Written Answers Nos. 141-160
141. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commissions of investigation under the remit of his Department currently ongoing in the State; the cost of each commission to date; and the projected costs of each, in tabular form. [12559/22]
View answerThe Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 provides for the establishment of Commissions of Investigation which can investigate matters of significant public concern.
I wish to inform the Deputy that there are no Commissions of Investigations currently taking place in my Department.
142. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the detail of his forward planning to allocate resources and capacity within his Department to ensure timely and effective delivery and implementation of the forthcoming EU nature restoration regulation; if provisions made through CAP will assist in accomplishing the goals set out in that regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16855/22]
View answerThe release of the official European Commission’s draft legal text for the Nature Restoration Law has been postponed in light of the crisis in Ukraine. I understand, however, that draft versions may be in circulation. As such, it would not be appropriate on my part to provide commentary on the details until formal publication of final text by the Commission.
However, I can confirm that national implementation of the Nature Restoration Law, will require a whole-of-Government approach. With this in mind, we will continue our close working relationships with our colleagues in other Departments and, in particular, with our colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage who are tasked with co-ordinating the approach, to ensure the successful delivery of the Regulation.
Furthermore, the new Green Architecture of the CAP increases its focus on delivering action for climate and biodiversity. This is reflected in Ireland's proposed CAP Strategic Plan which is currently under review by the European Commission.
In particular, enhanced Conditionality, Eco-Schemes and a new approach to Agri-Environment scheme delivery, will provide increasing levels of support to farmers in delivering biodiversity and climate ambitions in the agriculture sector. The CAP Strategic Plan is expected to make a key contribution to accomplishing the anticipated goals of the Nature Restoration Regulation. This will be reflected in the reporting of CAP indicators such as farmland bird populations, enhanced biodiversity protection and ecosystem service provision as well as enhanced carbon sequestration by farmers, all of which are expected to align with the Nature Restoration Law objectives.
In line with the increasing importance being placed on biodiversity, my Department has expanded its capacity in this area over recent years through the recruitment of a number of ecologists and the allocation of additional resources to deal with climate change as well as biodiversity. As we learn more about the proposed Nature Restoration Law, I will seek to ensure adequate resources are in place to allow Ireland respond in line with our obligations.
143. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an update will be provided on the research funding announced by his Department in December 2021 for research into peat alternatives; if consideration is being given to harvesting peat domestically for horticultural purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17032/22]
View answerI was pleased to be able to announce the award of over €1.4 million from my Department, along with €238,000 from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Northern Ireland, to the project ‘Beyond Peat’ in December 2021.
This project aims to utilise organic bio-resources and novel technologies to develop specifically designed and sustainable peat replacements for professional horticultural crop production.
The project is still in its very early stages, getting protocols established, recruiting postgraduate students and setting up stakeholder groups which will have broad-based representation, including growers and manufacturers. The project also incorporates strong representation internationally from the UK and the Netherlands.
While this is a five year project, I believe the close collaboration between the researchers involved and the industry stakeholders will ensure the timely dissemination of relevant research findings throughout the life of the project.
With regard to the harvesting of peat domestically for horticultural purposes, my Department has no role in the regulation of peat extraction. There is no ban on peat extraction and there is a regulatory framework in place that provides a legal route for peat extraction to take place. It is the responsibility of peat extractors to ensure that they engage with the regulatory system and meet their obligations under EU law.
In January of this year I announced a working paper that sets out a series of actions to support the horticultural growers who are dependent on peat as a growing medium. One of the key actions identified a need for expert planning assistance for peat extractors to enable extractors to comply with the regulatory for peat extraction and all relevant EU environmental laws and obligations.
As a consequence my Department has recruited experts to prepare focused regulatory guidance on planning to assist those wishing to extract peat in the medium term for horticulture growers. This work is currently under way.
This expert guidance document, when published, will provide a valuable resource to those seeking legal compliance for the abstraction of horticultural peat on sub-30 hectare bogs for supply to the domestic horticulture industry.
144. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected timeframe to establish through primary legislation an unfair trading practice enforcement authority. [16973/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a new Authority to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices Directive and which will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland.
In April 2021, I signed the Statutory Instrument 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.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that on 22nd March last, the Government approved the priority drafting of the General Scheme of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022. The Bill will establish a new independent statutory Authority to be known as the “Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply Chain”.
