Written Answers Nos. 1-21
2. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of Exchequer funding spent on afforestation investment for the years 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38489/21]
View answerThe current Forestry Programme (2014-2020), operated by the Department commenced in 2015 and offers an ambitious and attractive set of forestry measures aimed at increasing timber production and continuing to provide up to 12,000 jobs in the forestry sector while at the same time improving the quality of the natural environment.
The Department provides generous grants to landowners who wish to plant forestry through the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme. The Scheme provides 100% of establishment grants with annual premiums for up to 15 years, depending on the species chosen.
A wide variety of schemes are specifically focused on the establishment and management of forests that deliver significant biodiversity benefits. The Native Woodland Establishment Scheme supports the planting of new native woodland and the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme aims to conserve existing native woodland and help to convert conifer stands to native woodland at key locations.
The Exchequer spending on afforestation in the years 2016 to 2021 to date amounts to approx €486m. This includes payments for new planting in those years and payment of premiums for planting in previous years. The area of newly established forestry in the years 2016 to 2020 amounts to 22,045 hectares.
It is Government policy and has been for successive decades to increase forest cover in Ireland, to bring it into line with European norms. We have been very successful in increasing cover from 1% at the turn of the century to 11% currently and this would not have been achieved without State investment. We are still some way from our objective of 18% cover and, undoubtedly, State investment will continue to be needed to achieve this.
We are currently developing a new Forest Strategy under Project Woodland which will inform the content of the new Forestry Programme. All interested parties will have an opportunity to have a say in how and what and where we should plant under a public consultation process later this year and I encourage engagement with this process.
Details of payments for afforestation in each of the individual years 2016 to 2021 to date will be provided separately to the Deputy.
5. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider increasing the amounts paid under the sheep welfare scheme from €10 per ewe to €30 per ewe financed from a combination of national co-financing and CAP Pillar II funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38678/21]
View answerI am very conscious of the important role that the sheep sector plays in the continued growth and development of our agri-food sector, and its valuable contribution to the rural economy. I fully support the sheep sector.
The strong performance of the sector in 2020 has continued into 2021. Reductions in production globally and increased demand are expected to support continued strong performance throughout 2021. The current average price is €6.17 per kg, which is 21% above the same period last year.
The Sheep Welfare Scheme was introduced in December 2016 as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, having been agreed with the European Commission. In the four years of the scheme to date, €66.9 million has been paid to 18,268 farmers. The Sheep Welfare scheme has been extended in 2021 as part of the transition arrangements prior to the next CAP.
With regard to the new CAP, as you are aware, at the end of June there was general agreement on the CAP Reform proposals by Agriculture Ministers. However, we are still some time away from the final legal texts.
The Department is working closely with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to provide indicative funding for co-financing of the rural development aspects of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP). I expect to be in a position in the coming weeks to bring a Memo on the matter to Government, and then to launch a public consultation on the draft interventions proposed for the CSP. I will also be engaging in extensive discussions with stakeholders throughout the summer to hear their views. I will continue to consult on the content of the plan with the key stakeholders, through the Stakeholder Consultative Committee. The Deputy should note that full details of the development of the CSP to date, including consultation documentation, is available on gov.ie. As part of CSP preparations, officials have been examining options to build on the existing Sheep Welfare scheme. However, it is important to note that any such scheme must operate on the basis of specific actions to enhance animal health and welfare being carried out, with funding on the basis of costs incurred and income foregone, as is the case with the current scheme.
I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to supporting the sustainable development of the sheep sector.
11. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of engagement with representatives of the beef industry. [38491/21]
View answerThe Department and I engage extensively on an ongoing basis with all the key stakeholders in the beef sector. This may take place in stakeholder forums related to specific topics, for example, the draft 2030 Strategy, Brexit or CAP. Additionally, there are a number of sector specific forums through which my Department and I engage with specific sectors. Currently, the main specific engagement with the beef sector facilitated by the Department is the Beef Taskforce.
The Beef Taskforce was established on foot of the beef sector agreement of 15th September 2019. The Beef Taskforce's remit as set out in terms of reference was to monitor the implementation of the actions arising from that agreement. The Taskforce was to meet at least quarterly from October 2019 for a period of one year after which the Taskforce’s progress was to be reviewed. However, progress was delayed in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the Deputy may be aware, I have requested the independent Chair of the Beef Taskforce, Mr Michael Dowling, to provide a report to me on the progress to date of the Taskforce. It is my understanding that the majority of the actions are now implemented, but I await the final report, after which I will make the necessary decision on future strategic engagement with the sector.
All documents from the Beef Taskforce meetings, including minutes and updated progress reports, are published on the gov.ie website.
Effective strategic engagement across the beef sector is crucial to its development in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable way, that works for all actors in the supply chain.
The Deputy can be assured that I will continue to support constructive strategic engagement within the sector, as well as measures aimed at strengthening the supply chain, including support for Producer Organisations, and interventions aimed at supporting both economic and environmental efficiency for beef farmers in the future.
13. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress of Project Woodland. [38547/21]
View answerProject Woodland was launched in February this year with the objective of reviewing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the forestry licensing system, as well as the creation of a shared national vision for forestry and the development of a new Forest Strategy. It involves four Working Groups (WG) covering various aspects of forestry delivery and reports to a Project Board.
I am pleased to say that substantial work has been undertaken by all Working Groups, with regular meetings held. The Project Board overseeing the project is actively engaged having had eight meetings to date. They intend to produce interim reports to update all interested stakeholders on the progress on implementation of the project, the first of which will be published in the next fortnight.
As I mentioned, there are four WGs examining the suite of recommendations made in the MacKinnon report. Among their key recommendations to the Project Board to date are:
- examining the backlog and producing specific recommendations for improving output, including a definition of the backlog, which have been presented to the Project Board for consideration.
- licensing process improvement. A business analyst has commenced work on an end-to-end process review. In addition, proposals for a pre-application process and a planning grant have been submitted to the Project Board for their consideration.
- a regulatory review of the licensing system be carried out. I have agreed with this proposal and have asked the Project Board on how best we will do this. It will be undertaken by independent expert. The review will include an examination of experiences in other Member States in licensing forestry activities and how they comply with EU legislation and from this what lessons we can bring to our licensing systems.
- putting forward proposals for a review of the organisational structure of forestry within my Department, and reviewing the roles Coillte, Coford and Teagasc in terms of supporting the Department on delivering forestry outcomes.
- developing a template for a new Customer Charter for forestry, which will be finalised in tandem with the work on the licensing process.
- Training of all actors within the sector and ways in which to positively communicate with customers and all stakeholders will be looked at in detail by two sub-working groups.
- developing a shared vision for forestry in Ireland and aims to deliver a new Forest Strategy in middle of 2022. On this, a preliminary analysis has been completed which includes a detailed SWOT analysis, stakeholder mapping development of proposed scenarios. This work and other work to take place will inform the next steps which will include a wider public and stakeholder engagement process and I expect this to take place later this year.
In conclusion, I would like to recognise the momentum and progress made under Project Woodland and I applaud the commitment shown by all involved, in particular the representatives from the Forestry Policy Group who make up the membership of the Working Groups. Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has overall responsibility for the sector, I am committed to the success of this Project and by working together I believe we can deliver on its ambitions for the benefit of the forestry sector and society at large.
In parallel with Project Woodland, the Department continues to pursue continual improvement on all its work on forestry particularly licensing. I am pleased to say that is yielding dividends and that licensing is 30% ahead of the same point last year. There is still considerably more work to do but we are fully committed to maintaining this momentum.
17. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the current structure of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board is sufficiently independent to ensure maximum confidence that any allegations concerning doping, animal welfare abuses or other illegitimate activities are adequately investigated. [38523/21]
View answerSince 1st January 2018, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland. The IHRB is a company limited by guarantee set up by the Turf Club and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee for the purpose of carrying out the regulatory and licensing functions for Irish horseracing.
This body is responsible for protecting the integrity and reputation of Irish horseracing in Ireland.
The Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994, (as amended) provides for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) to have the following functions
- to regulate horseracing;
- to make and enforce the Rules of Racing and in so doing to promote integrity and fair play in horseracing;
- to provide adequate integrity services for horseracing, and
- to license racecourses under the Rules of Racing.
The Horse Racing Ireland Act, 2016 provides that Horse Racing Ireland is responsible for the overall administration, governance, development and promotion of the Irish horse racing industry and for guaranteeing funding to the Racing Regulatory Body to carry out its functions through an integrity services budget which is agreed annually.
Under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, financial support is provided by the State to Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) on an annual basis. In the 2021 budget, €76.8m was allocated to HRI. HRI have informed the Department that some €10.3m is being provided to the IHRB for Integrity Services in 2021 and is based on an agreed annual budget.
To place the integrity system operated by the IHRB in context:
- The drugs testing systems in Irish racing are similar to those that apply in other major racing countries.
- For 2021, the annual budget for drug testing and doping control will be circa €2.4m and over 4,300 horses will be tested. A total of 72% will be associated with races on track and 28% will be out of competition or be tested at point to points.
- For the first time in 2021, these is testing at sales and breeding establishments.
- Unannounced hair testing (which gives a more detailed record of substances to which a horse is exposed) was introduced in July 2020 with 77 different horses tested, all yielding negative results.
- Recently, the Department granted Authorised Officer status to IHRB officials which will see cross-industry cooperation on anti-doping in Ireland.
- A total of €500,000 is being provided by HRI to the IHRB as part of its Integrity Services funding this year for the installation of CCTV in all racecourse stable yards with a view of having each of the 25 racecourses in Ireland covered by the beginning of the 2022 racing season.
I am satisfied the current structure of the IHRB is sufficiently independent to ensure maximum confidence that any allegations concerning doping, animal welfare abuses or other illegitimate activities are adequately investigated and will be followed up, where necessary.
18. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the planned timeline to complete and publish an external review of the forestry licensing process. [38155/21]
View answerWhen Minister of State Hackett and I launched Project Woodland in February of this year, I had two objectives. One to address and review the forestry licensing system and secondly to develop a shared national consensus on forestry and woodland creation long-term in Ireland.
