Written Answers Nos. 615-636
615. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Irish food exports are being affected by similar products from other EU or third countries on the basis of trends since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62454/21]
View answerOn examination of Central Statistics Office data for January - August 2021, I am pleased to report that despite challenging circumstances, our agri-food exports worldwide are up €533m/5.8% on the same 2020 period and up €199m/2.1% compared to 2019. Exports to the UK are also up for the first eight months of 2021 - €306m/9.5% compared to 2020 and up €16m/0.4% compared to 2019. When we examine Great Britain and Northern Ireland individually, we can note that exports to GB are to the end of August up €34m/1.3% compared to down 20% at end of Q1 2021. Exports to NI continue to be strong, up 39%/€272m compared to 2020. This compares even more favorably than Q1 2021 where exports to Northern Ireland were up 19%.
These figures demonstrate no loss of market share and display the remarkable resilience of the Irish food and drink sectors particularly in the face of market disruptions such as Brexit and Covid. My Department and its agencies will continue to remain focused on maximising the value of Irish agri-food exports globally in particular supporting continued diversification into EU and third country markets. A key component of this strategy has been our Trade Mission agenda and key customer engagements. In 2021, these engagements were held virtually and focused on Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, China, Singapore, and West Africa, as well as on our traditional markets in the EU, UK, and US. For 2022, a schedule of extensive in-person Trade Missions to several key priority markets is planned.
My Department also continues to work on the opportunities provided by recent EU Free Trade Agreements with third countries, and to press at Government-to-Government level for the removal of technical market access barriers across a range of third country markets.
616. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reduce cuts in the eco-schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62455/21]
View answerEco-Schemes are being proposed for the first time as part of the next CAP and they must be funded from within Pillar 1 of the CAP budget.
In line with the CAP Strategic Plan Regulation, I have decided to allocate 25% of Ireland’s Direct Payments envelope to the Eco-Scheme annually, which equates to approximately €297 million per annum. Farmers will apply for the Eco-Scheme at the same time as their BISS application from 2023 onwards.
Following my recent announcement of three additional agricultural practices proposed for inclusion in the Eco-Scheme, as well as amendments to some of the original five proposed practices, I am satisfied that any active farmer who wishes to join the scheme from 2023 onwards will be in a position to do so and will be able to receive an Eco-Scheme payment subject to their compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. Payment under the Eco-Scheme will be an annual payment for all eligible hectares declared by the farmer.
I have been clear in the need to have a straightforward, farmer-friendly and practical Eco-Scheme that will ensure my Department will be in a position to make payments on an annual basis to farmers, while also ensuring the Eco-Scheme delivers on its objectives in relation to climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity.
617. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide further assistance in pillar 2 of CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62456/21]
View answerIreland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027 will underpin the sustainable development of Ireland’s farming and food sector by supporting viable farm incomes and enhancing competitiveness, by strengthening the socio-economic fabric of rural areas and by contributing to the achievement of environmental and climate objectives at national and EU levels.
Support for Pillar II measures will be co-funded by the European Union via the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and by the National Exchequer. Funding will be phased over the 2023-2027 period in line with the requirements of intervention design and the annual national budgetary process.
A total of €2.3 billion in national exchequer funding will be made available under Pillar II for the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan. When combined with Ireland’s €1.56 billion in Pillar II funding arising from last year’s agreement on the EU budget, this will bring the allocation for Rural Development measures to a total of €3.86 billion over the five year period.
In addition, residual spending under Pillar II of approximately €350m will occur under the existing Rural Development Programme in the period 2023-2025 including LEADER. The exact amount will depend on the expenditure of schemes in 2021 and 2022. The breakdown between national and the co-funded element will depend on the residual spending profiles as there are different EU funding rates including the European Recovery Instrument Funding which is set at 100% and will only become clearer as the programme progresses.
618. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Beef Data and Genomics Programme has been extended for another year going into 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62484/21]
View answerAt the outset, I want to reassure the Deputy of my long-term commitment to the beef and suckler sectors. The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) provides for six years of payments to participating farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability.