Once established, the new Office will take over the enforcement functions of the interim authority and will also perform the market data and analysis function.
The draft Bill has been published on my Department's website and I plan to submit it to the Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the context of pre-legislative scrutiny.
This an important step in fulfilling the Programme for Government commitment to bring greater fairness, equity and transparency to the agricultural and food supply chain and I am very pleased that I now have the opportunity to be able to deliver the means to help achieve that goal.
I am committed to seeing this office established over the course of the year in order to help bring much-needed transparency to the sector and as way of supporting of farm families and primary producers.
145. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department determines that land has been abandoned. [16789/22]
View answerIn order to qualify for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), an applicant must have an eligible hectare for each payment entitlement held.
Under the scheme, land is regarded as eligible land if it can be maintained in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation without preparatory action going beyond the usual agricultural methods and machineries. There must be an agricultural activity carried out in the parcel, because abandoned land is not eligible for payment.
Abandoned land may be characterised by, inter alia, a lack of evidence of an agricultural activity, issues with access or fencing or the state of the vegetation on the parcel.
146. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports that are available to farm contractors in purchasing low-emission slurry spreading technology. [16995/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine does not provide direct supports for contractors for the purchase of equipment but, as small businesses, they are of course eligible for the same supports as every other small business.
In relation to capital investments for on-farm developments, I would like to clarify that the EU regulations that provide for the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 – 2020, specify that TAMS beneficiaries must be farmers or groups of farmers. Therefore, the Department is precluded from funding the purchase of equipment such as Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment by contractors under TAMS in their role as contractors. All farmers who meet the eligibility requirements for TAMS are eligible to apply for support under the scheme.
Under the terms and conditions for the LESS measure, the scheme is open to farmers who:
(i) hold a Department identifier
(ii) prior to submitting the online TAMS II application have a minimum of 5 hectares of land owned and/or leased or rented which have been declared under the Basic Payment Scheme or equivalent in the year of application or preceding year, or
(iii) are engaged in the breeding, rearing or fattening of pigs and have a minimum of 60 production units at the time of application in accordance with Annex B of the Scheme;
(iv) Nitrates Derogation applicants (as defined under Statutory Instruments 605 of 2017, 65 of 2018, 40 of 2020) are no longer eligible to apply and receive approval for LESS equipment. Furthermore, applicants farming at or above 170 kgs/N per hectare (as defined under Statutory Instrument 529/2020) in the year of application or the preceding year, will not be eligible for approval after 15 April 2022. Applicants farming below 170 kgs/N per hectare continue to be eligible for LESS equipment Or
(v) in the case of a co-operative, all the members of the co-operative have to each independently meet the eligibility criteria laid down in (i), (ii) or (iii) above.
It is proposed that a new Capital Investment Scheme under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan will, if approved by the EU Commission, provide support to the same category of applicants as TAMS II i.e. farmers or groups of farmers.
The Department is fully committed to encouraging the use of this equipment as it has been a tremendous success to date and it will continue to be a major part of our strategy to meet our climate ambitions. The interest in the LESS measure of TAMS II has been very strong with over €56 million paid to date for investments in LESS equipment under TAMS II.
147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the anticipated extra tonnage likely to be generated from cereal growing in 2022; if extra incentives are anticipated and-or required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16967/22]
View answerThe Targeted Intervention Package I announced on 22nd March is framed around three pillars which seek to support our vital Irish farming families arising both from events in Ukraine and wider global price volatility. The total package is projected to cost in the region of €12.2 million.
The package seeks to incentivise the planting of additional tillage crops for this coming planting season through the Tillage Incentive Scheme. The Scheme encourages farmers to grow more tillage crops in 2022 versus 2021 and for crops to be eligible, the land must not have been in tillage production in 2021. Eligible crops include the cereal crops- barley, wheat, oats etc., oilseed rape, maize, beet and potatoes. A payment of €400 per hectare is proposed. The proposed budget for the Scheme is €10 million and is aimed at encouraging an additional 25,000 hectares of tillage crops.
It is not possible to estimate the extra tonnage likely to be generated from cereal growing in 2022 as we are some time away from harvest and weather coupled with growing conditions for the spring and summer as well as at harvest time will determine the harvest yields and quality. However, I do note that Teagasc has estimated the winter crop area in 2021 to be approximately 5% higher than in 2020 and crops have come through the winter period in good condition, which bodes well for the cereal harvest this year.
