Written Answers Nos. 132-149
132. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position on the renewal of the derogation to allow farmers to burn hedgerow cuttings until a more sustainable and workable alternative can be put in place. [6515/22]
View answerThe burning of household, garden, commercial or industrial waste is prohibited under the Waste Management Regulations 2009. These regulations are under the remit of my colleague, Minister Eamonn Ryan TD. Provision by way of derogation has been available for the burning of permitted farm materials from 1st September to 28th February. This material includes untreated/uncontaminated hedgerow trimmings, leaves, bushes or similar materials generated by agricultural practices.
This exemption has been renewed on an ongoing basis since 2009 and most recently on 31st December 2020 via statutory instrument (SI 738-2020). This regulation extended the derogation to 31st December 2021.
I have engaged with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan on this issue in recent days and am happy to report that Minister Ryan will be providing for a reinstatement of this derogation to allow farmers to continue to avail of this management tool.
My officials and I will continue to engage with Minister Ryan and his Department in terms of looking at future options for alternatives that may be possible in the years ahead.
133. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress which has been made on a recent announcement from his Department that an action plan for organics will be published shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7003/22]
View answerA draft Action Plan to further develop the organic sector is in preparation. It is intended to complement the existing Strategy for the Development of the Organic Sector and to build on the targets set out there. It will also review the main recommendations of the Strategy in light of the commitments set out in the Programme for Government.
The current Programme for Government is committed to aligning Ireland’s organic land area with that of the EU average of 7.5%, which is also consistent with the target proposed by Agri-Food Strategy 2030.
I believe the measures for the organic sector, contained in the CAP Strategic Plan, which has been submitted to the EU Commission for their approval, will greatly assist in achieving these targets. I have proposed a budget for the scheme for the next CAP period which is five times larger than that for the scheme in the current RDP.
In the meantime I am determined to drive on with progress and am this week reopening the organic scheme to take in new entrants.
This follows the reopening last year and is a direct result of the extra €5m I secured in the budget for the scheme this year. The reopening is being accompanied by an intensive promotional campaign to make farmers aware of the opportunities for them if they are converting this year.
The Programme for Government also focuses particularly on maximising potential opportunities in the organic sector, the supply of quality Irish grains to an expanding food and drinks industry, and opportunities for home-grown proteins in animal feeds.
It is acknowledged that many of the actions set out in the Organic Strategy are key drivers of the sector, to which Teagasc and Bord Bia have been assigned a lead role. My Department is continuing to work with both of these state bodies to build on the success to date and to realise the potential of the organic sector in Ireland.
I am confident that we can continue to develop the sector to meet increasing domestic and export market opportunities.
134. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the further resources that can be put in place to help enforce animal rights laws regarding the neglect and abuse of horses particularly in urban areas in which animal charities are overburdened responding to abuse cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6797/22]
View answerMy Department dedicates considerable resources not only to enforcement of animal welfare law but to prevention and education in relation to the welfare of equines.
My Department has primary policy responsibility for the welfare of all animals, including equines underpinned by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 which provides a framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare. The Act puts clear obligations on owners to look after animals under their care. My Department continues to enforce the law in this important area, as do An Garda Síochána and authorised officers of the ISPCA and DSPCA. The Programme for Government commits to the continued enforcement of the Act.
My Department also takes a preventive approach to equine welfare challenges by developing facilities for urban horse populations and by supporting initiatives educating young people in the care and welfare of horses. This work is carried out in close collaboration with the Local Authorities across the country.
For example, my Department supports the DSPCA's equine castration and ID clinics and education programmes, and animal welfare organisations are helped provide summer projects for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who care for horses.
I am also committed to providing additional funding in support of animal welfare in the coming years. Last December, I awarded record funding of over €3.7 million to 98 animal welfare organisations countrywide, many of which are engaged in equine welfare activities.
My Department continues to initiate and support measures to help to improve equine welfare, particularly with a view to developing programmes that educate and encourage the prevention of welfare issues, providing longer term, sustainable solutions.
135. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the recent activity by his Department and agencies such as Bord Bia to open new markets for Irish food producers. [7070/22]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that Food Vision 2030, the new 10-year strategy for the agri-food sector, is an ambitious blueprint for sectoral development with a sharp focus on environmental protection.
It includes several actions to develop overseas market opportunities and envisages a sustainable increase in the value of Irish agri-food exports to €21 billion by 2030, driven by value rather than volume. This will of course benefit both our primary producers and our agri-food industry.
To support the achievement of those objectives, Bord Bia received a significant allocation of €53m in Budget 2022. This funding will enable Bord Bia to continue to invest in innovative digital approaches to developing new markets, defending and growing our food and drink exports in existing markets in the UK and Europe, and building our reputation in third countries in line with our market access programme.
An important component of the Government's strategy to develop and diversify markets is high-level ministerial trade missions. Despite the challenges presented by Covid-19, Minister of State Martin Heydon and I have led a number of virtual trade missions and key customer meetings over the last year. These engagements included EU and third country markets in South-East Asia and West Africa.
Throughout 2022 as health travel restrictions begin to lift, Minister of State Heydon and I are planning to undertake an intensified programme of trade missions, the first of which is a trade mission to Dubai and Saudi Arabia later this month.
Also essential to the development of new markets outside the EU is the technical work that frequently takes place behind the scenes. Technical negotiations with importing countries, including inward visits and inspection by their competent authorities, are typically a lengthy and multifaceted process, often taking several years before bilateral agreements are concluded and trade can commence.
During the pandemic, some notable successes were achieved, including opening Mexico for Irish pig meat in May 2020 and Japan for Irish beef burgers in March 2021. In April and June 2021, my Department secured changes to our poultry meat certification conditions with Singapore and the United Arab Emirates respectively to maintain access and minimise trade disruption resulting from an outbreak of avian influenza.
There has also been significant progress in opening markets for Irish lamb producers. In September 2021, I signed a sheep meat protocol with China and the US announcement in December 2021 that its ban on EU sheep meat exports has been lifted removed a major impediment to accessing the American market.
My officials are working closely with their counterparts and our embassies in Beijing and Washington so that, once the necessary technical measures are agreed and put in place, Ireland can soon export lamb to the world’s largest economies.
Ultimately while it is the role of my Department is to open up international markets, it is up to the industry - with the support of the Department and Bord Bia’s marketing expertise - to capitalise on those opportunities.
136. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to support primary producers via the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. [7074/22]
View answerThe Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) aims to provide financial support to the Member States, regions and sectors most affected by Brexit to deal with the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences. Ireland, as the Member State most affected, has received a significant allocation of over €1 billion, or just over 20% of the entire Reserve.
The Designated Body for managing and deciding on the Reserve in Ireland is the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and it is co-ordinating Ireland's overall policy position on the BAR. The eligibility criteria set by the EU to qualify expenditure under the Reserve are stringent, and any proposed expenditure must demonstrate a direct link to negative impacts arising from Brexit.
Within my Department to date, €40 million has been allocated in 2022 for Brexit-related purposes, of which €32 million has been allocated to the fisheries sector, €1 million to the horticultural sector and €7 million to fund an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme for meat and dairy processing. This investment is being used to fund development of new products and markets as a consequence of Brexit. It is my hope that this investment will be used to return stronger returns to our farmers and fishers.
This scheme will support investments aimed at product and market diversification, and is jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It is expected that the €40 million of funding as outlined, will be claimed by DPER as eligible for funding from the BAR.
My Department continues to closely monitor the impacts of Brexit on the agri-food and fisheries sectors, and to engage closely with DPER in the context of evaluating what impacts may qualify for further support from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
137. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in implementing the pilot soil sampling scheme. [6994/22]
View answerThe pilot Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme is a substantial, innovative and very ambitious programme. Such comprehensive analysis at this scale has never been undertaken in Ireland before.
A contract was signed with an external service provider on the 19th October with sampling of farms commencing in November and due to continue over the winter and spring months, concluding towards the end of March.