In October 2021, I announced a further one year extension of contracts of BDGP participants in the 2021 transitional programme. This extension for 2022 allows those BDGP participants who were in the 2021 BDGP transitional scheme to have another year in the scheme with the majority of obligations remaining unchanged.
Since the application period to extend contracts opened to participants and agricultural advisors on the 18th November 2021, just over 15,000 of the 17,704 eligible participants have already replied with the majority opting to extend for a further one year. The closing date for receipt of valid applications is 5.00pm on Monday 20th December 2021.
619. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give consideration to recommendations by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62497/21]
View answerSubject to the approval of the European Commission, it is proposed under an On-Farm Capital investment scheme under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) that a general grant rate of 40% will be available 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%.
The proposed 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 application.
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.
The On-Farm Capital investment scheme, as is the case with all proposals under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), is in the process of development and is subject to the formal approval of the European Commission.
620. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies, in tabular form; the number of members of each board; the number of persons with a declared disability on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of persons with a declared disability. [62519/21]
View answerThe information requested regarding the number of State Bodies under the remit of my Department and the number of members on each board is set out in the following table.
Persons nominated to positions on State Boards under the aegis of my Department are not required to disclose a disability that they may have. Therefore, the Department does not hold the information requested by the Deputy.
|
No. |
State Body |
Total Number of Places on the Board (Including the Chairperson) |
Total Number currently sitting on the Board (Including the Chairperson) |
|
1 |
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB) |
7 |
7 |
|
2 |
Bord Bia |
15 |
11 |
|
3 |
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
6 |
5 |
|
4 |
Rásaíocht Con Éireann - (formerly Bord na gCon) |
7 |
6 |
|
5 |
Coillte |
9 |
7 |
|
6 |
Horse Racing Ireland |
14 |
14 |
|
7 |
Irish National Stud |
7 |
7 |
|
8 |
Marine Institute |
9 |
8 |
|
9 |
National Milk Agency |
16 |
16 |
|
10 |
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
3 |
2 |
|
11 |
Teagasc |
11 |
11 |
|
12 |
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
19 |
19 |
621. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application for a horse project has been made by Cork City Council; and if not, if private individuals can make these applications. [62569/21]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to supporting sustainable, One Health, One Welfare initiatives in line with the Programme for Government and Working Together for Animal Welfare, Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 and continues to support a number of urban horse projects nationwide. These projects can foster community leadership and education in responsible horse ownership for young people from disadvantaged communities or backgrounds.
My Department considers proposals that broadly fit within the above framework and proposals have been received from both Local Authorities and independent groups.
Typically, supports for the projects are provided by the Local Authorities and funding provided by my Department is paid directly through the Local Authorities to support these projects.
Through Cork City Council, my Department has supported the Cork City Horse Project which is a collaborative initiative involving Cork City and County Councils and community stakeholders including the Traveller Visibility Group. In 2016, my Department supported three equine education modules undertaken by the Project with funding of almost €20,000 though our Urban Horse Projects scheme.
My officials continue to work with and support Local Authorities and NGOs in progressing urban horse projects and my Department is open to supporting further One Health, One Welfare projects country wide.
622. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he envisages a shortage of urea in Ireland during quarter 1 of 2022; if measures are in place to maintain supply at required levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62589/21]
View answerI am aware of the current significant challenges in securing fertiliser and that markets are extremely competitive and challenging.
Fertiliser stocks, including urea, are generally lower now compared to the same period last year. The availability of credit and high costs mean that fertiliser is being imported in smaller quantities. While stocks of fertiliser are lower, it is expected that overall usage and demand will also be lower.
I raised the increasing challenge faced by farmers due to the rising costs of inputs at recent EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meetings. I called on the EU Commission to consider all options to ease the pressure on farmers at this time, including monitoring the evolution of markets linked to agricultural inputs, particularly in relation to fertilisers; and the question of whether the imposition of anti-dumping duties on fertiliser imports continues to be appropriate and for this matter to be examined as a priority.
