Written Answers Nos. 14-34
14. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a financial support for the inshore fishing sector that have had to deal with a significant reduction in fish prices as a result of Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26979/21]
View answerI acknowledge that it has been a difficult year for the inshore fishing sectors.
Seafood enterprises with a 30% reduction in turnover because of Covid-19 have been eligible to apply to Revenue under the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, an economy-wide enterprise support that focuses primarily on business eligibility. The scheme provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of eligible employees on the employer’s payroll and their gross pay. In addition, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has also been available to self-employed fishers whose trading income has ceased or reduced to €960 over a rolling 8-week period, or employees laid off because of the Pandemic.
The Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme 2014-2020 is the principal source of public funding for the sustainable development of our fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors. The Programme is delivered through a range of support schemes. Financial supports are available to our inshore fishing sector for capital investment on board and ashore, for training and for organisation and capacity building within the sector, while State bodies provide a range of services to the inshore fleet including advisory services and stock conservation supports.
The EMFF Regulation was amended in 2020 to facilitate financial supports to the fishing sector for the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Supports were restricted to either temporary fleet tie-up or storage aid market supports and only in the period February to December 2020. My predecessor held a number of consultation meetings with representatives of the fishing sector, including the National Inshore Fisheries Forum, Producer Organisations and fisheries cooperatives, and there was a strong consensus among the sector in favour of a fleet tie-up scheme. As a result, the Department made available through Bord Iascaigh Mhara a Covid-19 Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme over the months of June, July and August and this Scheme provided a lump sum to participating vessel owners to cover their fixed costs while tying up for a calendar month period. Some 91 vessel owners availed of the Scheme, many of them inshore vessel owners.
I have maintained close contact with seafood industry representatives throughout the Pandemic and on 9th December 2020, I met with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum where I discussed with them the issue of income and business supports. I invited the Forum to make a submission on this matter. I have not received any specific proposal for Covid-19 related financial supports.
15. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for banning mink fur farming; and the current population of mink in such farms in Ireland. [27019/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment on the prohibition of fur farming and Department officials have been working on appropriate steps to give effect to this. The Department is finalising the Heads of a Bill to provide for the introduction of a ban on fur farming which will include a prohibition on mink farming.
The Bill will make it illegal for any new fur farms to be established and will provide for the closure of the small number of existing farm operations. The Bill includes a compensation provision to provide compensation that is fair and reasonable to the three farmers concerned.
Regarding mink numbers, in a particular year, the total number of mink on the three farms depends on the stage of production at that point of time in the year. The numbers increase when the breeding females have offspring born. We are currently at the stage when the females have started giving birth. At the end of 2020, there were approximately 110,000 farmed mink in Ireland.
16. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of his engagement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage concerning the request by associations (details supplied) for structures to enable developers to interact with inshore fishers concerning offshore renewable energy projects. [26914/21]
View answerIt is important that I point out that planning or consenting offshore renewable energy projects does not come under my remit. All maritime spatial planning matters, including for offshore renewable energy projects, come under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I understand that the Minister intends to publish the Maritime Area Planning Bill in the coming weeks which will overhaul the planning and development system in the maritime area and I anticipate that the Bill will also set out formal consultation requirements for projects coming under the Bill's scope.
I understand that the demand for renewable energy and commitment to meet Ireland’s targets for reducing carbon emissions and renewable energy in line with commitments under both the Climate Action Plan and the Programme for Government has led to a significant increase in projects seeking consents. Coastal communities have long relied upon a myriad of economic activities to sustain them. Wind energy can make a real and significant difference to our energy needs but also to coastal employment and add infrastructure to our piers & harbours.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has invited the Department and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to participate in a working group with wider industry and stakeholder representatives on the development of a communication protocol between the seafood industry and the offshore renewable energy industry. Any queries on the operation of that working group should be directed to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
17. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will undertake a comprehensive analysis of feedlot figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27006/21]
View answerIt is important to clarify that there is no legal definition of a feedlot herd. The Deputy may be referring to Controlled Finishing Units. The Department defines certain herds as Controlled Finishing Units (CFUs) in the context of the Bovine TB Eradication Programme. This definition is unique to that programme and does not necessarily mirror the use of the term "feedlot" by the public and/or other institutions. CFUs are subject to enhanced biosecurity measures as part of the TB Programme and can only sell direct to slaughter.
