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Tuesday, 29 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 871-890

Fishing Industry

Questions (871)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

871. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota allocated to the Irish fishing fleet in the Dutch EEZ under the Common Fisheries Policy, by species, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16277/22]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. There are derogations to this access rule, including restrictions on access to Member States' coastal waters.

Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Member States' EEZs. Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.

The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record). The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, based on a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The share out of TACs set in more recent years has also been mainly based on track record, the most recent of these of importance to Ireland has been boarfish.

Ireland has history of fishing for some stocks in the North Sea which incorporates the Dutch EEZ and accordingly has a quota share for these stocks. The details of these quotas are set out in the TAC and Quota Regulation each year.

Fishing Industry

Questions (872)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

872. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota allocated to the Irish fishing fleet in the German EEZ under the Common Fisheries Policy, by species, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16278/22]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. There are derogations to this access rule, including restrictions on access to Member States' coastal waters.

Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Member States' EEZs. Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.

The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record). The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, based on a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The share out of TACs set in more recent years has also been mainly based on track record, the most recent of these of importance to Ireland has been boarfish.

Ireland has history of fishing for some stocks in the North Sea which incorporates part of Germany's EEZ and accordingly has a quota share for these stocks. The details of these quotas are set out in the TAC and Quota Regulation each year.

Fishing Industry

Questions (873)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

873. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota allocated to the Irish fishing fleet in the Danish EEZ under the Common Fisheries Policy, by species, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16279/22]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. There are derogations to this access rule, including restrictions on access to Member States' coastal waters.

Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Member States' EEZs. Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.

The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record). The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, based on a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The share out of TACs set in more recent years has also been mainly based on track record, the most recent of these of importance to Ireland has been boarfish.

Ireland has history of fishing for some stocks in the North Sea which incorporates part of Denmark’s EEZ and accordingly has a quota share for these stocks. The details of these quotas are set out in the TAC and Quota Regulation each year.

Fishing Industry

Questions (874)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

874. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota allocated to the Irish fishing fleet in the Polish EEZ under the Common Fisheries Policy, by species, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16280/22]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. There are derogations to this access rule including restrictions on access to Member States' coastal waters.

Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Member States' EEZs. Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.

The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record). The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, based on a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The share out of TACs set in more recent years has also been mainly based on track record, the most recent of these of importance to Ireland has been boarfish.

Thirteen Member States have joined the European Union in the past 20 years. Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined in 2004. Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007 and Croatia joined in 2013. Of these Member States, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have small quota allocations for some widely distributed stocks in Western Waters, which includes the waters around Ireland. Ireland does not have quotas in Polish waters.

Fishing Industry

Questions (875)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

875. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota allocated to the Irish fishing fleet in the Belgian EEZ under the Common Fisheries Policy, by species, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16281/22]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. There are derogations to this access rule, including restrictions on access to Member States' coastal waters.

Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Member States' EEZs. Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.

The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record). The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, based on a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The share out of TACs set in more recent years has also been mainly based on track record, the most recent of these of importance to Ireland has been boarfish.

Ireland does not have quotas in ICES area 4c which includes the Belgian EEZ except for a small quota for some limited stocks that cover a wider geographical area such as greater silver smelt and blue ling .

Fishing Industry

Questions (876)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

876. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota allocated to the Irish fishing fleet in the Estonian EEZ under the Common Fisheries Policy, by species, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16282/22]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. There are derogations to this access rule, including restrictions on access to Member States' coastal waters.

Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Member States' EEZs. Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.

The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record). The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, based on a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The share out of TACs set in more recent years has also been mainly based on track record, the most recent of these of importance to Ireland has been boarfish.

Thirteen Member States have joined the European Union in the past 20 years. Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined in 2004. Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007 and Croatia joined in 2013. Of these Member States, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have small quota allocations for some widely distributed stocks in Western Waters, which includes the waters around Ireland. Ireland does not have quotas in Estonian waters.

Fishing Industry

Questions (877)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

877. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota allocated to the Irish fishing fleet in the Latvian EEZ under the Common Fisheries Policy, by species, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16283/22]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. There are derogations to this access rule, including restrictions on access to Member States' coastal waters.

Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Member States' EEZs. Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.

The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record). The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, based on a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The share out of TACs set in more recent years has also been mainly based on track record, the most recent of these of importance to Ireland has been boarfish.

Thirteen Member States have joined the European Union in the past 20 years. Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined in 2004. Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007 and Croatia joined in 2013. Of these Member States, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have small quota allocations for some widely distributed stocks in Western Waters, which includes the waters around Ireland. Ireland does not have quotas in Latvian waters.

