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Thursday, 23 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 353-356

Brexit Supports

Questions (353)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

353. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if subsequent to the implementation of rules prohibiting the landing of live bivalve molluscs including wild caught scallops in UK ports he will address the serious financial cost to scallop fishers fishing off the coast of the UK now required to land their catch in EU ports; the reason these fishers are not included in other support schemes; if his attention has been drawn to the impact of this requirement on all involved in fishing, processing and transporting these products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45773/21]

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Written answers

It is important to note that food safety standards and the protection of consumers continues to be of paramount importance.

The rules for landings of Live Bivalve Molluscs (LBMs) into the United Kingdom are set down by the United Kingdom authorities. The Sanitary and Phytosanitary allowance to directly-land fishery products which is not yet required but will, I understand, be required from 1 July 2022, does not include LBMs such as wild-caught scallops.

The United Kingdom Government announced on 14 September 2021 that it would further postpone the introduction of upcoming new UK import controls (including Sanitary and Phytosanitary requirements) which had been scheduled for 1 October 2021 to 1 July 2022. I understand that import requirements for direct landings of LBMs are also being delayed until 1 July 2022. The United Kingdom position from 1 July 2022 will replicate the EU position regarding LBM landings by a Third Country vessel into the EU.

LBMs or mollusc-derived products can be imported to the EU if dispatched as food fit for human consumption from an approved establishment and having undergone any treatment or processing necessary to ensure they meet EU food safety standards, including purification or shucking where necessary.

Some Irish vessels had previously landed to United Kingdom ports for freight transport of the live scallop directly from the landing to Irish processors, where they were shucked and sold generally to the EU continental market. Since January 2021 these operators can continue to land to United Kingdom ports, subject to NEAFC requirements, until 1 July 2022. However, since January 2021 freight consignments of LBMs from the United Kingdom to Ireland require dispatch from a UK-approved establishment and compliance, for the protection of EU consumers, with EU food safety importation requirements.

In relation to financial supports, I established a Seafood Sector Task Force in March 2021 so that stakeholders could be centrally involved in assessing such impacts. I received an Interim Report on 9 June 2021 and the Task Force is currently giving full consideration to possible actions before making final recommendations.

I expect to receive the Final Report in the next month or so and further measures will be examined to assist our seafood sector and coastal communities to adjust to the post Brexit world and to continue to prosper. You will appreciate that I cannot pre-judge the recommendations of the Task Force and how they might relate to any particular fishery.

Farm Household Incomes

Questions (354)

Holly Cairns

Question:

354. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on introducing a universal basic income for farmers on a trial basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45928/21]

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Written answers

The aim of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to support all farmers across the community to help them produce safe, nutritious and quality foods. As we progress towards CAP 2023-2026, payments will reflect a more level distribution of payments that is intended to secure the viability and sustainability of the small to medium holdings that play an integral part in Ireland’s agriculture sector and rural viability.

The average Family Farm Income as outlined in the Teagasc National Farm Survey in 2020 was €25,663, an increase of 9% on 2019, despite the difficult year due to the pandemic. Furthermore, the average direct payment per hectare was €417 with an average direct payment per farm of €17,850. This direct payment represented 70% of the average Family Farm Income in 2020 across all farms but up to 151% of average income on cattle rearing farms.

I am continuing my extensive engagement with stakeholders on the future of CAP. In CAP 2023, the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme will replace the current Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). BISS will provide income support for farmers in Ireland. Under the proposed BISS, there is a mandatory requirement for Member States to ensure that, by 2026, all payment values reach a minimum convergence level of 85% for all payment entitlements, creating a more levelled distribution of payments.

Further interventions in the new CAP such as Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) will compound payments to support and ensure a mandatory redistribution of direct payment funding to small and medium sized farms.

The inclusion of Eco-Schemes reflects a clear policy shift towards a greater environment and climate ambition for the CAP. The higher the amount of funding allocated to such schemes, the greater the impact on payment entitlement values and farmers' payments. Participation in Eco-Schemes will offer farmers the opportunity to maximise their Direct Payment amounts while also contributing to the greater environmental ambition proposed for the new CAP.

Universal basic income for farmers would be a significant shift from the CAP measures which have recently been agreed as currently outlined above and would require extensive research, modelling of payment frameworks and consultation. I will continue to engage with stakeholders as we develop our CAP Strategic Plan.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (355)

Holly Cairns

Question:

355. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a continuation of a welfare scheme for sheep, including the provision to pay up to €20 per ewe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45929/21]

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Written answers

I 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.

The strong performance of the sector in 2020 has continued into 2021 and I am delighted that farmers are being rewarded from the market for their hard work. Reductions in production globally and increased demand are expected to support continued strong performance throughout 2021. The current average price is €6.07 per kg, which is 20% 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.

I was pleased to be able to secure funding as part of Budget 2021 to facilitate the extension of the scheme into 2021 prior to the next CAP. Any further extension to the scheme for 2022 will be considered as part of the budgetary process in October.

The existing payment rate of €10 per eligible breeding ewe set under the current scheme was based on an assessment of the costs incurred and income foregone for the menu of actions set out under the scheme. These were agreed with the Commission when designing the scheme and as such, it is not proposed to amend the payment rates under the scheme at this point.

With regard to the new CAP, officials in the Department have been examining options to build on the existing Sheep Welfare Scheme. 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. 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).

A public consultation on the draft interventions proposed for the CSP has recently ended and the submissions received are being reviewed. I will continue to consult on the content of the plan with the key stakeholders, through the CAP Consultative Committee and through additional public consultation later in the year.

I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to supporting the sustainable long-term development of the sheep sector.

Rural Recreation Policy

Questions (356)

Michael Creed

Question:

356. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has received the external review of the walks scheme administered by her Department; if this review has addressed the issue of the role of the rural recreational officer and the equity in resourcing these posts in certain areas due to the number of stakeholders participating and the vast geographical area covered; if in the context of this review, she will reconsider the administrative resources available to the groups participating particularly for the funding of rural recreational officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45837/21]

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Written answers

The Walks Scheme, which is funded by my Department, contracts landholders to undertake maintenance work on National Waymarked Ways and other priority trails that traverse their lands. The landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken in line with agreed work plans.

My Department commissioned an external review of the Walks Scheme to examine the delivery and strategic development of the Scheme, and assess the role and resourcing of the Rural Recreation Officer (RRO) posts throughout the country. The reviewers were also required to consider the level of funding provided to the Local Development Companies to deliver the scheme. The recommendations contained in the review will inform decisions on the further strategic expansion of the scheme, including the resourcing of Local Development Companies and RRO posts in particular.

The reviewer's final Report was received by my Department in July. I expect to soon be in a position to publish the Report and outline the next steps in implementing the findings outlined in the Report, including steps to address the type of issues identified by the Deputy. I am committed to working with all of the stakeholders to ensure that the scheme can continue to function effectively.

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