The Department's statutory responsibility in the context of meat plants is to approve slaughter plants in accordance with the European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020 and after that to ensure that the DAFM approved plants operate in compliance with the EU's food hygiene legislation, animal health and animal welfare standards. The Department’s remit in relation to finishing units is to ensure that they operate in compliance with the EU's animal health and animal welfare standards. My Department cannot, in carrying out these processes, take into account issues outside the scope of this remit.
I have acknowledged the importance of transparency in the market for primary producers and my Department is progressing several initiatives to increase transparency. Central to my commitment to transparency is the establishment of a new Office, to be called the National Food Ombudsman or similar. The additional powers to be assigned to the new Office by primary legislation, going beyond those in the Unfair Trading Practices Directive, are currently the subject of a public consultation which is open until 26th May on the Department’s website and I encourage the engagement of stakeholders in this process.
This new Office will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department and Bord Bia already publish a wide range of price and comparative market data on a weekly basis.
Supporting the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector will underpin the development of the Department's supports under the next Common Agricultural Policy.
Ultimately, I want to ensure that, as a priority, we protect farm family incomes whilst also protecting the environment and future and development of ongoing supports for the sector will be underpinned by these principles.
18. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to support the mushroom industry and other horticultural sectors in view of ongoing challenges including accessibility of horticultural peat. [26911/21]
View answerI am very aware of the current dependence of the horticultural industry on the availability of peat moss.
Following on from the publication of a report on the review of the use of peat moss in the horticulture industry by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Minister Noonan set up a working group to consider impacts on the sector.
It is anticipated that this working group representing Government Departments, including Agriculture, Food and the Marine, State Agencies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and industry stakeholders, will address the key issues raised in the report itself, including future use of peat by the horticulture sector. The first meeting of the independent working group took place on 4th March.
My Department provides a support to the horticulture industry through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector. Financial support is available to assist growers and businesses through grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production. A 50% budget increase to €9 million has been secured for 2021 reflecting the importance of the sector. This Scheme is 100% funded by the Irish Government.
In addition, the Department administers the EU Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables which allows growers jointly market their production in order to strengthen the position of producers in the marketplace.
My Department through the Horticulture Industry Forum engages with the horticulture sector on an ongoing basis. As recently as April 20th, I co-chaired a Horticulture Industry forum meeting where the challenges and opportunities facing the industry were discussed.
19. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be implemented to deal with the backlog in forestry felling and planting licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26987/21]
View answerForestry and related issues, particularly the resolution of licensing issues, are a major priority for the Department and I fully recognise its importance to farmers, forest owners, forestry contractors, sawmills and wood processors and to the rural economy as a whole.
In order to fully deliver on the potential of the sector, we need a well-functioning licensing system. I am the first to acknowledge that we have fallen short in terms of turnaround time for licences. Steps have been taken to address the situation, and we have invested hugely in resources with more ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff assigned to licensing. This has seen some gains in output but more work remains to be done. We have set ourselves an ambitious target of 4,500 new licences for this year which is a 75% increase on last year and we are determined to meet this target.
In terms of felling, the volume of timber licensed this year is up 27% on the same period last year. In terms of product to sawmills, Coillte which is the main provider is fully licensed on felling licences for the year albeit not all of their output is immediately available.
I established Project Woodland to work with stakeholders to examine all aspects of forestry, including a review of processes with a view to reducing the licensing backlog. This process is being implemented intensively and the Working Groups are meeting regularly and I understand are shortly due to come forward with recommendations in some cases. The Working Group dealing with the backlog is working on publishing a process and targets for its reduction and other improvements to the system and structure are being examined.
I remain confident that the framework now in place under Project Woodland will address our current difficulties and will result in a licensing system which meets the needs of forest owners, with attendant benefits for all those involved in the sector. I can assure Deputies that no effort is being spared to resolve these difficulties and the issue remains a top political priority for me and the Department.
20. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason farmers in the organic farming scheme were excluded from the Rural Environmental-Agri Pilot Programme. [26917/21]
View answerThe Results Based Environment Agri Pilot (REAP) is an ambitious environmental project designed to test the results based approach on a variety of farm types. The project will feed into the development of the next national agri-environment scheme to follow on from GLAS. REAP is designed to focus on key learning objectives for participants and their advisors.
The REAP scorecard based system has been developed to assess the sustainability of agricultural grasslands. It is a targeted measure for farmers not currently participating in other agri-environment schemes and is an opportunity to broaden the base of participation in agri-environment projects.
The REAP project is a short-term transitional measure which uses additional funding I secured in the budget for farmers for this year. This necessitated a quick turnaround and I am happy to confirm that the project is on track despite the extremely tight timeframe.
Driving the organic farming sector is also a key priority for the Department and we have set an ambitious target in the Programme for Government to bring the participation rate up to the EU average during the lifetime of this Government. The main support available to organic farmers through the Department's Organic Farming Scheme which we rolled over to this year by providing an extra year's contract to all participants.
We also reopened it this year to new entrants and I'm very pleased that a further 317 applications were received to join the latest tranche of the scheme which will increase the number of organic farmers in Ireland by 20%.
In terms of participation in both schemes though, double funding under schemes is prohibited under EU regulations which was a consideration in only opening REAP to farmers who are not in any of the schemes or projects such as GLAS and Organics.
I am very pleased with the level of interest shown in REAP by both farmers and their advisors. This level of interest is particularly welcome at a time when work on designing new agri environment measures under the CAP Strategic Plan is progressing.
21. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the sources of funding of the Results-Based Environment-Agri Pilot Project; if he will review the payment rates for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26494/21]
View answerAn additional €79 million, including €23 million from the carbon tax fund, was provided in Budget 2021 to support actions by the Department in the area of biodiversity, climate, environment and farm health and safety, all the while supporting farm incomes. This is already being implemented across a range of agri-environment measures including the Results Based Environment Agri Pilot (REAP). REAP will be co-funded from the technical assistance budget of the Rural Development Programme, subject to EU Commission approval of the 10th amendment to the Programme.
REAP is an innovative, ambitious and farmer-friendly pilot that will deliver an important income boost to farmers while driving environmental benefits. It also helps the Department and indeed farmers and advisors to test some innovative actions and results-based scoring to inform the design of the next big agri-environment scheme. While the project will support our environmental objectives, it will also support farm incomes by providing up to €12,600 to participating farms over the term of their REAP contract. It is a targeted measure for farmers not currently participating in other agri-environment schemes.
The application stage is now closed and I’m delighted with the level of interest shown with approximately 10,800 applications submitted from 455 advisors. Obviously this is heavily over-subscribed and we are reviewing the scheme approvals in this light. I have written to the EU Commissioner for Agriculture to inform him on the application rate and to explore opportunities for approving more farmers.
REAP will score farm features to identify how management practices have impacted on the environmental status of the holding. Scoring will be calculated with reference to defined indicators, chosen to reflect overall biodiversity and ecological integrity. Payments will be linked to environmental quality. In recognition of the environmental and biodiversity quality achieved, farms with the highest scoring will receive the greatest payment. The model gives the farmer the ability to boost their payments by incentivising positive environmental works.
REAP will provide a positive boost to farm incomes while driving environmental ambition. It is a real and tangible example of the partnership approach Government wants to take with farmers in addressing the climate and biodiversity challenges.
22. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if prior to March 2021 Coillte has been able to provide generic non-site specific harvest plans with their felling applications; if this has been accepted practice between Coillte and his Department; the number of applications submitted and processed in this manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27065/21]
View answerI am satisfied that each felling licence issued to Coillte is in compliance with the regulatory requirements. There is, of course, an independent third party right of appeal on each licence issued where any member of the public believes that the licence is non-compliant.