Fishing Industry

Questions (878)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

878. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota allocated to the Irish fishing fleet in the Lithuanian EEZ under the Common Fisheries Policy, by species, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16284/22]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. There are derogations to this access rule, including restrictions on access to Member States' coastal waters.

Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Member States' EEZs. Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.

The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record). The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, based on a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The share out of TACs set in more recent years has also been mainly based on track record, the most recent of these of importance to Ireland has been boarfish.

Thirteen Member States have joined the European Union in the past 20 years. Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined in 2004. Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007 and Croatia joined in 2013. Of these Member States, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have small quota allocations for some widely distributed stocks in Western Waters, which includes the waters around Ireland. Ireland does not have quotas in Lithuanian waters.

Fishing Industry

Questions (879)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

879. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of quota allocated to the Irish fishing fleet in the Norwegian EEZ under the Common Fisheries Policy, by species, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16286/22]

View answer

Written answers

Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Coastal States' EEZs. Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include EU Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.

The 1980 Agreement is the main bilateral agreement governing the EU's fisheries relations with Norway. It covers the North Sea, Skagerrak and the North East Atlantic and allows for the setting of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for joint stocks, transfers of fishing possibilities, joint technical measures and issues relating to control and enforcement.

As a consequence of the UK's withdrawal from the EU, the UK is now an independent Coastal State. Therefore, in addition to the bilateral EU-Norway consultations, trilateral consultations between the EU, Norway and the UK take place to cover stocks shared by the three parties. The majority of stocks and fisheries which had been covered bilaterally under EU-Norway, now come under trilateral EU-Norway-UK joint management. Therefore, the EU-Norway consultations now focus on access to waters, exchange of fishing opportunities and setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for a limited number of stocks in the Skagerrak.

The Agreed Records of the EU-Norway and EU-Norway-UK fisheries arrangements for 2022 are available on the European Commission's website from the following links:

ec.europa.eu/oceans-and-fisheries/system/files/2021-12/2022-eu-norway-fisheries-consultations_en.pdf

ec.europa.eu/oceans-and-fisheries/system/files/2021-12/2022-eu-no-uk-fisheries-consultations_en.pdf

The main stocks of interest to Ireland which are covered by the arrangements with Norway are Arctic Cod (which is fished in Norwegian waters of ICES areas 1 and 2), Atlanto-Scandian herring which covers Norwegian, United Kingdom, Faroese, and international waters of ICES areas 1, 2 and 5. Also some widely distributed stocks such as Blue Whiting quota areas include Norwegian waters. The details of these quotas are set out in the TAC and Quota Regulation each year.

Fishing Industry

Questions (880)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

880. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an extension to the already introduced tie-up scheme for fishing vessels will be considered as a supporting measure for vessels that are experiencing hardship at present due to the continually rising fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16287/22]

View answer

Written answers

I launched a Brexit Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme in September 2021 on foot of the recommendation for such a scheme in the Report of the Seafood Sector Task Force - Navigating Change (October 2021). The Scheme was established as a transitional measure for certain segments of the fishing fleet to mitigate the loss of income in 2021 arising from the significant quota reductions under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, pending more permanent restructuring arrangements. The scheme had very strong take up, with a total of 177 vessels being aided to tie-up at a total cost of €10 million.

The Task Force report also recommended the extension of the scheme into 2022, in recognition of the fact that there will be larger reductions in quotas in 2022 arising from the TCA and that the anticipated benefits of the recommended fleet decommissioning scheme will not be realised until the fourth quarter of 2022. The report noted that this will require a new State Aid Notification.

Work on examining this stakeholder recommendation is very well advanced and I anticipate making an announcement in the coming weeks.

Brexit Supports

Questions (881)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

881. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any allocations made from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve fund to capital improvement works at State-owned and local authority-owned piers and harbours nationwide will be separate to already committed or to be committed funding from his Department for improvement works at those same piers and harbours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16288/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023 is aiming to attract shovel-ready projects of up to €1m budget in areas where the local coastal community is dependent on fishing activities, in particular the small-scale coastal fisheries sector. In addition, the Scheme offers the possibility of funding larger projects where there is particular exposure to Brexit due to proximity to UK waters and the loss of fishing opportunities. The Scheme is being proposed for funding from the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve.

The initiative for identifying projects rests with the local authorities. My Department has received applications for funding from 13 local authorities in the first call for applications to the Scheme and Department officials are currently evaluating these applications. The local authority cannot be in receipt of, nor have an application pending for, funding from any other source for the project. I must again stress that 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 and any wider funding issues for local authorities should be addressed to that Minister.

