Sorca Clarke
Question:46. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will remove the proposed age limit for women to receive increased TAMS grant aid. [60802/21]
View answerAgriculture Schemes
Questions (46)
Written answers
The new CAP places a particular focus on promoting the participation of women in the social economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming. Gender equality is also a key objective of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and a priority for me, as Minister.
I am pleased therefore to be proposing the highest level of direct supports for women farmers in any CAP programme in Ireland. In addition to the TAMs proposal, these include women-only Knowledge Transfer (KT) Groups; and a call under the European Innovation Partnerships (EIP) initiative for proposals to examine women’s participation in agriculture.
On the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), my Department has been actively engaging with stakeholders throughout the process of developing the new plan. The SWOT analysis and Needs assessment helped to shape the CSP draft interventions that were then followed by a five-week public consultation in September 2021 with over 1,000 responses received.
The proposed On-Farm Capital investment Scheme is in the process of development and is subject to the formal approval of the European Commission. As outlined in the draft CSP, it provides for a general grant rate of 40% for eligible investments. It is also proposed in the CSP that eligible female farmers, who meet the eligibility criteria may qualify for grant aid at a rate of 60%. It is currently being proposed that eligible female farmers are those:
- Aged between 18 years of age and 55 at any time during the calendar year in which she submits an application for support;
- Meet the conditions for being head and having control of the holding;
- Meets the requirements for the appropriate training and/or skills required at the time of applications.
Applicants who do not meet the criteria above will still remain eligible to submit an application under the On-Farm Capital investment scheme at the standard rate of 40%. No decision has been made on the details of how registered farm partnerships will operate under the new On-Farm Capital Investment scheme.
Measures in the CSP are complemented by the new stakeholder strategy for the Irish agri-food sector, Food Vision 2030, which 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. It also proposes holding a national dialogue on women in agriculture. I have asked my officials to prioritise this dialogue for next year.
More can be done on this important issue and I am committed to delivering greater equality in the Irish agri-food sector.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Questions (47)
Bernard Durkan
Question:47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he hopes to consider carbon mitigation measures through enhanced sequestration thereby ensuring the viability of the agri-food sector while at the same time meeting carbon reduction targets; if minor afforestation projects can be used to achieved the desired result; if tree species with a known ability to maximise sequestration can be used along with other species in this context; if he expects to be in a position to ensure an adequate food supply chain into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60160/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is aware of the significant contribution that on-farm carbon sequestration, particularly through our soils, hedgerows and trees, can make in the continued viability and sustainability of the agri-food sector.
To address the need for relevant data in this area, my Department has recently provided funding across a number of different projects and initiatives to help establish and accurately quantify the contribution that the on-farm sequestration activities of our farmers can make to the achievement of our emission reduction targets.
In particular, the establishment of the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory with supporting technology for the measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a range of different soil and farm types will place Ireland at the forefront of EU carbon sequestration research. This infrastructure will be located on a number of Teagasc Signpost farms which is a new initiative which aims to support our farmers by acting as a demonstration and research resource for best practice on our farms.
My Department will continue to promote afforestation and forest management measures to realise our 2030 ambition. The recently published climate action plan identifies measures for Forest Land to reduce emissions in Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) with potential direct savings of 2.9 MtCO2eq in 2030.
Ambitious afforestation targets are required to increase sequestration in forestry include a yearly planting rate of at least 8,000 ha per year. Through the afforestation scheme my Department supports the creation including those small afforestation projects, once the area is at least 0.1 of a hectare. A wide variety of tree species can be planted under the afforestation scheme which includes tree species that have the ability to maximise sequestration in a sustainable manner.
I encourage all our stakeholders to work with my Department to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (48)
Seán Sherlock
Question:48. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the uptake of the BEAM scheme; if the scheme has been the subject of a review; and the amount that has been returned of the overall fund allocated to the scheme to the Exchequer as a result of unsuccessful appeals under the scheme. [60838/21]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 €50 million EU aid and Exchequer support.
