Written Answers Nos. 273-297
273. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans introducing a limit on the maximum farm grants that would be payable to farmers under the forthcoming CAP programme; if so, the conditions that will attach to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28956/21]
View answerThe draft proposals for the new CAP Programme propose capping of Basic Income Support Scheme (BISS) payments above €100,000 with degressivity possible between €60,000 and €100,000 and which includes options to offset some salaries against that limit. The draft proposals include a number of measures which concern redistribution of direct payments, including:
1. An overall cap of €100,000;
2. Degressive reduction of payments above €60,000;
3. A complementary redistributive income support scheme, and
4. The convergence of payments towards the average payment per hectare nationally.
At present, Ireland has implemented the maximum level of capping allowed under the regulations -100% capping of payment entitlement value above €150,000. If the maximum capping allowable under the proposed regulations were implemented, the maximum BISS payment would be c. €82,000. It seems likely that other direct payments, such as eco-schemes, would be excluded from this capping.
These redistributive mechanisms are core EU policies and are set to continue under the draft regulations for the new CAP. There has been extensive engagement and consultation with stakeholders on this process since the draft proposals were announced. I continue to engage with stakeholders with a view to ensuring that the developing EU regulations include a suite of measures which will enable us to ensure the fair implementation of these vital financial supports.
These measures, and others under the direct payments ceiling, are inextricably linked to each other. This means that each time one of the elements is changed, each of the other elements also are affected. Discussions are continuing around the new legislative proposals for the CAP and the final shape of the regulations and the options available to Member States will not be clear until this process is concluded. The Department continues to play a proactive role in this process.
274. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to ensure there is a direct relationship between the rates of payment under the ANC scheme and the natural constraint on production of different types of land under the forthcoming CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28957/21]
View answerAhead of the launch of the 2019 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, Member States were required under EU Regulations to change the approach to the designation of land under the ANC Scheme. Prior to this, the Department identified eligible areas using a range of socio economic indicators such as Family Farm Income statistics, population density, percentage of working population engaged in agriculture, stocking density etc.
From 2019 onwards, it was required that eligible areas must instead be designated by reference to a range of bio-physical criteria such as, for example, low temperature, excess soil moisture and poor chemical properties. The process also took into account constraints facing offshore island farming and three other identified categories of land: areas of environmental importance, areas facing structural constraints relating to fragmentation and farm size and areas facing structural constraints relating to the prevalence of grassland cover and field size.
Following the completion of this process, areas under the scheme which were determined to be constrained were further classified into a number of different land categories as follows:
- Category 1 land
- Category 2 land
- Category 3 land
These categories are based on the considerations set out in Article 31(1) of Regulation 1305/2013. The system of farming prevalent in Category 1 is characterised by extensive farming practices focused on livestock management on higher ground. By contrast, Category 2 is characterised by extensive livestock grazing practices on lower ground, while Category 3 is less extensive in nature and characterised by grazing livestock enterprises.
Areas of Specific Constraints (Island Farming) formed an additional land category.
Payment rates under the existing scheme are based on an examination of standard output data from the Central Statistics Office Census of Agriculture and data from DAFM databases. This facilitated a comparison at district electoral division (DED) level of DEDs containing designated land, with DEDs containing no designated land. CSO Standard output figures show for Category 1 areas only an average SO/ha of €236.76, for Category 2 areas only an average SO/ha of €742.81, for Category 3 areas only an average SO/ha of €1020.38, and for non-designated areas an average SO/ha of €1206.86.
Based on these figures, the payment rates set out in the scheme are in line with the provision of Article 31 (1) of Regulation 1305/2013 in that the support granted annually per hectare will compensate beneficiaries for “part of the additional costs and income foregone related to the constraints for agricultural production in the area concerned.”
Payment rates are designed to reflect the differences between these three categories.
In the case of support for offshore farming, eligible costs are determined on the basis of the costs and income foregone linked to the specific constraints experienced by off shore island farmers. Island farmers already incur the additional costs and lower productivity that other mainland farmers situated on Areas of Natural Constraints also incur. However, there are additional costs borne by island farmers, which cover all of the main farming activities. These include higher input costs (fertiliser and machinery), animal feed, and other services such as veterinary, consultancy, and maintenance charges.