We will continue to assess the situation on an ongoing basis and will respond as appropriate. This is an important and proactive step I have taken to support our farm families, their businesses and the sector through this challenging period.
148. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the resilience of the Irish agrifood sector can be built upon against further possible sanctions involving Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16965/22]
View answerThe people of Ireland have shown great support for Ukraine and its people. The Government also remains resolute in its solidarity and support and will continue to co-ordinate a humanitarian, economic and diplomatic response to the crisis.
Significant implications are being seen across all sectors, including the agri-food sector. As well as the immediate humanitarian crisis, which must take priority, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that food security is maintained, for EU citizens, for the Ukrainian people and in the wider global context.
At farm level, the crisis is already impacting very significantly on the price of animal feed, fertiliser and fuel. Within my Department, I have established a Rapid Response Team, chaired by the Secretary General, to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis.
I established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee headed by Teagasc and have tasked it to prepare an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.
On 22nd March, the Government approved my proposal for a targeted intervention package for the tillage sector and a multi-species sward initiative, worth over €12 million to support Irish farmers. This package is aimed at producing more native crops and reducing dependency on imports, and on producing crops with a low demand for chemical fertiliser.
An emergency aid scheme for pig farmers of €7 million opened for applications on 7 March. This will provide commercial pig farmers a payment of up to €20,000 each. The first payments to pig farmers under this scheme began to issue last week.
At EU level, I have met with EU Agriculture Ministers and on 23rd March the European Commission announced a package of measures to assist the sector including a €500 million package to support farmers most affected. This includes an allocation of €15.8 million for Ireland, which can be topped up by national funding. I will be examining ways to best mobilise this support as soon as possible, taking account of the detailed requirements and conditionality attached to this exceptional aid provision.
The EU package also includes plans to deploy market safety net measures to support specific markets including private storage aid for pigmeat.
I will continue to engage with all our stakeholders and will continue to work across Government, and with our European partners, to respond to this crisis using all of the tools at our disposal.
I am committed to supporting our farm families and their businesses through this period of considerable challenge. This is period like no other for our great industry. Both I and the Government will support the sector as much as possible in the time ahead.
149. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects to receive the findings of a consultation on the development of a hemp sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16986/22]
View answerThe consultation to “fully explore the potential for growing fibre crops such as hemp, considering whether these crops have a viable market” in line with a commitment given in the current Programme for Government commenced last August.
The consultation is being conducted by my Department with input from relevant stakeholders. Submissions received as part of the consultative process are nearing final stages of evaluation and I would hope to have the completed report available to me shortly.
When the process has concluded and the findings evaluated I will be able to make a determination regarding the future viability of growing fibre crops such as hemp in Ireland.
150. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an analysis of the cost savings in terms of the environmental impact for agrifood producers, especially fruit and vegetable providers, based in Ireland rather than importing products from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16857/22]
View answerThere is currently no environmental impact or life cycle analysis of the costs associated with importing fruit and vegetables compared to domestic production.
However, the Deputy may be aware that my colleague Minister of State Pippa Hackett commissioned a report on the horticulture sector last October. The need for such a life cycle analysis - for the multiple fruits and vegetables that we currently grow in Ireland - was identified as part of the work undertaken by KPMG and my officials to prepare that report.
This current gap in our knowledge is something which the Department is keen to address as part of the work associated with developing and implementing a strategy to maintain and grow a financially and environmentally sustainable horticulture sector.
151. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts that are under way to source alternative agriculture produce such as grain as a result of the war in Ukraine; if his Department is engaging with Irish food producers on identifying supply chain issues relating to raw materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17031/22]
View answerI am meeting with the key agri-food and marine sector stakeholders on an ongoing basis to discuss the impact of the Ukraine crisis on Irish agri-food supply chains, particularly in terms of the viability of farmers and fishers as primary producers.
At farm level, the crisis has had serious impacts on the price of animal feed and fertiliser, as well as fuel, which are all vital farm inputs.
The food industry largely relies on natural gas for its energy supply, so costs will escalate. These factors, and others, are likely to result in increases in price for consumer staples at wholesale and retail level.