It was provided to support Irish beef farmers who saw beef prices fall in light of market disturbance. Just over 33,000 applicants received some €77.86 million under the scheme with 64% of each payment coming from EU funds and the remaining 36% from Exchequer funds.
One of the conditions under which the €50 million was granted by the European Commission was that there had to be an element of reduction or re-structuring built into the scheme. This was set out clearly within Article 1 (3) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019 / 1132 of 2 July 2019. In that context, BEAM participants agreed to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on their holding by 5% for the reduction period 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021 as compared to the reference period 1st July 2018 to 30 June 2019.
I secured flexibility around the deadline for meeting the 5% reduction after I engaged with the European Commission. Accordingly I introduced an option to allow participants choose an alternative reduction period of 1st January 2021 to 31th December 2021 over which a BEAM participant could meet their 5% reduction requirement. This was done to give BEAM participants every chance of meeting their requirements under the scheme. This option remained open until 21st June 2021 with more than 16,000 applying for the later reduction period..
When the original reduction period ended on 30th June 2021, it was identified that approximately 5,300 of those 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. Almost 19,000 BEAM participants did meet the commitments they entered into under section 7 of the terms and conditions and thus exited the scheme successfully in August 2021.
A further 3,627 participants who had not opted to defer did not meet some or all the commitments they entered into under section 7 of the Terms and Conditions of the scheme and thus faced either a partial or full recoupment of monies received under the scheme.
The total value of these recoupments was €5.27 million with €3.37 million to be returned to the EU and €1.9 million to be returned to the Exchequer in line with the ratio of 64% to 36% under which they were initially paid.
These 3,627 BEAM participants were given the right to appeal. This left approximately 10,500 BEAM participants who opted to defer and who had not met the 5% bovine nitrates reduction requirement and thus are now within the alternative reduction period of 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021.
These participants 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 if they are to meet their 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 final review of the scheme will be in February 2022 when compliance and administrative checks on those BEAM participants who opted to defer will be conducted. Separately the Scheme was the subject of a European Commission audit in November 2020. The scheme is also subject to audit by my Department’s own internal auditors and external audit by the Certification Body for my Department.
Common Agricultural Policy
Questions (49)
Bernard Durkan
Question:49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that CAP reforms will not damage the productivity of the agri-food business given the trends in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60161/21]
View answerWritten answers
My view is that the current phase of CAP reform will have a positive impact on the production of sustainable food and will help us to enhance our sustainability credentials while supporting farmers in the transition.
The new CAP has multiple objectives - economic, social and environmental - and these are reflected in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027. The plan will provide funding of just over €9.8 billion to support viable farm incomes and enhance competitiveness, to strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas, and to contribute to the achievement of environmental and climate objectives at national and EU levels.
The CAP will work hand-in-hand with the Food Vision 2030 strategy, which sets out a pathway to Ireland becoming a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade. By adopting an integrated food systems approach, Ireland will become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems, producing safe, nutritious, and high-value food while protecting and enhancing our natural resources and contributing to vibrant rural and coastal communities within the national economy.
With a focus on the marketplace together with a continuing reduction in the carbon footprint of our produce, I am very confident that we will continue the transition to become even more sustainable, with benefits for water, air quality, biodiversity, our farmers and our consumers. The supports available under the CAP will have a central role to play in this transition.
Animal Diseases
Questions (50)
Denis Naughten
Question:50. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expand the use of the gamma interferon test to eradicate bovine tuberculosis in the national herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60284/21]
View answerWritten answers
The gamma interferon test is a valuable tool for detecting TB infection in cattle. It has been widely used as a core part of the TB eradication programme in Ireland since 2015, following many years of research and testing in specific problem herds.
As with tests for many other diseases, none of the tests currently available allow a perfectly accurate determination of the M. bovis infection status of cattle.
