Written Answers Nos. 301-320
301. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a request from a person (details supplied) to extend the scope of the Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51442/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government 2020 contains a commitment regarding the prohibition of fur farming and Department officials have been working on appropriate steps to give effect to this. The draft general scheme of the Prohibition on Fur Farming 2021 legislation was approved by Government at its meeting on 18th June 2021.
The primary focus of the Bill is to make it illegal for any new fur farms to be established and will provide for the closure of the small number of existing farm operations. I expect to be in a position to bring the Bill before the Oireachtas in the very near future.
302. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that farmers have adequate access to veterinary services and competitively priced veterinary medicinal products. [51447/21]
View answerAll current suppliers of veterinary medicines will continue to be legally permitted to supply 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 or text. Farmers can then engage with Licensed Merchants, veterinary pharmacists or their veterinary practitioner in getting their prescription dispensed.
I also intend to allow for generic/alternative veterinary medicines be dispensed based on the active substances on the prescription, further reducing costs for farmers and suppliers of veterinary medicines alike.
There are currently 775 registered veterinary practices in Ireland and 3,168 veterinary practitioners and 1,160 veterinary nurses.
The Department carried out research and analysis into the distribution and accessibility to farmers of large-animal veterinary services in rural Ireland. This analysis suggests large-animal veterinary services are available within 20km of over 95% of Irish farms. The Department will continue to monitor this position closely to ensure Irish farmers are adequately supported with the provision of veterinary services in the best interests of animal health and welfare.
303. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that supports to a cohort of persons (details supplied) are included in the next CAP. [51448/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government ‘Our Shared Future’ contains a commitment to seek to resolve the issue of support for the category of farmers known as Forgotten Farmers.
The Department is examining options to address the issue of forgotten farmers.
The outline of any schemes supported under the next CAP and details of the Terms and Conditions for eligibility under such schemes, or for other supports available, will be set out once all the relevant EU Regulations are agreed and finalised.
304. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to continue the process of convergence in 2022. [51449/21]
View answerConvergence is a mandatory provision in the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Programme and a provision that will be continued in the new CAP.
The Regulation regarding the transition period permitted EU Member States to continue convergence during the transition period, should they wish to do so. Ireland took the decision to pause convergence during this time. This option was chosen to provide some much-needed stability in direct payments and to allow time to consult with farmers and their representative bodies to ascertain their views and expectations.
The Department and I continue to consult with stakeholders to further consider how to continue the convergence process along with considering their views on various other elements of the new CAP. These consultations will serve to ensure concerns and recommendations by farmers and their representative bodies are incorporated into the development of the CAP Strategic Plan.
305. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he plans to bring forward to support young farmers as part of the state CAP Strategic Plan. [51450/21]
View answerDetails of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 are still in consultation with stakeholders.
However, with regard to direct payment supports, the Department proposes to operate a National Reserve from 2023 to prioritise access to payment entitlements for young farmers and new farmers. This
would provide successful applicants with an allocation of payment entitlements on eligible land on which they hold no entitlements and/or a top up to the national average entitlement value on existing entitlements they hold where these entitlements have a value below the national average entitlement value.
The Department also proposes to operate the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers from 2023, which will build on the success of the Young Farmers Scheme that has been in place since 2015. This would provide successful applicants with a payment per eligible hectare, subject to a maximum of 50 hectares, for a maximum term of five years.
There is also provision to allow Young Farmers Scheme participants who have not reached the end of their term of eligibility under the scheme to roll over into the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers for the remainder of their 5-year term of eligibility.
With regard to supports for young farmers under Pillar II of the new CAP, the proposed new On-Farm Investment Scheme will address key environmental objectives through the provision of grant aid for new capital investments that contribute to environmental, farm safety or animal health and welfare objectives. It is proposed that a higher rate of grant aid would be available to qualified Young Farmers.
306. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there was no new support measures provided to suckler beef farmers in Budget 2022. [51451/21]
View answerI am pleased to have secured over €1.8 billion of funding for the Department in Budget 2022 for the overall sector. This is in addition to almost €1.2 billion in EU funded direct payments received annually to support farm incomes and reward good agricultural and environmental practices.