United Nations

Questions (882, 883, 884, 885)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

882. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on Ireland's support, including financial, to the United Nations Committee on World Food Security; and if he envisages a strengthening of Ireland's support, including financial, to the committee as the foremost inclusive, international and intergovernmental platform on agriculture. [16316/22]

View answer

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

883. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that Ireland has supported the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation-led initiative on the Scaling Up Agroecology Initiative launched in 2018. [16317/22]

View answer

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

884. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that his Department is following up Ireland's commitment to food systems leadership internationally, that is, the Food Vision 2030 strategy; and his views on the actions Ireland has taken in support of participating fully in the coalition for the transformation of food systems through agroecology which Ireland joined in September 2021. [16318/22]

View answer

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

885. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to redirect budgets and investments towards the sustainable and innovative approaches recommended in the CFS policy recommendations on agroecological and other innovative approaches for sustainable agriculture and food systems that enhance food security and nutrition which Ireland endorsed in 2021. [16319/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 882 to 885, inclusive, together.

My Department leads on Ireland’s engagement with Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). These United Nations agencies along with a third, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, provide core funding equally to the multi-stakeholder Committee on World Food Security (CFS). In 2021, my Department provided funding of €25 million to WFP and €3.65 million to FAO, with similar amounts budgeted in 2022. My Department actively contributes to the work of CFS. Over a period of eighteen months, Ireland engaged with other EU member states in the drafting of the CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition. This was the core document underpinning the UN Food Systems Summit held in September 2021. The CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition is a framework to support the work on global food systems transformation, where Ireland is taking a leading role through the funding and technical support of a food systems transformation facility based in FAO. Currently Ireland is engaged on the drafting of the CFS Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the context of Food Security and Nutrition. Agroecology is an evolving and important element of food systems transformation. Following the UN Food Systems Summit, a coalition on agroecology was established and joined by Ireland with my Department involved in the coalition sub-committees on research and on policy. Ireland’s contribution to the work of the coalition on agroecology will continue in the coming months in collaboration with UN member states and agencies. One of the innovative aspects of the new Food Vision 2030 agri-food strategy is its adoption of a food systems approach, taking a more holistic view of agri-food by ensuring an interconnectedness between it and the areas of health & nutrition and the environment. In adopting such an approach, Ireland is seeking to become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems. In addition, one of its goals is to ensure Policy Coherence and Synergies in Sustainable Food Systems between Ireland’s Domestic Policy and its Development Cooperation and Foreign Policy.

Question No. 883 answered with Question No. 882.
Question No. 884 answered with Question No. 882.
Question No. 885 answered with Question No. 882.

Food Industry

Questions (886)

Alan Dillon

Question:

886. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the rising costs of raw materials such as wheat for the bakery sector on top of already rising energy and fuel costs; if his Department has engaged with this sector to ensure their businesses are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16346/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that the price and availability of cereals globally is impacted by the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, both countries being significant sources of global cereal exports.

I am very aware of the rising costs of raw materials, including wheat, for the bakery sector and the Deputy may also be aware that our bread production depends largely on imported flour, which has escalated in price arising from global surge in cereal prices. This, as the Deputy refers to, is on top of higher energy costs arising.

I have taken a number of steps to support our agri-food sector, including:

The Government recently approved a targeted intervention package for the tillage sector and a multi-species sward initiative, worth over €12 million to support Irish farmers, aimed at producing more native crops while reducing dependency on imports and on crops with a low demand for chemical fertiliser.

I have put in place a Rapid Response Team, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis.

I have tasked a National Fodder and Food Security Committee to prepare an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans.

I have met with members of the Irish Grain and Feed Association (IGFA) and my officials are in regular contact with them and with other food industry representative organisations.

My Department will continue to contribute to the whole of Government consideration and response to the Ukraine crisis.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (887)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

887. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that a person (details supplied) can apply for a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16353/22]

View answer

Written answers

Last week I announced a package of measures worth over €12 million to provide support for Irish farmers in response to the cost increases currently facing the agriculture sector. Part of this package includes a support measure for farmers who wish to establish multi-species swards as part of their 2022 reseeding programme.

The Multi Species Swards Measure opened for applications on 25th March 2022 and farmers can apply to participate through www.agfood.ie until 4th April. Full details regarding the Measure and how it will operate have been published on www.gov.ie. My Department has contacted the person named and explained the application process to him.

Animal Diseases

Questions (888)

Brian Stanley

Question:

888. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current situation regarding the vaccinations of dogs coming into the country; and if his Department has put measures in place to ensure that all such animals are vaccinated. [16358/22]

View answer

Written answers

Dogs may enter Ireland either as a pet movement or a commercial movement. The requirements for a pet dog to enter Ireland are outlined in Regulation (EU) 576/2013. The requirements for a dog to enter Ireland as a commercial movement are outlined in Regulation (EU) 429/2016.

