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Wednesday, 24 Mar 2021

Written Answers Nos. 2003-2027

Tuberculosis Incidence

Questions (2003)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

2003. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) presented a herd for inspection that was suspected of containing tuberculosis; if this herd was documented as not being the entire compliment of registered animals; and the sanction that ensued as a result of same. [15156/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy is seeking to access personal information in relation to an identified individual and, therefore, I am precluded from providing her with this information.

Forestry Data

Questions (2004)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

2004. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if 2,300 ha of forestry was planted in 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15163/21]

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Written answers

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department grant aided 2,434 hectares of forestry in 2020.  My Department compiles a number of different afforestation statistics annually, which are made available on my Department's website: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/15b56-forest-statistics-and-mapping/

In addition, there is another 4,500ha already approved and available to plant immediately.  It is up to landowners to decide to plant, once they have received approval to do so, but I would encourage anyone that has approval to arrange financial approval which is a straightforward process completed by their registered forester and to commence planting. 

Forestry Sector

Questions (2005)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

2005. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the forestry service inspectorate has any authority in cases in which a forestry licence is issued outside the plots mapped for that licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15164/21]

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Written answers

An application for a forestry licence must includes a map of the area for the proposed forestry activity.  The assessment of the application is then compleed based on the whole of the application including the maps provided.

An approval letter should not issue with a map covering a different area.

Forestry Sector

Questions (2006)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

2006. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures followed in cases in which a district inspector decides to suspend a forestry licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15165/21]

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Written answers

District Inspectors may recommend suspension of a licence having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including non-compliance with any conditions. 

Question No. 2007 answered with Question No. 1999.

Forestry Sector

Questions (2008)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

2008. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the beneficiaries of payments or funding from COFORD in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15167/21]

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Written answers

The COFORD Council is appointed by the Minister of State to advise on issues related to the development of the forest sector in Ireland. It's mission is to facilitate the development of the sector to provide the full range of economic, environmental and societal benefits to society and advocate good forest practice.

The COFORD Council does not have a budget or make payments to beneficiaries and operates as a forest stakeholder platform. The term of each COFORD Council is approximately three years with a number of working groups established to make recommendations on a range of thematic areas.

The COFORD Council role can be summarised as follows;

1. To advise the Ministers of Agriculture, the Department on issues related to the development of the forest sector in Ireland

2. To make recommendations and monitor progress on recommendations from published COFORD reports

3. To provide advice to the Department on research and development and  propose initiatives and projects for consideration in DAFM competitive calls

4. To publish COFORD statements on issues supporting the development of forestry in Ireland which are representative of the views of the Council.

5. To provide advice/ and or engage with other Government Departments and public bodies when requested by or with the agreement of the Minister of Agriculture Food and Marine and/or DAFM

On a case-by-case basis, my Department does provide some funding to facilitate the work of individual COFORD working groups where specific needs are identified as being necessary for their work. This information is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy separately.

Wildlife Control

Questions (2009)

Niall Collins

Question:

2009. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he plans to take regarding the large herd of wild goats impacting on farmers in west County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15194/21]

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Written answers

The EU rules on the registration and identification of farmed goats are contained in Council Regulation 21/2004, as transposed into national legislation via S.I. 792/2005 (as amended).

These rules are implemented through the National Goat Identification System (NGIS). The NGIS sets out the rules and keeper responsibilities in the areas of goat herd registration, animal identification, the notification of animal movements, record keeping and census completion.

My Department has no legislative responsibility for the wild goat population as outlined by the Deputy.

Felling Licences

Questions (2010)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

2010. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a felling licence application by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15202/21]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, there is a backlog of license applications that require an Appropriate Assessment (AA). My Department has put in place a detailed project plan for dealing with this backlog which includes recruitment of additional ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff where required. 

In this case, the licence application is waiting to be reviewed by a Department ecologist. Due to the current backlog of applications waiting for an Appropriate Assessment (AA), it will take some time before an ecologist will be assigned to work on an AA Determination for this application. The current estimate is over nine months.

Submitting a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) for this licence would however significantly reduce the length of time it would take for the Department to complete the AA process for this application.  On receipt of a satisfactory NIS, the length of time it would take to complete the AA process is estimated to be between two and three months.

If the applicant wishes to submit a NIS for this application, please notify the Department by email to ecologyqueries@agriculture.gov.ie who can assist in the process.

