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Thursday, 1 Jul 2021

Written Answers Nos. 502-511

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (502)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

502. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be provided to fund a pilot programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35445/21]

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Written answers

I am fully supportive of the use of fixed price mechanisms which strengthen the position of the primary supplier in the supply chain and I am pleased that there has been significant developments in recent years between milk purchasers and their primary suppliers, which strengthen the position of dairy farmers and further a fair and transparent supply chain.

The pilot programme referred to by the Deputy has the potential to further strengthen the position of the dairy farmer in the supply chain by allowing farmers to lock-in their milk price in real time and complements these developments in the dairy industry. While I would hope to see milk purchasers, their representative bodies and their suppliers engage with this initiative, there is no funding mechanism available from my Department to provide support for this type of pilot.

Forestry Sector

Questions (503)

Michael Lowry

Question:

503. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to visit any ash plantation in the immediate term during the growing season to see first-hand the rate at which ash plantations are dying and rotting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35607/21]

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Written answers

I am fully aware of the impact caused by ash dieback and my officials have carried out hundreds of visits to ash plantations since the disease was first identified in Ireland and they are monitoring the progression of the disease. Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for forestry has also carried out a site visit to ash forests affected by the disease.

We are keeping all matters under constant monitoring and our priority is to continue to implement the scheme for affected landowners.

Forestry Sector

Questions (504)

Michael Lowry

Question:

504. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered issuing a health and safety warning to the public on walking in ash woods which are potentially infected by ash dieback, similar to that which his Department issues regarding fire danger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35608/21]

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Written answers

As ash dieback disease progresses nationally and within individual ash woods, the potential health and safety risks associated with forest plantations roadside and parkland ash trees will become an issue of increasing importance for landowners, workers and visitors. Site specific health and safety issues together with any measures, including any risk assessments required, are the responsibility of the landowner.

The Department is maintaining close oversight of the progression of ash dieback disease and is considering all aspects of its potential impacts including the health and safety issues.

Forestry Sector

Questions (505, 506)

Michael Lowry

Question:

505. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 294, 295 and 296 of 27 May 2021, if the Forestry Service district inspectors and Forestry Service ecologists will be involved in the approval and inspection of areas planted along riparian margins which is part of the new scheme to plant trees along rivers and watercourses to act as carbon sinks and interceptors of nutrients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35609/21]

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Michael Lowry

Question:

506. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 294, 295 and 296 of 27 May 2021, the scale of the introduction of a scheme to promote at scale the planting of trees along riparian margins that is anticipated in terms of hectares planted; if it is envisaged that this new scheme will be part of the next CAP; if not, if it will be completely removed from the next CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35610/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 506 together.

All Afforestation Licence applications for both broadleaf and conifer species are assessed by a District Forestry Inspector as part of the normal application process. All applications that have been ‘Screened In’ for Appropriate Assessment by the District Inspector are then referred to the Department’s Ecologists for further assessment.

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. It is a key priority in the Programme for Government to achieve better integration between our agri-environment schemes and our next National Forestry programme. A measure such as riparian planting would be an excellent example of this integration and is one of a number of measures under consideration for inclusion under the next round of agri-environment schemes.

Question No. 506 answered with Question No. 505.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (507)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

507. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on the review of a decision on a BEEP application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35611/21]

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Written answers

The person named had not successfully applied to participate in the 2020 Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme - Suckler scheme (BEEP-S). However, following a successful request for a review from the person named to be included in the scheme, a letter issued on 11th May 2021, including a BEEP-S application form to be signed and returned.

If a fully completed application form is completed and returned by the applicant, payment under the scheme can be processed.

Energy Policy

Questions (508)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

508. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the change will be clarified of the south east cardinal marker at the Marine Institute’s Offshore Electricity-Generating Station Test Site situated in the north side of Galway Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35614/21]

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Written answers

Policy issues in relation to energy are a matter for the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). I have referred your question to the Marine Institute for direct response in relation to any operational matters arising.

EU Regulations

Questions (509)

James O'Connor

Question:

509. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the proposed introduction of veterinary regulation 2019/6 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35622/21]

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Written answers

In line with the findings of a 2019 Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) Expert Task Force Report, antiparasitic veterinary medicines no longer meet exemption criteria in EU law which permits them to be supplied without a veterinary prescription. Therefore, from 28th January 2022, antiparasitic veterinary medicines will require a veterinary prescription before they can be supplied.

All current suppliers of antiparasitic veterinary medicines will continue to be legally permitted to supply these medicines post-January 2022. The Department is actively working with all stakeholders to sustain a competitive market for the supply of these products. The ambition is to ensure Irish farmers are empowered to purchase medicines from their supplier of choice.

