Written Answers Nos. 664-683
664. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to relax or rescind the afforestation rule (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49520/21]
View answerAfforestation is considered a permanent land use change and this is important because deforestation is associated negatively with contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, loss of biodiversity and climate change.
Most countries have initiatives in place to restrict deforestation and promote woodland creation. The policy in Ireland is to prevent deforestation and increase the forest area. Reforestation after felling is essential to prevent deforestation, which would otherwise counteract the benefits of Ireland’s afforestation programme and other national policies, such as targets set in the Climate Action Plan.
665. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies in tabular form; the number of members of each board; the number of women on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of women. [49553/21]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy in relation to the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is outlined in the table attached.
|
State Body |
Total Number of Places on the Board (Including the Chairperson) |
Total Number currently sitting on the Board (Including the Chairperson) |
Total Number of Male members |
Total Number of Women Members |
Percentage of each board that is made up of women (% of currently sitting board members) |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB) |
7 |
7 |
6 |
1 |
14% |
|
Bord Bia |
15 |
11 |
8 |
3 |
27% |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
6 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
60% |
|
Rásaíocht Con Éireann - (formerly Bord na gCon) |
7 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
33% |
|
Coillte |
9 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
43% |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
14 |
14 |
10 |
4 |
29% |
|
Irish National Stud |
7 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
43% |
|
Marine Institute |
9 |
8 |
5 |
3 |
38% |
|
National Milk Agency |
16 |
16 |
14 |
2 |
13% |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
3 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0% |
|
Teagasc |
11 |
11 |
7 |
4 |
36% |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
19 |
19 |
12 |
7 |
37% |
I am committed to achieving the Government target of 40% gender balance on the Boards of State Bodies set out by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in 2014 and the table shows progress made so far.
In relation to six of the State Bodies under the aegis of the Department, some of the board appointments are made by me on the basis of nominations from third-party organisations for specified vacancies as set out in legislation. These State Bodies are the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board, Bord Bia, Horse Racing Ireland, National Milk Agency, Teagasc and the Veterinary Council of Ireland. I encourage the relevant organisations to be pro-active in encouraging women within their membership to be nominated for appointment to these Boards.
I continue to take every opportunity to achieve gender balance on the Boards of State Bodies under the aegis of the Department.
666. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the recently signed agreement between Ireland and China for the export of live breeding pigs to China has an end date in place; if not, if this agreement is open ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49641/21]
View answer667. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a detailed account of the animal welfare strategy to be put in place for the export of live breeding pigs to China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49642/21]
View answer668. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will be provided with up-to-date documentary information in respect of the condition of live pigs to be exported from Ireland to China upon their arrival in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49643/21]
View answer669. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the up-to-date position in respect of the recently signed agreement between Ireland and China for the export of live breeding pigs to China; if his Department is in the process of obtaining travel licences for the transport of these live animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49644/21]
View answer670. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of live breeding pigs that will be exported per annum to China; if there will be a fixed number per annum; if there are terms within the agreement to increase or decrease this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49645/21]
View answer671. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a regular review of the agreement between Ireland and China for the export of live breeding pigs to China will be carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49646/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 666, 667, 668, 669, 670 and 671 together.
As the Deputy is aware, I recently signed a protocol outlining the requirements to be met before the export of breeding pigs to China. This provides a framework within which private sector businesses can explore business opportunities in China. The extent and scope of any trade is a matter for private enterprise, subject to compliance with animal health and animal welfare standards and the conditions of the Protocol.
Any live animals transported from Ireland are governed under the requirements of EU legislation. The vast majority of animals exported from Ireland travel to the EU, which is governed by the same animal welfare legislation as Ireland. A relatively small percentage are exported to non-EU countries - the transport of these animals are subject to the same to EU legislation.
The Department, in cooperation with our EU partners, works closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) with a view to improving animal welfare practices worldwide. The OIE is the global standard setting body relating to animal health and animal welfare. It is through this forum that we influence standards in other non-EU countries.