I am fully aware of progress under this pilot through my Department's regular engagement with the service provider. I acknowledge progress has been behind expectation and must improve, however soil sampling and analysis is continuing and progress is accelerating and my Department is continuing to engage with the service provided to increase output.
Sampling has been slower than expected for a number of reasons including the service provider experiencing challenges recruiting soil samplers to deal with the scale of the project. Due to supply chain issues, the Service Provider also experienced delays sourcing certain items of specialist laboratory equipment. In addition, COVID-19 has impacted both sampling and analysis. My Officials have engaged with the Service Provider and progress has accelerated in recent weeks with significant increase in on-farm sampling in recent weeks.
The Letter of Approval issued to approved participants informed them that their Soil Sampling contract runs to 31 December 2022. Sampling will continue over the coming weeks and approved participants who don’t have their land sampled this spring will have a further opportunity to have samples taken in the autumn under the current Programme if they wish.
If a farmer has applied lime, slurry or fertiliser (other than straight nitrogen) they should advise the person who will be taking the samples when they make contact to arrange sampling. Even if nutrients have been applied to some fields, it may be possible to take soil samples in other fields on an approved participant’s farm.
As outlined in the Teagasc Publication, “Major and Micro Nutrient Advice for Productive Agricultural Crops,” land should not be sampled for 3 to 6 months after the last application of phosphorous and/or potassium. Where lime has been applied to correct soil pH, the advice is to allow a time lag of up to 2 years before soil sampling to determine lime requirements.
138. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and determination of cases processed by the unfair trading practices unit within his Department; the number on non-salary related expenditure; the amount of salary related expenditure to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6940/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, one of the key principles of the Directive on Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain is to protect farmers, farmers’ organisations and other weaker suppliers of agricultural and food products against stronger buyers and to, therefore, improve their position in the supply chain.
I signed Statutory Instrument No. 198 of 2021 which transposed the UTP Directive into Irish law on 28th April 2021 and established the UTP Regulations. These Regulations are an important tool in strengthening the position of primary producers.
The Regulations provided for the establishment of an Enforcement Authority to deal with complaints of unfair trading practices and, as an interim measure, the Authority was established in the Department pending the finalisation of primary legislation to establish a new Office of National Food Ombudsman or equivalent.
The Authority has the power to investigate complaints from suppliers, including primary producers, carry out investigations on its own initiative and initiate legal proceedings for breaches of the UTPs.
Currently, only supply agreements established since 28th April 2021 are required to be in compliance with the provisions of the Regulations. However, from 28th April 2022, all supply agreements, including those that were in place before 28th April 2021, must be in compliance with the Regulations. A targeted communications plan to ensure that buyers and suppliers are aware of these requirements is being developed.
No complaints have yet been received and the Authority has not initiated any investigations at this stage. However, I can assure the Deputy that the Enforcement Authority has been actively engaging with relevant stakeholders and in a variety of initiatives to promote awareness on suppliers rights and buyers obligations under the UTP Regulations, including meetings with the largest buyers of agricultural and food products in the State.
I strongly encourage any supplier to contact the Authority if they feel they have been subjected to any of the unfair trading practices covered in the Regulations. They can be absolutely assured that all contact with the Authority will be handled in strict confidence.
To date, non-salary expenditure has totalled €28,839 while the figure for salary-related expenditure for the three staff currently assigned to the Authority is approximately €115,000.
139. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the research projects that have been funded under the various calls by his Department for research proposals to assist the horticultural sector in navigating challenges including those relating to climate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6852/22]
View answerThe Food Vision 2030 Strategy sets out that an expanded horticulture sector would make a valuable contribution to realising a climate-neutral agri-food sector by 2050. From carbon sequestration to enhancing biodiversity, horticultural systems offer many synergies and co-benefits between environmental, economic and social sustainability.
Since 2015, my Department has awarded more than €4 million in funding to horticulture-specific research projects. These aim to address the challenges and exploit the opportunities facing the production and amenity sectors.
