Matt Carthy
Question:751. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current supports available from his Department for hemp farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12553/22]
View answerAgriculture Schemes
Questions (751)
Written answers
Cannabis, which includes Hemp is listed in Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 (S.I. No 173 of 2017), as amended, which means it is subject to the strictest level of control. It is an offence in Ireland to cultivate, import, export, produce, supply or possess cannabis except in accordance with a license issued by the Minister for Health under the auspices of the Health Products Regulatory Body.
In relation to supports, Hemp is included as an eligible crop under the Basic Payment Scheme implemented by my Department.
Agriculture Industry
Questions (752)
Matt Carthy
Question:752. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost associated with producing an online survey tool in relation to unfair trading practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12554/22]
View answerWritten answers
Following a public procurement competition, the UTP Enforcement Authority (EA) recently engaged a market research company to conduct a survey to establish baseline information from suppliers of agricultural and food products on their awareness of the UTP Regulations and of the EA itself.
The survey will also establish their understanding of the protections afforded to them under the UTP Regulations, the extent to which they are impacted by UTPs and the factors which influence them in deciding whether or not to make a complaint.
The market research company will conduct a telephone survey of agri-food supplier businesses, provide an online platform to allow primary producers complete the survey as well as providing analysis of the survey findings.
The cost of providing these services is €20,000 excluding VAT.
Organic Farming
Questions (753)
Matt Carthy
Question:753. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the targeted number of participants in the organic farm scheme for the years 2022 to 2030; the expected allocation to achieve such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12560/22]
View answerWritten answers
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 am fully committed to attaining this ambitious goal and all our organic policies are designed with this in mind.
For the year 2022, an additional €5m has been secured in our budget allocation which would facilitate an additional fifty thousand hectares of land under conversion. This would represent an increase of over 50% in the area currently being farmed organically.
For the years 2023 – 2027, I have proposed the allocation of €256m under the new CAP to continue the development and growth of the organic sector. To attain the land area target of 7.5%, an additional 50,000 new hectares will be required every year during the lifetime of the CAP. These are our targets for organic conversion for the years up to 2027, while supports for 2030 will be a matter for a future CAP programme.
While it is possible to provide the estimated number of hectares that can be funded, the number of farmers expected to participate in the scheme will obviously depend on the size of the farms that will be the subject of the applications each year.
However, I am confident that the funding provided this year and the proposed funding under the new CAP will be sufficient to allow all eligible applications to be accepted into the Organic Farming Scheme and I would strongly encourage all farmers from every sector to join.
Organic Farming
Questions (754)
Matt Carthy
Question:754. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation related to organics, excepting the organic farm scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the purpose of this funding; the recipient of this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12561/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am fully committed to the implementation of the National Organic Strategy 2019-2025 which sets out ambitious growth targets for the sector by aligning it closely with the market opportunities. The current Programme for Government is committed to aligning Ireland’s organic land area with that of the EU average of 7.5%.
The Organic Processing Inverstment Grant Scheme provides funding to processors who wish to invest in developing facilities for the processing, preparation, grading, packing and storage of organic products.
The Organic Capital Investment Scheme provides grant aid to farmers for on-farm investments such as upgrades to agricultural buildings, machinery and to facilitate the adoption and application of new technologies.
The table below outlines the overall allocated budget and expenditure in respect of the Organic Processing Grant and the overall approvals and expenditure in respect of the Organic Capital Investment Grant. The approvals in respect of the Organic Capital Investment Scheme are demand led and are dependent on the number of applications received.
|
Scheme |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Organic Processing Investment Grant - Allocations |
€500,000 |
€700,000 |
€1.2m |
€1.2m |
|
Organic Processing Investment Grant - Expenditure |
€133,605 |
€299,759 |
€500,200 |
€127,913 |
|
Organic Capital Investment Scheme - Approvals |
€900k |
€800k |
€1.92m |
€172k |
|
Organic Capital Investment Scheme - Expenditure |
€602,882 |
€521,449 |
€549,698 |
€165584 |
Additionally, funding has been allocated each year from 2019-2022 for the promotion and development of the Organic sector in Ireland. This allocation includes the subvention payment to the Organic Control Bodies which partially covers the cost of carrying out the annual regulatory organic inspectons.