All dogs entering Ireland must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and treated for tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis). Dogs from certain high-risk countries must also have a successful rabies serological test. Dogs which do not meet these requirements are either taken into official quarantine until they are compliant or returned to the country of origin. This is done at the owner's expense.

Recognising the exceptional circumstance created by the invasion of Ukraine, temporary arrangements have been put in place to allow people travelling from Ukraine to Ireland to be accompanied by their pets, even if the pets are not in compliance with EU Travel Regulations. In accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 576/2013 and, by way of derogation from the conditions provided for non-commercial movements of pet animals, Member States may, in exceptional situations, authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory of pet animals which do not comply with the conditions in Regulation (EU) 756/2013.

Temporary exceptional humanitarian arrangements have therefore been put in place for refugees from Ukraine. They are allowed to enter Ireland with their pets under specific conditions. In the first instance, they must pre-notify by email the point of entry they will be arriving to in advance and animals must be presented to Department staff at the point of entry for examination.

Where pets are not fully compliant with EU regulations, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine veterinary services are taking steps to bring these animals into compliance with the legislative travel requirements, to protect our domestic population and protect public health. These measures include microchipping animals, providing tapeworm treatment and rabies vaccination for pets, as required. All non-compliant pets must then be quarantined for a minimum of four months after vaccination. My Department is keeping this exceptional response measure under review.

These exceptional measures only apply to accompanied pets from Ukraine. All other movements of animals (unaccompanied, commercial, unknown origin, stray animals, animals from shelters) that do not meet regular requirements for entry, cannot be accepted into Ireland without full compliance with legislatively prescribed health certification.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (889)

Carol Nolan

Question:

889. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the external consultancy organisation or provider that delivered diversity and inclusion training within his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the costs associated with such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16368/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is committed to promoting and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees and values each person both for who they are and what they contribute to the work of the Department. My Department embraces a positive work environment, one where each person can be their authentic self at work, be treated equally and fairly and have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution in the workplace.

My Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 and Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion policy, which was launched in 2018 both reinforce the Department’s core values of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Prior to the commencement of interviews for promotional competitions within my Department, all prospective interviewers are provided with unconscious bias training by staff from my Department's HR Division.

My Department launched an eLearning resource on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace in March 2021. This eLearning course is available to all staff and explores the areas of inclusion, equality and diversity and also explores unconscious bias and assists in fostering self-awareness around unconscious bias and how this may impact on behaviour in the workplace.

This eLearning resource was procured and developed by the Department’s Learning and Development Unit in accordance with appropriate regulations on the procurement of learning/training programmes for Government Departments.

The company provider for this eLearning resource was Aurion Learning and the cost was in the region of €10,500.

This eLearning resource will be updated at regular intervals to reflect new legislation and policy and staff will be encouraged to regularly refresh their knowledge and understanding of these important topics. HR policies will be updated as appropriate to reflect new developments and policies around these key issues.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (890)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

890. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures implemented to alleviate the financial burden placed on farmers due to rising fertiliser costs. [16390/22]

View answer

Written answers

The current situation in relation to the cost and availability of fertilisers is a significant concern to me. It seems unlikely that fertiliser prices will ease in the short term. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has led to significant hikes in energy prices and significant concerns around supply chain disruption for all sectors but agriculture is particularly impacted.

I launched the 2022 Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign at Teagasc’s Ballyhaise College in January in response to the unprecedented fertiliser price levels. This is a credible roadmap that will help reduce their dependency on chemical fertiliser in the longer-term. Teagasc has also recently issued revised advice to farmers on the recommended application amounts of fertilisers for silage fields to reflect the increase in fertiliser price.

I raised concerns in relation to the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on agri-food supply chains, and especially on input costs at the extraordinary informal meeting of European Union Agriculture Ministers held on 2nd March. I underlined the need for market support and the need to maintain supply chains and to ensure an effective and functioning Single Market.

At the AgriFish Council of 21 March, I asked the EU Commission, as part of its work on monitoring markets, to keep a very close eye on the issue of fertiliser availability across the EU and to be ready to consider any measures that may help to alleviate the difficulties caused. The EU Commission is considering bringing in an exceptional aid measure at Member State level to respond to market disturbances.

At a meeting of farm organisations on 8th March, I established a National Fodder and Food Security Committee to explore all options to minimise the impact on farms and plan in the short to medium term. This Group continues to meet and it is expected that its outcomes will be presented shortly.

I announced a package of targeted interventions for the tillage sector and a multi-species sward initiative worth over €12 million to support Irish farmers. The package supports the growing of additional tillage and protein crops and the establishment of multi-species swards lowering demand for chemical fertiliser.

I continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and with the relevant committees in place, we stand ready to protect our farm families and their businesses.

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