Coillte manages an area of approximately 7% of the land surface of Ireland. It intends to harvest approximately 3.2 million cubic metres of timber this year and of this amount year they will supply around 1.725 million cubic metres of sawlog to the sawmilling sector. I am pleased to say that Coillte are fully licensed for 2021. A small percentage of these sites require road licenses that are currently being processed by the Department.
In late 2019, the Department produced a document ‘Standards for Felling and Reforestation’. This lays down standard environmental protection measures that the Department expects all operators, Coillte and private, to adhere to.
Prior to harvesting every site, Coillte produce detailed harvest plans in consultation with the contractor carrying out the work. This details all aspects of harvesting including environment and health and safety etc.
A detailed description of any project is essential when sites are screened in for Appropriate Assessment. A harvest plan is not a legal requirement, but it a process which is kept under continuous review. All applicants, public and private, are encouraged to include them in their applications and Coillte has recently begun to increase the level of detail presented in any harvest plans submitted.
Prior to March 2021, Coillte submitted approximately 900 clearfell applications on average each year with details of the location of the site, the area, the objective of the harvesting site, the regeneration method, the species to be felled and the species to be replanted and other information about the environment. The map accompanying the application highlighted the application area, the location of any nearby European sites, rivers, lakes, SACs, SPAs, NHAs, forest roads etc. This information was deemed sufficient for screened out sites.
However, it is not sufficient for sites that were screened in for Appropriate Assessment. For screened in sites, Coillte then submitted a detailed Natura Impact Statement that provided more detail around the felling and replanting operations. The harvesting information provided included a description of how the timber is to be removed from the forest, techniques for protecting soil while doing so, environmental setbacks and plans for reforestation.
In relation to reforestation, the information provided included the boundaries of the reforestation project as well as species to be planted and ground preparation prior to replanting. The information in the application and NIS was sufficient for the Department to make a decision as to whether the licence should issue.
Plans are adjusted by Coillte to take into account site specific issues. For example, felling might be restricted to exclude the nesting season, while in areas with high amenity interest, replanting species is often adjusted to include more broadleaves.
23. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he plans to take in the next CAP to address the longstanding issues of the forgotten farmers. [27043/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to seek to resolve, under the next CAP, the issue of support for the category of farmers known as Forgotten Farmers. The draft proposals for the new CAP include provision for supports for young farmers and new entrants to farming and the Department is examining the issue of forgotten farmers with that timeline in mind.
As the Deputy will be aware, negotiations on the reform of the CAP are currently ongoing. The outline of any schemes supported under the next CAP and details of the Terms and Conditions for eligibility under such schemes or for supports available will be set out once the relevant EU Regulations are agreed and finalised.
I am fully committed to addressing this issue in a way that is fair to this cohort of farmers under the next CAP as outlined in the Programme for Government.
24. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made with the granting of felling licences given that there has been a large backlog for years now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26516/21]
View answerForestry and related issues, particularly the resolution of licensing issues, are a major priority for the Department and I fully recognise its importance to farmers, forest owners, forestry contractors, sawmills and wood processors and to the rural economy as a whole.
In order to fully deliver on the potential of the sector, we need a well-functioning licensing system. I am the first to acknowledge that we have fallen short in terms of turnaround time for licences. Steps have been taken to address the situation, and we have invested hugely in resources with more ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff assigned to licensing. This has seen some gains in output but more work remains to be done. We have set ourselves an ambitious target of 4,500 new licences for this year which is a 75% increase on last year and we are determined to meet this target.
In terms of felling, the volume of timber licensed this year is up 27% on the same period last year. In terms of product to sawmills, Coillte which is the main provider is fully licensed on felling licences for the year albeit not all of their output is immediately available.
I established Project Woodland to work with stakeholders to examine all aspects of forestry, including a review of processes with a view to reducing the licensing backlog. This process is being implemented intensively and the Working Groups are meeting regularly and I understand are shortly due to come forward with recommendations in some cases. The Working Group dealing with the backlog is working on publishing a process and targets for its reduction and other improvements to the system and structure are being examined.
I remain confident that the framework now in place under Project Woodland will address our current difficulties and will result in a licensing system which meets the needs of forest owners, with attendant benefits for all those involved in the sector. I can assure Deputies that no effort is being spared to resolve these difficulties and the issue remains a top political priority for me and the Department.
25. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if will he intervene in the milk price crisis in a company (details supplied) and facilitate proper discussions between the suppliers affected and the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26442/21]
View answerI am aware of reports of a processor in the dairy industry stating its intention to introduce temporary measures to manage milk supply volume during the peak production months of April, May and June from 2022 to 2024. Under these measures, price deductions will apply on milk supplies above a base beak volume and annual growth allowance determined by the processor. However, determination of milk supply mechanisms and associated pricing mechanism is a commercial matter for processors and suppliers in which I, as Minister, have no role.
The impact of peak milk production, which has been managed to date through co-operation in the dairy industry, is nonetheless an issue on which I would encourage all processors to engage with their suppliers. It is vital that this engagement takes place at an early a stage as possible and on an ongoing basis to allow suppliers to plan their milk production and take account of any anticipated difficulties.
Whilst milk production in Ireland has increased significantly since the removal of milk quotas in 2015, the rate of increase has eased in recent years. It is important that processors and their suppliers work together to ensure that the Irish dairy sector can effectively manage the next stage in the development of a sustainable Irish dairy sector. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasis the importance my Department and this Government is placing on improving the sustainability of all sectors of Irish agriculture, including dairy.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 has been published and will support Ireland’s transition to Net Zero and achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050. It will establish a legally binding framework with clear targets and commitments set in law. It will ensure that the necessary structures and processes are embedded on a statutory basis to allow us to achieve our national, EU and international climate goals and obligations.
The measures provided for in this Bill include placing on a statutory basis a 'national climate objective', which commits to pursue and achieve no later than 2050, the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally-sustainable and climate-neutral economy. This Bill is the platform that can allow Ireland to provide strategic leadership on climate change matters. Farmers and the land use sector are already contributing to the national effort to address the climate challenge. Our farmers have shown leadership in this area and I am confident that they will continue to do so.
My aim as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is to ensure that agriculture plays its role in contributing to Ireland’s Climate Change mitigation responsibilities whilst also ensuring that the sector can develop in an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable manner.
26. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent introduction of dairy caps by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26931/21]
View answerI am aware of reports of a processor in the dairy industry stating its intention to introduce temporary measures to manage milk supplies during the peak production months from 2022. However, determination of any supply mechanisms is a commercial matter for processors and suppliers in which, I as Minister, have no role.
The impact of peak milk production, which has been managed to date through co-operation in the dairy industry, is nonetheless an issue on which I would encourage all processors to engage with their suppliers. It is vital that this engagement takes place at an early a stage as possible to allow suppliers to plan their milk production accordingly.
Whilst milk production in Ireland has increased since the removal of milk quotas in 2015, the rate of increase has curtailed in recent years. It is important that processors and their suppliers work together to ensure that the Irish dairy sector can effectively manage the next stage in the development of a sustainable Irish dairy sector. I take this opportunity to emphasis the importance the Department and this Government is placing on improving the sustainability of all sectors of Irish agriculture.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 has been published and will support Ireland’s transition to Net Zero and achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050. It will establish a legally binding framework with clear targets and commitments set in law. It will ensure that the necessary structures and processes are embedded on a statutory basis to allow us to achieve our national, EU and international climate goals and obligations.
The measures provided for in this Bill include placing on a statutory basis a 'national climate objective', which commits to pursue and achieve no later than 2050, the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally-sustainable and climate-neutral economy. This Bill is the platform that can allow Ireland to provide strategic leadership on climate change matters. Farmers and the land use sector are already contributing to the national effort to address the climate challenge. Our farmers have shown leadership in this area and I am confident that they will continue to do so.
In late 2020, I launched Ag Climatise, an ambitious and pioneering roadmap to deliver carbon neutrality by 2050.
My aim as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is to ensure that agriculture plays its role in contributing to Ireland’s Climate Change mitigation responsibilities, whilst also ensuring that the sector can develop in an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable manner.
27. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress of the coastal townhall meetings; the status of the feedback received to date; the actions he plans to take to support coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27005/21]
View answerI welcome the opportunity to update the House on the recent series of virtual Townhall meetings I held with coastal communities around Ireland.
I have had ongoing engagement with stakeholders in the seafood sector since I took office last year. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions I have not been able to engage with people on the pierside. The virtual Townhalls provided a means to interact directly with members of coastal communities, to hear directly from those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit and to hear their ideas about the future of their communities.
I held five regional meetings beginning with the East Coast (Louth and Howth) on 6th May and travelling around the coast to the South East (Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford), South West (Cork and Kerry), West (Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo) and finishing in the North West (Donegal) on 14th May.
I found the meetings very valuable and productive and heard from individual fishers and processors, fisheries representative groups and public representatives including local Councillors, TDs and MEPs. I also heard from other members of coastal communities who are not directly involved in the seafood sector, whose businesses and communities are nonetheless related on the sector.
The impact of Brexit on Ireland's seafood sector, and the coastal communities dependent on it, was understandably a major concern for people. I assured the attendees at the Townhalls that I, as Minister, and this Government continue to keep the focus on the disproportionate quota reductions for Ireland and to use any opportunity available to seek constructive solutions that would help to alleviate this unacceptable position.
Concerns were also raised regarding the findings of the EU Commission Inquiry in relation to control matters including the recent decision by the European Commission to remove Ireland's derogation for weighing of fish after transport. In respect of all operational control matters, I explained that, as Minister, I am expressly precluded from getting involved. The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I understand that the SFPA is engaging with industry on relevant matters.
A wide range of other issues were discussed at the events including the importance of engagement with the industry on offshore wind development and the need for investment in smaller piers and harbours.
28. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to address the concerns that have been raised in respect of the GAEC 2 proposals further to the adoption of a Private Members’ Motion on 22 April 2021. [27042/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I did not oppose the Private Members Motion on CAP, and specifically GAEC 2, which was debated in this house on 22nd April 2021. The reason for this was the key point that I share with the proposers of the motion, that is, the need to establish an effective GAEC 2 standard that will allow continued appropriate farming on existing agricultural Irish peat-based soils.
As articulated during the debate on the Private Members Motion, the trilogue negotiations regarding the next CAP are still on-going and the text relating to GAEC 2 has not yet been agreed. On 10th May 2021, GAEC 2 was discussed at the Special Committee on Agriculture in Brussels.
At that meeting, my officials outlined Ireland’s position that land under GAEC 2 will remain an agricultural area. My officials offered to work with other Member States to consider text changes to ensure that this position will apply across all EU Member States. This work is on-going at EU level as part of the wider CAP negotiation process.
The definition of the eligible hectare is still subject to discussion within the trilogue process. I expect to be in a position to raise this issue, and if necessary GAEC 2, during the Agri-Fish Council of Ministers meeting that is scheduled to take place next week.
29. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason cattle are routinely transported across long distances for slaughter. [26932/21]
View answerThe vast majority of cattle raised in Ireland and slaughtered each year are killed on the island of Ireland, and, as such, are transported over relatively short distances to slaughter. In 2019, some 1.85 million cattle were slaughtered in Ireland. In the same period, less than five thousand cattle aged over 24 months of age - which would represent animals approaching slaughter weight – were exported from Ireland.
While relatively few animals are exported for slaughter, in all cases, the transport for animals must comply with legislative requirements with regard to quality of the transport vehicle, stocking density, bedding and feeding/watering en route. In addition, in respect of all animals exported from Ireland, the Department has a comprehensive system for inspecting the animals and vehicles before transport and ensures that only those animals that are fit for transport are allowed to travel.
The vehicles and ships must pass stringent inspections by specialist engineers and trained veterinary inspectors, to become approved for transport of animals on journeys out of Ireland. The drivers must sit training and pass an examination to be allowed to drive transport animals off-island.
30. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the office of the food ombudsman will be given statutory power to enforce the Competition Acts for the protection of primary food producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27008/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that competition law comes under the aegis of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the agencies under his Department's remit. Notwithstanding the planned establishment of an Office of Food Ombudsman, competition law enforcement will remain a matter for the National Competition Authorities, and principally the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
However, as stated in the Programme for Government commitment, the National Food Ombudsman/Regulator will have responsibility for enforcing the Directive (EU) 2019/633 on Unfair Trading Practices in Business-to-Business Relationships in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain, otherwise known as the UTP Directive. The protection of farmers and small-to-medium enterprises involved in the agri food sector is at the heart of the Common Agricultural Policy and the UTP Directive was adopted to give effect to that principle.
One of the key principles of the UTP Directive is to protect farmers and other weaker suppliers of agricultural and food products against stronger buyers. It aims to improve the position of farmers and small and medium sized businesses in the agricultural and food supply chain and prohibits certain specific unfair trading practices. Implementation of the Directive is under the remit of my Department.
I signed the Statutory Instrument transposing the UTP Directive into Irish law on 28th April. The SI, No.198 of 2021, known as the European Union (Unfair Trading Practices in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain) Regulations, 2021, transposes the Directive into Irish law directly as it stands and will have effect from 1st July 2021. The transposition of the SI is a significant step in progressing towards a more even playing field for our agricultural producers and will provide statutory protection to primary food producers.
The next step is the establishment of the new Office of a National Food Ombudsman or Regulator, a key commitment in the Programme for Government. The establishment of the new Office requires the drafting of primary legislation. The new Office will have a role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland and will incorporate the Enforcement Authority functions required by the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. It is envisaged that the legislation will also provide for any further powers which may be given to the Office, including extending the rules set out in the UTP Regulations.
In that regard, I launched a public consultation in April to seek views on these issues from all stakeholders; the consultation will remain open until 26th May 2021 and I encourage all stakeholders to have their say as part of this process.
31. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to assist family farms and to ensure their viability into the future; the new schemes that will be available for climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27004/21]
View answerOn 14th April, I published the Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 alongside an Action Plan for 2021, which outlines 75 actions to further develop a sustainable, innovative and competitive agri-food, forestry and seafood sector. The Action Plan will build on significant work already underway by the Department, including:
1. Continuing to provide vital supports to the farmers, fishers and foresters which are the lifeblood of a balanced economy.
2. Finalising and publishing a new 10-year Strategy for the agri-food sector - delivering on a key commitment of the Programme for Government, which called for an ambitious blueprint for the sector for the years ahead.
3. Developing Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan.
4. Designing, developing and commencing new transitional schemes for 2021 including an Agri-Environment results-based Pilot Project which rewards farmers for committed environmental effort by linking payments to the quality of environmental outcomes delivered.
5. Implementing Ireland’s first over-arching Animal Welfare Strategy.
6. Working to develop initiatives and policies to underpin and support farm and fisher incomes.
The Department makes direct payments to Irish farmers of almost €1.9 billion annually, under CAP and national schemes. In addition, it funds research, advisory and training supports which directly benefit Irish farmers, and, along with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, co-funds a number of preferential loan schemes to the benefit of primary producers. Farmers also benefit significantly from a range of agri-taxation measures, which are particularly focused to support land mobility and generational renewal.
The next CAP has many goals to achieve. As has always been the case, it needs to support farm incomes. However, it must also ensure the schemes implemented under the new CAP strategic plan deliver significantly improved environmental outcomes. The European Commission’s proposals for the next CAP have been subject to ongoing debate in the European Council and European Parliament since their publication in June 2018. Both institutions agreed their respective positions on the proposals in October 2020. Trilogue discussions between them and the European Commission commenced in November 2020 and are still ongoing.
The new CAP has an increased environmental ambition. It must also help achieve the ambitious targets outlined in the European Green New Deal through, for example, the Farm to Fork and the Biodiversity strategies. I support this. Likewise, I support the protection of our farm incomes, which is also vitally important. This increased ambition was a key factor in reaching the final agreement on the CAP budget last year, when, in the face of planned significant cuts, the Government actually achieved an increase.
As a result, the way in which farmers receive support is changing, with the emphasis shifting much more definitively to a focus on better environmental outcomes, delivered through the green architecture. This green architecture combines greater environmental and climate ambition with Pillar 1 payments with further environmental achievement through Pillar 2 schemes.
32. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the current regulations for mechanical grading in beef factories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26491/21]
View answerThere are currently 22 factories operating mechanical classification in Ireland, representing approximately 90% of the national kill. Mechanical grading in beef factories is underpinned by two pieces of EU legislation which came into force in July 2018 and is also governed by S.I. 249 of 2019.
The EU legal requirement for monitoring classification is eight inspections per factory per year which must include a minimum of 40 carcasses at each inspection. In 2020, during unannounced checks, DAFM officers conducted an average of 14 inspections across the 22 mechanical grading factories and classified an average of 100 carcasses at each inspection. These inspection figures significantly exceed the numbers required under the relevant EU legislation.
The role of the Department is clearly defined in the Irish legislation in terms of monitoring and supervision of classification. This legislation is constantly kept under review.
33. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of felling licences approved in each of the previous 12 months; the number of appeals and applications lodged within this timeline; the number of applications yet to be processed; the measures that are being taken to deal with the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27003/21]
View answerForestry, particularly the resolution of the licensing issues are a major priority for my Department and for me. This is because I fully recognise its importance to farmers, forest owners, forestry contractors, sawmills, and wood processors and to the rural economy.
I know that to fully deliver on the potential of the sector we need a well-functioning licensing system. I am the first to acknowledge that we have fallen short in terms of turnaround time for licences. Steps have been taken to address the situation, and we have invested hugely in resources with more ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff assigned to licensing. This has seen some gains in output, but more work remains to be done. We have set ourselves an ambitious target of 4,500 new licences for this year which is a 75% increase on last year and we are determined to meet this target.
In terms of felling, the volume of timber licensed this year is up 27% on the same period last year. In terms of product to sawmills, Coillte which is the main provider is fully licensed on felling licences for the year albeit not all their output is immediately available.
I established Project Woodland, to work with stakeholders to examine all aspects of forestry, including a review of processes with a view to reducing the licensing backlog. This process is being implemented intensively and the Working Groups are meeting regularly, and I understand are shortly due to come forward with recommendations in some cases. The Working Group dealing with the backlog is working on publishing a process and targets for its reduction and other improvements to the system and structure are being examined.
The Deputy has asked for a month-by-month list of tree felling licence applications received decided and appealed which I will arrange to be submitted to the Deputy directly. However, the total applications received in the last 12 months was 3,607 but of those some 1,800 were received in March of this year from Coillte. The number decided in the last year was 1,741 and the number appealed was 271. I would note that the number of appeals has fallen significantly since the introduction of the new legislation in October 2020, going from a high of 62% of licence decisions appealed last September to an average now of 5% per month.
I remain confident that the framework now in place under Project Woodland will address our current difficulties and will result in a licensing system which meets the needs of forest owners, with attendant benefits for all those involved in the sector. I can assure Deputies that no effort is being spared to resolve these difficulties and the issue remains a top political priority for me and my Department.
34. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department plans to conduct consultations with farmers, farming communities and relevant environmental stakeholder groups in relation to the sector’s role and contribution to meeting Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets under the EU Green Deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27013/21]
View answerMy Department is fully supportive of stakeholder engagement and actively consults with various groups including with farmers, farming communities and environmental groups on a wide range of issues. I fully supported the Government Climate Conversation initiative as part of the development of Climate Action Plan 2021 where the public was invited to join the conversation and help chart Ireland’s journey to 2030 and beyond to net zero emissions no later than 2050.
The objective of the recently published Climate Action (Amendment) Bill of Ireland, committing to pursue and achieve a transition to a ‘climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy’ by no later than the end of the year 2050, is consistent with EU Green Deal climate ambition and international obligations under the Paris Agreement to pursue a net zero target for all greenhouse gases.
EU level discussions are ongoing regarding proposals to deliver on the additional emission reductions agreed for 2030, which will see an emission reduction ambition across the EU by at least 55% compared to 1990 levels.
My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders on matters relating to emission reductions and in particular as we implement the AgClimatise Roadmap towards Climate Neutrality.