Forestry Sector

Questions (2011, 2012)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

2011. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if carrying out the screening process on each forestry licence application by district inspectors is approved by the Forestry Appeals Committee (details supplied); if the Committee will uphold the licence in cases in which the forestry licence is objected to due to the fact the screening process was carried out by the district inspector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15221/21]

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Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

2012. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if district inspectors informed senior forestry management that they will screen in the majority of licence applications given as district inspectors they do not feel suitably qualified to carry this work; the number of occasions on which senior management has been notified of same in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15222/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2011 and 2012 together.

Screening for Appropriate Assessment is carried out by Forestry Inspectors in the first instance.  It is the Department’s view that Forestry Inspectors are qualified and appropriately trained and have the required Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) available to them to carry out this screening.  My Department is not aware of any issues raised on this with management this year. The SOP for carrying out this screening and supporting tables are in the public domain. 

The Forestry Appeals Committee deals with each case on its merits and, to date, I understand it has not cancelled a licence where the District Inspector has correctly screened the project and where there are no issues with the application. 

Forestry Sector

Questions (2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

2013. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request from Coillte the percentage of planting which is coniferous and broadleaf, respectively by site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15225/21]

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Written answers

Coillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.

I have therefore passed the question raised to Coillte for response and direct reply to the Deputy.

Felling Licences

Questions (2014)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

2014. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications for tree felling under investigation at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15257/21]

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Written answers

Forestry licences continue to be received and issued daily.  To 12 March, 484 tree felling licences have issued this year.  These licences cover over 1.5 million cubic metres of timber, which is already 30% of the total volume licensed in 2020.  I have given the commitment to issue 4,500 forestry licences this year, much of which will comprise tree felling licences.  There are 2,722 tree felling licence applications within my Department’s system, which are at various stages of processing, from the initial application steps, to ready for decision. 

My colleague, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for forestry recently announced Project Woodland on foot of receiving the Jo O'Hara report and I am hopeful that the framework now being put in place will result in an improvement in processes and an increase in output. The implementation of this has already started with the Project Board having held its first meeting and the individual working groups likewise. Implementation of this project is a high level priority for this Department this year.

Fisheries Protection

Questions (2015)

Gerald Nash

Question:

2015. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his discussions with his European Union counterparts regarding the expected 15% reduction in fish landed in Ireland as a result of the recent Brexit deal and the inequity of Ireland having the largest proportion transferred among involved EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15267/21]

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Written answers

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) 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. 

The fisheries quota transfers to the UK, agreed as part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the UK, will have impacts on certain segments of our fishing fleet, and on marine support services and coastal communities dependent on fishing.   The quota reductions for Ireland are disproportionate compared to other Member States and will lead to an estimated loss of €43 million per year in fish quotas when the reductions are fully phased in by 2026.  Some of the quota reductions will begin to be felt by our fishing industry when the full annual EU quotas for 2021 are determined shortly.  

I wish to assure the Deputy that this Government intends to continue to keep the focus on this very undesirable situation and to use any opportunity available to seek constructive solutions that would help to alleviate this unacceptable position.

On 20th January, I met with Michel Barnier, the EU Fisheries Commissioner and the Ministers of the Fisheries Group of 8 on fisheries related matters post-Brexit. I raised this matter of inequitable burden sharing directly at this meeting. 

I also raised this matter at EU Fisheries Councils in both January and February. At the February meeting, I put forward a practical proposal to seek an exchange from the UK of mackerel for North Sea whitefish on the basis of a proposal from the Irish industry. However, this was not accepted by all relevant Member States as it involved loss of shares of whitefish for them in the North Sea.   This emphasises that proposals to adjust shares of quotas within the EU will always be challenging and to be successful are likely to work when they offer  advantage to other Member States as well as Ireland.

The European Commission, on behalf of the EU, has been engaged in consultations with the UK on setting fishing opportunities for shared stocks for 2021 since early February.  While progress is being made in these consultations, an agreement with the UK has not to date been reached.   Earlier this week, I attended the March EU Fisheries Council, setting  provisional TACs and quotas for seven months will provide certainty and continuity for the fishing industry for the coming period.  I again made Council aware of Ireland's concerns regarding  the matter of inequitable burden sharing within the TCA both formally at Council.