Ireland has been a member of the OIE European Platform Steering Committee on Animal Welfare since its creation in 2013 and has offered technical inputs for the development of the OIE Platform action plans. To support these activities, Ireland has also provided financial supports in recent years.
All live export shipments from Ireland are conducted in full compliance with legislative requirements. All proposed journeys must be notified to the Regional Veterinary Office in advance, and veterinary certification will only be provided where the journey complies with all animal transport and animal welfare regulations. This includes a requirement to notify the Regional Veterinary Office of the outcome of each journey once completed, and the condition of the animals on arrival. The export and the transport of animals from Ireland is continuously monitored.
Live exports play a significant role in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department facilitates this commercial trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri-sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards.
672. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports, financial or otherwise available for landowners who wish to return holdings previously committed to forestry and are now outside of their obligations to agricultural holdings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49674/21]
View answerIf a landowner wishes to remove trees from land, they must obtain a tree felling licence. Every tree felling licence carries an obligation to replant the felled area.
A landowner wishing to convert afforested land (regardless of whether the trees were planted under a Forestry Scheme), may propose an alternative area of the same size. This alternative area must receive approval to plant, without grant aid, prior to the granting of any tree felling licence.
Forestry is a permanent land use change, and therefore there are no grants to convert afforested land into another agricultural use. The realisation of the timber asset once harvested is considered more than adequate to cover the cost of replanting.
When a site is felled, it will be closely monitored to ensure it is replanted. The Forestry Act 2014 sets out the legislation governing the felling of trees, the licences required, offences and penalties for breaches of the legislation.
It is Government policy to prevent deforestation, which is the permanent removal of forests. Reforestation after felling is essential to prevent deforestation, which would otherwise counteract the social, environmental and economic benefits of Ireland's afforestation programme and devalue the associated public expenditure on afforestation.
The Department’s “Felling and Reforestation Policy” document aims to provide a consolidated source of information on the legal and regulatory framework relating to tree felling.
673. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and value all procurement contracts that took place by way of negotiated procedure without prior publication in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the date, value and purpose of each negotiated procedure contract in tabular form. [49723/21]
View answerMy Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and legislation.
EU and national rules promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers value for money. EU Directives declare that there can be legitimate reasons for awarding contracts non-competitively, such as extreme urgency brought about by unforeseeable events or if there is a single supplier to perform the contract. Therefore, a non-competitive procurement is not necessarily non-compliant with procurement rules.
Circular 40/02 issued by the Department of Finance requires my Department to report all contracts above €25,000 (exclusive of VAT) awarded without a competitive process to the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) by 31 March of the following year.
In 2020, 81 contracts with a value of €11,774,607.18 were awarded without a competitive process and declared on the Circular 40/02 return as expenditure against those contracts exceeded the reporting threshold of €25,000.
Of this, contracts valued at €8,327,906.39 were undertaken without a competitive process but are considered compliant, as the justification for awarding these contracts without a competitive process falls within the exceptions to open/competitive procurement permitted in national and EU legislation.
The remaining procurements with a value of €3,446,700.79 were also undertaken without a competitive process but not considered compliant as the contracts were not subject to an independent review prior to the award of the contract. Details of the 2020 40/02 return are below.
My Department is committed to reducing the level of non-compliant procurement undertaken. The Central Procurement Unit, supports Divisions undertaking procurements through the dissemination of key policy information, advice and support in the preparation of tenders and other procurement related matters. Through direct engagement across the Department, the Unit has sought to ensure best practice at an operational level so that effective value for money is achieved in a compliant manner. Since 2017, the Department has reduced the level of non-competitive procurement significantly.
Information on any instances of non-compliant procurement that arise in 2021 will be available in my Department's 2021 Appropriation Account which will be published by the Comptroller and Auditor General in 2022.
