Written Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he intends to bring forward to increase the number of recognised female farmers as part of the CAP strategic plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51083/21]
View answerThe CSO Labour Force Survey 2019 showed that 13% of workers in the primary agriculture, forestry and fishing sector were female. For 2020, the figure was 15%, the highest since 2010. The CSO’s 2016 Farm Structure Survey recorded 71,700 women working on farms, of which less than one quarter (16,100) were farm holders.
My Department’s records currently show 26,507 women farming either solely or in a joint venture, whereas the corresponding figure for men is 128,167.
The new CAP Regulations place particular focus on promoting the participation of women in the socio-economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming. Member States are required to strengthen their capacity in gender mainstreaming and in the collection of sex disaggregated data.
The SWOT analysis in preparation for Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) identified gender inequality as a weakness, while the economic benefits of increasing female participation was identified as an opportunity.
The Needs Assessment for the CSP points to the need to increase opportunities for women in agriculture and business development. I have engaged extensively with stakeholders on the future of CAP, including on supports to promote gender equality, and the development of the new CSP continues in advance of the end-of-year deadline.
In addition, the new stakeholder strategy for the Irish agri-food sector, Food Vision 2030, recognises the important contribution of women to the sector's long-term sustainability and includes a number of actions to promote and improve gender balance at all levels, and proposes holding a national dialogue on women in agriculture.
More can be done in this space and I am committed to delivering greater numbers of female farmers in Ireland.
22. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the €21 million announced in Budget 2022 to support organic farming; and the way this can be used to support organic farmers in County Carlow and nationwide. [51687/21]
View answerI am delighted to have secured a significant increase in the budget for organic farming for 2022. Funding for the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) has been increased to €21 million up from €16million last year with a further €2 million for further organic sector development measures. This increase is very welcome and addresses the growing demand from both farmers and consumers for this type of production. This effectively doubles the funding for organics since I took office less than two years ago.
As you will be aware the current Programme for Government contains a commitment to align Ireland’s organic land area with that of the current EU average of approximately 7.5% over the lifetime of this Government. Budget 2022, with its increased allocation for organic farming, will assist in working towards that. At the same time I will also be continuing to progress the implementation of the National Organic Strategy 2019-2025 which sets out ambitious growth targets for the sector by aligning it closely with market opportunities.
The additional funding to be allocated to the opening of the Organic Farming Scheme in 2022 could provide for an additional fifty thousand hectares converting to organic production in 2022. This would represent an increase in excess of 50% in the area currently farmed organically and takes us further along the route to the goal of 7.5% land cover. I am encouraging all farmers from all sectors to join and my Department and relevant Agencies and advisory bodies will be working with them before the opening of the scheme.
In addition to the Organic Farming Scheme, Budget 2022 will provide funding for other supports for organic farmers, such as the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme. Initiatives to assist in the development of the sector such as the Organic Demonstration Farm Programme and other training and education projects will also be funded. Organic farming and production is a key priority of mine. No Minister or Government has ever funded its expansion to this extent and I intend to continue to invest in its future under the next CAP also.
23. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a single consent system for agri-forestry to cover planting, thinning and felling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50695/21]
View answerThe Mackinnon report commissioned by the Department to review the processes and procedures for forestry licenses in Ireland, recommended that there would be a review of the legislation on forestry and that this review would consider the introduction of a single consent covering planting, road construction, management and felling.
The Department, in response to this recommendation, have recently carried out a tender competition to procure an external review of the regulatory system. The Department has selected 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 licensing 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 question of a single consent process for all forestry activities is among the areas to be examined in this work. It is expected that this work will be completed by mid-January.
In addition, a 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.
Alongside Project Woodland, we continue to look at our processes. Changes were made to the way in which ecological reports were prepared, freeing up ecologists to spend more time to deal with the ecological assessment of the application.
There have been recent improvements in licensing figures and we have already issued more licences year to date than in the whole of 2020. Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has overall responsibly for the sector I reiterate my commitment to supporting the forest sector and to building on the recent progress, so that a continual improvement in delivery is achieved.
24. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the wool feasibility study; when the final report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51540/21]
View answerWool production is an important component of agri-industry. There are approximately 46,332 sheep flock-keepers registered on the Department’s database and Department officials oversee and inspect 50 approved and registered wool stores where the wool is held while awaiting sale.