I am pleased to say that the Working Groups who are addressing these key issues are now well established and working very well. The Project Board which oversees their work is very actively engaged also, having had eight meetings already. They will shortly publish an interim report on their work to date regarding the recommendations that have been made to them from Project Woodland.
The review of the licensing process is a top priority and I see it as having two elements. The first involves the process from forestry application to forestry licence, taking account of the Department's operating procedures and IT processes along the way. An independent business systems analyst is currently conducting this review, and has a plan in place to finalise it by end August, at which stage it will be brought to the Project Board for consideration.
The second element of the review is a more high-level review of the regulatory and planning process for forestry licensing in Ireland. I am anxious that this gets underway as soon as possible. The Project Board will advise me on how best to secure the independent person or persons with appropriate legal and environmental expertise to carry it out. It is intended that it include an examination of experiences in other Member States in licensing forestry activities and how they comply with EU legislation and from this what lessons we can bring to our licensing systems. Given the importance of this analysis, we will have to accord enough time for this review to be comprehensive in nature.
These two comprehensive reviews of the end-to-end licensing process and the regulatory framework will, I believe, lead to lasting improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the system and will help us better meet the needs of landowners, forest owners, timber producers and all involved in forestry in Ireland.
19. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the recommendations contained within the report of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on Issues impacting the Forestry Sector in Ireland relating to ash dieback that he will implement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38176/21]
View answerThe relevant recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee relating to ash dieback disease are Recommendations 6 and 7. While I have already responded to the Committee, it is my intention to respond in more detail to the Committee on these recommendations and to implement those aspects identified as relevant and critical to the overall national ash dieback policy and support response.
Recommendation 6 of the Joint Oireachtas Committee’s report highlights a number of important areas including research reporting on engagement with the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) and related financial supports.
Since 2013, the Department has supported a number of important research initiatives including research into spore trapping and field trials and laboratory research in relation to the identification of ash dieback tolerance in the population and breeding of ash dieback tolerant plants.
In relation to engagement by ash plantation owners with the RUS scheme, the Department maintains close and on-going overview of the number of applications received and processed together with the related areas involved. To date, the Department has received over 330 RUS applications for a total of 1,364ha and approved 83 applications for a total of 280ha which demonstrates a healthy interest in the Scheme.
RUS provides financial support for the to the removal of the affected ash crop and replacement with alternative species. However, it is not a compensatory tool to provide payment for financial loss incurred due to the impact of ash dieback disease.
The Department is in the process of preparing a detailed report on Ash Dieback in Ireland. This report will include an account of the history, first findings and possible origins and spread of ash die back disease in Ireland. It will include an account of the legislative requirements and controls as well as the trade in ash and describe the Department’s policy and support scheme response as the disease has progressed and knowledge and understanding have been gained and lessons learnt.
20. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has conducted a socio-economic impact assessment on the effects of the British-Australian trade agreement on Irish agriculture. [38717/21]
View answerAs Minister, I am continually aware of the global trade dynamic and its potential impact on Irish agriculture. My key focus, at all times, is the protection and enhancement of the incomes of our farmers, fishers and food producers.
On 16th June, the UK and Australian Governments announced they had reached a political agreement on their future trading relationship. Based on announcements made, it appears that the Agreement provides for full tariff-free access to the UK market at the end of 15 years for certain sensitive products, particularly beef and lamb, from Australia. Given the importance of the UK market to the agriculture sector, this is of course a matter of concern. However, the full extent of the implications of the agreement for Irish agriculture will depend on the specific detail in the final agreed text, which has not yet been published.
The Department, in response to Brexit, has further intensified its focus on market diversification for Irish agri-food exports. Since 2017, new or improved market access to several third countries has been gained. Despite this welcome development, the UK will remain a key market for Irish agri-food. Encouragingly, Bord Bia research has shown that British consumers have a high regard for Irish agri-food, and Bord Bia is continuing its intensive marketing in the UK.
In addition, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement ensures continued quota-free and tariff-free access for Irish agri-food exports to the UK market. Irish agri-food goods also continue to benefit from market access to other third countries through EU Free Trade Agreements. Finally, Ireland as a Member State has full unimpeded access to the EU Single Market of 450 million people.
21. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a new control plan has yet been submitted to the EU that would allow fish to be weighed at the factory rather than the quayside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37164/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the strict legal position in relation to the revocation of Ireland’s control plan is that 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 am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as this.
In the context of an Administrative Inquiry conducted under Article 102(2) of the 2009 EU Fisheries Control Regulation, Ireland was notified in April 2021 of a Commission Implementing Decision revoking the approval of the Irish control plan submitted for the weighing of fishery products.
The SFPA has advised me that following a public consultation on a revised Control Plan for submission to the EU Commission, the Authority has decided that the plan will cover all landings, including bulk pelagic landings. The Authority advise that it is prioritising the development of this revised plan to ensure that it addresses the specific risks that have already been identified and led to the Commission’s decision to revoke the previous plan and provides enhanced controls in that regard. The SFPA has advised that this work is likely to take a number of months before a submission is made to the Commission.
