Written Answers Nos. 1098-1119
1098. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the proposal by a group (details supplied) that a new rural environment protection scheme be index linked to 1994, the year of the original scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10251/21]
View answerNegotiations regarding the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the associated draft regulations are ongoing. While progress has been made, there are decisions on a number of key issues still to be made, including in relation to the proposed CAP Strategic Plan. The proposed new Green Architecture which encompasses enhanced conditionality, eco-schemes and agri-environment climate measures needs to be considered in this regard.
The Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) was the national agri-environment climate measure under the Rural Development Programme to the end of 2020. To ensure that environmental benefits achieved to date are maintained and that farmers continue to receive support, GLAS 1 and 2 participants with contracts due to expire at end 2020 were offered the option of extending their contracts for a further year. The vast majority opted to do so.
As regards the successor scheme to GLAS, it is proposed that a new agri-environment climate scheme will be included in Ireland’s new CAP Strategic Plan.
Funding has also been made available for an agri-environment pilot project. It is proposed to do this as a results-based project in order to align it with the principles of the next CAP. The pilot will trial the results-based model on participating farms and will test the feasibility of up-scaling the model as part of the next national scheme. Results-based agri-environment payment schemes reward farmers for committed environmental effort by linking payments to the quality of environmental outcomes delivered. I do not expect many payments will be determined by index linking to 1994.
To inform the development of the project, a public consultation was recently launched and will remain open until 26th February. Final decisions on the structure and content of the pilot will be made after the public consultation process. A summary overview document and the online consultation survey are available at gov.ie - Public Consultation on Proposed Agri-Environment Results Based Pilot Project (www.gov.ie).
1099. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific scientific basis for the 30-month age limit remaining as a requirement for the slaughtering of beef in Ireland; if he will consider removing the rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10252/21]
View answer1100. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing the required measures to ensure the removal of the four-movement rule for livestock; his views on whether the rule is anti-competitive in nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10253/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1099 and 1100 together.
There is no rule limiting the age of cattle or the number of movements for beef production. Such specifications are entirely a commercial matter and are not conditions imposed by my Department. In-spec bonus payments are made in respect of cattle which meet certain market specifications demanded by trade customers. The 30-month age and four movement specification to which you refer are examples of this.
It should be noted, however, that certain third countries have imposed a 30-month age limit in respect of beef imports, and this will be specified in the veterinary health certificate which will accompany beef exports to those countries.
In September 2019, consensus was reached between stakeholders on the Irish Beef Sector Agreement.
Two elements of this relate to the specifications cited:
- the introduction of a new bonus of 8c/kg for steers and heifers aged between 30 to 36 months, which meet all non-age related existing in-spec criteria, and which up to now have not received any bonus;
- an independent review of market and customer requirements, specifically in relation to the four in-spec bonus criteria currently in operation in the Irish beef sector.
The details of this agreement are publicly available on my Department’s website. https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1a060-beef-taskforce/#irish-beef-sector-agreement
Grant Thornton was successful in tendering for the transparency studies including the review of market and customer requirements, specifically in relation to the in-spec bonus criteria currently in operation in the Irish beef sector.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused some initial delays to progress on these studies, but this work is expected to be concluded soon.
1101. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider reverting to the previous TB inspection regime whereby cattle were inspected once a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10254/21]
View answerThe current requirement that is in place under EU and national legislation, and that has been in place since the 1960s, is that all herds undergo at least one annual herd test.
In herds where disease is suspected or confirmed, this will result in extra tests until the herd tests clear. Every year, circa 97% of herds in the country have to undergo only one TB test.
1102. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns raised regarding supports being provided to Irish farmers during the next round of the Common Agricultural Policy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10256/21]
View answerNegotiations between the European Council, Parliament and Commission on the shape of the new CAP are ongoing, and unlikely to conclude until May 2021. In the meantime, the EU budget for the next seven years has been agreed, and will see an overall increase in CAP funding for Ireland. Although the amount available for direct payments is slightly reduced, this is compensated for by a bigger increase in the amount available for rural development, including a special allocation of €300 million for Ireland in recognition of the challenges facing our agricultural sector.
Any reduction in the amount of Direct Payments is a matter of concern. However, the outcome must be assessed against the original proposal of the Commission in 2018, which comprised a 15% cut in rural development expenditure and a 4% cut in direct payments. This 5% overall cut in the CAP budget would have translated into a significant loss of funding for Ireland over the 2021-2027 period.