It is expected that the existing criteria for the determination of the status of land under the scheme, established following the extensive re-designation process undertaken ahead of the 2019 ANC scheme, will continue to form the basis of the determination of land designated as constrained under the new CAP.
The payment rates set out in the existing scheme also show a direct relationship to the level of constraint and production on the different categories of land designated as constrained. On that basis, it is also the intention to ensure that the existing basis of the determination of the rates of payment for each category of land designated as disadvantaged under the scheme also forms the basis for the payment rates which will be in place for the new CAP.
The current payment rates under the ANC scheme are:
- Category 1 Land: €148 on the first 12 eligible hectares or part thereof, and € 112 per hectare on remaining hectares up to a maximum of 34 hectares.
- Category 2 Land: €111 on the first 10 eligible hectares or part thereof, and €104 per hectare on remaining hectares up to a maximum of 30 hectares.
- Category 3 Land: €93 on the first 8 eligible hectares or part thereof, and €88.25 per hectare on remaining hectares up to a maximum of 30 hectares.
- Areas of Specific Constraints (Island Farming): €250 on the first 20 eligible hectares or part thereof, €170 on greater than 20 hectares to less than or equal to 34 hectares and €70.00 on greater than 34 hectares or less than or equal to 40 hectares.
275. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he plans taking to ensure that as much of the grants payable to farmers under the forthcoming CAP will remain with the farmer and that compliance costs will be kept to a minimum in view of the income challenges faced by the agriculture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28958/21]
View answerI am very much aware of the pressures on farm income and the need to consider compliance costs for farmers. I will consider in the preparation of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 how we can best support farm incomes and minimise compliance costs, while adopting new approaches and innovations to address new and existing challenges.
I am conscious of the need to put in place supports to assist farmers and advisors to address the climate, environment, biodiversity and health and safety challenges at farm and local level. We have started this work in the transitional period, providing training for farmers and advisors, and testing results-based scorecards through the REAP pilot project, as well as continuing to provide support for EIP-AGRI innovation projects to find local solutions to local problems with farmers.
We aim to continue our online services using the agfood.ie system for applications by farmers, thereby reducing compliance costs. The Department already provides dedicated telephone and online help facilities for those farmers who need assistance in making applications, again cost-free for customers. Ease of application and compliance will be central to the new interventions under the CSP.
I will also continue the extensive engagement with stakeholders on development of the CSP through the CAP Consultative Committee, which comprises representatives of the main stakeholders, including farm bodies, NGOs (including the Environmental Pillar), industry representatives and academia. Further, wider, public consultations on the development of the CSP will take place over the coming weeks and months as we have more clarity on the regulations, which are under consideration in Brussels this week. I will continue to engage with stakeholders on all aspects as we develop our CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 to meet the deadline of submission to the Commission by 1st January 2023.
276. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a felling licence application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28961/21]
View answerAn application for a tree felling licence was received in March 2019 for the person named. The preliminary appropriate assessment screening indicated the application site is near eight designated sites including the Lower River Shannon SAC. Therefore, the impact of any felling operations on the sites and the surrounding area, must be carefully considered before deciding on the licence application. Therefore, the application has been referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit.
This file is now due to be examined by an ecologist in the next four-six weeks and when that assessment of the application is complete, the application will be returned to the Forestry District Inspector for their final assessment and recommendations. These recommendations will form part of the decision on the application which should issue shortly after, subject to all aspects of the application being of the required standard.
277. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, if the assistant secretary with responsibility for GLAS is also responsible for forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28973/21]
View answerThe Assistant Secretary in the Department with responsibility for GLAS also has responsibility for Forestry.
278. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the policy analysis carried out by his Department on the impact GLAS has had on afforestation uptake rates, due to the fact that farmer planting undertook the most serious decline in the history of the scheme during the same time period as GLAS; the policy analysis that was completed by his Department on the impact of GLAS on the afforestation grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28974/21]
View answer290. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, the main farming activity that is, dairy, beef, sheep, tillage and other in percentage terms of the applicants for GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28986/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 290 together.
GLAS is implemented under the provisions of EU Regulation (EU) no 1305/2013. Section 12 of the GLAS terms and conditions outline that afforestation is fully compatible with GLAS and is recognised as contributing to the creation of a valuable landscape mosaic at farm-level. It is also important to note that GLAS is not a whole-of-farm scheme and that afforestation opportunities continue to exist for GLAS participants on parcels that do not contain GLAS actions.