Value of contracts appearing on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's 2020 Circular 40/02 return by category
|
Subject of Contract / Purchase |
Ex VAT Amount |
|
ICT Software/ Licences |
€1,477,575.41 |
|
Laboratory Supplies |
€2,158,235.57 |
|
Lab Equipment – Purchases, Maintenance, Support |
€335,050.75 |
|
IT Hardware/Maintenance |
€175,972.38 |
|
Handheld Scanners |
€27,614.78 |
|
Laboratory Testing |
€68,524.47 |
|
Haulage |
€54,786.20 |
|
Rendering and Biological Waste Disposal |
€5,053,465.41 |
|
Disposal of Carcass Waste |
€26,442.00 |
|
Relief Services |
€38,604.26 |
|
Franking and Mailroom Services |
€97,645.78 |
|
Security Printing |
€55,722.00 |
|
File Storage |
€377,616.93 |
|
Facilities Management |
€189,831.74 |
|
Office Supplies |
€104,178.93 |
|
General Supplies |
€26,812.04 |
|
Works: Consultancy |
€31,564.70 |
|
Forestry Consultancy |
€70,298.60 |
|
Works: Consultancy |
€76,633.17 |
|
Works: Marine Contractor |
€303,011.92 |
|
Consultancy Services (Ecologist) |
€53,154.75 |
|
Beef Carcase Classification |
€25,833.20 |
|
Certification Services |
€33,733.00 |
|
Wastewater Treatment |
€34,092.24 |
|
Veterinary Services |
€26,942.28 |
|
Telephony Services |
€685,672.79 |
|
Strategic Assessment (Agri-Food 2030 Strategy) |
€28,141.09 |
|
Macerator Rental |
€49,258.58 |
|
Forestry Mapping Hardware & Software |
€44,952.21 |
|
IT Contractors |
€43,240.00 |
674. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who availed of the derogation regarding the BEAM scheme who are currently on track to meet the required 5% reduction; the number who are not; the average payment; the total payment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49746/21]
View answerThe Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) provided temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland, subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132.
BEAM was funded by a combination of EU aid and Exchequer support. It was provided to support Irish beef farmers who saw beef prices fall as a result of disturbance to the market.
One of the conditions under which the €50 million was granted by the EU was that there had to be an element of re-structuring built into the scheme. Accordingly, in applying for BEAM, participants agreed to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on their holding by 5% for the period 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021, as compared with the period 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019.
I engaged with the EU Commission to seek flexibility around the deadline for meeting the 5% reduction. I succeed in introducing an option on agfood.ie on 19th March 2021 to choose an alternative reduction period of 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021. In that period, just over 16,000 opted for the later reduction period.
When the original reduction period ended on 30th June 2021, it was identified that approximately 5,300 of the approximately 16,000 BEAM participants who had opted to defer had in fact met all their BEAM commitments including the 5% bovine nitrates reduction. The Department therefore removed them from the later reduction period.
This leaves approximately 10,700 BEAM participants in the later reduction period. These participants will continue to receive a monthly letter from my Department (as all participants have done since February 2021) outlining the amount of nitrates they have already used (accumulated), the amount of nitrates they have left to ensure they meet the 5% reduction and a projection based on the livestock numbers on their holding of their final nitrates position at the end of the reduction period.
The most recent analysis by theDepartment suggests;
a. Approximately 1,700 participants are on track to meet the BEAM 5% bovine nitrates reduction requirement,
b. A further 300 are on course to deliver a nitrates reduction of between 4% and 5%, Part of the payment will be recouped from them.
c. Approximately 8,600 are currently predicted to miss the minimum 4% reduction and are therefore facing full recoupment of their BEAM payment.
d. Within that 8,600, in approximately 7,400 of the herds, the bovine nitrates have increased over the reduction period compared to the reference period,
e. Within the number of 7,400 herds, approx. 1,110 have already registered nitrates in excess of their target total.
The average payment for those BEAM participants who opted to defer is just less than €2,500.
