Written Answers Nos. 318-330
318. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the log period for smaller lobster fishing boats will be extended; if flexibility will be shown in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2750/22]
View answerLobster is a particularly important species for the inshore fishing fleet and is fished predominantly using pots right around the coast. Any Irish sea-fishing boat with the appropriate licence conditions is eligible to fish for lobster.
Non-commercial or recreational fishers who do not have a fishing licence can fish for lobster from 1st May to 30th September each year and are limited in the number of pots that can be fished. In addition, recreational fishers are not permitted to sell their catches.
The Deputy may be aware that all sea-fishing boats with an overall length of 10 meters or more are required to have onboard and complete an EU Fishing Logbook. The log-sheet and landing declaration for each trip must be submitted to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) within 48 hours of landing.
Only registered and licensed fishing vessels may sell 'first sale' fish (which is offered for sale for the first time following landing from any vessel). All buyers must register on the website www.fishingnet.ie/salesnotes/. Although many smaller vessels in the Irish fleet do not have vessel monitoring systems or EU Fishing Logbooks, sales of fish must, by law, with some limited exceptions, be recorded on the Sales Notes system operated by the SFPA.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the management of the Logbook and Sales Notes systems, including any compliance issues, is a matter for the SFPA, the independent statutory body responsible for enforcing the State’s sea-fisheries and seafood safety laws. I am therefore precluded from involvement in the operational matters being referred to.
319. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 797 of 15 September 2021, the status of the €100,000 report on the development of a woollen industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2770/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a review of the potential demand for wool-based products such as for insulation and fertilisers in domestic and international markets is one of the initiatives included in the Programme for Government.
Following the €100,000 commitment for this review in Budget 2021, I initiated a public consultation in March 2021 to identify the terms of reference for the review. I also invited stakeholders to make recommendations in relation to prospective market opportunities for wool products on domestic and international markets.
The agreed terms of reference are:
- 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;
- identification of potential research projects applicable to supporting the identified market opportunities.
In July 2021, through a competitive public procurement process, a Request for Tenders seeking service providers to carry out this review was published. I am very pleased to advise that I have appointed ‘The Agile Executive’ a consortium of experts from Munster Technological University and Donegal Yarns, to conduct the review.
The Agile Executive have been contracted to carry out the review in accordance with the Terms of Reference and will also be required to examine and evaluate the proposals received during the public consultation and report on their findings. The report is due to be published in March 2022 and its recommendations will help focus the development of a robust policy roadmap for the Irish Wool Industry.
320. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full-time equivalent Departmental veterinary inspectors to meat processing plants by quarter, weekday and weekend for the years 2017 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2771/22]
View answer321. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full-time equivalent of Departmental veterinary inspectors to meat processing plants by month from September 2021 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2772/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 321 together.
The tables below list the number of full-time equivalent departmental veterinary inspectors in meat processing plants for the periods requested. Table A sets out the information by quarter for the years 2017 to date and Table B gives the information, monthly from September 2021 until the time of responding to this PQ.
In the time available, it is not possible to further break down the figures in Table A into weekday and weekend figures.
TABLE A
|
Quarter |
FTE of Meat plant Veterinary Inspectors |
|
Q1 2017 |
45.6 |
|
Q2 2017 |
43.6 |
|
Q3 2017 |
47.6 |
|
Q4 2017 |
47.6 |
|
Q1 2018 |
49.6 |
|
Q2 2018 |
48.6 |
|
Q3 2018 |
53.6 |
|
Q4 2018 |
53.6 |
|
Q1 2019 |
53.6 |
|
Q2 2019 |
53.6 |
|
Q3 2019 |
54.6 |
|
Q4 2019 |
54.6 |
|
Q1 2020 |
53.6 |
|
Q2 2020 |
51.6 |
|
Q3 2020 |
49.6 |
|
Q4 2020 |
48.6 |
|
Q1 2021 |
53.6 |
|
Q2 2021 |
58.6 |
|
Q3 2021 |
58.6 |
|
Q4 2021 |
59.0 |
TABLE B
|
Month |
Veterinary Inspectors in Meat Plants |
|
September 2021 |
59 |
|
October 2021 |
59 |
|
November 2021 |
58 |
|
December 2021 |
59 |
|
January 2022 |
60 |
Overall, staffing levels and needs within locations and divisions are continually monitored and staff are assigned as business needs dictate.
322. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to support the pig sector in response to the decreased prices received by farmers, increased feed costs and issues relating to processing capacity at meat factories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2773/22]
View answer324. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures including financial support that will be introduced to support the pigmeat sector through the present serious difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2817/22]
View answer325. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department can support an increase in processing capacity at pigmeat plants due to present difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2818/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 322, 324 and 325 together.
Price volatility is a significant issue for the pig sector, highlighting the cyclical nature of prices in the sector. The current difficulties are made more acute by the recent sharp rise in input costs for the sector.