As the Deputy will be aware, the ‘Review of Approval Processes for Afforestation in Ireland’ ( Mackinnon) report, which was published in November 2019, made various recommendations or “Ways forward” aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the forestry licensing approval process, as well as dealing with broader issues relating to encouraging woodland creation.
Project Woodland was established in February 2021 by Minister of State Hackett, who has overall responsibility for forestry, to ensure that a new impetus is brought to woodland creation in Ireland. The structure of Project Woodland comprises four Working Groups, with each focussing on a set of recommendations made in the Mackinnon report. Working Group 2, called 'A Shared National Approach', has been tasked to develop a new Forestry Strategy for Ireland. The group has started working on a SWOT and PESTLE analysis for the new Forestry Strategy and will develop and implement an engagement strategy in 2021, including all stakeholders in the forestry sector as well as the general public.
While the GLAS application process did not capture a view of farm enterprise types, an analysis of GLAS undertaken in 2019 and based on 2017 data indictated that sheep farmers accounted for 52% of GLAS participants, cattle farmers 37% and dairy 13%.
Further studies on GLAS are published at gov.ie - Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 (www.gov.ie).
279. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, if he is satisfied that no changes to the GLAS terms and conditions and structure or system are necessary or planned in REAP or any new environmental or eco scheme in the next CAP to enhance the compatibility of afforestation and such environmental or eco schemes in the next CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28975/21]
View answerThe Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme, (GLAS) is the current national agri-environment support measure under the Rural Development Programme. Section 12 of the GLAS terms and conditions clearly indicates that afforestation is fully compatible with GLAS and is recognised as contributing to the creation of a valuable landscape mosaic at farm-level. It is also important to note that GLAS is not a whole of farm scheme and that opportunities continue to exist for afforestation and for other forestry supports on parcels that do not contain GLAS actions.
The new Results-Based Environmental Agri Pilot (REAP) is designed to trial an agri-environment results-based scoring system at a national level with a view to identifying upscaling potential for possible inclusion in the next flagship national agri-environment scheme to follow on from GLAS. While REAP will focus on grassland based actions, it offers support for complementary actions such as tree and hedge planting where such actions have the potential to improve the environmental score of the land area.
Both terms and conditions are published and there are no plans to make changes to them.
The new CAP Regulation aims to increase the environmental and climate ambition of Member States. This has the potential to support tree planting and farm forestry, as part of a sustainable farming model, and such options will be explored. Forestry can provide a complementary and supplementary activity to schemes on farms and my officials are engaged in a process of developing schemes to ensure that there is integration between the CAP Strategic Plan and the next Forestry Programme.
280. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192, of 19 May 2021, the total number of unique farmer applications on an annual basis for the basic payment scheme since the launch of GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28976/21]
View answer281. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192, of 19 May 2021, the total number of individual LPIS plots or parcels submitted under the basic payments scheme each year since the launch of GLAS in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28977/21]
View answer282. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192, of 19 May 2021, the total area applied for basic payment payments on an annual basis since the launch of GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28978/21]
View answer289. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, the number of applicants for the basic payments scheme by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28985/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 280, 281, 282 and 289 together.
I propose to take PQ's 28976/21, 28977/21, 28978/21 and 28985/21 together.
The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. It is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
283. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192, of 19 May 2021, the total number of unique farmer applicants for the GLAS scheme per year since its launch in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28979/21]
View answer288. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, the number of applicants for GLAS by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28984/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 288 together.
The number of applicants accepted into GLAS per county and per tranche is provided in the below table.