Wool is a sustainable, organic, renewable natural material which can be used in a wide range of products such as textiles, fertilisers, insulation and packaging.
One of the actions under the Programme for Government is to undertake a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool based products such as insulation and fertilisers.
Following the allocation of €100,000 in Budget 2021 for this review, I initiated a public consultation process in early March 2021 to determine the terms of reference for such a review which included
- the identification of market opportunities domestically and internationally for wool based products;
- carrying out economic feasibility and cost benefit analysis on proposed market opportunities;
- determining mechanisms that could be used to support industry initiatives; and
- identification of potential research projects applicable to supporting the identified market opportunities.
As part of the public consultation process, I also invited stakeholders to submit their proposals on the potential market opportunities for wool products on the domestic and international markets and over 40 submissions were received.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that through the competitive public procurement procedure, the Request for Tenders (RFT) seeking service providers to carry out this major study was published on the e-tenders website on 8th July 2021.
The closing date for submissions was 9th August 2021. Five tenders were received. The successful service provider, who will be announced shortly, will be contracted to carry out a feasibility study in accordance with the Terms of Reference detailed above and will be also required to examine and evaluate the proposals received during the public consultation and report on their findings.
The time frame for the completion of the review including the consultation with the stakeholder group which I am establishing and publication of the final report is end of January 2022.
The recommendations from this review will help focus the development of a robust policy roadmap for the Irish wool industry.
25. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his approach to implementing the next CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51686/21]
View answerI have, with my officials, engaged extensively with all stakeholders on the future of the CAP and on the development of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027.
The Department has most recently completed a five-week public consultation on the proposed draft interventions, with over 1,000 responses received. As the Deputy is aware, I have also been meeting farmers across the country through a series of mart meetings, and will continue to do so in the coming weeks.
Consultation on the development of the plan will also continue through the Stakeholder Consultative Committee, which is comprised of representatives of the main farm bodies, NGOs, industry, and academia, as well as the relevant Government departments and agencies.
The Committee has met on more than twenty occasions, most recently in the form of a workshop on the so-called "green architecture" of the CAP on 30 September.
The Oireachtas has also received regular updates on the CAP negotiations at official and Ministerial level.
The Department will also be conducting a statutory and public consultation on the draft Environmental Report on the draft CSP later this year.
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.
26. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will introduce legislation to establish an enforcement authority according to the Unfair Trading Practices Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51435/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment for a new office of the National Food Ombudsman to enforce the UTP Directive and to have a role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland. The establishment of such an Office requires primary legislation.
The Deputy will also be aware that Directive 2019/633, dealing with Unfair Trading Practices in the agricultural and food supply chain and which involves the establishment of an Enforcement Authority, was required to be transposed into national law by 1st May 2021.
It was not possible to enact the primary legislation before the May transposition deadline so, as an interim measure, I am happy to advise the Deputy that, in April this year, ahead of that deadline, I signed Statutory Instrument No. 198 of 2021 to transpose the Directive directly into Irish law.
I also established the UTP Enforcement Authority in my Department pending the finalisation of the primary legislation being prepared to establish the new Office. However I want to assure the Deputy that the Enforcement Authority has been assigned all of the necessary legal powers to investigate complaints from suppliers, including primary producers, to carry out investigations on its own initiative, and to initiate legal proceedings for breaches of the Unfair Trading Practices defined in the Directive.
The Enforcement Authority will shortly be undertaking an awareness-raising campaign on the UTP Regulations and will be engaging with relevant stakeholders in the agricultural and food products supply chain.
In regard to the plans for establishing the new Office of Food Ombudsman or equivalent, the General Scheme of the Bill for the primary legislation is currently being prepared. As part of those preparations, consideration is being given to the submissions made in response to the public consultation held by my Department earlier this year, and also whether the provisions of the UTP Directive need to be extended.
Once the primary legislation is finalised and the new Office is established, the Enforcement Authority functions will transfer to the new Office in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. In the meantime, it is open to suppliers to engage with the Enforcement Authority on any concerns they may have in relation to unfair trading practices
Increasing transparency all along the food chain is something that I believe is very important to help strengthen the position of farmers, fishers and food businesses. The legislation will provide that the new Office of the Food Ombudsman or equivalent will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland in line with the Programme for Government commitment. I intend that the new Office will build on the work already done on market transparency, including the market transparency studies commissioned by my Department as part of the work of the Beef Taskforce, which have been completed and published on gov.ie.