Ireland had consistently rejected proposed cuts to the CAP budget during the negotiation process, particularly given the additional environmental and climate demands being made of farmers, and the need to meet the higher levels of environment and climate ambition set out in the new EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies. This planned reduction has now been completely removed.
The continued delivery of payments to farmers is a key priority for me in ensuring the best possible outcome for farmers from the CAP reform process.
1103. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase funding for the tillage sector with respect to research, developing new markets, centres of excellence and achieving greater economies of scale; if that will be reflected in the price received for tillage farmers produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10262/21]
View answerMy Department has funded research in various aspects of crop production to the tune of €12.5 million in recent years. By way of example, in 2020, €600,000 was provided to Teagasc to develop micro-malting capacity in their laboratories in Oakpark. These important supports are in addition to direct funding which Teagasc receives from my Department annually, some of which is also directed towards the tillage sector.
Both I and my Department continue to encourage tillage farmers to pursue high value food and drinks markets including malting, brewing and food oats which in the main bring higher returns to growers than traditional markets for feed grain.
In addition, my Department has introduced a number of support measures for the tillage sector in recent years to help its competitiveness including:
- a Voluntary Coupled Protein Aid Scheme providing a fund of €3 million with the aim of sustaining production of plant proteins. It is proposed to continue with the VCS for the CAP transitional period for tillage farmers. Furthermore, my Department is considering the continuation of the VCS for protein crops in the next CAP.
- The Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS) under TAMS II covers specific areas of investment for tillage farmers. Over €16m has been paid to farmers to date under the scheme. In addition, over €7m has been paid to farmers for tillage investments under the Young Farmer’s Capital Investment Scheme as part of TAMS II.
-In Budget 2021, details of an Agri-environmental initiative that is intended to encourage tillage farmers to increase soil organic carbon levels by chopping and incorporating straw from tillage crops was announced. This measure will operate on a pilot basis in the transitional period between CAP programmes and has a budget of €10m.
In addition to the above financial supports, my Department runs a number of important programmes including the Crop Variety Evaluation Programme and the various Seed Certification Schemes.
Significant measures have been put in place to-date to support the tillage sector but I am acutely aware of the challenges it faces. In this regard, both I and my officials will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the sector’s viability is maintained.
1104. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review correspondence (details supplied); the actions his Department is taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10285/21]
View answerI am aware that the Green Cert Programme continues to attract strong interest in the West and North East of the country. My Department is working closely with Teagasc to ensure that there is sufficient teachers available to meet demand.
In that regard, Teagasc has agreed to bring forward a proposal to hire additional temporary teachers for consideration by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This model has proved very effective in the past in dramatically increasing the number of places within a relatively short timeframe. Since 2014, over 9,000 people have been accommodated on the Green Cert.
The scheduling of courses and assignment of teaching posts to particular locations is an operational matter for Teagasc. My Department will continue to monitor the Green Cert situation in Teagasc closely.
1105. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide funding to research a viable alternative to peat in relation to horticulture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10345/21]
View answerMy Department operates a programme that provides funding for agri-food research, on a competitive basis, to research performing organisations, including Teagasc and the Higher Education Institutions. Applications are invited periodically through Research Calls that cover a broad range of agriculture, food and forest related research activities.
Our current call, which closes on 9th March, contains a specific topic entitled: ‘Find alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production which are available, affordable and sustainable and meet quality, environmental and productivity requirements. Proposals should take account of how peat based growing media are used in each sector (ornamental and amenity horticulture, vegetable sector, fruit sector, mushroom sector), and the unique characteristics demanded by each formulation of growing media in the Irish context’.
My Department has also supported research in this area via the Producer Organisation Scheme.
1106. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that six out of eight of the current farming for nature award nominees are not eligible for CAP payments despite being full-time farmers (details supplied); and the measures being proposed in the new CAP to address the matter. [10385/21]
View answerPayments are made to farmers under CAP via two streams - Pillar I and Pillar II.
Regulation No. 1307 of 2013 defines that direct payments must be area-based payments and, in Ireland, is based on the number of Basic Payment entitlements held by a farmer with each payment entitlement supported by a hectare of land – linking the area farmed to the amount of supports.