The single intradermal comparative tuberculin skin test is universally regarded as the best screening test in a general population of animals. However, in a group of animals where TB infection is known to be present, the gamma interferon test is used because it detects infection at an earlier stage; in other words, it has higher 'sensitivity' than the skin test. When used alongside the skin test, the gamma interferon blood test can help to resolve TB problems in a herd more quickly by identifying cattle at an early stage, before they can spread infection onwards.
However, the gamma interferon test is not suitable for use as a general screening test in the way the skin test is used, because it has lower 'specificity'. Using it in herds not thought to be TB-infected would result in more false positive results.
The gamma interferon test is used as standard in herds that have experienced a significant TB breakdown (for example, five or more reactors, 5% of the herd, or where necessary on epidemiological grounds). The gamma interferon test is also used as a quality control measure on skin test reactors.
Under the new Bovine TB Eradication Strategy, the gamma interferon test is used to reduce the risk posed by animals that yield inconclusive results to the skin test. Other policies being developed under the TB Eradication Strategy, focusing on herds with chronic or recurrent TB problems, will also use the gamma interferon test as appropriate.
Animal Diseases
Questions (51)
Niamh Smyth
Question:51. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of poultry stock that have been culled as a result of the presence of bird flu H5N1 subtype following a recent outbreak per affected flock in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60782/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in three flocks in the Castleblaney area of County Monaghan.
- The first outbreak in a turkey flock on 20th November.
- The second in a broiler breeder flock on 24th November.
- The third in an egg laying flock on 1st December.
The first two flocks were depopulated last week and depopulation of the third flock is nearing completion .
A fourth commercial flock was confirmed with H5N1 earlier this week, this is a turkey flock located in County Cavan. Further testing is being carried out to determine pathogenicity but it is expected to be HPAI H5N1. It too will be depopulated.
These depopulations are being undertaken to reduce the risk of spread in what is high density poultry area. For GRPR reasons, it is not possible to provide details of the number of birds culled in each flock, but numbers across the three flocks are of the order of 150,000 birds.
My Department has been working to mitigate the risk of spread of the disease through the establishment of 10km restriction zones around the infected premises. This places additional controls on the movement of poultry and poultry products within the zones.
Movements into and out of the zones are also subject to licensing. Additional surveillance measures also apply within the restriction zones.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that no human infections with this strain of the virus have been reported in Europe and therefore risk to humans is considered to be very low. In addition, there is no evidence of risk associated with consumption of properly cooked poultry products.
I urge all keepers of poultry or captive birds, big or small, to apply stringent biosecurity measures, including housing or confinement of birds. This is vital to mitigate risk and protect poultry flocks across the island.
We are working closely with the industry and with their colleagues in Northern Ireland in an effort to contain this virus. Any suspicion of disease should be reported immediately to my Departments’ local veterinary offices.
Fishing Industry
Questions (52)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:52. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the engagement of this State with the European Commission to have Ireland’s control plan for the landing of fish at piers and harbours here reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60425/21]
View answerWritten answers
The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. As Minister, I am precluded from getting involved in operational control matters such as this.
I understand that the SFPA submitted a Control Plan to the EU Commission for review and approval on 22nd September 2021. A new draft plan must be accepted by the Commission and formally adopted by it under legislation.
Subsequently, the SFPA has advised that it has had comprehensive engagement with DG Mare on the plan. The SFPA advised that it has updated industry representatives on the discussions with DG Mare.
During EU Commissioner Virginius Sinkevicius visit to Killybegs recently, representatives of the fishing industry set out the challenges facing the industry in the absence of a control plan that would allow weighing of fish in factories. I asked the Commissioner, during this visit, to give as much priority as possible to the Commission’s examination of Ireland’s draft control plan given the real challenges currently being faced by the industry.
I am keeping the lines of communication open with Commissioner Sinkevicius over the coming period so that he understands the challenges that would practically arise if a new Control plan is not in place for the beginning of the 2022 pelagic season.