I also assure you, Deputy, that I am fully committed to ensuring that the Programme for Government commitment is implemented as quickly as possible and I am pleased to say that, as announced in the details of Budget 2022, €4 million has been provided in the estimates for the establishment of the new Office. I believe that the new Regulations I introduced in April are a significant step in progressing towards a more even playing field for our agricultural and food suppliers, providing them with a service that they can avail of with regard to unfair trading practices.
I am committed to progressing this office in order to bring much-needed transparency to the sector.
27. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with Coillte and other stakeholders in order that Cratloe Woods, County Clare can, in part, be designated a heritage forest and that the once famous plantation of native sessile oaks can be re-planted. [51251/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, Cratloe Woods in Clare is owned and managed by Coillte and as such is its day-to-day management an operational matter for the Coillte. In view of the question raised, I have however made enquiries with Coillte on the matter.
Coillte advise that the wood in Cratloe is approximately 356 hectares in size and, although it may have had a history of being once a large and vibrant oak woodland, the canopy cover for oak today is around 5%. Coillte acknowledge the importance of the remaining stems of oak on the site and have put measures in place to retain and protect such veteran trees on their operational plans. They also hope to enhance areas where strong indicators of oak woodland habitat are present and in respect of this sought input through a public consultation for their five-year management plan ‘Coillte Five Year Forest Plan – Mid West 2021-2025’. A draft plan was published on the Coillte website and an information note was erected at Cratloe Forest during the public consultation period which has now closed. Coillte are currently in the process of finalising this five year plan, using the feedback received from the consultation process.
I am advised that Coillte are open to discussing any aspect of their forest management at Cratloe Woods with the public or any other interested Community groups.
28. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made in the research projects he has funded to explore alternatives to peat-based growing media for horticultural production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51688/21]
View answerThe Department is making significant efforts to research peat alternatives. Through the EU producer organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables, my Department has approved funding for two sustainability research projects, commissioned by Commercial Mushroom Producers Ltd.
The first project is looking at spent mushroom substrate and how this could potentially be used as a peat replacement material within the wider horticulture sector. This project is also focusing on the benefits of spent mushroom substrate as an organic fertiliser and soil conditioner in tillage farming.
The second project is investigating the sustainable replacement of peat in mushroom casing material. These research projects are ongoing.
Furthermore, as part of my Department's research call in 2021, applications to investigate peat alternatives were called for. The call is a competitive process, and all applications compete for funding across a range of project themes. The Research Call sought projects to examine alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production which are available, affordable and sustainable and meet quality, environmental and productivity requirements.
Any research proposals for this call should take account of how peat based growing media are used in each sector (ornamental and amenity horticulture, vegetable sector, fruit sector, mushroom sector), and the unique characteristics demanded by each formulation of growing media in the Irish context. Successful projects under this call will be announced in the coming months.
29. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the long-term plan for maize farmers impacted by EU Directive 2019/904; if an update will be provided on the sector’s efforts to develop alternative products; the new developments in respect of the value for cultivation and use trials for uncovered maize; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51558/21]
View answerThe provisions of Directive 2019/904, known as the Single Use Plastic Directive, were signed into law by the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Communications by SI 326 of 2021 in July 2021 and prohibited the marketing of single use plastics from the 3rd July 2021. This includes films of the type used to sow covered maize.
Maize growers may use existing stocks of maize plastic present on their farms that were purchased prior to the commencement of this legislation.
I understand that the sector continues in its efforts to develop alternative products for use in the sowing of maize that will be compliant with these new Regulations.
In terms of support for the sector and in direct response to the effects of the Single Use Plastic Directive on maize growers, my Department re-commenced Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) trials for uncovered maize, in 2020 to identify varieties better suited to Irish growing conditions and which do not require plastic covering. A new Uncovered Maize Recommended List will be produced for the 2023 sowing season following the required 3 years of trialling. In the meantime, the 2015 Uncovered Recommended List identified a high performing variety which is currently available on the Irish market.