In line with the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Climate Action Plan commits to more targeted and reduced use of chemical nitrogen fertiliser while maintaining the same level of grass production through a number of measures including improved soil fertility and greater use of clover and multi-species swards.
I have introduced a number of initiatives to support farmers reduce their dependence on fertiliser including a new initiative to support the planting of multi-species swards and a pilot Soil Sampling Programme. Additionally, I have asked Teagasc to develop a roadmap for farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers on farms.
My Department will continue to support farmers reduce their dependence on fertiliser and my officials will closely monitor the fertiliser market and how it develops in the weeks and months ahead.
623. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the 2010, 2021 and 2026 quota of mackerel allocated to each European Union state; the quotas for the same years for the United Kingdom, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Russia, Greenland and Norway; the reason for the decline in the Irish quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62598/21]
View answerIreland's mackerel quota in 2010 was 62,641 tonnes. In 2021 it was 60,847 tonnes. The decline of 2.86% between those years is attributable to a number of factors including share adjustments arising from the 2014 Mackerel agreement between the EU, Norway and the Faroes; the TCA Agreement with the UK and the state of the stock and the scientific advice for the relevant years. It is not possible to say what the quota for Ireland or any other country will be in the future as that will also depend on such factors as the future scientific advice and any new sharing agreement at Coastal States level. The quotas within the EU Member States for the relevant years are set down in Council Regulation (EU) No 23/2010 of 14 January 2010 for 2010 and COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2021/1239 of 29 July 2021 for 2021.
For all countries referenced by the deputy, the official ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) mackerel catch and landings data are listed in Table 11 on page 215 of the Marine Institute Stock Book which is available at The Stock Book 2021: Annual Review of Fish Stocks in 2021 with Management Advice for 2022 (marine.ie). Catch data for 2021 is not yet available.
624. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the tonnage of mackerel and blue whiting that spawn and feed in Irish waters each year; the allocation of quota to Ireland of these species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62599/21]
View answerI would like to inform the Deputy that it is not currently possible to accurately estimate the tonnage of mackerel or blue whiting spawning or feeding in Irish waters.
Both of these stocks are highly migratory with an extremely wide geographic range. At various times of the year, they can be found from the Iberian peninsula in the south to the Barents Sea in the far north, in the North sea and as far west as the mid-Atlantic ridge. During the summer months, the bulk of the stock is found feeding in the Norwegian Sea and adjacent waters. Later in the year, they migrate south to spawn during the first half of the year in warmer waters, typically to the west of Britain and Ireland for Blue Whiting while Mackerel also spawn in the Bay of Biscay. Detailed information on the spawning behaviour of mackerel is available from the mackerel egg survey which takes place every three years. Over the most recent decade, this survey indicates that, while Irish waters have remained very important, the distribution of spawning activity has expanded both north and west and has become more variable in terms of the timing and location of the peak of spawning. In the case of Blue Whiting, an annual survey is carried out. As with mackerel, while Irish waters are an important spawning location, the overall extent of spawning is very dependent on stock size and prevailing oceanographic conditions.
During the 2021 annual NEAFC negotiations on mackerel and blue whiting, working groups were established to investigate the utility of available data in determining the location of the stock during each phase of its life cycle. When complete, this work may provide a methodology to quantify proportions in individual zones.
In 2021, the Irish quota for Blue Whiting was 35,373t and Mackerel was 60,847t.
625. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is in a position to initiate a tender for a building (details supplied) which has laid idle for over 20 years. [62657/21]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains the six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl, under statute.
My Department gained vacant possession of the property referred to by the Deputy after protracted legal proceedings, in early 2019. Since then, the property has undergone remedial works in order to prepare the building for tender. These works are scheduled to be completed in early 2022, following which the property will be offered for occupation by means of a competitive public tender process.