Farmers can have confidence that this budget protects farm family income and supports action to improve safety and sustainability on farms. I have succeeded in maintaining all of the crucial farm schemes and the budget provision will also allow us to provide additional funding for a number of policy priorities.
More than €100 million will be provided in targeted supports for the beef and sheep sectors including BDGP, BEEP-S, Sheep Welfare Scheme and Dairy Calf Programme.
Other relevant measures include:
- €4m for the establishment of the Office of the Food Ombudsman
- €80m for on farm investments through TAMS including specific supports for solar energy installation
- A tax package that protects the stamp duty relief for young, trained farmers, and stock relief.
- An additional €2m to support farm safety initiatives
Within the 2022 provision some €872 million allows key Rural Development Programme and forestry supports to remain available through the transitional period between the two CAP programmes. This provides the budget to extend, or rollover, existing RDP schemes from 2021 including the ANC at €250m and also the BDGP and Sheep Welfare Scheme which I have already referenced. These schemes are vital income supports for farmers and provide a measurable public good.
I have worked closely with my colleague Minister McGrath to finalise a financial package for the new CAP that will support the agri -food sector and rural communities in the period from 2023 to 2027
In a time of transition, farmers can have confidence that this budget protects farm family income and supports action to improve safety and sustainability on farms.
307. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there was no new support measures provided to sheep farmers in Budget 2022. [51452/21]
View answerI am pleased to have delivered over €1.8 billion of funding in Budget 2022 for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the overall sector. This is in addition to almost €1.2 billion in EU-funded direct payments received annually to support farm incomes and reward good agricultural and environmental practices
More than €100 million of this will be in targeted supports for the beef and sheep sectors including BDGP, BEEP-S, Sheep Welfare Scheme and Dairy Calf Programme
Other relevant measures include:
- €4m for the establishment of the Office of the Food Ombudsman
- €80m for on farm investments through TAMS including specific supports for solar energy installation
- A tax package that protects the stamp duty relief for young, trained farmers, and stock relief.
- An additional €2m to support farm safety initiatives
Specifically, in relation to the Sheep sector, 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.
Currently, I am working closely with my colleague Minister McGrath to finalise a financial package for the new CAP that will support the Agri -food sector and rural communities, including the sheep sector, in the period from 2023 to 2028. I hope to make a further announcement with regard to this shortly.
308. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there was no new support measures provided to farmers with land in areas of natural constraint in Budget 2022. [51453/21]
View answerIn a time of transition, farmers can have confidence that Budget 2022 protects farm families, farm profitability as well as safety and sustainability on farms, This is the second year of transition between the old CAP and the new. My key priority has been to provide confidence to farmers and their families that their payments would be protected during the transition period. We have succeeded in maintaining all of the crucial farm schemes and the budget provision will also allow us to provide additional funding for a number of policy priorities
Budget 2022 provides a gross Vote of €1.858 billion for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Within the 2022 provision, some €872 million allows key Rural Development Programme and forestry supports to remain available through the transitional period between the two CAP programmes. This provides the budget to extend, or rollover, existing RDP schemes from 2021, including the ANC Scheme (€250m).
These schemes are vital income supports for farmers and provide a measurable public good. The current co-financing rate will remain for RDP measures during the CAP transition period.
309. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the redistributive measures he is proposing in the CAP Strategic Plan; and if he will bring this plan before the Houses of the Oireachtas for approval. [51454/21]
View answerThe political agreement on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy strikes the right balance in seeking to ensure a fair distribution of payments between farmers while also supporting the agriculture sector to achieve a higher level of environmental and climate ambition.
Significant flexibility is given to Member States to achieve this, in accordance with their own national circumstances. This flexibility was one of my key objectives in the negotiations, and I am pleased that it was secured.
Specifically on the targeting and distribution of payments, the agreement provides for voluntary capping of direct payments at €100,000, with Member States also free to reduce payments above €60,000 by up to 85%.
Internal convergence of payments will continue, with each entitlement value to reach a minimum of 85% of the national average value by 2026.