I and officials in my Department will continue to engage with the sector on developments in this area as they arise.
30. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to specific concerns raised by Wicklow County Council in relation to the delay in awarding felling licences (details supplied); the steps he is taking to reduce wait times and specifically in relation to the ongoing concerns in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51554/21]
View answerI fully recognise the impact the current forestry licencing delays are having on the forestry sector as a whole and on the nursery sector in particular.
Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the 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.
Alongside Project Woodland, we continue to look at our processes. Changes were made to the way in which ecological reports were prepared, freeing up ecologists to spend more time to deal with the ecological assessment of the application.
My officials also examined all tree felling licences referred to ecology. This resulted in approximately 50% of applications being returned to applicants or their Registered Forester, seeking further information, often a well-developed harvest plan. We have begun to receive responses to these requests and would urge all applicants and registered foresters to reply to our communication so that these cases may progress.
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 we have now returned to and indeed exceeded expected levels with 585 licences issued in September, 511 of which were felling licences. Up to 15th October, my Department has issued 2,057 tree felling licences to cover a volume of just over six million cubic metres. Furthermore, Coillte's felling programme is fully licensed and they are working with the Department to ensure availability for this supply to market. We expect that their 2022 programme will be fully complete by year-end.
I am aware that the nursery sector is dependant on afforestation and that anticipated levels have not been achieved this year, with 1,755 hectares planted. At present, there are approved licences issued, for sites ready and available to plant covering 5,700 hectares.
I would encourage anyone with a valid afforestation licence to contact their forester and arrange planting. Once planted, they may apply for the first of 15 annual premiums. Afforestation licences for almost 3,400 hectares have issued this year and we now have a dedicated team of 10 ecologists working on afforestation files ahead of the planting season.
It is important that the Department receives good quality applications from applicants and that they respond to any requests for further information and a recent exercise on 550 afforestation files referred to ecology found that just over 10% of these files have supporting ecology habitat information. It was highlighted to forestry companies earlier in the summer they should examine their afforestation applications that are referred to the Ecology Unit, and to provide additional ecology information and engage an ecologist as required.
We are examining opportunities to further incentivise afforestation measures in the context of the next forestry programme and the next CAP and my Department will be engaging with all relevant stakeholders over the next 12 months.
31. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that agricultural productions in the meat and dairy sectors will not be impaired by CAP or carbon reduction targets given that the agri-food sector produces food for up to ten times the native population; if adequate steps are being taken to ensure that all trees, hedgerows and wastelands are being fully enumerated in the context of ensuring maximum carbon sequestration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51651/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the issue of maintaining meat and dairy production has been the subject of much speculation over recent months, particularly in the context of the Climate Action Plan 2021 and the subsequent sectoral emissions ceiling that will be established for the agriculture sector.
My position has been consistent on this matter, agriculture will indeed need to step up its climate ambitions, like all sectors, in order to ensure that the economy wide reduction of a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030 is achieved. However, agriculture is not unique in this regard as a climate change is a challenge for everyone in society.
The Climate Act that was passed by the Houses in the summer makes its clear that the social and economic role of agriculture must be fully considered when setting a final reduction target for the sector. I am satisfied that the Government will be able to achieve its stated climate objectives, while at the same time maintaining agricultural output at current levels. The future CAP will actually support this objective rather than hinder it in any way.
The issue of carbon sequestration is an important matter. Importantly, our land is a net emitter rather than a sink. There is a lack of data currently to accurately assess the biomass content of hedgerows and thus sequestration potential. To address the lack of data and research, I have invested in many initiatives including a research project led by Teagasc called “Farm-Carbon – Farm Hedgerows and Non-forest Woodland Carbon”. This project will advance the understanding of the contribution of hedgerows and non-forest woodland to carbon stocks in agricultural landscapes, and to identify approaches to maintain and enhance this contribution over time, ensuring that their contribution is accurately represented in the inventory.
32. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will introduce legislation to establish an enforcement authority per the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. [50911/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the commitment in the Programme for Government is that a new National Food Ombudsman will enforce the UTP Directive and will have a role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland. The establishment of such an Office requires primary legislation.