|
County |
GLAS1 Applicants |
GLAS2 Applicants |
GLAS3 Applicants |
Total Applicants |
|
Carlow |
279 |
125 |
128 |
532 |
|
Cavan |
906 |
432 |
537 |
1,875 |
|
Clare |
1,620 |
690 |
802 |
3,112 |
|
Cork |
2,162 |
1,006 |
928 |
4,096 |
|
Donegal |
1,942 |
1,005 |
1,408 |
4,355 |
|
Dublin |
60 |
17 |
19 |
96 |
|
Galway |
3,076 |
1,303 |
1,585 |
5,964 |
|
Kerry |
1,775 |
869 |
764 |
3,408 |
|
Kildare |
246 |
82 |
113 |
441 |
|
Kilkenny |
430 |
210 |
188 |
828 |
|
Laois |
369 |
194 |
229 |
792 |
|
Leitrim |
1,022 |
419 |
526 |
1,967 |
|
Limerick |
1,052 |
303 |
402 |
1,757 |
|
Longford |
511 |
347 |
330 |
1,188 |
|
Louth |
148 |
80 |
95 |
323 |
|
Mayo |
2,561 |
1,329 |
1,657 |
5,547 |
|
Meath |
426 |
202 |
253 |
881 |
|
Monaghan |
579 |
145 |
338 |
1,062 |
|
Offaly |
475 |
278 |
295 |
1,048 |
|
Roscommon |
1,531 |
551 |
712 |
2,794 |
|
Sligo |
942 |
366 |
488 |
1,796 |
|
Tipperary |
1,135 |
511 |
499 |
2,145 |
|
Waterford |
363 |
125 |
118 |
606 |
|
Westmeath |
647 |
262 |
276 |
1,185 |
|
Wexford |
767 |
268 |
311 |
1,346 |
|
Wicklow |
332 |
151 |
199 |
682 |
284. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, the total number of individual LPIS plots or parcels in GLAS for each year since its launch in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28980/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided below.
|
Year |
Total No. of Parcels |
|
2015 |
78,341 |
|
2016 |
206,718 |
|
2017 |
284,910 |
|
2018 |
282,525 |
|
2019 |
285,351 |
|
2020 |
286,445 |
285. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, the total LPIS area under which GLAS actions are attached on a per year basis since the GLAS was launched in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28981/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated and will be forwarded as soon as it is available.
|
Action Description |
Unit |
Year |
GLAS1 |
GLAS2 |
GLAS3 |
Total |
|
Breeding Waders (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
88 |
0 |
0 |
88 |
|
Breeding Waders (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
88 |
6 |
0 |
94 |
|
Breeding Waders (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
87 |
6 |
14 |
107 |
|
Breeding Waders (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
87 |
6 |
14 |
107 |
|
Breeding Waders (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
87 |
6 |
14 |
107 |
|
Breeding Waders (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
87 |
6 |
14 |
107 |
|
Breeding Waders (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
482 |
0 |
0 |
482 |
|
Breeding Waders (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
545 |
347 |
0 |
892 |
|
Breeding Waders (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
540 |
340 |
288 |
1,168 |
|
Breeding Waders (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
536 |
301 |
287 |
1,124 |
|
Breeding Waders (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
529 |
314 |
287 |
1,129 |
|
Breeding Waders (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
499 |
281 |
276 |
1,056 |
|
Catch Crops (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
1,679 |
722 |
0 |
2,401 |
|
Catch Crops (Whole Farm) |
Hectares |
2016 |
12,104 |
4,873 |
0 |
16,977 |
|
Catch Crops (Whole Farm) |
Hectares |
2017 |
11,407 |
4,665 |
6,642 |
22,714 |
|
Catch Crops (Whole Farm) |
Hectares |
2018 |
11,059 |
4,559 |
6,351 |
21,969 |
|
Catch Crops (Whole Farm) |
Hectares |
2019 |
10,798 |
4,482 |
6,138 |
21,418 |
|
Catch Crops (Whole Farm) |
Hectares |
2020 |
10,483 |
4,202 |
5,803 |
20,488 |
|
Catch Crops (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
8,030 |
3,124 |
0 |
11,154 |
|
Chough (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
160 |
0 |
0 |
160 |
|
Chough (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
210 |
293 |
0 |
502 |
|
Chough (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
210 |
292 |
204 |
705 |
|
Chough (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
209 |
289 |
202 |
701 |
|
Chough (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
209 |
289 |
198 |
697 |
|
Chough (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
209 |
285 |
198 |
692 |
|
Chough (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
4,704 |
0 |
0 |
4,704 |
|
Chough (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
5,363 |
3,492 |
0 |
8,855 |
|
Chough (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
5,328 |
3,464 |
2,523 |
11,315 |
|
Chough (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
5,271 |
3,453 |
2,486 |
11,209 |
|
Chough (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
5,256 |
3,430 |
2,456 |
11,142 |
|
Chough (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
5,213 |
3,390 |
2,448 |
11,051 |
|
Commonage |
Hectares |
2015 |
73,472 |
0 |
0 |
73,472 |
|
Commonage |
Hectares |
2016 |
103,648 |
73,011 |
0 |
176,659 |
|
Commonage |
Hectares |
2017 |
100,645 |
68,754 |
66,986 |
236,385 |
|
Commonage |
Hectares |
2018 |
99,050 |
67,855 |
65,480 |
232,385 |
|
Commonage |
Hectares |
2019 |
97,646 |
67,178 |
64,452 |
229,277 |
|
Commonage |
Hectares |
2020 |
95,375 |
65,497 |
63,141 |
224,013 |
|