The pig sector has shown exceptional growth over the last decade. It is the third largest agri-food sector, accounting for 6.3% of the output value of the agri-food sector and generated exports of €893 million in 2020; with 2021 figures to end of October at €765 million.
The average price paid for pigs in Ireland has fallen in recent months, in line with trends across the EU. The 2021 average price was 8.71% lower than that of 2020.
The first week of 2022 (w/e 9th January) saw the average grade E pig price come in at 142.72 €/100kg, 8.14% lower than the same week last year. However, this is still well above the EU average price of 132.15€/100kg.
My Department continues to support the Irish pigmeat sector and facilitate its development by prioritising market access, both through maintaining existing markets and pursuing access to new ones.
My colleague, Minister of State Martin Heydon chairs the Pig Roundtable, which was established in early 2021, and the next meeting of which will take place next week. The Pig Roundtable focuses on key strategic developments for the sector in line with priority actions set out in the Programme for Government and Food Vision 2030.
In relation to any processing constraints in the sector, my officials have liaised closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to labour shortages in the meat processing sector. As a result, additional employment permits for workers from outside the EU and EEA were approved by that Department in October last year, including a new allocation of permits for 1,500 meat processing operatives and 500 meat de-boners.
My officials continue to monitor the market situation closely and I have met with stakeholders to discuss concerns. Our pig farmers have always been remarkably resilient but I am acutely aware of the challenges they are facing at present.
At this week's Agriculture Council, I clearly expressed my concerns in relation to the difficulties facing the Irish pigmeat sector, both in relation to the ongoing impact of increases in fuel, fertiliser, feed and energy prices over recent times which are putting farmer margins under significant pressure; and the sustained nature of the difficulties being experienced on the pigmeat market. I sought the rapid deployment of appropriate solutions on both issues.
323. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at the recent European Council of Agriculture Ministers in relation to the serious difficulties facing the pigmeat sector at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2801/22]
View answerI clearly expressed my concerns in relation to the difficulties facing the Irish pigmeat sector at the this week's Agriculture Council, both in relation to the ongoing impact of increases in fuel, fertiliser, feed and energy prices over recent times which are putting farmer margins under significant pressure, and the sustained nature of the difficulties being experienced on the pigmeat market. I sought the rapid deployment of appropriate solutions on both issues.
The average price paid for pigs in Ireland has fallen in recent months, in line with trends across the EU. The 2021 average price was 8.71% lower than that of 2020.
The first week of 2022 (w/e 9th January) saw the average grade E pig price come in at 142.72 €/100kg, 8.14% lower than the same week last year. However, this is still well above the EU average price of 132.15€/100kg.
My officials continue to monitor the market situation closely and I have met with stakeholders to discuss concerns this week. Our pig farmers have always been remarkably resilient but I am acutely aware of the challenges they are facing at present.
326. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if financial assistance will be made available through existing Covid-19 and Brexit related support funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2824/22]
View answerBrexit supports
The Deputy will appreciate that significant administrative resources in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are being utilised on an ongoing basis for Brexit related purposes, the cost of which cannot all be isolated. The Department’s response to the challenges of Brexit has also led to an increased allocation for the Department's State Bodies, such as Bord Bia and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.
Access to finance is a crucial business need and, as well as liaising with the main banks on issues relating to the agri-food sector, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine works closely across Government to provide important supports for businesses, including farmers, fishers and food businesses.
Most recently this has been to ensure that they have access to finance during the pandemic and also to help deal with the challenges brought about by Brexit. These supports have been delivered through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI).
Launched in September, the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme (BILS) has a capacity of up to €330 million providing an important support for businesses to ensure that they have access to finance during this pandemic and to help deal with the challenges brought about by Brexit. Available through participating banks and credit unions, the BILS provides loans to Brexit-impacted Irish businesses for working capital, investment and re-financing, with terms of up to six years.
Loans range from €25,000 to a maximum of €1.5m, are available for terms of between one and six years, with up to €500,000 available as unsecured finance. My Department's funding ( €5.506m in 2021) ensures that up to 40% of the Scheme will be available to the agri-food sector.
My Department also co-funds the €800million Future Growth Loan Scheme (FGLS) with the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment. It supports strategic long-term capital investment by SMEs, farmers and fishermen. The allocation of €7.315 million in my Department’s 2021 Supplementary Estimate facilitated the Scheme for 2022.
In response to any current difficulties caused by the pandemic in accessing credit, the Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme also provides an important source of working capital and investment finance.
In 2022, €40m has been allocated for Brexit related purposes for the fisheries sector (€32m), the horticultural sector (€1m), and €7 million has been provided to fund an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme for meat and dairy processing.
The latter scheme will support investments aimed at product and market diversification. It is jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment..