The Department will continue, as it has been doing, to provide relevant information and updates to participants, but I would encourage all participants to take timely action to ensure they meet the commitments they signed up to in the Terms and Conditions of the scheme back in 2019.
675. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to seed potato producers in Scotland ceasing to prepare seed potato inputs for Irish farmers as a result of ongoing Brexit related issues; the estimated impact be on Irish potato growers in future seasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49747/21]
View answer676. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to promote the development of the domestic seed potato industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49748/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 675 and 676 together.
The Department supports the Irish seed potato sector through the production of High-Grade seed material at the Department's facility in Tops Potato Centre Co. Donegal. In addition, the Department provides funding to Teagasc who carry out a very successful potato breeding programme.
As a further support my Department has a nationwide seed certification team in place to ensure the production of high-grade seed with the capability to deliver on additional acreage and laboratory capacity, if required. The Certification Scheme includes soil and tuber sampling and testing for pest and disease control. This high-quality disease-free seed is made available to the industry for further multiplication and supply to commercial growers and for export.
The Department also participates in the Potato Development Group, which has representation from Bord Bia, Teagasc and the IFA and is actively investigating future markets for Irish potatoes.
Following the end of the Brexit transition period on 1st January 2021 and the departure of the UK from the EU, Ireland is the only EU Member State designated a high health status under EU legislation for the growing of seed potatoes. Also, with the UK’s new status as a ‘Third Country’ the import of seed potatoes is currently prohibited.
Notwithstanding the challenges, I am firmly of the view that there is significant potential to increase the production and supply of Irish grown seed potatoes. I am committed to further developing this sector.
This potential can only be achieved through close collaboration and full buy-in within the sector. I consider an industry led approach, supported by DAFM, will be the most viable sustainable approach.
677. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all official engagements and meetings attended by him or Ministers of State within his Department during the period 1 September 2021 and 4 October 2021. [49749/21]
View answerDuring the period requested both myself and the Ministers of state attended numerous meetings relating to official duties as Ministers. These meetings can be in person, virtual or via phone. Three lists are attached outlining the main engagements and meetings for the sought period.
678. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a matter in relation to Coillte leases (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49802/21]
View answerCoillte is operationally independent of the Department and the management of their forest estate is a matter for the company.
I have therefore forwarded this issue to Coillte for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
679. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to incorporate afforestation into the new CAP to provide incentives for farmers to plant woodland on their farms, acting as a carbon store, helping to promote wildlife corridors and providing a future fuel source for the household; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49858/21]
View answerThe National Forestry Programme will continue to be funded nationally, however significant tree planting measures are proposed for inclusion in two schemes under the CAP Strategic Plan; the Eco-scheme and the flagship Agri-Environmental Climate Measure (AECM). Both schemes will be voluntary for farmers to participate in.
The Eco-Scheme will be an annual scheme with the option to opt-in or opt-out each year. Ireland’s Eco-Scheme is proposed to have five actions; participating farmers will complete two actions in any given year. One of these actions is proposed to plant a number of tress per hectare. The Eco-Scheme will aim to engage as many farmers as possible and as such this tree planting action will encourage farmers to plant significant numbers of trees given the land area that will hopefully be entered into the scheme.
AECM will be a multi-annual scheme where farmers will have the option to plant trees and/or hedges. Farmers will have the option to select actions based around planting trees in rows, groups or parkland. In addition, farmers are also proposed to be offered actions relating to planting trees in riparian buffer strips as well as potentially planting tree belts adjacent to farmyards with a view to capturing ammonia.
To facilitate greater integration of small areas of woodland planting on farms under CAP, the Department is also exploring the potential to amend the Forestry Act.
These will complement the Department's Forestry programme which will continue to be funded nationally.
680. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry licences processed monthly since 1 January 2019; and the number of applications that were approved or rejected. [49859/21]
View answer681. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address the backlog in applications for forestry licences. [49860/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 680 and 681 together.