Corncrake (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Corncrake (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
|
Corncrake (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
4 |
1 |
22 |
27 |
|
Corncrake (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
4 |
1 |
21 |
26 |
|
Corncrake (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
4 |
1 |
21 |
26 |
|
Corncrake (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
4 |
1 |
21 |
26 |
|
Corncrake (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
32 |
0 |
0 |
32 |
|
Corncrake (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
44 |
63 |
0 |
107 |
|
Corncrake (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
44 |
63 |
78 |
185 |
|
Corncrake (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
44 |
63 |
78 |
185 |
|
Corncrake (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
40 |
63 |
78 |
180 |
|
Corncrake (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
37 |
58 |
74 |
169 |
|
Curlew (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
0 |
188 |
0 |
188 |
|
Curlew (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
0 |
187 |
299 |
486 |
|
Curlew (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
0 |
184 |
295 |
480 |
|
Curlew (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
0 |
185 |
293 |
478 |
|
Curlew (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
0 |
184 |
290 |
474 |
|
Curlew (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
0 |
2,057 |
0 |
2,057 |
|
Curlew (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
0 |
2,039 |
1,903 |
3,942 |
|
Curlew (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
0 |
2,018 |
1,884 |
3,903 |
|
Curlew (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
0 |
2,012 |
1,873 |
3,885 |
|
Curlew (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
0 |
1,976 |
1,847 |
3,823 |
|
Environmental Management of Fallow Land (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
458 |
159 |
0 |
617 |
|
Environmental Management of Fallow Land (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
455 |
155 |
255 |
865 |
|
Environmental Management of Fallow Land (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
443 |
154 |
244 |
841 |
|
Environmental Management of Fallow Land (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
438 |
148 |
225 |
811 |
|
Environmental Management of Fallow Land (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
432 |
129 |
214 |
775 |
|
Environmental Management of Fallow Land (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
387 |
139 |
0 |
526 |
|
Environmental Management of Fallow Land (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
361 |
131 |
208 |
700 |
|
Environmental Management of Fallow Land (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
352 |
131 |
191 |
674 |
|
Environmental Management of Fallow Land (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
338 |
123 |
188 |
649 |
|
Environmental Management of Fallow Land (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
335 |
114 |
175 |
624 |
|
Farmland Habitat (private natura part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
0 |
2,090 |
0 |
2,090 |
|
Farmland Habitat (private natura part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
0 |
2,072 |
2,406 |
4,478 |
|
Farmland Habitat (private natura part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
0 |
2,043 |
2,359 |
4,402 |
|
Farmland Habitat (private natura part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
0 |
2,017 |
2,295 |
4,312 |
|
Farmland Habitat (private natura part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
0 |
2,006 |
2,241 |
4,247 |
|
Farmland Habitat (private natura whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
37,906 |
0 |
0 |
37,906 |
|
Farmland Habitat (private natura whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
50,078 |
32,903 |
0 |
82,981 |
|
Farmland Habitat (private natura whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
49,135 |
32,481 |
35,192 |
116,808 |
|
Farmland Habitat (private natura whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
48,465 |
32,004 |
34,578 |
115,046 |
|
Farmland Habitat (private natura whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
46,672 |
31,320 |
33,462 |
111,454 |
|
Farmland Habitat (private natura whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
45,689 |
30,848 |
32,759 |
109,296 |
|
Geese and Swans (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
0 |
709 |
0 |
709 |
|
Geese and Swans (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
0 |
692 |
991 |
1,683 |
|
Geese and Swans (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
0 |
687 |
985 |
1,673 |
|
Geese and Swans (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
0 |
676 |
988 |
1,664 |
|
Geese and Swans (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
0 |
676 |
961 |
1,637 |
|
Geese and Swans (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
4,571 |
0 |
0 |
4,571 |
|
Geese and Swans (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
5,132 |
5,026 |
0 |
10,158 |
|
Geese and Swans (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
4,842 |
4,788 |
4,103 |
13,733 |
|