The Deputy will also be aware that Directive 2019/633, dealing with Unfair Trading Practices in the agricultural and food supply chain and which involves the establishment of an Enforcement Authority, was required to be transposed into national law by 1st May 2021. It was not possible to enact the primary legislation before the May transposition deadline so, as an interim measure, I am happy to advise the Deputy that, in April this year, ahead of that deadline, I signed Statutory Instrument No. 198 of 2021 to transpose the Directive directly into Irish law.
I also established the UTP Enforcement Authority in my Department pending the finalisation of the primary legislation being prepared to establish the new Office. However, I want to assure the Deputy that the Enforcement Authority has been assigned all of the necessary legal powers to investigate complaints from suppliers, including primary producers, to carry out investigations on its own initiative, and to initiate legal proceedings for breaches of the Unfair Trading Practices defined in the Directive. The Enforcement Authority will shortly be undertaking an awareness-raising campaign on the UTP Regulations and will be engaging with relevant stakeholders in the agricultural and food products supply chain.
In regard to the plans for establishing the new Office of Food Ombudsman or equivalent, the General Scheme of the Bill for the primary legislation is currently being prepared. As part of those preparations, consideration is being given to the submissions made in response to the public consultation held by my Department earlier this year, and also whether the provisions of the UTP Directive need to be extended.
Once the primary legislation is finalised and the new Office is established, the Enforcement Authority functions will transfer to the new Office in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. In the meantime, it is open to suppliers to engage with the Enforcement Authority on any concerns they may have in relation to unfair trading practices.
Increasing transparency all along the food chain is something that I believe is very important to help strengthen the position of farmers, fishers and food businesses. The legislation will provide that the new Office of the Food Ombudsman or equivalent will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland in line with the Programme for Government commitment. I intend that the new Office will build on the work already done on market transparency, including the market transparency studies commissioned by my Department as part of the work of the Beef Taskforce, which have been completed and published on gov.ie.
I also you, Deputy, that I am fully committed to ensuring that the Programme for Government commitment is implemented as quickly as possible and I am pleased to say that, as announced in the details of Budget 2022, €4 million has been provided in the estimates for the establishment of the new Office. I believe that the new Regulations I introduced in April are a significant step in progressing towards a more even playing field for our agricultural and food suppliers, providing them with a service that they can avail of with regard to unfair trading practices.
I am committed to progressing this office as a way of bringing much-needed transparency to the sector.
33. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken to deal with the crisis in the forestry sector due to the felling licence delays. [50694/21]
View answerAlong with Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has overall responsibility for the 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.
I am pleased to say that we are making significant progress on felling licences and that the volume of timber likely to be licenced thus year will be the highest on record. It is already 90% higher than last year.
The Department recently examined all tree felling licences referred to ecology. This resulted in approximately 50% of applications being returned to applicants or their Registered Forester, seeking further information, often a well-developed harvest plan. We have begun to receive responses to these requests and would urge all applicants and registered foresters to reply to our communication so that these cases may progress.
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 we have now returned and indeed exceeded expected levels with 585 licences issued in September, 511 of which were felling licences. Up to 15th October, my Department has issued 2,057 tree felling licences to cover a volume of just over six million cubic metres. Furthermore, Coillte's felling programme is fully licensed and they are working with the Department to ensure availability for this supply to market. We expect that their 2022 programme will be fully complete by year-end.
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.
34. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the involvement of his Department in the land use review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51487/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government: Our Shared Future (2020) commits to a land use review to ensure that optimal land use options inform all relevant government decisions. The review will balance environmental social and economic conditions and will involve an evaluation of the ecological characteristics of the land. It will include consideration of emissions to air and water, carbon sequestration and climate adaption challenges.
The review is being overseen by a Steering Committee co-chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). The steering committee is in place with representatives from DAFM, DECC, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) and independent nominees.
The review is being carried out in two phases. Phase 1 of the Land Use Review is an evidential review being chaired by the EPA with technical advisors from National Parks and Wildlife services (NPWS), Teagasc, DAFM, DECC, Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI), DHLGH, Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) and the Heritage Council. Work is already underway with agreed work packages and timelines in place. Phase 1 will form the principal evidence gathering phase of the Review to determine the environmental, ecological and economic characteristics of land types across Ireland.
The second phase shall build upon the results of the evidential review and consider policies and measures in the context of the Government’s wider economic, social and climate objectives.
35. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the accounting methodology to be used for calculating emissions and removals from land use for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51631/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that it is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency to prepare the reports on emissions and removals associated with land use activities on an annual basis to the EU and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Furthermore, the Government is in the process of making regulations, as part of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, to determine how the removal of greenhouse gas emissions may be taken into account for national targets, and in particular the method of calculating and accounting for such removals. When making these regulations the Government shall have regard to the rules applied by the European Union.
36. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to commission an EIP scheme to support farmers in the operation of their farms in the Shannon Callows area given the growing challenges posed by increasing occurrence of flooding in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51488/21]
View answerThe European Innovation Partnership model offers potential for a range of actors in a sector to come together to develop and test innovative solutions to particular challenges in the sector. In the context of Irish agriculture over the last couple of years it has offered the opportunity for a broad range of people - farmers, scientists, advisors - to work together to overcome problems relating to the interaction between farming and the environment in their areas. It has also allowed us to bring forward practical ideas on areas beyond environmental priorities in areas like farm safety too.
This initiative has been a great success to date in Ireland and it is my intention to continue with it under the new CAP Strategic Plan.
As with the current RDP, it is proposed that there will be two Streams; Stream A aimed at wider competitiveness and animal health and welfare challenges in the sector, Stream B aimed at addressing areas related to environmental, biodiversity and climate change challenges.
Under Stream B it is envisaged that there will be calls for proposals on a wide variety of themes which may include a focus on innovative approaches including for example to farming in the Shannon Callows.
This is something we will decide on closer to the time when we are framing the calls for proposals. I look forward to engaging with all stakeholders in identifying these priorities.
37. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a dead tree or dead trees in either a farm or forest situation requires a tree felling licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51249/21]
View answerThe felling of trees is governed by the Forestry Act 2014 and is subject to licence to ensure that such activity complies with environmental requirements and sustainable forest management standards. There is also an obvious need to avoid deforestation in relation to economic and social considerations as well as environmental considerations in terms of carbon, landscape and amenity.
Therefore, to fell a tree or trees without a valid tree felling licence, unless exempted, is an offence under the Forestry Act. Having said that there are clear exemptions under Section 19 of the Act where a tree felling licence is not required.
The common scenarios where trees can be felled without the need to submit a felling licence application include:
- A tree in an urban area.
- A tree within 30 metres of a building (other than a wall or temporary structure), but excluding any building built after the trees were planted.
- A tree less than five years of age that came about through natural regeneration and removed from a field as part of the normal maintenance of agricultural land (but not where the tree is standing in a hedgerow).
- A tree uprooted in a nursery for the purpose of transplantation.
- A tree of the willow or poplar species planted and maintained solely for fuel under a short rotation coppice.
- A tree outside a forest within 10 metres of a public road and which, in the opinion of the owner (being an opinion formed on reasonable grounds), is dangerous to person using the public road on account of its age or condition.
- A tree outside a forest, the removal of which is specified in a grant of planning permission.
- A tree outside a forest of the hawthorn or blackthorn species.
- A tree outside a forest in a hedgerow and felled for the purposes of its trimming provided that the tree does not exceed 20 cm in diameter when measured 1.3 metres from the ground.
- A tree outside a forest on an agricultural holding and removed by the owner for use on that holding, subject to certain conditions as outlined in the Forestry Act 2014
In line with these exemptions under Section 19 of the Forestry Act, tree felling carried out under the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme for Ash Dieback does not require a tree felling licence.
I also recently launched a Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees. This informative Guide provides basic information on the benefits of such trees along with guidance on how to assess risk associated with roadside trees.
38. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the considerations he has given to accelerate the adoption of LESS technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51082/21]
View answerLow emissions slurry spreading (LESS) is a technology that has many co-benefits for our farmers and the environment; including savings in chemical Nitrogen use, abatement of Green House Gases, reduction in ammonia losses and improved air and water quality. Our farmers continue to embrace this new technology with its use steadily increasing on Irish farms.
The AgClimatise Roadmap developed by the Department includes an ambitious target of achieving 60% of all slurry spread by LESS equipment by 2022, 80% by 2025 and 90% by 2027, I am confident we can achieve these targets.