And a mandatory redistribution of 10% of direct payments funding to small and medium sized farmers is also provided for, but with a derogation for Member States where they can demonstrate that their redistribution needs can be satisfied by other measures in Pillar I.
I have been consulting widely with farmers in recent months on how we can best apply this flexibility to address these issues at national level, including through the national CAP Stakeholder Consultative Committee, through a countrywide series of mart meetings, and through a formal public consultation exercise which attracted more than 1,000 submissions. I and my officials have also discussed the CAP with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on a number of occasions.
I will take the outcome of these consultations into consideration before seeking the approval of Government and submitting Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 to the European Commission by the deadline of 1st January 2022.
310. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of funding that will be made available to the agri-environmental scheme and agri-environmental measures in Budget 2022. [51455/21]
View answerIn a time of transition, farmers can have confidence that this budget protects farm families, farm profitability as well as safety and sustainability on farms, This is the second year of transition between the old CAP and the new. My key priority is to provide confidence to farmers and their families that their payments would be protected during the transition period. We have succeeded in maintaining all of the crucial farm schemes and the budget provision will also allow us to provide additional funding for a number of policy priorities
Budget 2022 provides a gross Vote of €1.858 billion for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Within the 2022 provision some €872 million allows key Rural Development Programme and Forestry supports to remain available through the transitional period between the two CAP programmes. This provides the budget to extend, or rollover, existing RDP schemes from 2021 including:
- More than €100 million in targeted supports for the beef and sheep sectors including BDGP, BEEP-S, Sheep Welfare Scheme and Dairy Calf Programme
- €80 million for on farm investments through TAMS including specific supports for solar energy installation
- €214 million for GLAS & REAP
- €14.6 million for Locally Led Agri-Environment Scheme
- €100 million for Forestry
These schemes are vital income supports for farmers and provide a measurable public good.
The current co-financing rate will remain for RDP measures during the CAP transition period.
The definitive allocations will be set out in the 2022 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which will be published later this year.
311. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he has taken at EU level to ensure that additional beef imports which would depress beef prices do not enter the single market. [51456/21]
View answerIn the context of EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, the question of market access for agricultural goods, including beef, is often one of the most difficult issues to resolve. The Department and I are therefore very active in ensuring that any market access provisions included in these FTA negotiations are balanced, and that they take into account all potential impacts on Irish and EU producers.
I take every opportunity to raise concerns and priorities for the Irish agri-food sector in EU FTA negotiations at EU Agriculture Council of Minister meetings. The Department also plays an active role in developing Ireland’s contribution to EU discussions on FTA negotiations, including at the EU Trade Policy Committee.
In situations where the EU is proposing to increase EU market access for agri-food products, including for beef, we use our influence to minimise the quantity of tariff rate quotas provided for. We also seek additional conditionality or segmentation to apply to these TRQs, for example through:
- splitting beef TRQs into separate frozen and fresh categories;
- maintaining in-quota tariffs;
- extending phase-in periods.
I also continue to impress on the European Commission the fact that full account must be taken of its own recently updated assessment on the cumulative impact of trade deals on the agri-food sector. This includes the potentially very damaging impact of Brexit on an already delicately balanced EU beef market.
With regard to on-going and future EU trade negotiations, I will continue to insist that appropriate safeguards which protect the interests of the Irish and European beef sector are included in the final agreements.
312. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the future of the Beef Market Taskforce; and the consideration he has given to extending its remit in order to secure a fair price for beef farmers. [51457/21]
View answerThe 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 COVID-19.
As the Deputy may be aware, I 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, which he has done. I will complete my analysis of the final report, after which I will make the necessary decision on future strategic engagement with the Sector.
The beef sector agreement contained 38 specific actions. Of these 38 actions, 30 were finite actions which had timelines attached for completion. The remaining eight are ongoing actions, which by their nature, are long term and will continue outside of the context of the Beef Taskforce. All documents from the Beef Taskforce meetings, including minutes and updated progress reports, are published on the Gov.ie website.