As I have said, I  am pursing every opportunity at EU level to increase the available quotas for our fishing fleet.  I am pleased with the outcome of the consultations with Norway in respect of Blue Whiting has increased the available quota for the EU and Irish fleet..  The ICES advice is for a 20% cut in this stock and this advice is being followed.    This cut has been significantly mitigated because I negotiated successfully to reduce the customary transfer of this stock to Norway.   As a result, Ireland’s quota has been reduced by only 8%, giving us a quota of 35,373 tonnes.  The proportion of the Total Allowable Catch in the transfer of Blue Whiting to Norway for 2021 has been set at the lowest transfer level we have seen and represents a recognition at EU level of the need to use every  opportunity to increase the quotas available for our fishing fleet.

I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to raise the matter at EU level and in bilateral exchanges with other EU Member States, whenever a suitable opportunitis arise. 

Common Fisheries Policy

Questions (2016)

Gerald Nash

Question:

2016. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to renegotiate the Common Fisheries Policy to prevent direct and indirect job losses in the Irish fishing industry, to protect the sustainability of fisheries stock within Ireland’s exclusive economic zone and to prevent the displacement of Irish vessels in Irish waters by EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15268/21]

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Written answers

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters.  The CFP specifically calls for the progressive restoration and maintenance of populations of fish stocks above biomass levels capable of producing Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY).   This will lead to healthy fish stocks, higher quotas for both Irish and EU fishers and to more sustainable fishing patterns. In 2020, 45% of the stocks of interest to Ireland were fished at or below MSY - this increased from 34% in 2013.  In 2009, at EU level only 5 stocks were fished at MSY.  This shows that the many years of intensive, industry-led conservation measures within the framework of the CFP are paying off.  

The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record).  The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, on the basis of a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The Hague Preferences give Ireland an increased share of traditional stocks (cod, whiting, haddock, sole and plaice) when Total Allowable Catch (TAC) levels reduce below a specified level. 

Under the CFP, EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas.  Fishing vessels, irrespective of size, must comply with the rules of the CFP, including rules on access and catch limits/quota. 

The CFP is reviewed every 10 years and the next review is scheduled to be completed by 31st December 2022 when the European Commission will report to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the CFP.  The EU Commission has advised that it intends to commence the CFP review process following clarity on the future relationship between the EU and the UK.  The review is expected to be detailed and comprehensive.   At EU level, it is expected that all stakeholders will have an opportunity to engage actively in the review work including the fishing industry, eNGOs and Member States.  

I will consider how Ireland will prepare for and participate actively and effectively in the upcoming review of the CFP, including the interaction with stakeholders, to prepare Ireland's case and identify priorities.  I have previously stated that I am committed to doing all possible through the review of the CFP to secure additional quota where possible for Irish fishers. 

The Programme for Government sets down an ambitious programme of actions that promote a sustainable seafood industry and we are committed to working to continue to build on the progress that has been made to secure a sustainable future for our fishing industry and the coastal communities which depend upon it.

Flood Relief Schemes

Questions (2017)

Seán Canney

Question:

2017. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has introduced a farm buildings relocation scheme for farmers whose buildings were flooded during flood events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15287/21]

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Written answers

My Department continues to monitor the situation in relation to the flooding of farmland in general and farmyards where it arises.

The Department instigated a feasibility study for a scheme for the voluntary relocation of farmyards. This work is being carried out within the terms of the Inter-departmental Flood Policy Group and will be concluded shortly.

Wildlife Conservation

Questions (2018)

Matt Shanahan

Question:

2018. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider legalisation calling for an immediate and outright ban on the importation of non-native bee species to help protect Ireland’s native stock of honeybees, reduce the risks of pest species and to reduce the risk of hybridisation due to mating of non-native and native species (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15351/21]

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Written answers

I fully acknowledge the important contribution bees make to agriculture and biodiversity as both pollinators and honey producers. In this regard, my Department provides a range of supports and initiatives to encourage and assist beekeepers and the national beekeeping associations. These supports include provision of a free disease diagnostic service for Irish beekeepers to help maintain the health of the bee population, funding to carry out applied research through the National Apiculture Programme, grants to national beekeeping associations and also grant aid to fund capital investments for beekeepers.

In relation to the importation of honeybees into Ireland, this is allowed under regulations governing intra-Community trade with other EU Member States. The specific health requirements for trading in bees are laid out in Council Directive 92/65/EEC. All imports of bees must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the country of export. This is to ensure that imported bees are healthy and do not harbour pathogens or parasites that may be harmful to our native bee stocks.