I fully recognise the impact the current forestry licencing delays are having on the sector.
Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for he sector, I am in regular and intensive consultation with all stakeholders, and it is my immediate priority to resolve the issues which have led to this backlog and to issue licences in the volume needed for this important sector to continue to contribute to our rural economy.
The delays that have arisen were caused by changes to the licencing system as a result of Court decisions which means that a significant number of cases now need ecological input to comply with environmental requirements. To find solutions towards resolving these issues, as well as focusing on woodland creation, Project Woodland was initiated early in 2021.
It comprises four working groups, each with an independent chair and with members drawn from forestry and eNGO stakeholders on the Forestry Policy Group. The Project Board, chaired by my Department, published its first Interim Report in July and the Project Manager has published the Project Charter which details project management oversight.
As part of Project Woodland, we are about the select a preferred bidder with legal and environmental expertise to carry out an in-depth review of the forestry licensing system. It will review the existing statutory framework for the licencing of forestry activities in relation to environmental and public participation obligations in order that practical advice can be provided to the Department on how to work more efficiently within the existing legal framework.
The business systems analysis currently being undertaken by an independent systems analyst will interact with and run parallel with the regulatory review, so that best possible system improvements are delivered.
In June this year, the Department issued 415 forestry licences. This output was interrupted in July and August by the introduction of a new requirement for public participation under SI 293/2021, signed on 25th June by the Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage and which applies to all similar planning issues. However, in September licences exceeded expected levels with a total of 585 licences issued. This means that September will be the highest month this year for new licences. We anticipate that we will maintain expected levels of output to the end of the year.
Along Minister of State Hackett, we recognise that the delivery of afforestation licences needs to improve. We are now putting in place a dedicated team of 10 ecologists who will deal solely with these licences for the foreseeable future. This will increase output over the coming weeks. Productivity will depend on the quality of the information provided (that is, NISs, ecology reports, prescreening reports, and habitat maps) provided.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my commitment to supporting the forest sector and to building on the recent progress, so that a continual improvement in delivery is achieved.
The Department publishes a range of forestry licence statistics on the Forestry pages of its website at gov.ie. The number of forestry licence applications received, licences issued and refusals since 1st January 2019, are given in the attached table.
682. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry has had another field visit following the reversal of a 2019 basic payment penalty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49929/21]
View answerThe claimants on a commonage, on which the person named is also a shareholder, were selected for inspection in 2021 following on from previous inspections and further communications received from those other claimants to establish an eligible area for the commonage. This is part of the standard procedure for establishing eligibility under the Basic Payment Scheme.
683. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which projects that fall within the aegis of her Department and are within the revised National Development Plan are at an advanced stage at present or are in course thereof; the extent to which preliminary work has taken place or on-site works are in hand or proposed; the expected delivery date of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49260/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that last week the renewed National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 was launched by the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister Ryan and Minister McGrath. The publication outlines the largest National Development Plan ever delivered in the history of the State - €165 billion - with a particular focus on priority solutions to strengthen housing, climate ambitions, transport, healthcare, jobs growth in every region and economic renewal for the decade ahead. This plan will prepare Ireland for population growth of approximately 1 million between 2016 and 2040, and help us to deal with the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and Brexit.
While the Plan is a whole of Government approach, Chapter 8: Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities sets out details that will be delivered and administered by my Department. Earlier in the year, I was delighted to launch Our Rural Future – the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 and the NDP will support the achievement of the ambitious objectives set out in that document.
Over the life of the NDP my Department will continue to invest in and support Rural Ireland and communities across the country. Due to the volume and timings in the calls for schemes administered by my Department it is not feasible to give details of each specific project, supported through the various schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER Programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Local Improvement Scheme, CLÁR Programme, Islands Capital Programme, Community Enhancement Programme, Libraries Investment Capital funding and the PEACE PLUS Programme. However, I can assure the Deputy that investment will continue apace over the lifetime of the NDP.