The use of this technology is particularly effective in reducing ammonia emissions from our food systems, with agriculture in Ireland being responsible for 99% of national emissions. In October 2020 Teagasc published an Ammonia Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC).
This scientific based approach set out a series of actions that will bring the sector into compliance with our national targets for ammonia over the decade ahead. The Teagasc MACC sets out 13 measures for potential adoption on Irish farms, with the use of LESS to apply animal slurry identified as making the single largest contribution, with a potential to reduce emissions by up to 60% compared to current application systems.
The Department continues to incentivise the uptake of this technology with the provision of grants through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) and a LESS measure within the Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS). Through TAMS, the Department has funded the purchase of over 3,000 LESS machines, while approximately 4,500 farmers have received payments under GLAS by selecting the LESS measure.
Under TAMS, LESS equipment provides financial aid to farmers to help them buy new slurry-spreading equipment which improves their environmental performance. While farmers in receipt of a Nitrates Derogation are no longer eligible for funding under the scheme, the majority of farmers which are not in receipt of a Nitrates Derogation continue to be eligible to apply.
As part of the Nitrates Derogation rules for 2021, all slurry on these holding must be applied using LESS equipment, this represents a significant step up from previous years. This will significantly increase the quantities of slurry being spread by such technologies nationally and will contribute significantly to achieving our targets.
Ireland’s Draft Nitrates Action Programme, which went out for public consultation earlier this year, has been designed to facilitate the further adoption of LESS technology, with the requirement for more of our animal slurries to be applied using LESS. As drafted the Nitrates Programme proposes that more of our livestock famers will be required to use this new technology, while our tillage farmers applying organic manures to arable land will need to use LESS or incorporate manures within 12 hours of application.
I am confident that the measures the Department is implementing will facilitate the continued increase in use of LESS technology on Irish farms and that the sector will achieve the targets set out in the AgClimatise Roadmap.
39. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne 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. [51080/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that we are reaching a critical stage in the development of the CAP Strategic Plan. I have been listening to the views of stakeholders on this matter. The key topics are fairness, economic viability, and the likely impact of the Plan on part-time and full-time farmers and their communities.
In relation to the Pillar 1 redistributive measures, I am proposing that payments should be capped at €66,000, with no provision made for salaries. On internal convergence, each entitlement value is required to reach a minimum of 85% of the national average value by 2026. My proposal is that this will be done in an incremental way over the period to allow farmers time to adjust.
Regarding redistribution, the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) provides that 10% of direct payments funding is redistributed to small- and medium-sized farmers via so-called "front-loading". I am proposing that this 10% will be redistributed on the first 30 hectares of every farm, at an estimated rate of €43.14 per eligible hectare.
The Oireachtas has received regular updates on the CAP negotiations at official and Ministerial level and this will continue as the plan is developed further.
The Department will be conducting a statutory and public consultation on the draft Environmental Report on the draft CSP later this year. I will then seek Government approval in December before submission of the plan to the EU Commission by the end of the year.
40. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Secretary General of his Department has followed through on their commitment at the recent Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture to discuss the issue of the requirement for planning permission on dead and dying ash crops as outlined in circular 5/2021 with their counterpart in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; if the Act took into consideration the fact that many ash crops are either dead, dying or rotting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51247/21]
View answerMy Department's Forestry related Circular 5 of 2021 outlines the advice my Department received from Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in relation to the “replacement of Broadleaf High Forest with conifer species”.
The Circular outlined the situations where planning permission from the Local Authority is required when replacing Broadleaf High Forest with Conifer species and when planning permission is not required. For example, areas over ten hectares and areas screened in for Appropriate assessment require planning permission if the project involves replacement of high forest with conifer species.
The requirement for planning does not take into account the disease status of the Broadleaf High Forest.
The Circular does not mention the use of conifer species as a nurse species for broadleaf species nor does the circular state that using a nurse species is not allowed. Applicants can propose any species or range of species they wish including mixtures under the Reconstitution and Underplanting scheme.
I am well aware that this requirement for planning permission has introduced further difficulties for landowners wishing to clear their diseased ash plantations and replace them with other species.
Contact has been made between my Department officials and their counterparts in Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage on this issue as outlined at the meeting with the Oireachtas Committee. We are exploring potential alternatives to the current system.
My Department will update in due course on developments.