Projects cover multiple areas including novel and sustainable breeding practices for potatoes, alternative crops for the cut foliage sector, the development of new, commercially viable plant varieties, horticultural food safety, and climate resilience of the sector.
Under the Department’s most recent 2021 competitive research Call, two projects have been funded that will see investment of almost €2million in horticulture research. “Beyond Peat” will investigate the potential for utilising organic bio-resources and novel technologies to develop specifically designed and sustainable peat replacements for professional horticultural crop production. “RAPID-HORT” aims to develop a circular demonstration model based on Irish grown microgreens that will enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of horticultural food production.
It will also explore the potential of using waste heat from data centres to power vertical farming to reduce waste and achieve greater environmental sustainability. These types of research projects will generate scientific and innovative breakthroughs which can facilitate greater cost effectiveness, sustainability and the generation of value-add in horticultural businesses.
The development of this sector remains a high priority for the government and my Department will continue to support the research needed for the growth and development of a profitable and environmentally sustainable horticultural sector in Ireland.
140. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking in response to concerns from organisation examining animal cruelty. [7078/22]
View answerI assure the Deputy that my policy and the policy of Government is clear and consistent - animal cruelty is totally unacceptable. My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect.
In addition to its own staff, the Department has a service level agreement with a number of organisations - including the organisation that the Deputy referred to - facilitating the appointment of authorised officers in these organisations and enabling further enforcement of this welfare legislation.
All reports of suspected neglect or abuse are followed up by Department veterinary staff in the Regional Veterinary Offices or in some cases they are referred to authorised officers in these other organisations who have authorised officers, for investigation.
The organisation in question has a strong record in rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing animals and is to the forefront in educating and heightening public awareness on how best to care for animals. Its authorised officers play a vital role in implementing the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, delivering on the Programme for Government commitment to robust enforcement. Indeed, the ongoing co-operation between my Department, the NGOs, local authorities, Customs and An Garda Síochána has contributed significantly in addressing cases where animal welfare is compromised
In recognition of the important role played by the many organisations safeguarding animals throughout the country, in December 2021 I announced record funding of over €3.7 million for 98 eligible animal welfare organisations. Of this, I was pleased to award very significant funding to the organisation mentioned. This exchequer funding helps the organisation continue its excellent work countrywide.
141. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for scaling down and ending of the BVD testing programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7027/22]
View answerIt my clear ambition to eradicate BVD from the herd as soon as possible and I believe the finishing line is in sight.
The Deputy may be aware that the BVD eradication programme is coordinated and managed by Animal Health Ireland under the direction of the BVD Implementation Group which consists of a range of industry stakeholders, including my Department. The BVD Implementation Group is advised by the BVD Technical Working Group, and it determines operational matters such as the issue you raise.
Good progress has been made in the eradication of BVD with the incidence of BVD positive animals decreasing this year to just 0.03 % compared with 0.66 % in 2013 – the first year of the compulsory phase of the eradication programme. Ireland is now nearing a stage where we can apply to have an acknowledged status of BVD freedom
The new Animal Health Law (AHL) came into force in April 2021 sets out the requirements for recognition of BVD free status at EU level. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 requires at least 99.8 % of the cattle herds representing at least 99.9% of the cattle population must be categorised as free from BVD, and that there has not been a confirmed BVD cases in the preceding 18 months. The Department is preparing to submit an application to the European Commission for EU approval of the current BVD control programme. Provided that the 2022 programme achieves the necessary criteria to gain BVD Free recognition, the Department will make the follow up submission.
Any decision to modify/scale back testing, as well as consideration of post eradication surveillance is currently under consideration by the BVD Technical Working Group and the BVD Implementation Group. My Department will continue to liaise closely with Animal Health Ireland to determine the best course of action for Ireland.
142. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of licences received by private farmers versus Coillte in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. [7057/22]
View answerAlong with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, it is my aim to continue to deliver a licensing system which meets the needs of all those who apply for forestry licences.