The table below outlines the budget allocated for the development of the Organic Sector and the expenditure of each programme from 2019-2022. From 2020 the allocation to Bord Bia has been included in their oveall allocation from my Department.
|
Programme |
Nature of Funding |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Development of Organic Sector |
|
€865k |
€975k |
€675k |
€865k |
|
Subvention Payment to OCBs |
To partially cover cost of Regulatory annual inspections |
€399,000 |
€395,000 |
€440,650 |
€525,000 (est) |
|
Bord Bia marketing plan |
Marketing of Organic Produce |
€300,000 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
The Organic Farm to School Project |
Introduction to organic food and farming to Transition Year students |
€22,000 |
n/a (Covid-19) |
n/a (Covid-19) |
€40,000 (est.) |
|
Organic Farm Internship Programme |
Provision of tailored workshops to apprentices to receive hands on work experience on organic horticultural farms |
€18,000 |
€8,000 |
€21,000 |
|
|
Organic Farm Demonstration Walks |
|
€ 36,000 |
n/a (Covid-19) |
€ 2,700 |
€36,000 (est.) |
Climate Change Policy
Questions (755)
Matt Carthy
Question:755. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to meet the target contained within the Climate Action Plan to provide 1.6 TWh biomethane injected into the gas grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12562/22]
View answerWritten answers
From the outset, it should be noted that energy policy including bioenergy is the remit of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) who have overall responsibility for the development and support of renewable energy sources.
To further examine how the Anaerobic Digestion (AD) industry can be developed to meet the 1.6TWh commitment as set out under the Climate Action Plan, DECC has recently carried out a consultation on the potential introduction of a renewable energy obligation in the heat sector. The consultation is now closed, and the DECC is currently considering the responses received.
While the AD industry in Ireland is at a nascent stage of development when compared to many other European countries there are potential opportunities for farmers to make a contribution not only as owner/operators of AD plants but also through the provision of bioenergy feedstocks to the industry such as and grass/grass silage and organic manures.
These activities represent both income and land use diversification options for farmers while also providing farmers with a pathway to reduce fertilizer usage through the increased availability of digestate with resulting positive climate change implications.
My Department is also supporting research, development and demonstration in this particular area. There are currently two projects funded from the European Innovation Partnerships Initiative (EIP) under the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020. The Biorefinery Glas (small scale farmer-led green biorefineries) and Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) small biogas demonstration programme have been awarded funding of over €900,000 each. In addition my Department has a key regulatory role to play when using animal-by-products as feedstock for Anaerobic Digestion.
My Department continues to proactively engage with DECC on AD and other energy related matters to ensure that the agricultural contribution to the decarbonisation of the energy system is maximised.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (756)
Matt Carthy
Question:756. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Government has a 2030 or intermediary target for the adoption of multi-species swards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12563/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Department acknowledges the importance of measures like Multi-species sward in contributing to meeting our targets around climate emissions, water quality and biodiversity.
The recently submitted draft CAP Strategic Plan to the European Commission included a range of eco-schemes now being considered by the EU Commission and subject to Commission approval
One of the eight agricultural practices proposed by Ireland as part of its eco scheme submission is a measure for sowing multi-species sward. Under this practice, a farmer will be required to sow multi-species sward on at least 6% of the eligible hectares in the year the farmer selects this agricultural practice.