Coillte Teoranta
Questions (53)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:53. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the procedures and protocols in place between his Department and Coillte in relation to the sale of Coillte lands and forests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60849/21]
View answerWritten answers
Coillte has a multi-faceted role as the State's forestry company. Part of this is the responsibility, as a commercial state body not in receipt of funding from the exchequer, to act commercially and make dividend payments to the state. Land sales are part of this business model and I am assured that Coillte considers each request to sell land on its individual merits. Its final decision is influenced by factors such as the value of the land for amenity and biodiversity value, in addition to its commercial value.
As a state-owned enterprise Coillte has, of course, certain obligations to its shareholding Ministers. Under Section 14 of the Forestry Act 1988, it states that ‘the company shall submit to and agree with the Minister each year a programme for the sale and acquisition of land and the sale of timber, whether standing or felled.’ It is not considered practical for a state company to submit every individual commercial decision for consent.
In a letter dated 22nd February 2021 to my Department, as required under Section 14, Coillte stated their intention to sell a total area of 450ha of land during 2021, together with their intention to purchase up to 650ha of land for specific projects and potentially, to purchase an additional 300ha of immature forestry if the opportunity arose during the year for timber production.
As a state owned enterprise, the company is also subject to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. Coillte operate in compliance with section 8.34 of the Code of Practice which requires that disposals of land above a value of €150,000 should be by auction or competitive tendering process, other than in exceptional circumstances.
The Code of Practice requires an oversight agreement between the relevant Minister/parent Department and commercial State bodies known as the Shareholder Letter of Expectation. A Shareholder Letter of Expectation issued to Coillte on 9th May 2017, the main focus of which was the development and agreement of certain financial targets for the company. It is proposed that an updated Shareholder Letter of Expectation will issue to the company shortly and will consider Coillte's role and strategic direction.
Fishing Industry
Questions (54)
Catherine Connolly
Question:54. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the commitment to ensure that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and that pair trawling will be prohibited inside the six-mile limit given the commitment to same in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60770/21]
View answerWritten answers
As you are aware, in December 2018, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced that vessels over 18 metres length overall will be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside six nautical mile zone from 1st January 2020. A transition period of three years for vessels over 18 metres length overall targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone. Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was introduced in March 2019 to give effect to the changes.
A Judicial Review was taken by two applicant fishers challenging the validity of the Policy Directive. On 6th October 2020, the High Court judgment held that the Policy Directive was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect. I appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal and a full hearing took place on 22nd June last. Judgment on the case is reserved.
I also sought an extension on the stay on the order of the High Court, which was granted by the Court of Appeal on 19th March last, reinstating the Policy Directive, and which was extended by the Court of Appeal following the full hearing by on 22nd June. On 23rd September last, the Court of Appeal refused my application to continue the stay further. This refusal means that the decision of the High Court stands and the Policy Directive is no longer valid, meaning vessels over 18 metres in length overall have resumed trawling in the waters inside 6 nautical miles.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring 'that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and recreational fishers and that pair trawling will be prohibited inside the six-mile limit.' I am fully supportive of this objective.
I am awaiting the decision of the Court of Appeal to inform next steps. As the matter is sub judice, I cannot comment further until the matter can be resolved before the Courts.
Agriculture Industry
Questions (55)
Pauline Tully
Question:55. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase the use of low-emission slurry spreading technology as per the Climate Action Plan if TAMS grant aid is no longer permissible arising from the draft Nitrates Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60632/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications is responsible for Irish air quality.
The Department Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) provides support for farmers to purchase LESS equipment through the TAMS scheme and this has been very successful to date with one third of bovine livestock manure now applied by this method.
In order to increase the efficiency of use of slurry the use of this machinery will be made mandatory on a phased basis over the next number of years. Once a requirement is made mandatory, there remains a finite period of availability for grant aid.
In the updated National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) which was submitted to the EU Commission in March 2021 by DECC, a number of measures were outlined to bring about reductions in ammonia emissions and to ensure compliance with the NEC Directive targets as soon as possible.