This is regardless of whether that application comes from a private individual who wishes to plant trees, a forest owner who wishes to fell their crop or Coillte who wishes to supply sawmills with product from their estate. Each licence has a value particularly to the rural economy where the timber is harvested, transported and processed.
This is what I am working towards and is the reason I set up Project Woodland earlier this year to resolve our licensing difficulties and why we have also invested heavily in additional resources and in process improvements, alongside Project Woodland, to increase licence output. This has had the desired effect with a marked increase in licences issued in recent months. In fact, we reached our target for 2021, issuing 4,050 forestry licences.
Much of that output has been felling licences split between 2,299 Coillte and 1,309 private applications (64%/36% respectively).
The greater number of applications received are from Coillte, who is responsible for much of the mature national forest estate and supplies 75% of the national supply of logs to sawmills.
In 2020, there was little difference between the felling licences issued to Coillte at 865 and private, at 852. In January this year, my Department has issued 150 licences to Coillte and 143 to private landowners.
143. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department provides support for farmers and agri-food businesses to develop new markets at home and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6872/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Food Vision 2030, the new ten-year strategy for the agri-food sector, is an ambitious blueprint for the sector for the years ahead, adding value sustainably into the future, with a strategic focus on environmental protection. It includes several actions to develop market opportunities at home and abroad and envisages a sustainable and steady increase in the value of our agri-food exports to €21 billion by 2030, driven by value rather than volume. This will of course benefit both our primary producers and our agri-food industry.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department, as part of Brexit response planning, sought and achieved EU State Aid approval for a Capital Investment Scheme for Processing and Marketing of meat and dairy products. The scheme is co-funded by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. In November 2021, I announced with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the approval of 22 projects in the meat and dairy sectors across the country involving funding of €70m. The funding for the capital investment will help those working in food production to diversify their offering, to attract new markets and customers, making their business more resilient and sustainable.
The LEADER Food Initiative is funded by my Department, implemented and managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The measure supports the development of food and drink businesses throughout rural Ireland. The funding covers the renovation and extension of production facilities, the purchasing of processing equipment, as well as supporting participants in the artisan food and beverage sector in areas such as market development, competitiveness, and innovation.
My Department also funds the Prepared Consumer Food Centre in Ashtown, which provides an important service to the Prepared Consumer Food sector (PCF) through specialist expertise, state of the art facilities and innovative research by Teagasc and industry partners. The PCF Centre enables researchers and industry to collaborate in private and public research projects in the prepared consumer foods arena and to pilot and develop food products for placing on the market.
I have also recently requested Bord Bia to carry out some research to examine how other countries have been successful in developing premium markets for family farm produce, to learn from international best practice.
To set the success of our agri food businesses in context, total Irish agri-food exports are estimated by my Department to have reached €15.2 billion in 2021, the first time exports have exceeded the €15 billion mark. Around one-third of export value was accounted for by the UK market in 2021, one-third by European Union markets, and one-third by international markets outside of Europe.
Gaining new market access, and opening new trading opportunities around the world for Irish exports, is integral to my Department’s strategic approach to the development of the agri-food sector. Ministerial led trade missions to priority markets, as well as technical meetings and inward visits and inspections, are a key part of our market development and market access strategy, in cooperation with my Department, Bord Bia and our Embassy network. Over the past two years, Bord Bia have developed a successful model of virtual trade missions, at a time when travel was not possible, keeping Ireland and its quality, sustainable, safe food offering, current, relevant and visible and in line with our Food Vision 2030 strategy.
144. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department plans to support and develop harbours, piers and slipways in County Clare. [6714/22]
View answerThe responsibility for the development, and maintenance of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each Local Authority in the first instance. I am also mindful that the primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In recent years my Department had made modest amounts of funding available to local authorities for certain coastal capital projects. Between the years 2012 to 2021, Clare County Council received funding of €1.75m from my Department in this regard.