Initiatives such as the development of a National Veterinary Prescribing System (NVPS) will help deliver on this ambition. The NVPS will result in a prescription being made available to a farmer by choice of email, text or in paper. Farmers can then engage with Licensed Merchants, veterinary pharmacists or their veterinary practitioner in getting their prescription dispensed.

There is a derogation in the Regulation, which allows professionals other than veterinarians to issue veterinary prescriptions, in limited circumstances, but only if this was provided for in a Member State's national legislation prior to Regulation 2019/6 coming into force in January 2019.

The Department has been clear in its understanding of this derogation but, on foot on significant concerns expressed by multiple stakeholders, advice was sought on the matter from the Office of the Attorney General. That advice was recently received and confirms that only registered veterinary practitioners are permitted under Irish and EU law to issue veterinary prescriptions. As such, it not open for Ireland to permit Responsible Persons or pharmacists to issue veterinary prescriptions.

The Department is fully committed to working with all stakeholders in considering how best to implement the new EU Regulations on veterinary medicinal products. There is a dedicated email address allowing communications on the new Regulation: vetmedregs@agricuIture.gov.ie.

Brexit Issues

Questions (510)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

510. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which negotiations are in hand to safeguard jobs at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare which has depended largely on food exports to the UK; if access to its market has been determined in the course of Brexit related negotiations; if not, if additional officious regulations have been introduced to restrict its market access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35752/21]

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Written answers

The EU – UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) came into effect on 1st January 2021 and creates a new framework for the future EU-UK relationship based on tariff-free and quota-free trading arrangements.

Now that the UK is outside the Single Market and Customs Union, it is setting its own import policy, including in relation to controls on imports from the EU. The next phase of these controls comes into effect from 1st October 2021. Export health certificates will be required to accompany consignments of animal origin, and pre-notification to the UK authorities will be necessary. This means that new customs, sanitary and phytosanitary, and other regulatory requirements will have to be met by businesses moving goods to and through Great Britain.

The Department has invested significantly in developing systems to support the post-Brexit trading reality, and in putting resources in place to support this work. The Department does not ordinarily have a permanent veterinary presence in plants producing composite products, such as the one referred to in the question. However, recognising the volume of consignments coming from this premises, the Department has placed a permanent veterinary presence in the plant. In addition, officials from the Department have involved the company in certification trials, and have had separate discussions with it regarding certification arrangements.

It should also be noted that this company, and others in the industry, have a role to play in minimising the administrative burden through appropriate measures, for example, by consolidating loads, by increasing onsite storage and by making the necessary adjustments to logistical and supply chain operations.

The seamless trading arrangements that existed previously no longer apply. It is no longer business as usual. Government will play its part in facilitating industry to the maximum extent possible, but industry itself must also be prepared to adapt.

Aquaculture Industry

Questions (511)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

511. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to provide extra resources to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board to ensure that appeals are heard expeditiously; the number of appeals at present under consideration by the Board; the number of these that have been on hand by the Board for more than one year; the number on hand for more than six months; the length of time the oldest appeal to the Board is on hand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35757/21]

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Written answers

The request for statistical details in relation to the number of appeals currently under consideration by the Board has been referred to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) secretariat who will provide this information directly.

ALAB was established on 17th June 1998 under Section 22 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 (as amended) (the "1997 Act"). The function of the Board is to provide an independent authority for the determination of appeals against decisions of the relevant Minister on aquaculture licence applications.

As provided for under Section 23 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, the Board consists of a Chairperson and six other members. The Chairperson was reappointed by the Government for a term of five years, from 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2024.

While operating under the aegis of the Department, ALAB is an independent body with its own funding provided for by the Oireachtas under Section 36 of the 1997 Act. The 1997 Act details the main responsibilities and powers of the Board. Under Section 56 of the 1997 Act, the Board is required to ensure that appeals are dealt with and determined expeditiously and that all steps are taken to avoid unnecessary delay.

The staffing resource provided by the Department to ALAB has increased significantly over recent years. Following a request from the Chairperson, a permanent technical advisor was appointed to ALAB with effect from 18th October 2020, the dedicated technical advice resource is assisting the Board in the timely processing of appeals. In addition to this, the numbers of administrative staff currently assigned to the ALAB secretariat has also increased in recent years and the current staffing is as set out below.

ALAB Secretariat Staff 2021

1 x HEO Secretary to the Board- (Full time) *

1 x HEO Technical advisor to the Board

1 x Executive Officer (Full Time)

1 x Clerical Officer (Full Time)

1 x Clerical Officer (Part Time)

The Board is comprised of 7 members

*Under Section 32 of the Act, an officer of the Minister who is an established civil servant and who is seconded to the Board for that purpose, either on a whole-time or part-time basis, shall act as Secretary to the Board.

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