It is expected that the €40m of funding as outlined, will come from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, which provides financial support to the most affected Member States to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
Expenditure under the Reserve must demonstrate a direct link to the negative impact of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, and failure to do so will see the European Commission deem expenditure ineligible. It is anticipated that the Department will receive further funding from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve during 2022. My Department is working closely with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in this regard.
Covid-19 supports
With regards to Covid-19 related assistance, Ireland was allocated €189m in European Recovery Instrument (EURI) funding for the transitional period. This EU funding, was programmed through the Rural Development Programme in 2021 and 2022, with commitments and expenditure possible up to the end of 2025. EURI funding will focus on addressing the biodiversity, climate and environment challenges in the context of economic recovery from COVID-19, through green and digital investments on farm and in rural communities, including through the LEADER Programme. In doing so, it will maintain the level of environmental ambition in the current RDP and meet the requirements under the EURI to focus on a resilient, sustainable, and digital economic recovery. In 2022, the EURI allocation is €71.8m.
In addition to the EURI funding, €2m of a Covid exchequer allocation was provided in the 2022 Budget for Horse Racing Ireland to assist with the cost of operating racing under Covid-19 restrictions.
327. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Coillte will consider purchasing forestry at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2832/22]
View answerCoillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from my Department. I have therefore referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
328. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS appeal by a person (details supplied) will be decided. [2838/22]
View answerThe person named applied successfully for GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1st January 2017. The GLAS contract was selected for an on-farm inspection on 8th March 2021. Notification of the inspection findings issued by letter dated 9th September 2021. This letter outlined the option of requesting a review of this decision.
The person named subsequently submitted a request for a review of the inspection findings which was received on 30th September 2021. The Regional Inspector upheld the decision of this Inspection and notified the person named by letter dated 16th November 2021.
The option to appeal this decision is available to the person named once received within the timeframe indicated in the Regional Inspector Review letter. To date, there is no record of the receipt of an appeal in this case.
329. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the State backed incentives and schemes that are available for young farmers; and the additional measures planned for young farmers in the next CAP. [2840/22]
View answerState backed incentives for young farmers include strong taxation measures to assist land mobility and facilitate succession and are worth some €200 million per annum. Succession and the early transfer of family farms is supported by Agricultural Relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax and Stamp Duty exemptions. In addition, the Succession Farm Partnership Scheme provides for a €25,000 tax credit over five years to further assist the transfer of land within a partnership structure to encourage earlier transfer of family farms. Investment and access to land are supported by 100% Stamp Duty Relief for Young Trained Farmers, 100% Stock Relief for Young Trained Farmers and Relief for Long-Term Leasing
On access to finance, the Future Growth Loan Scheme was developed with assisting young farmers among its objectives and has been in great demand, with 1,294 loans to the value of €155.5 million sanctioned to farmers. In addition, Teagasc's education activities continue to focus on equipping young farmers with the necessary knowledge to build successful careers.
The Land Mobility Service is a Macra na Feirme initiative supported by numerous stakeholders including my Department. The service provides options for landowners and opportunities for young farmers through advice on and facilitation of collaborative farming arrangements. It has been supported by my Department since 2014 and has seen well over 500 arrangements covering approximately 19,000 hectares being facilitated. My Department is engaged with the Land Mobility Service on future support, and I announced a 100% increase in the funding for 2022 to €100,000.
The CAP Strategic Plan submitted to the EU Commission at the end of December 2021 contains proposed support measures for young farmers. Under Pillar I of the next CAP Ireland has proposed support for young farmers as a priority category under the National Reserve to provide for an allocation of payment entitlements at the national average value on eligible land for which the young farmer holds no entitlements, or topping up low value entitlements held by the young farmer to the national average. Ireland has also proposed utilising the option to implement the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers. This scheme would see an additional payment per hectare made to eligible young farmers, subject to a maximum of 50 hectares, for a period of five years.
Under Pillar II of the next CAP, it is proposed that a grant rate for young farmers for Capital Investments will be 60% with an indicative investment ceiling limit to be applied of €90,000 per holding and €160,000 per holding for partnership applications. This level of grant rate is proposed in order to support young farmers and specifically to enable them to take on any necessary on farm infrastructural improvement work. This 60% grant rate compares favourably to the general 40% rate and is designed to be a significant support for qualified young farmers.
The proposed supports for young farmers under the next CAP will be subject to Ireland receiving EU Commission approval for the CAP Strategic Plan.
330. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an ecology felling licence in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2845/22]
View answerFurther to Dáil Question no. 227 of 24th November, I advised that a tree felling licence for the person named was assigned to the Ecology Unit. The Appropriate Assessment Report was compiled and the application opened for a public consultation period of 30 days, which ended on 14th January, 2022.
The application will now be finalised by my Department and subject to everything being in order, I expect a decision to issue in approximately one month.
