Written Answers Nos. 320-322
320. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking in relation to an incident in which farmed salmon were found in a river (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44400/21]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland advised the Department on 7 September of “the presence of escapee farmed salmon in the Kylemore (Dawros) river in Letterfrack Co. Galway”
I can confirm that the Department has not received any reports of escaped fish from salmon farms operating in the area. On foot of the report from Inland Fisheries Ireland however, the Department’s Marine Engineering Division immediately organised an inspection of the sites and records of salmon farms operating in the area. No evidence of any escaped salmon was found.
The Department’s officials have however requested that Inland Fisheries Ireland provide full details of the escapes reported by them and in addition to provide samples of the “escapee farmed salmon” to the Marine Institute for scientific analysis. A response to this request is awaited and will inform the Department’s consideration of the Inland Fisheries Ireland report.
321. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to increase tillage production in the new Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44401/21]
View answerThe tillage sector plays a crucial role in Irish agriculture and is a sector I am passionate about and I am committed to. The tillage sector supports so many aspects of the wider agri sector by providing high quality grain to the animal feed industry and straw for feeding and bedding, while also making a significant contribution to the food and drinks sectors in the form of malting barley, milling wheat and oats for the breakfast cereals industry. The sector contributed an estimated €430m at farm gate prices to overall agriculture output (€8.3bn) in 2020.
Food Vision 2030 identified the tillage sector as one of the most carbon efficient sectors of Irish agriculture and emphasised the importance of retaining and increasing the area under cultivation.
Progress in development of the next CAP Strategic Plan is well under way and the Department has consulted widely. Most recently, a five-week public consultation on the draft interventions concluded on Friday 3 September. Over 1,000 submissions have been made during the public consultation process. These submissions, including those relating to the tillage sector, are under consideration and will be taken on board in the development of the plan. Discussions with key stakeholders will continue through bilateral engagements, and through the CAP Consultative Committee, where all key stakeholders are represented.
A statutory consultation on a draft environmental report for the CAP Strategic Plan will be held in November with the final plan due for submission in December in advance of the 1st January 2022 deadline. The plan will then be subject to an approval process with the Commission over a 6/8 month period.
All elements of the plan will be subject to review and scrutiny by the EU Commission in line with the relevant regulatory framework around the three general objectives of economic, environmental and social sustainability.
The CAP Strategic Plan will become operational on 1st January 2023.
322. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will ensure that all staff in her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit who, by necessity of their work have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or members of the public are provided with medical grade masks in the EN14683 category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44380/21]
View answerMy Department is currently planning a phased return to the workplace later in September. I am satisfied that the preparations for same are taking place in accordance with the Work Safely Protocol and will take account of any updates to that guidance as they become available. Social distancing in our workplaces will be ensured and all the equipment necessary will also be provided.
All four agencies under the aegis of my Department – Pobal, the Western Development Commission, the Charities Regulator and Water Safety Ireland – have confirmed that plans are in place which govern staff attendance in the workplace and/or facilitate a phased return to the workplace. These plans provide for all the necessary equipment to be provided or to ensure that office attendance is staggered to ensure full social distancing is in place.