The tender will be published in local press, in the office of the Harbour Master at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre and online at www.gov.ie/en/collection/351d2-tenders-and-notices/.
626. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if GLAS 1, 2 and 3 funding will rollover into 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62711/21]
View answerAs I advised after the Budget in October 2021, we succeeded in maintaining all of the crucial farm schemes, one of which was the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS), the contracts under which were due to conclude on 31st December 2021.
The provision of funding enabled my Department to offer participants in the three tranches of GLAS, (namely GLAS 1, 2 and 3) with eligible contracts an extension of those contracts to 31st December 2022. Eligible participants received information packs in November 2021 conveying the offer and the ways in which they could apply to extend their contracts by the deadline of 10th December 2021. I am pleased to note that some 91% of those participants have applied to extend their contract.
This level of uptake is subject to change as more offers are issued as more contracts become eligible following outcome of appeals and completion of transfers.
The continuation of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) schemes, including GLAS, delivers on our commitment to support farmers in the delivery of environmental and climate commitments while supporting farm incomes and rural economies.
627. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason in the pProgramme for Government there was a commitment to €520 million, given farmers have not received the full allocation and instead have only received 50%; the reason this funding has been prevented from being allocated or made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62712/21]
View answerMy office sought clarification from the Deputy on the nature of this figure. No additional information has yet been provided by the Deputy's office. Once the information is provided to my office, I will be happy to provide an answer.
628. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the Brexit impact loan scheme; when it will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62715/21]
View answerI launched the €330m Brexit Impact Loan Scheme (BILS) with Government colleagues on the 15th October 2021 to provide support to businesses, including farmers, fishers and food businesses, impacted by Brexit. Funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and my Department, the BILS is supported by a counter-guarantee from the European Investment Bank Group.
My Department's funding ensures that up to 40% of the Scheme will be available to the agri-food sector, which is particularly exposed to the impact of Brexit. Launched in parallel with the closure of the existing Brexit Loan Scheme, the BILS offers a number of advantages over that Scheme, including that: farmers and fishers are now be eligible to access the new Scheme; loan terms are now up to six years; variable interest rates are available, and; loans will be available for working capital and investment purposes.
Delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), the BILS is available through participating banks and credit unions, ensuring wider accessibility of the Scheme. Further information is available at Brexit Impact Loan Scheme (BILS) - SBCI
At close of business on 13th December 2021, 528 eligibility applications have been received for the BILS, of which 450 are approved and 3 are ineligible, with a further 75 pending approval. Of those loans approved, 91 loans to the value of €10.5 milion have been sanctioned, of which 45 loans to the value of €3.6 million relate to the agri-food sector.
629. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to one proposal in relation to the fitting of solar panels on all farm buildings and this energy being sold back to the ESB as a way of generating more green energy and passive income for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62724/21]
View answerMicrogeneration has an important role to play in empowering and driving engagement and participation of not only farmers but communities and domestic households in the generation of renewable electricity as part of the energy transition.
To help encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, my Department provides grant aid through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) to assist our farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
Solar energy for on-farm use is grant aided under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage and Safety Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme measures under TAMS.
The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels for water heating under the Pigs and Poultry scheme.
This scheme continues to support our farmers in maximising their contribution to the displacement of energy demand through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms across the country. There is no provision under current TAMS legislation to allow the selling of excess energy, grant aid is available for on farm use only.
630. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider requesting to amend the Irish whiskey protected geographic indication, PGI, technical file to state barley for Irish whiskey must be sourced on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62802/21]
View answerApproximately 17% of total Irish barley production is procured by the drinks sector; the balance of the national barley crop is grown for animal feed and seed production. It is open to individual farmers to decide what enterprise they undertake and to what scale it should be undertaken, according to their land type and with due consideration to the market terms for their products.
As only basic malt is produced in Ireland, drinks requiring specialised malts are often either reliant on imported malt or the export of Irish grain for processing and the re-importation for use in the drinks industry.