Farm Household Incomes

Questions (2019)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

2019. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an off-farm income pay for income tax figure can be accepted as the gross income for a national reserve application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15380/21]

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Written answers

In order to demonstrate the level of off-farm income earned in Ireland for consideration for eligibility under the National Reserve, an applicant must submit supporting documentation as provided by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. 

Since the 2019 tax year, for applicants who are taxed under the PAYE system, the P60 and P21 documents have been replaced by an Employment Detail Summary and a Statement of Liability for the Tax Year respectively. In determining the off-farm income of the applicant, the complete tax year will be considered and the applicant must provide supporting documentation to cover the 52 week period of the tax year.

For applicants who operate under self-assessment for income tax purposes, the Form 11 for the relevant year should be submitted.  It may be necessary to request additional documentation from applicants in certain cases. 

With regard to the details as set out on the Revenue Commissioners Employment Detail Summary document, the figure under the description ‘Pay for Income Tax’ is used to determine off-farm income.  Where the number of weeks of employment as set out on the Employment Detail Summary is less than 52, further documentation such as a Statement of Liability for the tax year in question will be sought.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (2020)

Joan Collins

Question:

2020. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Greyhound Racing Ireland lists a greyhound (details supplied) as rehomed when the dog was actually exported to China; and if he will investigate and take action against persons involved in the direct or indirect export of greyhounds to China. [15385/21]

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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 (RCÉ)  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. 

The first part of the question is an operational matter for RCÉ and has been referred to the body for direct reply to the Deputy.

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

RCÉ has informed my 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. 

Forestry Management

Questions (2021)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

2021. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the decision of his Department to increase the buffer zone radius from 3 km to 15 km for all forestry projects; the authority that advised this increase; when his Department received this instruction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15421/21]

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Written answers

The Habitats Directive and the transposing legislation SI 477 of 2011 require, inter alia, that an appropriate assessment is undertaken where screening identifies a likelihood of the project having a significant effect on a European site(s).  This is true regardless of the separation distance between the project and the European site(s). 

A likely zone of impact is used in order to identify those European Sites to be specifically addressed during screening. In making a decision regarding the likelihood of a project having a significant effect on a European Site(s), all European Sites within a certain radius (or ‘likely zone of impact’) should be considered at screening stage, in addition to hydrologically-connected European Sites.  For example, in relation to a Special Protection Area, it is important to consider whether the project area lies within the foraging distance of bird species for which that SPA was designated, and many of these foraging distances exceed 3km. 

This was one of the reasons why 3km was not deemed appropriate.  Prior to the change in mid-2019, Ecology consultants, MKO, who were engaged by the Department to carry out appropriate assessment training at the time, deemed that our appropriate assessment screening decisions would be vulnerable to challenge if we continued to consider at screening stage only those European Sites within 3km. 

Results on individual cases heard by the Forestry Appeals Committee also indicate that the 3km radius was not appropriate. The Department was advised that a radius of 15km, which had its origins in guidance provided by the National Parks & Wildlife Service, was the ‘industry-norm’ and that this distance would be more robust. This coupled with feedback from the FAC prompted the change from 3km to 15km  

Public Expenditure Data

Questions (2022)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

2022. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of capital projects completed since 2016; the final agreed tender price for each project; the actual cost of each project; if the actual price exceeded the tender price; the reason in each case in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15466/21]

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Written answers

Due to the volume of the information requested by the Deputy, it was not possible to provide a comprehensive response in the required timeframe. I will arrange for a reply to be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Fishing Industry

Questions (2023)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

2023. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider banning industrial fishing for sprat similar to that for herring and mackerel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15526/21]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, a Policy Directive was introduced in March 2019, following the decision of the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine that from 1 January 2020 all trawling by large vessels, over 18 metres in length overall, in coastal waters inside Ireland’s 6 mile zone was to cease, other than for a sprat fishery which was to be phased out during 2020 and 2021.

A Judicial Review was taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy Directive. On 6 October 2020, the High Court made an order quashing the Policy Directive. While a stay on the order was refused by the High Court on 10th December 2020, a stay on the order was subsequently granted by the Court of Appeal on 19th March last. The substantive hearing of the Court of Appeal is due to take place on the 22nd and 23rd June next, however, as the case has been identified as a priority case, it remains on a waiting list and the State will be advised if an earlier date becomes available.