Since 2015, new entrants to farming can apply to the National Reserve for an allocation of payment entitlements without already having entitlements. The minimum payment under BPS is €100, so once a farmer has a payment entitlement value exceeding this amount (e.g. from a fraction of an entitlement), they can receive payment under BPS. If they hold entitlements, they can apply for a permanent increase to the value of these payment entitlements, if they are below the national average. Payment entitlements can also be traded between farmers to enable them to adjust their farming businesses and to facilitate entry to direct payments.
There are also several measures available under CAP Pillar II. The Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme aims to provide direct financial support to farmers who farm land in areas which have been designated as constrained. The minimum eligible area that can be applied for under ANC is three hectares. The scheme as an allocation of €250m annually, and payments issue to some 100,000 farmers each year nationally. The stated objectives of the scheme include maintaining the countryside and maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems which take account of environmental protection requirements. Eligibility for this scheme does not require applicants to hold BPS entitlements.
New entrants may also avail of measures such as TAMs and the new results-based agri-environmental pilot. The Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme offers an attractive suite of options to suit most land types and owners. Agro-forestry provides financial support to grow trees on land being used for farming. Forestry-for-fibre allows landowners to plant fast growing trees suitable for a range of purposes, including wood panel and fuel production. The Department will shortly be preparing the next Forestry Programme, which will be open for public consultation at the appropriate time.
The new CAP programme proposes a higher level of environmental ambition – and will dedicate a significant sum of direct payments to eco-schemes promoting farming practices which are beneficial to the environment and go beyond standard conditionality. These will be complementary to the programme of supports under the rural development programme for the new CAP.
My Department has already held consultations on the new CAP, is currently inviting submissions on the draft scoping report for the Environmental Assessment of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and will hold more public consultations later this year. I welcome submission of proposals for inclusion from all parties at gov.ie - Public Consultation on draft Scoping Report for the Environmental Assessment of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (www.gov.ie)
1107. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a PCS number by a company (details supplied). [10389/21]
View answerI can confirm that officials from the Pesticide Control Division (PCD) of my Department have contacted the company named in relation to the biocidal product named.
On 15th and 16th February, the applicant was informed that products like this, which contain a sole biocidal active ingredient already approved at EU level, can only be placed on the market in a Member State via the EU-harmonised product authorisation mechanism specified in the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). This process involves the submission of a complete dossier addressing all of the relevant technical and scientific data requirements outlined in the BPR, a detailed evaluation of the dossier by a Reference Member State and a rigorous commenting process involving other Member States. The appropriate fee charged by the Reference Member State for the evaluation work undertaken must also be paid.
The applicant has been provided with details on how to proceed with an application for product authorisation. Officials from PCD would be happy to provide further guidance on the process should the applicant decide to submit an application for product authorisation in Ireland.
1108. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1020 of 17 February 2021, if a copy of the relevant legislation will be provided; if evidence that a company was contacted to carry out a survey will be provided; the legislation under which producers are being prosecuted for not completing the survey (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10397/21]
View answerThe European Communities (Data Collection in the Fisheries Sector) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 132/2010) give effect to elements of the EU Data Collection Regulation. The Regulations are available online at the following link:
S.I. No. 132/2010 - European Communities (Data Collection in the Fisheries Sector) Regulations 2010. (irishstatutebook.ie).
The Regulations place a duty on aquaculture operators to maintain certain data on their operations and require an aquaculture operator to comply with a request of a data collection officer of BIM to furnish such information. It is an offence under the Regulations to fail to comply with this requirement and a person who commits such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to €5,000. I am not aware of any prosecutions for offences under these Regulations.
I understand that there is a very high level of compliance and cooperation from the aquaculture sector with these requirements and that aquaculture producers understand the importance of robust economic data on their sector for policy making at national and EU level.
I am informed by BIM that the aquaculture enterprise named by the Deputy was requested in writing by BIM to submit certain economic data on its operations in each of the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 and that the correspondence from BIM noted the statutory basis for the request. I am advised that the company concerned did not comply with the request in either 2018 or 2019. BIM is retrieving a copy of the correspondence from its archives and this will be forwarded to the Deputy.