Geese and Swans (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
4,747 |
4,661 |
4,011 |
13,419 |
|
Geese and Swans (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
4,669 |
4,619 |
3,955 |
13,242 |
|
Geese and Swans (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
4,594 |
4,589 |
3,862 |
13,045 |
|
Grey Partridge |
Hectares |
2016 |
14,492 |
69,582 |
0 |
84,074 |
|
Grey Partridge |
Hectares |
2017 |
14,492 |
68,987 |
54,613 |
138,091 |
|
Grey Partridge |
Hectares |
2018 |
14,456 |
68,474 |
50,137 |
133,067 |
|
Grey Partridge |
Hectares |
2019 |
14,456 |
68,332 |
51,286 |
134,074 |
|
Grey Partridge |
Hectares |
2020 |
14,137 |
68,316 |
48,991 |
131,444 |
|
Hen Harrier (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
5,581 |
0 |
0 |
5,581 |
|
Hen Harrier (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
6,384 |
3,080 |
0 |
9,464 |
|
Hen Harrier (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
6,417 |
3,092 |
1,840 |
11,349 |
|
Hen Harrier (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
6,323 |
3,063 |
1,792 |
11,177 |
|
Hen Harrier (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
6,292 |
3,065 |
1,781 |
11,138 |
|
Hen Harrier (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
6,229 |
3,048 |
1,766 |
11,042 |
|
Hen Harrier (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
15,388 |
0 |
0 |
15,388 |
|
Hen Harrier (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
17,530 |
8,582 |
0 |
26,112 |
|
Hen Harrier (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
17,247 |
8,494 |
5,434 |
31,175 |
|
Hen Harrier (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
16,925 |
8,454 |
5,236 |
30,614 |
|
Hen Harrier (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
16,714 |
8,389 |
5,208 |
30,311 |
|
Hen Harrier (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
16,560 |
8,242 |
5,077 |
29,878 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
38,780 |
0 |
0 |
38,780 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
45,036 |
11,965 |
0 |
57,001 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
44,516 |
11,713 |
14,193 |
70,422 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
43,923 |
11,543 |
13,864 |
69,331 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
43,433 |
11,417 |
13,685 |
68,535 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
42,900 |
11,184 |
13,402 |
67,485 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
97,935 |
0 |
0 |
97,935 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
120,781 |
32,584 |
0 |
153,366 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
119,114 |
31,785 |
40,267 |
191,167 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
117,452 |
31,259 |
39,249 |
187,960 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
116,008 |
30,817 |
38,604 |
185,429 |
|
Low-input Permanent Pasture (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
114,209 |
30,192 |
37,870 |
182,272 |
|
Minimum Tillage (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
0 |
103 |
0 |
103 |
|
Minimum Tillage (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
0 |
87 |
110 |
197 |
|
Minimum Tillage (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
0 |
87 |
90 |
177 |
|
Minimum Tillage (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
0 |
83 |
90 |
173 |
|
Minimum Tillage (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
0 |
74 |
66 |
140 |
|
Minimum Tillage (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
3,666 |
1,912 |
0 |
5,578 |
|
Minimum Tillage (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
3,021 |
1,340 |
3,471 |
7,833 |
|
Minimum Tillage (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
2,868 |
1,270 |
3,217 |
7,355 |
|
Minimum Tillage (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
2,794 |
1,237 |
2,988 |
7,019 |
|
Minimum Tillage (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
2,686 |
1,191 |
2,803 |
6,680 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
5,067 |
0 |
0 |
5,067 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
6,047 |
7,945 |
0 |
13,992 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
5,982 |
7,783 |
8,809 |
22,574 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
5,923 |
7,672 |
8,631 |
22,227 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
5,873 |
7,565 |
8,521 |
21,959 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
5,786 |
7,435 |
8,373 |
21,595 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
7,735 |
0 |
0 |
7,735 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
10,562 |
12,474 |
0 |
23,035 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
10,353 |
12,170 |
17,069 |
39,592 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
10,223 |
12,048 |
16,755 |
39,026 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
10,133 |
11,917 |
16,556 |
38,607 |
|
Traditional Hay Meadow (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
10,010 |
11,754 |
16,193 |
37,958 |
|
Twite (option A part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
Twite (option A part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
12 |
68 |
0 |
79 |
|
Twite (option A part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