A target reduction in chemical Nitrogen usage by 2030 to 325,000 been set, with multi-species usage just one of the actions identified as a means to achievement of this target.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (757)
Matt Carthy
Question:757. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount allocated to multi-species sward scheme; the number of participants; the average payment by county and farm system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12564/22]
View answerWritten answers
As part of Budget 2022, I committed €1m to a pilot measure to support Multi-Species Swards. It is a pilot measure proposed by my Department to promote environmentally sustainable methods of farming and a reduced dependency on expensive Nitrogenous fertiliser.
It will have a positive impact on climate emissions, biodiversity and water quality. This measure is anticipated to contribute to the goals set around the EU Green Deal including the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategy, it is an innovative pilot measure which has a proposed target to establish approximately 8,000 ha of multi-species grassland (depending on uptake).
As the measure is currently in development phase and has not yet launched, figures around numbers of participants are not yet available.
Forestry Sector
Questions (758)
Matt Carthy
Question:758. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to publish a report in relation to the recent correspondence of his Department to persons who have received afforestation licences but have not yet planted; if so, when he plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12565/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department issued 451 letters to landowners with approval for circa 3,800 hectares on 18th February and I am pleased to report that we have started to receive some responses. As the Deputy may be aware, the conversion rate from licencing to planting is very low which means that a disproportionate amount of processing effort both by the Department and the sector does not result in planting. Improving this conversion rate should be a priority both for the sector and the Department.
We very much hope that these landowners will consider using their licences to plant and we will be appreciative if those who make a different decision could advise us of the reasons why; such responses are of course entirely voluntary. We have to see what type of response we receive, but we will monitor all of these licences to see if they are used by their end date.
My Department will consider all feedback given, and will summarise in due course, and will determine whether there are any immediate follow-up actions or information we could make available which would address the concerns or reasons listed in responses. Any information gathered will also be considered as an input into considerations of the design of the next Forestry Programme.
Climate Change Policy
Questions (759)
Matt Carthy
Question:759. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Government target by year for the adoption of low emissions slurry spreading technology; the intended allocation under TAMS to support same; the target number of farmers in receipt of such funds by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12566/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Ag Climatise Strategy, the targets regarding Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) include achieving a target of 60% of all slurry spread by LESS by 2022, 80% by 2025 and 90% by 2027. This action will make a significant contribution towards meeting our ammonia reduction targets.
The current Nitrates Action Programme provides for compulsory usage of LESS equipment for all farmers operating above 170 kg N/ha. In order to meet our ammonia and Ag Climatise targets, further compulsory implementation of LESS for more farmers is required and under the draft 5th Nitrates Action Programme there is a phased approach proposed for the introduction of LESS for less intensive farmers as follows:
(a) Low emission slurry spreading equipment must be used for the application of slurry on holdings with stocking rates of :
i. 170 kg nitrogen per hectare from grazing livestock manure or above prior to export of livestock manure from the holding.
ii. 150 kg nitrogen per hectare from grazing livestock manure or above prior to export of livestock manure from the holding from 1st January 2023.
iii. 130 kg nitrogen per hectare from grazing livestock manure or above prior to export of livestock manure from the holding from 1st January 2024.
iv. 100 kg nitrogen per hectare from grazing livestock manure or above prior to export of livestock manure from the holding from 1st January 2025.
v. slurry produced by pigs on any holding from 1st January 2023.
From 1st January 2023, low emission equipment shall be used to apply livestock manure to arable land or the livestock manure shall be incorporated within 24 hours.
An indicative budget of €395m was made available for TAMS II under the current RDP (2014-2020). The allocation for all the TAMS schemes including the Low Emission Slurry Spreading equipment for the transitional period to the end of 2022 is now €507.77m plus €96m under the European Recovery Instrument (EURI) for 2021 to 2023.
Under Article 17 of European Parliament and Council Regulation (EU) No. 1305/2013, grant aid can be provided for investments for a maximum of 12 months after the imposition of new mandatory requirements. This applies to all TAMS II schemes. TAMS schemes will continue to be grant aided under the Rural Development Programme until the end of 2025.
Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 which lists the range of interventions currently being proposed, was submitted to the EU Commission on 31st December 2021. The regulations governing the new CSP 2023-2027 allow support for investment for 24 months from the imposition of mandatory requirements.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (760)
Matt Carthy
Question:760. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers supported via TAMS in the purchase of low emissions slurry spreading technology to date; the total expenditure; the average grant by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12567/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Department is fully committed to encouraging the use of Low Emission Spreading Equipment (LESS) equipment. It has been a real success in recent years. To date, interest in grant aid for the purchase of LESS equipment under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) has been very strong with over 8,040 farmers approved to purchase machinery.
In relation to payments, the total number of applications approved and paid in respect of LESS equipment under TAMS to date is 4,991. The total expenditure under TAMS in respect of LESS equipment is €50,467,368.77. The overall average payment is €9,950.19.
The average payment per year is as follows:
TAMSII LESS Measure
|
Year |
Average Payment |
|
2016 |
€11,520.15 |
|
2017 |
€11,963.70 |
|
2018 |
€12,198.47 |
|
2019 |
€11,543.02 |
|
2020 |
€9,661.96 |
|
2021 |
€8,704.63 |
|
2022 |
€8,789.49 |
|
Total |
€9,950.19 |
Climate Change Policy
Questions (761)
Matt Carthy
Question:761. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the additional abatement impact expected through reducing chemical nitrogen use to 350,000 by 2025 and by a further 25,000 tonnes by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12568/22]
View answerWritten answers
There are three greenhouse gases produced in the agricultural sector in Ireland, namely methane nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide.
Methane from livestock accounts for the greatest share of this at approximately 65% of total emissions from the sector. Nitrous oxide makes up the next biggest share at approximately 30% of the total, with the remainder being carbon dioxide.
Approximately 40% of the nitrous oxide produced from the sector relates to the use on Irish farms of chemical nitrogen fertilisers. Within the agricultural chapter of the 2021 Climate Action Plan a key metric in terms of reducing nitrous oxide emissions is underpinned by changing farm management practices in relation to nutrient use.
A key performance indicator in the achievement of this reduction is a reduction in the use of chemical nitrogen on Irish farms to below 350,000 tonnes by 2025 and to below 325,000 tonnes by 2030. By reducing chemical Nitrogen fertiliser use to 350,000 tons, it will deliver an abatement in GHG emissions of 0.4 MtCO2 eq. in that year. An additional 0.2 MtCO2 eq. will be realised when chemical Nitrogen is reduced to 325,000. The total abatement associated with this level of reduction in Nitrogen is 0.6 MtCO2eq in emissions.
While achieving these reductions while maintaining productivity on Irish farms will be challenging, they can be met through nutrient management planning, a focus on soil health, optimising soil pH, better use of organic manures, the use of clover and multi species swards and the adoption of new technologies such as Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS).
Food Industry
Questions (762, 763, 764)
Colm Burke
Question:762. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to putting in place a mechanism to allow for greater transparency along the entirety of the Irish food chain through the establishment of a regulator with sufficient powers such as a national food ombudsman (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12573/22]
View answerColm Burke
Question:763. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made to date in respect of the establishment of the new office of the national food ombudsman, regulator or equivalent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12574/22]
View answerColm Burke
Question:764. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding allocated in Budget 2021 and additional funding which had been allocated to date for the establishment of the new office of the national food ombudsman, regulator or equivalent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12575/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 762, 763 and 764 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment for a new office of National Food Ombudsman to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive and to have a role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland. The establishment of the new Office requires primary legislation, preparations for which are well advanced. I expect to bring a Memo to Government with the General Scheme of the Bill shortly.
In April 2021, I signed Statutory Instrument No. 198 of 2021 transposing the UTP Directive directly into Irish law before the 1st May 2021 deadline for transposition. At that time, I also established the UTP Enforcement Authority in my Department on an interim basis pending the finalisation of the primary legislation for the new Office.