1109. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on a forestry application by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the urgency of the situation. [10420/21]
View answerAn application for an afforestation licence was received on behalf of the person named in July, 2020. The application site is near 11 designated sites, including the Twelve Bens and Clew Bay SACs. The impact of any afforestation operations on the sites and surrounding area was carefully considered before deciding on the licence application.
The application has now been approved and the decision issued to the applicant and their Registered Forester.
1110. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide his diary for December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10430/21]
View answer1111. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide his diary for January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10431/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1110 and 1111 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is attached.
1112. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he and or his officials have referred a matter in relation to the doping of a horse (details supplied) to An Garda Síochána and or are assisting An Garda Síochána regarding the doping of a horse; and if he and or his officials have engaged Horse Racing Ireland and or the IHRB in relation to same. [10435/21]
View answerI can confirm that neither I, nor my officials, have referred the matter to the Gardaí, assisted the Gardaí in relation to it nor engaged with Horse Racing Ireland or the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board in relation to this matter.
1113. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 616 of 23 June 2020, the number and location of all sea lice inspections carried out in the Connemara region in 2020 and to date in 2021; the results of same; if orders were issued pursuant to an inspection; the number of inspections it is expected to conduct for the remainder of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10461/21]
View answerThe provision of the detailed information sought by the Deputy will necessitate an extensive examination of my Department’s records and consultation with the Marine Institute who operate the control protocols for the management of sea lice on behalf of the State.
A detailed reply will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 days.
1114. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a Teagasc green certificate is considered to be an advanced certificate at level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. [10463/21]
View answerThe Teagasc Green Cert is a QQI Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture and Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming on the National Framework of Qualifications. The Cert is provided on a part-time and distance education basis at Teagasc's Regional Education Centres and local offices. Graduates of the course are eligible to progress to a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture programme, or apply for entry to linked courses at Institutes of Technology through the Higher Education Links Scheme.
1115. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness-raising campaigns of Covid-19 in national newspapers, regional newspapers, national radio, regional and local radio stations and across social media platforms; and the amount committed to expend under any current contracts or agreements with same in tabular form. [10465/21]
View answerMy Department has participated in, and contributed to, the whole-of-Government communications and public information campaigns related to COVID-19.
It has provided information as appropriate via established channels of communication including the Department’s website, through official social media accounts and stakeholder communications.
My Department has neither incurred nor committed additional expenditure in relation to this.
1117. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date and the wording of the European Commission communication to his Department concerning the verification of the reasonableness of administration costs of Leader in accordance with article 48(2)(e) of EU Regulation 809/2014. [10494/21]
View answerThe communication referred to by the Deputy was provided to my Department as the Managing Authority in Ireland for the Rural Development Programme, of which LEADER is one element. The Department of Rural and Community Development are delegated by my Department to administer the LEADER programme.
The document is part of an ongoing deliberative process between my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the European Commission. I am not, therefore, in a position to provide a copy of the document at this point in time.
1118. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10543/21]
View answerI am aware of an upward trend in fertiliser prices in recent times. While fertiliser sales here have been steadily increasing over the last decade, there are generally continuing signs of a levelling off in nitrogen sales in recent years.
As a key input in the food production system, my Department will be closely monitoring how the fertiliser market develops in the weeks and months ahead.
In relation to the tillage sector specifically, there has been a significant upward move on grain prices in recent months with opportunities for growers to forward sell at these higher prices. In addition my Department has introduced the following support measures in recent years to help its competitiveness. These include:
- The Straw Incorporation Measure announced at Budget 2021 with a fund of €10m.
- An annual Voluntary Coupled Protein Aid Scheme for growing protein crops with a fund of €3m
- The Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS) under TAMS II which covers specific areas of investment for tillage farmers with over €23m paid out to date
Being cognisant of the challenges facing the agriculture sector as a whole, both I and my officials will continue to monitor the overall situation.
1119. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the proposed development and relocation of Horse Sport Ireland will not expose the Exchequer to any liability, future liability or future funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10563/21]
View answerMy Department has provided funding to Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) over a number of years with, a €5m grant provided in 2021. Such spending is based on a service level agreement and is intended for current expenditure on areas such as breeding. It does not include capital funding. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media also provides funding to HSI.
HSI did make a budget submission to my Department last year for capital funding but the figure concerned was indicative and was not specific to any particular site or venue and involved the development of a green field site.
My Department does not provide capital funding to the HSI and it has not requested future funding for this project.