9 |
68 |
66 |
142 |
|
Twite (option A part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
9 |
67 |
66 |
142 |
|
Twite (option A part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
9 |
67 |
66 |
142 |
|
Twite (option A part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
9 |
67 |
66 |
142 |
|
Twite (option A whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2015 |
855 |
0 |
0 |
855 |
|
Twite (option A whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
1,123 |
1,747 |
0 |
2,870 |
|
Twite (option A whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
1,102 |
1,747 |
456 |
3,305 |
|
Twite (option A whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
1,080 |
1,726 |
455 |
3,261 |
|
Twite (option A whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
1,081 |
1,720 |
454 |
3,256 |
|
Twite (option A whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
1,044 |
1,692 |
444 |
3,180 |
|
Twite (option C part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Twite (option C part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Twite (option C part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Twite (option C part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Twite (option C whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Twite (option C whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Twite (option C whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Twite (option C whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Twite (option C whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Twite (option D part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
25 |
|
Twite (option D part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
25 |
|
Twite (option D part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
24 |
|
Twite (option D part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
24 |
|
Twite (option D whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
0 |
0 |
172 |
172 |
|
Twite (option D whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
0 |
0 |
172 |
172 |
|
Twite (option D whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
0 |
0 |
172 |
172 |
|
Twite (option D whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
0 |
0 |
161 |
161 |
|
Wild Bird Cover (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
4,778 |
3,265 |
0 |
8,043 |
|
Wild Bird Cover (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
4,678 |
3,155 |
4,404 |
12,237 |
|
Wild Bird Cover (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
4,595 |
3,112 |
4,230 |
11,936 |
|
Wild Bird Cover (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
4,540 |
3,059 |
4,146 |
11,745 |
|
Wild Bird Cover (part of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
4,461 |
2,994 |
4,040 |
11,495 |
|
Wild Bird Cover (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2016 |
2,733 |
2,015 |
0 |
4,748 |
|
Wild Bird Cover (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2017 |
2,661 |
1,959 |
2,577 |
7,197 |
|
Wild Bird Cover (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2018 |
2,614 |
1,924 |
2,495 |
7,034 |
|
Wild Bird Cover (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2019 |
2,591 |
1,895 |
2,457 |
6,942 |
|
Wild Bird Cover (whole of parcel) |
Hectares |
2020 |
2,549 |
1,859 |
2,390 |
6,798 |
286. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, if the total LPIS area under which GLAS actions are attached are excluded from afforestation opportunity for the applicant; if such applicants are forced to pay back the monies received on the actions under the GLAS in cases in which they wish or need to afforest parcels attached or under the terms and conditions of the GLAS scheme; his views on whether this serves as a major disincentive to afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28982/21]
View answer287. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, if LPIS plots or parcels in GLAS are not available for afforestation opportunities for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28983/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together.
The afforestation and GLAS schemes are voluntary schemes intended to provide options to farmers to maximise the contribution of their land to the environment and to improve their income.
GLAS is implemented under the provisions of EU Regulation (EU) No. 1305/2013. Section 12 of the GLAS terms and conditions outline that afforestation is fully compatible with GLAS and is recognised as contributing to the creation of a valuable landscape mosaic at farm-level. It is also important to note that GLAS is not a whole-of-farm scheme and that afforestation opportunities continue to exist for GLAS participants on parcels that do not contain GLAS actions. Of course, it is not possible to engage in some GLAS actions and plant afforestation on the same parcel of land at the same time.
GLAS participants are obliged by contract to maintain their GLAS actions for their full contract term. Where changes in land use impact negatively on the delivery of GLAS actions during the course of a GLAS contract, recoupment may apply.
291. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, the number of farmers that afforested each year since the launch of GLAS in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28987/21]
View answerMy Department publishes a wide range of forestry statistics on the Department's pages of the Government of Ireland website, including the number of farmers who have afforested, which is indicated below.
|
Year |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
No. Farmers |
852 |
652 |
536 |
309 |
206 |
100 |
292. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a SWAT analysis has been carried out of the compatibility of the present terms and conditions and structure of the GLAS eco scheme with afforestation; if so, if the results of such a SWAT analysis are being considered in the design, terms and conditions of any new eco schemes in the next CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28988/21]
View answerThe SWOT analysis undertaken in the development of the RDP 2014-2020 drew on a range of information from within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and from external bodies and documents. The breadth of such analysis, from multiple sources, saw certain issues and factors categorised as more than one of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
Such varied considerations, across all facets of Rural Development, had to be balanced when devising the schemes subsequently introduced under the RDP 2014-2020.
As part of Ireland’s preparation for CAP 2023-2027, a SWOT analysis and a Needs Assessment have been conducted to form part of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) and the Eco-Scheme and Agri-Environment, Climate Measures are being designed to achieve specific objectives and needs as identified in the CSP.
293. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if complementary environmental measures on new afforestation projects can be funded in any new agri environmental scheme under the CAP whilst the forestry programme could be delivered entirely separately from the CAP strategic plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28989/21]
View answerThe planting of trees has the potential to play a significant part in our environmental priorities especially water quality, biodiversity and climate. My colleague Minister of State Pippa Hackett has announced her intention to explore how such planting along riparian margins could be promoted at scale. This would combine the best of our agri-environment measures, where over 1.5 million trees were planted under GLAS, for example, and better integration with our afforestation goals such as the Native Woodland establishment scheme
Any proposed planting of trees that is 0.1 ha or over in area is currently considered afforestation and must have an afforestation licence. As a consequence, individual tree planting measures that have been included in the GLAS and REAP Schemes, for example, must be below the 0.1 ha threshold. The planting of trees has been included in the REAP scheme as a complementary action. This will help us meet our intention to include significant tree-planting measures under our future agri-environment schemes in the next round of CAP.
294. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos, 359 and 358, of 20 May 2021, if any proposed planting of trees less than 0.1 hectares is considered a plan or a project and is subject to screening and appropriate assessment in the same manner as forestry currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28990/21]
View answer295. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos, 359 and 358, of 20 May 2021, if the private forestry sector and specifically the foresters registered with his Department and registered ecologists and an organisation (details supplied) will be involved in developing the scheme terms and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28991/21]
View answer296. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos, 359 and 358 of 20 May 2021, if he plans to exclude mandatory Department registered professional forester and ecologist involvement from the scheme to plant trees along rivers and watercourses to act as carbon sinks and interceptors of nutrients currently being prepared by the Minister of State in cases in which any proposed planting of trees is less than 0.1 hectares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28992/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 294, 295 and 296 together.
Any proposed planting of trees that is 0.1 ha or over in area is currently considered afforestation and must have an afforestation licence which must be applied for by a registered forester. The planting of small numbers of trees in an area less than 0.1 hectare is however is not a consented development and does not require to be treated as a plan or project under the Habitats Directive.
This means that tree planting in agri-environment schemes, such as REAP, are below this threshold and do not require a forestry licence. REAP participants and REAP Advisors who have submitted applications on behalf of their clients will receive sufficient training and support to allow them to carry out all works involved in the scheme including tree planting where it is identified as a beneficial complementary action.
Plans by my colleague Minister of State Hackett to explore the introduction of a scheme to promote, at scale, the planting of trees along riparian margins are at an early stage. Any scheme development will involve the normal consultation process with relevant stakeholders.
297. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question number 193 of 19 May 2021, the person or body that will provide the sufficient training and support to the REAP participants and agents to carry out all works involved in the project specifically in relation to tree planting; if plans to exclude mandatory professional foresters many of whom are represented in their profession by an organisation (details supplied) from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28994/21]
View answerThe Results-based Environmental-Agri Pilot (REAP) is an innovative, ambitious and farmer-friendly pilot that will deliver an important income boost to participating farmers. While the project will support our environmental objectives, it will also support farm incomes by providing a maximum payment of €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.
REAP is primarily about testing a results-based payment approach for grasslands with complementary actions available to include tree-planting, new hedgerow planting and hedgerow gapping up measures. REAP participants and advisors who submitted applications on behalf of their clients will receive sufficient training and support from the Department and other relevant experts to allow them to carry out all works involved in the project including results-based scoring and tree planting where it is identified as a beneficial complementary action.