Independent reports estimate that 93% of all barley used in brewing and distilling is native barley, and that the balance is sourced mainly from the UK, with some imports also from the EU.
The technical files for the Geographical Indication (GI) for Irish Spirit Drink Irish Whiskey/Uisce Beatha Eireannach/Irish Whisky was confirmed by the European Commission in March 2019 as meeting the required conditions laid down in relevant EU Regulation.
Whilst the Irish Whiskey Technical file contains specifics relating to the types and combinations of grains to be used for the creation of mashes for the production of each of the varieties of Irish Whiskey, it does not specify any requirements regarding the sourcing of the raw materials including grains utilised in the production of Irish Whiskey.
Restricting the sourcing of inputs such as cereals/grains in the production of Spirit Drinks cannot conflict with the EU Treaty rules on the freedom of movement of goods. However, notwithstanding the absence of such a requirement in the specification, the malting sector has undoubtedly delivered an added value outlet for Irish barley growers in recent years with the brewing and distilling sectors utilising approximately 250,000 tonnes of Irish barley annually of which 90,000 tonnes were purchased for the Irish whiskey industry.
The Deputy may wish to note that requests have been submitted to my Department seeking various amendments to the Irish Whiskey technical file. Any amendments to the technical file must undergo detailed scrutiny to assess compliance with the EU rules for Geographical Indications and spirit drinks and will also require consultation with stakeholders.
631. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of racing greyhounds microchipped annually between 1 December 2020 and 30 November 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62803/21]
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.
632. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds registered on the race management system annually between 1 December 2020 and 30 November 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62804/21]
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.
633. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of recorded injuries and deaths of greyhounds that have occurred at greyhound racing stadiums and events organised by the Irish Greyhound Board between 1 December 2020 and 30 November 2021, in tabular form. [62805/21]
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.
634. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an issue will be resolved for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in relation to their GLAS application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62869/21]
View answerThe person named was approved to GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1st January 2017. Payments have issued for scheme years 2017 – 2018 inclusive.
An issue arose in relation to the commonage parcels following Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) checks which has delayed the processing of GLAS payments for this case.
My Department is currently working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible so that outstanding payments can be processed.
GLAS payments are continuing on a weekly basis as applications pass all validation checks.
I am pleased to confirm that the GLAS Contract for the person named was extended for the 2022 scheme year through the online system 13th December 2021.
635. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department’s maximum contribution under the local authority element of the Coastal Infrastructure and Development Fund will be increased beyond €200,000; if the requirement of 25% match funding from the local authority will be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62885/21]
View answerWhile my Department has a Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme and has made some funding available to local authorities, those authorities have other, more significant funding streams. I am also mindful that the primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Recently, I received the Report of the Seafood Sector Task Force which makes recommendations to address the impacts on the fishing sector and coastal communities of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the European Union and the United Kingdom. The Taskforce has specifically recommended an initiative of significant investment in publicly owned marine infrastructure to assist in diversification of economic opportunities to offset the effects of the TCA, particularly in communities dependent on fishing activity.
Officials in my Department are actively engaged in examining what kind of mechanisms could be developed to leverage the Brexit Adjustment Reserve funding that Ireland has received for this purpose.
636. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to comments by this Deputy in Dáil Éireann on 11 November 2021, the progress that is being made in relation to clearing the backlog of felling licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62882/21]
View answerTackling the backlog in forestry licenses remains a key priority for me, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, and my Department and I am pleased to report 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 a significant increase in licence output in recent months. This has brought our output to 3,894 licences issued to 10th December. I am confident that we will meet our target of 4,000 licences by year end which will be a 60% increase on last year.
My Department has issued 2,782 tree felling licences, for a volume of 8.133 million cubic metres. This is 60% higher than last year and the highest volume ever licensed in a single year.
We are making progress under Project Woodland. 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.
We will build on this year’s momentum in 2022 and will implement all practical process improvements which result from the review and analysis in train under Project Woodland. I remain fully committed to delivering a licensing system which will meets the needs of the sector and of society.