However, as the matter is currently sub judice, I am not prepared to consider further potential measures restricting the fishing of sprat until the matter is resolved before the courts.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Questions (2024)

Peter Burke

Question:

2024. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied). [15563/21]

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Written answers

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) provides for six years of payments to participating farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability. The original six year programme came to an end in 2020, but eligible participants could opt to continue in the scheme for a one year transition programme in 2021. 

A letter issued to the person named in December 2020 stating that they were ineligible to  participate in the programme into 2021 as they were deemed to have failed the replacement heifer requirement in 2020.  An appeal was received on 14th January 2021 where a query was raised with regard to the replacement heifers. The matter was investigated with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) and has now been resolved.

A letter will now issue to the person named indicating that the appeal has been successful. The letter will also set out the steps that need to be taken for 2021.

Horse Racing Industry

Questions (2025)

Paul Murphy

Question:

2025. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of thoroughbred foals born over the past five years; the number registered to race on the track; the number of horses exiting racing over the same period; and the number of same that were sent to slaughter. [15584/21]

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Written answers

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

The parts of the question raised by the Deputy in relation to the number of thoroughbred foals born over the past five years, the number registered to race on the track and the number of horses exiting racing over the same period are  operational matters for HRI. I have requested my officials refer these parts of the question to HRI for direct reply.

  Details of the number of thoroughbreds slaughtered at facilities approved by my Department for each year from 2016 to 2020 inclusive are given in tabular format below.

It is important to note that these equines were issued with passports by Weatherbys Ireland, although not all of those would necessarily have been born in Ireland. Legislation allows for studbooks to issue passports for equines that are eligible for inclusion in the studbook but born anywhere in the EU.

 The number of thoroughbreds slaughtered at facilities approved by my Department for each year from 2016 to 2020 inclusive.

Year

No of Thoroughbreds slaughtered

2016

2952

2017

2829

2018

2526

2019

2218

2020

1549he number of thoroughbreds

Grant Payments

Questions (2026)

Michael Creed

Question:

2026. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their 2020 BDGP and BEAM grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15611/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) provides for six years of payments to participating farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability.

To be eligible for payment, participants must follow the measures set out in the programme, one of which is Genotyping. The number of animals to be genotyped each year will be "at least equivalent to 60% of the number of calved suckler cows (reference animals) on the holding in 2014 or 2015 in the case of New Entrants/Force Majeure (rounded to the nearest animal)"

The person named failed to meet the minimum genotyping requirement of 60%, which resulted in no BDGP payment for 2020.

In relation to the application for the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) from the person named, an issue with the status of this herdnumber arose on th Department's Client Customer System. That issue has now been rectified and payment will issue in the coming weeks.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (2027)

Martin Browne

Question:

2027. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the importance of new grass in acting as an emissions sink; if progress is being made in providing financial support in reseeding; his views on the level of support per acre that would be appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15615/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department recognises the important role that sustainable grassland production plays in our livestock agricultural systems and in particular as an emission sink in our fight against climate change.

Improved grassland management practices potentially lead to greater sequestration levels. It is important to note that non-inversion methods of reseeding to minimise GHG losses is the preferred method of establishing new grass swards. On-going research being conducted through Teagasc shows that multi species swards (including the incorporation of clover) offer opportunities for farmers to reduce their reliance on chemical fertilisers and increase GHG sequestration levels on agricultural grasslands.

In recognition of the importance of improved grassland management practices to increase the grassland carbon sink a number of actions have been included in Ag-Climatise - A Roadmap Towards Climate Neutrality, which sets out a vision for the primary agrifood sector to become climate neutral by 2050. This roadmap highlights the importance of grass measurement, participation by farmers in the Grass 10 programme and also the development of national training and mentoring programs for grassland/pasture management on Irish farms.

While there are currently no plans to financially support farmers to reseed grasslands, there are a number of measures in place to reward farmers for the particular management of permanent grassland. The current agri-environment scheme GLAS (Green, Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme) includes two actions which specifically support permanent pasture which is managed to promote a more diverse sward. Under the Low Input Permanent Pasture (LIPP) and Traditional Hay Meadow (THM) actions, there are over 310,000 ha of agricultural grasslands being retained and actively managed as a carbon sink.

As part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan development, a number of options are being considered to further protect and increase the agricultural grassland carbon sink with the potential to financially reward farmers for their activities in this area.

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