In addition since the submission of the NAPCP, additional measures have been identified and included in the update to the Climate Action Plan 2021 which was published in November 2021. The full impact of all these measures on our current and projected ammonia emissions have not yet been incorporated,
Agriculture Industry
Questions (56)
Martin Browne
Question:56. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he has taken at European Union level to ensure that additional beef imports which would depress beef prices and damage the environment do not enter the single market. [60881/21]
View answerWritten answers
The conditions governing the importation of goods and services to the European Union, including Ireland, are determined by European Union Law and the terms and conditions of international trade agreements between the European Union and third countries, made on the basis of a rules based trading order.
As a sector dependent to a significant extent on export markets, the Irish agri food sector, and in particular the beef sector, is a significant beneficiary of the European Single Market and rules based international trading arrangements administered through the WTO.
For this reason, Ireland is broadly supportive of the framework that governs international trade, but prioritises, in its approach to negotiations on trade agreements, the protection of vulnerable sectors and the protection of the environment.
These objectives can be achieved through the limitations on preferential tariffs through the establishment of tariff rate quotas and the imposition of conditions relating to environmental compliance and adherence to food safety and other single market conditions.
It is not open to Ireland to unilaterally establish conditions for the importation of goods and services, nor would it be in the best interests of the agri - food sector for it to do so. However, any import of any product should never be at the detriment of our domestic producer.
Agriculture Industry
Questions (57)
Denis Naughten
Question:57. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the application to secure EU PGI status for Irish beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60286/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the PGI application for Irish Grass Fed Beef was submitted to the EU Commission in November 2020.
As part of its detailed scrutiny of the application, the European Commission raised a number of queries with my Department over the period May to October 2021. My officials, together with Bord Bia, responded to those queries.
I welcome the publication by the EU Commission on 8th December 2021 of the PGI application for the next stage of the process which will allow EU Member States and Third Countries to submit views on the application. The period of this consultation process is a minimum of three months and can be extended by the Commission.
If successfully registered, PGI status for Irish Grass Fed Beef could have significant benefits for all those in the supply chain, particularly our beef farmers who are the cornerstone of the sector.
My Department will continue to engage with the European Commission on this application, and with their counterparts in Northern Ireland with a view to ensuring that Northern Ireland can join the application at the appropriate time and I understand that the Commission will now be available to join those discussions as needed.
In time, I want the PGI standard to be extended on an all-island basis as I believe it can be beneficial to all our beef farmers.
Fishing Industry
Questions (58)
Brendan Griffin
Question:58. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered the views of fishermen expressed to him during his recent visit to Dingle, County Kerry; if he has proposals in relation to the way he can address the concerns raised by them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60433/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy referenced, I met with local fishers and representatives of fishing organisations during my visit to the Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre in September 2021. These were part of a series of meetings I had with seafood and marine stakeholders during my trip to County Kerry, which also included visits to Fenit and Cromane.
In Dingle, I had constructive discussions with fishers operating both offshore and inshore of our southwest coast. Among the issues raised by these fishers was their submissions to the Seafood Sector Task Force and their requests for financial supports in light of impacts from Brexit and COVID-19. I received the Final Report of the Task Force in October, and I am examining its recommendations with a view to implementing a comprehensive response to these impacts on our fishing sector and coastal communities.
Some fishers in Dingle raised the issue of rates and charges for services at the Fishery Harbour Centre there. I have asked my Department to reflect on these, as the current rates and charges order is dated. A public consultation would be required on any proposals in that regard.
A query also was raised regarding the minimum mesh size for the hake fishery. I can advise that Ireland would not support any changes that reduce mesh sizes, as indicated in the Programme for Government, where there is a clear ambition to protect fish stocks and ensure a sustainable hake fishery in the longer-term.
The porcupine nephrops fishery was also discussed. Consultation on this fishery, involving fishing industry representatives, takes place at the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC). The QMAC makes regular recommendations to me regarding managing the quota for this fishery.
