research by Teagasc estimated that in a no-deal scenario, the average family farm income in 2021 would have decreased by 18%, with average income on beef farms dropping by 40%.
In concluding a Free Trade Agreement with the UK, this worst case scenario has been avoided. However, it has always been clear that there is no good Brexit for the agrifood sector. While the avoidance of tariffs is hugely significant, the trading relationship has changed and non-tariff barriers will inevitably create costs to trade. These mainly relate to the costs of customs procedures, compliance with SPS requirements, costs of transit and certification requirements. The precise magnitude of these costs is unclear but academic research indicates that they could be in the region of 8-13% of the value of exports. These costs are likely to be higher in the short term but would be expected to ameliorate over the medium to longer term as firms learn and adapt to the new requirements.
The impact on farm incomes will depend on how non-tariff barriers translate into additional costs of doing business with the UK, over the next year in particular, and how those costs are absorbed along the value chain. It is not possible to accurately predict the effects on annual farm incomes. However, my Department is closely monitoring the situation in relation to farm incomes.
I, along with the rest of Government, stands ready to provide the necessary supports for impacted sectors, including through funding from the EU's Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
1130. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the states to which Irish beef product is exported that stipulate a requirement for the 30-month rule; the dates from which this stipulation has been made in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1088/21]
View answerBeef exports to non-EU third country markets take place on the basis of bilaterally or EU-agreed veterinary health certificates (VHCs) or, alternatively, on general meat certificates.
Eight VHCs provide for full or partial 30-month age restrictions for Irish beef as required by the importing country at the time that the certificate was agreed. The third country markets concerned and the scope of the rule are listed below:
- China;
- Iran;
- Saudi Arabia;
- Turkey;
- Qatar;
- Switzerland;
- Egypt (applicable to bone-in beef); and
- Singapore (applicable to bone-in beef).
My Department works continuously on expanding market access for Irish meat and meat products across a range of markets. Where there are stringent technical requirements attached to the export of meat to a third country, my Department seeks to continue negotiations with such countries to remove or reduce the impact of the requirement.
For example, in May 2019, the 30 month restriction for Irish beef to Japan was lifted. This was the culmination of a significant programme of work over an 18 month time period.
A Market Access portal on my Department’s website gives further details on the markets open and their technical requirements. In addition, the Market Access Report 2019-2020 published on my Department’s website lists new markets opened and access expanded within that period.
1131. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the states to which Irish beef products are exported that stipulate a requirement for the four movement rule; the dates from which this stipulation has been made in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1089/21]
View answerBeef exports to non-EU third country markets take place on the basis of bilaterally or EU-agreed veterinary health certificates (VHCs) or, alternatively, on general meat certificates. Beef exports to the rest of the EU do not require certification.
In relation to VHCs currently in place, no third country has specified the maximum number of movements of an animal in its lifetime prior to slaughter as a requirement. However, retail or food service customers for Irish beef exports may specify such requirements. Such specifications are entirely a commercial matter and are not conditions imposed by my Department.
A Market Access portal on my Department’s website gives further details on the markets open and their technical requirements. In addition, the Market Access Report 2019 - 2020 published on my Department's website lists new markets opened and access expanded within that period.
1132. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of calls that have been made to his Department's Brexit helpline for stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1112/21]
View answer1133. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of calls that have been made to his Department's Brexit helpline for border control posts at Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1113/21]
View answer1134. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of calls that have been made to his Department's Brexit helpline for border control posts at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1114/21]
View answer1135. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of calls that have been made to his Department's Brexit helpline for border control posts at Rosslare Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1115/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1132 to 1135, inclusive, together.
My Department's dedicated Brexit call line is in operation on a 24-hour basis by phone, seven days a week, since Monday 28 December. Prior to then, it had been operational from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 7 pm.
This was set up as an advice line for stakeholders in the agrifood sector to answer a broad range of Brexit-related queries. As of the close of business on Friday 8 January, staff in the Call Centre dealt with 83 phone queries and 75 queries by email since 28th December. Since mid-November, the helpline had been receiving an average of 45 calls a week.
Separately, on 28 December 2020, the Department published contact details and opening hours for its Border Control Posts (Dublin Port, Rosslare Port, Dublin Airport). Importers have been encouraged to contact those numbers directly if they have a query in relation to a specific consignment. However, the main function of these BCPs is to carry out the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks (Import controls) that apply on agrifood trade coming from third countries, including Great Britain.