The effect of these impacts is being felt most sharply in the intensive pig and poultry sectors, where feed costs represent a very significant portion of overall productions costs. Teagasc are providing bespoke advice to pig farmers.
We are in contact with the main banks on an ongoing basis in relation to the challenge facing pig farmers; the finance instruments funded by my Department through SBCI offer an important source of flexible low-cost finance.
An emergency aid scheme for pig farmers of €7 million opened for applications on 7th March. This will provide commercial pig farmers a payment of up to €20,000 each. The first payments to pig farmers under this scheme began to issue last week.
I established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee and tasked it with preparing an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises. I am committed to supporting the work of the Committee in the weeks ahead.
Within my Department, a Rapid Response Team, chaired by the Secretary General, has been established to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis.
I have been assured that there is a sufficient supply of animal feedstuffs and fertiliser in the country, although at elevated prices, for the next number of months. We are in regular contact with feed merchants and fertiliser importers to ensure any disruption to supply chains is kept to a minimum.
At EU level, I continue to work with colleagues through the Agri-Fish Council to respond to the impacts of the crisis on the sector across Europe. On 23rd March, the European Commission announced a communication on food security, and a package of measures to assist the sector including a €500 million package to support farmers most affected. This includes an allocation of some €16 million for Ireland, which can be topped up by national funding. I will be examining ways to best mobilise this support as soon as possible, taking account of the detailed requirements and conditionality attached to this exceptional aid provision.
The EU package also includes plans to deploy market safety net measures to support specific markets, including private storage aid for pigmeat.
By working collectively and collaboratively, I am determined to ensure that the sector is insulated against the worst of what might come from supply chain disruptions.
I am committed to supporting our farm families and their businesses throughout this period of considerable challenge.
152. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he can support the pig sector during the ongoing fodder crisis and the uncertainty facing agricultural markets in 2022. [17063/22]
View answer184. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports he is providing for the pig sector. [17062/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 184 together.
In relation to the question raised by the Deputy relating to the fodder issue 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 and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.
Our pig farmers have always been remarkably resilient but I am acutely aware of the unprecedented challenges that Irish pig farmers are facing at present. The continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context. It is the fourth largest agri-food sector, behind beef and dairy, and supports approximately 8,000 rural job.
Last month, I announced the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme (PEPS), with a fund of up to €7 million, for commercial pig farmers. This is an urgent, short-term response to assist producers that would be viable but for the extreme current circumstances and allow space for a more medium-term adjustment to market signals.
This scheme was a one off, exchequer funded scheme open to commercial pig undertakings which had produced more than 200 pigs in the period 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021 inclusive. This includes pigs sent to slaughter, exported or sold commercially from a breeding herd.
The scheme was notified to the European Commission under the agriculture de minimis rules, which provide for a maximum payment per undertaking of €20,000.
Applications for the PEPS closed on 20 March 2022. The first tranche of payments was made last week, with the remaining applications due for processing as soon as possible. All information on the scheme can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/service/d7fb3-pig-exceptional-payment-scheme-peps/
This scheme is part of a wider package of measures to support the sector, including intensified efforts by Bord Bia to promote quality assured Irish pigmeat in the domestic and export markets with dedicated media advertising campaigns underway nationally, as well as EU-funded pigmeat promotion programmes running in key export markets.
Teagasc has also intensified its dedicated, ongoing advisory supports being provided to pig farmers and is actively engaging with pig farmers to explore the options potentially available to them.
There is also support for access to finance through SCBI, particularly the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme and the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, both of which are financed by my Department in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and can be used for working capital and include features which will assist the current financial needs of pig farmers.
Furthermore, my Department continues to engage at EU level to ensure a joined-up EU approach to the challenges arising from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, including through the European Food Security Crisis preparedness response Mechanism (EFSCM). Last week the Commission announced the adoption of exceptional support measures across the agriculture sector, along with a communication on Food Security. In addition, the Commission in view of the particularly difficult situation in the pig meat sector has opened a new private storage aid scheme to assist in stabilising the sector.
The Department is currently examining the detailed requirements and conditionality attached to the exceptional aid allocation to Ireland of €15.8 million in EU funding.
153. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he has taken to date and his future plans to provide relief to the farming sector regarding the ever-increasing cost of fertiliser and other farm inputs costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16852/22]
View answerThe people of Ireland have shown great support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The Government also remains resolute in its solidarity and support and will continue to co-ordinate a humanitarian, economic and diplomatic response to the crisis.
As a nation and as a farming sector, we stand firmly behind the people of Ukraine and we are working hard to support our farm families and their businesses here.
Significant implications are being seen across all sectors, including the agri-food sector. As well as the immediate humanitarian crisis, which must take priority, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that food security is maintained, for EU citizens, for the Ukrainian people and in the wider global context.
At farm level, the crisis is already impacting on the price of animal feed, fertiliser and fuel. Within my Department, I established a Rapid Response Team, chaired by the Secretary General, to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis.
I also established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee headed by Teagasc and tasked it to prepare an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.
On 22nd March, the Government approved my proposal for a targeted intervention package for the tillage sector and a multi-species sward initiative, worth over €12 million to support Irish farmers. This package is aimed at producing more native crops and reducing dependency on imports, and on producing crops with a low demand for chemical fertiliser.
An emergency aid scheme for pig farmers of €7 million opened for applications on 7 March. This will provide commercial pig farmers a payment of up to €20,000 each. The first payments to pig farmers under this scheme began to issue last week.
At EU level, I have met with EU Agriculture Ministers and on 23rd March the European Commission announced a package of measures to assist the sector including a €500 million package to support farmers most affected. This includes an allocation of €15.8 million for Ireland, which can be topped up by national funding.
I will be examining ways to best mobilise this support as soon as possible, taking account of the detailed requirements and conditionality attached to this exceptional aid provision.
The EU package also includes plans to deploy market safety net measures to support specific markets including private storage aid for pigmeat.
I will continue to engage with all our stakeholders and will continue to work across Government, and with our European partners, to respond to this crisis using all of the tools at our disposal.
I am taking a very proactive approach to supporting our farm families and their businesses through this challenging period. Along with the rest of Government, I will continue to support the sector throughout this period.
154. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of prosecutions in respect of the failure of owners to chip their horses since January 2013, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16956/22]
View answerEnforcement of equine identification legislation is largely undertaken by authorised officers across the Regional Offices of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine who liaise with authorised officers in the Local Authorities and other organisations as required.
S.I. 62 of 2016 (as amended) provides for the enforcement of requirements for the identification of equines. This provides authorised officers with enforcement powers, including the potential for prosecution of keepers who have unidentified equines in their care. It also provides for the issuing of compliance notices.
The Department's policy is to adopt a fair and proportional approach in dealing with breaches of equine identification legislation. In this regard, authorised officers engage with keepers to ensure that they understand their responsibilities and where potential breaches of the legislation are identified, they generally provide an opportunity for non-compliant keepers to rectify the position within a specified timeframe.
There have been no prosecutions since January 2013 with regard to the failure of owners to microchip their horses.
155. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to allocate funds from the European crisis reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16987/22]
View answerSince the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I attended an extraordinary EU Agriculture Ministers meeting on 2 March and the Agri-Fish Council in Brussels on 21st March. The Ukrainian agriculture minister, Roman Leschenko, was invited to speak, via videoconference, at the Agri-Fish Council about the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the agricultural sector.
The Department has also been engaged at a number of other EU meetings in recent weeks to discuss food security issues, including a meeting of the European Food Security Crisis preparedness and Response Mechanism (EFSCM). Following discussions at these meetings the European Commission announced on 23rd March, via the communication “Safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems”, a range of actions to enhance global food security and to support farmers and consumers in the EU in light of rising food prices and input costs. The communication sets out actions in three areas: - First, it presents immediate actions to safeguard food security in Ukraine and around the world.
- Second, it addresses the challenge of food stability in the EU's food system, with a range of measures to support our farmers and maintain affordability for our citizens.
- Finally, it confirms the EU agenda to make our food system sustainable and resilient in the years to come. It includes €500 million to support farmers most affected and agreement to deploy measures to support specific markets and allow for increased levels of advances of direct payments later this year. Other actions approved included a new self-standing Temporary Crisis Framework (TCF) for state aid and allowing Member States to derogate from certain greening obligations in 2022 to bring additional agricultural land into production. It includes an allocation of €15.8 million for Ireland, which can be topped up by national funding. I am examining ways to best mobilise this support as soon as possible, taking account of the detailed requirements and conditionality attached to this exceptional aid provision. The EU package also includes plans to deploy market safety net measures to support specific markets including private storage aid for pigmeat. I will continue to engage with all our stakeholders and will continue to work across Government, and with our European partners, to respond to this crisis, using all of the tools at our disposal. This is a challenging time for our farm families and their businesses and I will continue to support them throughout this period.
156. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on, and response to, the high price of fertiliser, which is having a major impact on farming families. [17040/22]
View answer175. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16990/22]
View answer196. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the additional supports that will be available to Irish farmers arising from the increased prices in energy, feed and other inputs. [16815/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 175 and 196 together.
The current situation in relation to the cost and availability of farm inputs is a significant concern. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has led to significant hikes in energy, feed and fertiliser prices and significant concerns around supply chain disruption. This is being felt at farm level and is something that I am acutely aware of.
I met with the main farm organisations and Teagasc on 8th March to discuss the impact on Irish agriculture and supply chains. At that meeting, I established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee and tasked it to prepare an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises. This Group continues to meet and I continue to engage closely with the sector as we work together on these significant challenges.
Within my Department, I also established a Rapid Response Team, chaired by the Secretary General, to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis.
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 21st March, I asked the EU Commission, as part of its work on monitoring markets, to keep a very close eye on supply chains 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 a private storage aid scheme for the pigmeat sector, as well as allowing other exceptional measures at Member State level to respond to market disturbances.
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 farmers reduce their dependency on chemical fertiliser.
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.
Given Ireland’s dependence on imported feed, 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 on 22nd March. 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 is actively engaging with the EU Commission, across Government and with industry as this situation unfolds. This is period of considerable challenge for our sector. I have taken a proactive approach to supporting our farm families and their businesses and I will continue to do so.
157. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 10 February 2022, the status of the wool feasibility study; the expected timeline for the development of a robust policy roadmap for the Irish wool industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16766/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, one of the initiatives in the current Programme for Government was to conduct a review of the potential demand for wool-based products such as for insulation and fertilisers in domestic and international markets.
Wool is a natural substance that is sustainable, organic and renewable and it can be used in a variety of products such as textiles, fertilizer, and insulation, so it makes sense to investigate its potential.
In March 2021, I initiated a public consultation to identify terms of reference for this review.
The agreed terms of reference were:
- identification of market opportunities domestically and internationally for wool-based products;
- carrying out economic feasibility and cost benefit analysis on proposed market opportunities;
- determining mechanisms that could be used to support industry initiatives;
- identification of potential research projects applicable to supporting the identified market opportunities.
The respondents to the consultation were also asked to make recommendations on potential domestic and international market opportunities for wool products. Stakeholders submitted a total of 45 submissions.
The Request for Tenders (RFT) seeking service providers to carry out this study was published on 8th July 2021 through a competitive public procurement procedure and five tenders were received. In November 2021, I appointed 'The Agile Executive,' a consortium of experts from Munster Technological University and Donegal Yarns, to conduct this study.
The Agile Executive has been contracted to conduct the review in accordance with the Terms of Reference and has also been asked to review the submissions received during the public consultation process. The final report, following the conclusion of the review, will be published in the coming weeks.
I am confident that the this important review of the potential demand for wool based products and the recommendations in the upcoming report will aid the development of a strong policy framework for the Irish wool industry and will also identify new opportunities to develop value-added products from Irish wool that are both environmentally and economically sustainable, further contributing to the Irish Circular Bio-economy.
158. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when, and the manner in which, he intends to honour the programme for Government commitment to uphold the EU pigs directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17028/22]
View answerAnimal welfare is a key priority for me. In 2020, I launched the Department's first stand-alone animal welfare strategy, with the specific aim of delivering on key animal welfare issues as set out in the programme for government.
On the issue of the Pig Welfare Directive and specifically the matter of tail docking, in the last two years, my Department has implemented specific actions to deal with this issue, and work is ongoing.
Since 2020, trained veterinary inspectors have implemented a programme of specifically designed on-farm pig welfare inspections. These inspections identify the risk factors for tail biting on farms visited and give farmers the opportunity to address them and start rearing pigs with intact tails. This is an important step towards compliance with the EU legislation on tail docking.