This year however there is a new opportunity. On 25th January I launched a new €35m scheme exclusively for the rejuvenation of Local Authority owned public piers and harbours throughout coastal communities. The scheme flows from a recommendation from the Seafood Taskforce which I set up last year to examine how to address the impacts arising on the seafood sector from the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). In keeping with the Taskforce recommendation, this scheme is being proposed for funding under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve and will run throughout 2022 and 2023.
Brexit has and will continue to affect our seafood sector in a unique way compared to other industries. This scheme is an unprecedented opportunity for us to invest in our publicly owned piers and harbours to deliver safe, accessible, lasting infrastructure and thereby support economic diversification, complementing other measures such as Community Led Local Development via the Fisheries Local Action Groups around our coastline.
The Scheme is targeting shovel-ready projects to give immediate construction stimulus to the coastal communities affected by the TCA and is aiming to attract projects of up to €1m budget during 2022 and 2023. The Scheme also offers the possibility of funding larger projects where there is particular exposure to Brexit due to proximity to UK waters and loss of fishing opportunities. I would encourage Clare County Council and the other coastal local authorities to get their project applications together and work closely with my Department to ensure that eligible projects receive funding.
145. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation within the budget of his Department that is earmarked to facilitate growth within the domestic seed potato industry; the estimated tonnage of seed potato that is expected to be produced domestically in each of the years 2022 to 2025; the estimated tonnage it is expected that will be imported from the European Union; and the guarantees provided to the domestic sector to protect investments it has made to increase production in the aftermath of Brexit. [6888/22]
View answerI am fully committed to supporting the revival of the domestic seed potato sector. Investment in the domestic seed potato industry is supported through a range of supports and budgetary lines within my Department.
By way of example:
- The operation of the Seed Certification Scheme for the production of certified seed. My Department will make available all necessary resources to ensure that all seed crops entered for the scheme are certified to the highest standards;
- Funding to the Teagasc potato breeding programme at Oak Park;
- Funding to growers for specialist equipment under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II); and
- Investment of just under €240,000 in 2021 to upgrade facilities at the Tops Potato Centre to cater for an increase in the necessary disease-free mini-tuber stocks.
Projections on future domestic production and imports are commercial matters that are dependent on decisions made by those in the sector.
I am committed to the seed potato industry and will provide as much support as possible in reviving and expanding the sector. I think there is genuine potential here to return the sector to its heyday. However, further expansion of the seed potato area must be industry-led.
146. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that have been taken to develop the bioeconomy in Ireland and the potential benefits for farmers. [6791/22]
View answerBuilding on the 2018 National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy, the area has more recently been supported through political recognition in the Programme for Government, Food Vision 2030, and the Climate Action Plan 2021.
Principally, the development of the bioeconomy has been focused on three areas: Investments in research, innovation and skills; Development of markets and competitiveness; and Reinforced policy co-ordination and stakeholder engagement.
For example, there has been significant investment by all relevant national research and innovation funders, including my own Department, in funding projects, National Research Centres, Regional and Technology Clusters and Postgraduate opportunities to support bioeconomy development.
More specifically, my Department has supported bioeconomy development for farmers by funding European Innovation Partnership (EIP) cooperation projects under CAP co-funding mechanisms. These allow for sustainable and higher value opportunities in how we utilise grass and develop farm biogas. Other national funders have enabled research into the development of a climate neutral demonstration farm.
Additionally, my Department in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications, coordinates a strategic approach to the development of the bioeconomy through a Cross Government Policy Implementation Group and a broader Bioeconomy Forum. It is anticipated that the policy implementation group will propose a bioeconomy action plan to Government by the end of 2022, and the Bioeconomy Forum will report to the implementation group in mid 2022 to inform the development of that plan.
I am confident that all of these steps I have outlined are advancing the development of the Irish bioeconomy as a green business model, that creates new sources of income for many people in the agri-food sector, especially the primary producer.
This new business model will be founded on nature-based and bio-based products that generate added value and will be essential in promoting our transition to a circular and carbon-neutral economy.
147. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date in the roll-out of the Common Agricultural Policy to 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6338/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027 was submitted to the European Commission on 31st December 2021. I am pleased to say that we were one of eighteen Member States to meet the regulatory deadline for submission of 1st January 2022. A copy of the draft CSP was shared last week with the CAP Stakeholder Consultative Committee, and was made available on my Department's website.
The formal EU approval process is now under way. The Commission will assess the draft Plan through extensive inter-service consultation, and based on the criteria laid down in the relevant regulations. It has three months to make formal observations, and we expect to receive its formal observation letter in late March/early April 2022. My officials will, of course, engage closely with the Commission as required throughout the approval process over the coming months.
I consider that the plan strikes an appropriate balance between the needs and demands of all stakeholders - of which there are many - and the need to secure approval from the European Commission, including in relation to the level of environmental and climate ambition to be attained.
The Department is also preparing the necessary administrative and IT systems that will underpin the new programming period from 2023.
This is complex work, with many new elements, including the extensive reporting requirements under the new performance framework. There is also a lot of work to be done in communicating the changes that will be introduced under the Plan to the farming community and other stakeholders, with whom we will continue to work closely as we move towards implementation of the plan in 2023.
The key here is to ensure that all the crucial farm payments will be made to farm families on time in 2023.
148. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports he plans to put in place to support farmers in relation to the high cost of inputs including fertiliser due to the extraordinary increase in the price of inputs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5967/22]
View answerThe very significant rise in fertiliser prices in the last year and particularly in recent months, is particularly concerning and I am closely monitoring the situation. This increase is an international issue linked in particular to the global increase in the price of Gas.
In October 2021, I tasked Teagasc to lay out a credible roadmap to assist farmers in the short-term, as well as offering a long-term solution in the move to reduce dependency on chemical fertiliser. I was delighted to be able to launch the Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign at Teagasc Ballyhaise on the 26th January. This is a very good and pragmatic roadmap. It will be good for the environment and good for the farmer's pocket.
In addition, at the November Agriculture and Fisheries Council, I raised the increasing challenge faced by farmers due to the rising costs of inputs. I called on the EU Commission to consider all options to ease the pressure on farmers at this time, including 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.
Following the November meeting, I wrote to the EU Commissioner Wojciechowski requesting that the Commissions assessment of the ongoing appropriateness of anti-dumping duties on fertilisers is completed as a matter of priority. The EU Commission responded, on 26th January, that they are still collecting information to establish the relevant facts.
In the meantime, Teagasc will continue to work with farmers through the Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser campaign to help farmers to adapt to the current fertiliser market and support them to make informed decisions on what is best for them and their farms.
In addition, a new €1 million initiative by my Department will support the planting of multi-species swards in order to reduce dependence on fertilisers. A pilot Soil Sampling Programme has also been introduced, which will provide farmers with comprehensive details of the soil health and soil condition of their farm. .
The impact of rising fertiliser prices on the competitiveness of the farming sector will continue to be a priority for my Department and is being closely monitored by my officials.
149. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the changes in food exports from Ireland to the British market since Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6501/22]
View answerThe EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement of December 2020 provides for continued tariff-free trade between the United Kingdom and the European Union, which is critical to ensuring that Irish food exports to the UK remain competitive on that market. However, the UK Government's decision to exit the EU Customs Union and Single Market has created significant challenges for Irish exporters arising from the imposition by the UK, on a phased basis, of customs and sanitary and phytosanitary requirements on imports from the EU.
My Department, in close collaboration with Irish food businesses, is intensifying our preparations to meet these new UK requirements to ensure that we minimise any potential disruption to our exports to GB market. The preparations include the recruitment of additional staff, development of new and enhanced IT systems, training programmes, certification trials and extensive local engagement between the Department's veterinary supervision teams and individual food businesses to refine the business processes to support their exports to GB.
In terms of the profile of our export trade to the British market, based on the latest data, which covers the first eleven months of 2021, Irish agri-food exports to the UK have been quite resilient. The value of exports in this period was €5.3 billion, an increase of 10.6% compared to the same period in 2020.