It should be noted that the Taskforce was set up in response to the issues that prevailed in the sector in the late summer of 2019 and had very specific actions to address. It is conceivable that it may not be the most suitable vehicle for addressing those that exist in 2021 and beyond. I will make a decision on this shortly.
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.
As the Deputy will be aware, the determination of price for beef, or any other commodity, is a commercial matter in which neither I nor my Department, have any role. However, the Deputy can be assured that my Department and 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 productive and environmental efficiency for beef farmers in the future. I am also progressing work to deliver the primary legislation required to establish the Office of the Food Ombudsman or equivalent.
I am committed to progressing work in this area in order to bring much-needed transparency to the sector.
313. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he plans to bring forward to increase the number of recognised female farmers as part of the CAP Strategic Plan. [51458/21]
View answerIn addition, the recently published Food Vision 2030 recognises the important contribution of women to the long-term sustainability of the agri-food sector, and includes actions to promote and improve gender balance at all levels, including at senior management and board level. It is available via the following link gov.ie - Food Vision 2030 – A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems (www.gov.ie)
314. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the findings of the working group established by his Department to examine the peat supply issue to the horticultural sector in the wake of the peat harvesting cessation on Bord na Móna bogs; the way in which he plans to deal with this issue in the short-term to protect those involved in the horticultural trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51483/21]
View answer315. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he will introduce as a matter of urgency to ensure that there is an adequate supply of domestic peat for the mushroom and horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51484/21]
View answer316. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it will be ensured that the concerns of the mushroom and horticulture sector in relation to the harvesting of horticultural peat are addressed in view of the importance of peat for that sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51486/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 314, 315 and 316 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has no involvement in the regulation of peat extraction. Nevertheless, I am very well aware of the concerns in relation to the licensing of peat extraction which are generating challenges (volume and price) for the horticulture sector.
Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, established a working group, which includes a representative from my Department, to address the key issues raised in a Report on the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. A final report from this working group is expected imminently.
Separately, my Department is actively looking at alternatives to peat and has funded two research projects to date. Furthermore, the Department’s Research Call for 2021 included a call for further research on alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production.
Given the Department’s areas of responsibility and recognising the importance of the horticulture sector to the economy, my Department continues to provide sustained and significant support to the sector through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector.
Additionally, fruit and vegetable growers who are members of recognised Producer Organisations (POs) can access EU funding up to 50% of the eligible costs of approved Operational Programmes through the EU’s PO scheme.
I continue to engage directly with the sector, most recently meeting with the mushroom industry on the issues they face. Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for the sector, has ongoing engagement directly with the horticulture sector, and has responsibility for the sector, including in her capacity as co-chair of the Horticulture Industry Forum, across a range of issues, including peat use.
317. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds injured and killed at Irish greyhound tracks during races, official trials, unofficial trials and sales trials in each of the years 2000 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51509/21]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
318. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhound litters born in each of the years 2000 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51510/21]
View answerThe Irish Coursing Club is the organisation charged by statute since 1923 with the role of Keeper of the Irish Stud Book. The stud book records pedigrees, ownerships, breeding data and transfers of ownership primarily. The Irish Coursing Club is subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
Data provided by the Irish Coursing Club indicate the following number of litters born from 2000 – 2020.
|
Year |
Litters |
|
2000 |
3,781 |
|
2001 |
3,867 |
|
2002 |
4,565 |
|
2003 |
4,611 |
|
2004 |
4,228 |
|
2005 |
4,366 |
|
2006 |
4,318 |
|
2007 |
4,038 |
|
2008 |
3,819 |
|
2009 |
3,165 |
|
2010 |
3,003 |
|
2011 |
3,272 |
|
2012 |
2,980 |
|
2013 |
2,736 |
|
2014 |
2,801 |
|
2015 |
2,709 |
|
2016 |
2,520 |
|
2017 |
2,441 |
|
2018 |
2,344 |
|
2019 |
2,324 |
|
2020 |
1,962 |
319. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds homed privately by trainers, breeders and or owners separate to the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust from January 2020 to date in 2021; if all such greyhounds are neutered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51518/21]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
320. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to a greyhound that sustained injuries while racing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51537/21]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