The Enforcement Authority has been assigned all the necessary legal powers to investigate complaints from suppliers of agricultural and food products, to carry out investigations on its own initiative, and to initiate legal proceedings for breaches of the unfair trading practices defined in the Directive. It is open to those suppliers, including primary producers, to engage with the Enforcement Authority on any concerns they may have in relation to unfair trading practices.
When the new Office of National Food Ombudsman, or equivalent, is established, it shall not only take over the enforcement functions of the interim authority, but also carry out a price reporting and market analysis function for the agri-food supply chain in Ireland, a function I believe will bring greater transparency to the sector. Increased availability of market information will strengthen the position of primary producers and other smaller suppliers in the agricultural and food supply chain.
In September 2021, I signed into law another Statutory Instrument which will give effect in Irish law to additional price reporting obligations for the meat and dairy sectors. This is an initiative which aims to improve food market price transparency in the EU.
With regard to the funding allocation for the new Office, which will be a new State body, a figure of €1 million was set aside in Budget 2021 for the establishment of the Office. However, given the complexity of the legislation and the requirement to transpose the Directive by 1 May 2021, it was not possible to establish the new Office in 2021. As the interim UTP Enforcement Authority was staffed by officers of my Department, financing required for staffing, premises and ancillary services such as IT was met by my Department’s administrative budget.
Budget 2022 provides an allocation of €4 million in the Vote of my Department for the establishment of the new Office. This will provide for the initial staffing of the Office, set up costs and premises. Budgetary requirements for the Office will be monitored on an on-going basis in consultation with the Department of Expenditure and Reform.
I believe increased price and market reporting and analysis will be an important tool, along with other initiatives including the establishment of the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Enforcement Authority and support for Producer Organisations, in strengthening the position of primary producers.
Ensuring there is a long-term, sustainable and viable future for our farmers is a key priority of mine as Minister.
Question No. 763 answered with Question No. 762.
Question No. 764 answered with Question No. 762.
Forestry Sector
Questions (765)
Seán Fleming
Question:765. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an extension to the planting licence on lands (details supplied) will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12618/22]
View answerWritten answers
An application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was submitted on behalf of the applicant in June 2017. The application was approved, and the afforestation licence issued in October 2017, with the works required to be completed by December, 2018.
In April 2019, an extension was sought by the Registered Forester on behalf of the applicant, which was granted by my Department. An application for financial approval was received in December 2020. Financial approval must be sought before any planting may commence.
Shortly thereafter, in December 2020, the applicant’s registered forester requested in writing that the application be withdrawn. As such, the application is now closed. Should the applicant wish to plant forestry, they are of course free to make a fresh application.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (766)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:766. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12650/22]
View answerWritten answers
The named individual did not submit a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application in 2017 and his 2018 application did not claim any land. In order to activate a payment entitlement under BPS, an applicant must have and claim an eligible hectare to match each payment entitlement.
All entitlements allocated under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the National Reserve are subject to a two-year usage rule. If a farmer has unused entitlements for two consecutive years, the lowest value entitlements held by that farmer revert to the National Reserve in the second year of non-usage. As the named person did not submit a BPS application with land for more than two years, his entitlements reverted to the National Reserve. The effect of this was that in the years following 2018, he did not have any payment entitlements.
An appeal has been received in relation to this case and an official from my Department has been in contact with the applicant seeking additional material in relation to this appeal. Once received, the additional information will be examined, and a decision will be made in relation to the appeal.
Land Issues
Questions (767)
Catherine Murphy
Question:767. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update in respect of releasing the Land Commission records; if he intends to open the archive on a phased basis; if the public will have access to the records; and the amount allocated to the release and digitisation of the records. [12651/22]
View answerWritten answers
Access to the records of the former Land Commission is governed by the Land Acts Purchase Rules 1939 (S.I. No 341 of 1939) which provides for the provision of certified copy documents to vendors, purchasers and their successors in titles, and the Data Protection Act 2018 (No. 7 of 2018), which provides that data may be processed for archiving in the public interest, or for scientific or historical research purposes or for statistical purposes.