As you will appreciate, I continue to consider the views and concerns of our fishers and other stakeholders on an ongoing basis. I will continue to work with fishers and their representatives to support the Irish seafood sector and our coastal communities in achieving their potential.
Forestry Sector
Questions (59)
Seán Sherlock
Question:59. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his projections for the number of tree felling licences, afforestation licences, forest road licences, ash dieback RUS applications, woodland improvement applications, native woodland conservation applications, aerial fertilisation licences and continuous cover forestry approvals for the private forest sector in 2022. [60840/21]
View answerWritten answers
Tackling the backlog in forestry licenses remains a key priority for my Department, significant progress has been made in the past year, particularly on felling and road licences.
The investment in resources and continual improvement has had a positive impact, with an increase in licence output in recent months and with 3,718 licences issued to date this year. I am confident that we will meet our target of 4,000 licences by year end. For the last 14 weeks, we have issued an average of 115 licences each week and I expect this progress to continue. The volume of timber licensed this year will be the highest ever on record for a single year.
I am also fully committed to delivering on the forestry support schemes, which promote sustainable forest management and support forest owners whose plantations have been affected by Ash Dieback
It is difficult to predict the number of applications we will receive in terms of licences for felling, afforestation, roads and aerial fertilisation in 2022 or in terms of applications for support schemes as these are all voluntary schemes. It is the case that we have a backlog of licences to work through and we are dealing with this through the Project Woodland initiative.
We are making progress under Project Woodland with the second interim report published at the end of October. In terms of licensing, an important initiative is the in-depth review of the forestry licensing system being carried out by a consultant with legal and environmental expertise. 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. That report is expected at end February next. In addition, a business systems analysis currently being undertaken by an independent systems analyst will interact with and run parallel to the regulatory review, so that best possible system improvements are delivered. Furthermore, I am glad to say that the roll-out of a pilot pre-application discussions facility, as well as a payment process for ecology reports submitted with afforestation applications, are under development.
It is our intention to improve on the 2021 target next year and my Department will be producing an updated projection for the issuing of licences in 2022 by year end. Furthermore, it is our intention to deal with support scheme applications in a timely manner in 2022.
I am fully committed to delivering a licensing and forestry support system which meets the expectations of those in the forestry sector and of society as a whole.
Forestry Sector
Questions (60)
Matt Carthy
Question:60. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated number of hectares of new afforestation in 2021; and his targets for licences for afforestation and felling in 2022. [60427/21]
View answerWritten answers
The current level of afforestation is a matter of concern to me.
It appears at this stage that the number of hectares of new afforestation, which we calculate as forestry in respect of which a first grant and premium has been paid, will be somewhere in the region of 2,000 hectares. I fully appreciate that this is a very disappointing outturn, especially given that our national target is 8,000 hectares.
However, there are 5,000 hectares of approved forestry licences issued and ready for use. I would encourage anyone with a valid afforestation licence to plant their land, thereby accessing generous annual premiums and 100% establishment grants.
I am aware that significant increases in afforestation will be required over the next decade. I know that delays in issuing licences may be a contributory factor in terms of interest in planting. We are addressing the backlog through the Project Woodland initiative and through investment in resources and improvements to our process.
This has had a positive impact on licence output in recent months, and we are on track to meet our target of 4,000 licences by year end. Having said that, in terms of afforestation, outputs are not where I’d like them to be but there are signs of improvement.
The Department are prioritising the assessment of afforestation licences on hand, using the same system as was applied to felling licences to free up ecology time. Ten ecologists are now dedicated to afforestation.
Our delivery in terms of felling licences has improved significantly this year with 2,635 licences at a volume of 7.9 million cubic metres issued to date. This is the highest volume of timber ever to be licensed in a single year.
It is my intention that we will build on recent momentum in licence delivery in 2022 and we will implement any and all practical process improvements which result from the review and analysis in train under Project Woodland. We are currently drawing up projections for licence output for 2022 which will be published by the end of the year.