The records of the former Irish Land Commission are working documents, accessed by my officials daily. The Department's Record Branch is not a research facility and it does not have the capacity to operate as such. Currently, requests to access the records by academics and researchers under the 2018 Act are decided on a case-by-case basis. Amongst the criteria used to determine if access will be granted are the breadth of the query, the likely time required of staff and it's impact on their ability to carry out their primary duties.
My officials continue to work towards the goal of providing greater access to the records of the Irish Land Commission. As part of this work, my Department is planning to first digitise the search aids used to navigate the archive with a view to making them available to the public in due course. The cost of digitising the search aids is as of yet unknown. Currently, my Department has no plans to open the premises to the public, either on a phased basis or otherwise.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (768)
Dara Calleary
Question:768. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give consideration to a scheme involving the Departments of Rural and Community Development and Housing, Heritage and Local Government that would give financial support to famers and landowners to maintain and cut hedges that are part of or border their land along public roads and amenities ensuring that hedges are sustainably managed and that road safety and visibility issues are also managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12665/22]
View answerWritten answers
The maintenance of roadside hedges is covered under section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, which states that “the owner or occupier of land shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a tree shrub, hedge or other vegetation on the land is not a hazard or potential hazard to persons using a public road and that it does not obstruct or interfere with the safe use of a public road".
While my Department acknowledges the responsibility this places on landowners, it has not had any engagement with other government Departments on providing financial support in this area, however I will consider engaging with those other government parties to ensure that the best practical advice on the management of roadside hedges can be developed and provided to landowners.
Common Agricultural Policy
Questions (769)
Jackie Cahill
Question:769. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that on page 235 of the draft CAP report his Department has opted not to extend the permanent grassland definition to cover, for example, heather dominated sward; if this was a clerical error; if this can be rectified and the definition made more inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12666/22]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that, in the version of Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 as submitted to the European Commission, there is a clerical error in section 4.1.2.4.6 (Decision regarding the inclusion of other species, such as shrubs and/or trees, which could be grazed and/or which produce animal feed, where grasses and other herbaceous forage are traditionally not predominant or are absent in grazing areas). The entry in this optional dialogue box should read "yes, heather species". The Department has notified the European Commission of this honest error.
Forestry Sector
Questions (770)
Jackie Cahill
Question:770. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made on a felling licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12860/22]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to the three forestry licence applications, two for tree felling and one for a forest road works licence, submitted to my Department on behalf of the applicants.
An application for the first tree felling licence, reference ending in 21, was received in March, 2021. An updated harvest map was received in January this year and considered as part of the application assessment. The application is currently on hold as it is open for a mandatory second 30-day public consultation period.
Once this has closed, on 7th March, the assessment on the file will be completed. Providing nothing further arises, either during the final assessment or following the public consultation, I would expect a decision to issue in approx. two months.
The file referenced CN, a forest road works licence application was received in April 2020. This is a complex application, which is currently being reviewed. I understand there is no clear right of way at the junction and exiting trucks will not have a clear line of sight. This of course is a road safety consideration, which must be mitigated before any decision can issue. My Department may be in touch shortly seeking further information, pending the outcome of the engineer’s review.
My Department is continuing to invest heavily in the grant aiding of private forest roads to ensure the investment in afforestation is realised and forests are harvested at the appropriate time and mobilised as part of the forest economy.
My Department operates a forest road licensing system which involves a mandatory consultation with the Local Authorities. There are agreed Technical standards in place to ensure that any road approved by my Department is safe to use. In certain cases additional consultations and measures are required. Despite this my Department issued 671 forest road licences last year and aims to licence 850 forest roads in 2022
The final tree felling licence, reference ending in 19, was received in July 2019. An updated harvest map was received last August, and the application is awaiting assessment by an ecologist. I have asked that the file is prioritised.