In addition, my Department has collaborated with Animal Health Ireland and Teagasc to deliver a free tail biting risk assessment tool for pig farmers. This enables them to work with their own veterinary practitioner to identify farm-specific risk factors for tail biting and to develop an action plan to deal with the risks at pen level. The latest figures show 387 pig farms have availed of this measure which is very encouraging.
A new round of TAMS will launch shortly. This scheme offers farmers up to €200,000 towards new pig housing infrastructure. The specifications have been scrupulously researched to address issues leading to tail biting such as more space, comfortable flooring and feeding space. I am confident that future housing constructed in line with this specification will enable pigs to be reared without any need for tail docking.
The pig industry is experiencing a difficult period at the moment, however, I can assure you that my Department remains fully committed to making concrete progress on the issue of compliance with the European Pigs Directive. The pig sector is a crucial one in the agriculture sector and is really important to our overall economy.
159. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he and his Department are taking and implementing to support inshore fishing. [16957/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that I meet directly with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) to hear the concerns and goals of the inshore fishing sector. The NIFF and its supporting network of six Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums are consultative bodies established to foster industry-led development of proposals for the management of fish stocks within six nautical miles of the Irish shore. Since their inception, the Forums have developed initiatives to protect the future of the inshore sector. The NIFF brought forward the first industry-led Strategy for the sector in 2019 and is now implementing this with support from my Department, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and other agencies. The Strategy flowed from an extensive consultation process that engaged the inshore sector and other stakeholders.
In relation to financial supports, my Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme 2014-2020 has made public funding available for the sustainable development of our fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors. This Programme has been providing a range of financial supports to our inshore fishing sector for capital investment on board and ashore, for training and for organisation and capacity building within the sector, while State bodies provide a range of services to the inshore fleet including advisory services and stock conservation supports. The new European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund Regulation (2021/1139) was adopted in July 2021 and work is well advanced on preparing my Department's new Seafood Development Programme 2021-2027. I anticipate that this new Programme will be adopted later in 2022.
I established the Seafood Sector Task Force last year to examine the implications of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the European Union and the UK for the Irish fishing industry and coastal communities. In October 2021, the Task Force, which included stakeholders from the inshore fisheries sector, recommended a range of Brexit support schemes costing €423m. These include the Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme which provides payments to inshore fishers to adapt their business operations to the post-Brexit environment. I announced the Brexit Inshore Marketing Scheme on 25 March to support Bord Bia in assisting the inshore fisheries sector to mitigate the impacts of Brexit by growing value in existing markets and developing new markets. A Task Force recommendation on the development of an inshore decommissioning scheme is also being actively examined in consultation with industry stakeholders.
In the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, the Government commits to ensuring “that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and recreational fishers and that pair trawling will be prohibited inside the six-mile limit.” I am fully supportive of this objective. The Government also committed to supporting the inshore sector with establishing a Producer Organisation to generate greater marketing and promotional capacity. In 2021, my Department recognised the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation as a Producer Organisation.
My Department is committed to supporting the inshore community and the wider seafood sector in achieving its potential. I look forward to continuing my engagement with the NIFF and working on how this can be best achieved together.
160. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to support the pig sector. [16816/22]
View answerOur pig farmers have always been remarkably resilient but I am acutely aware of the unprecedented challenges that Irish pig farmers are facing at present. The continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context. It is the third largest agri-food sector, and supports approximately 8,000 rural jobs.
Last month, I announced the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme (PEPS), with a fund of up to €7 million, for commercial pig farmers. This is an urgent, short-term response to assist producers that would be viable but for the extreme current circumstances, and allow space for a more medium-term adjustment to market signals.
This scheme is a once-off, exchequer funded scheme open to commercial pig undertakings which had produced more than 200 pigs in the period 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021 inclusive. This includes pigs sent to slaughter, exported or sold commercially from a breeding herd.
The scheme was notified to the European Commission under the agriculture de minimis rules, which provide for a maximum payment per undertaking of €20,000.
Applications for the PEPS closed on 20 March 2022. The first tranche of payments was made last week, with the remaining applications due for processing as soon as possible. All information on the scheme can be found on my Department's website.
This scheme is part of a wider package of measures to support the pigmeat sector, including intensified efforts by Bord Bia to promote quality assured Irish pigmeat in the domestic and export markets with dedicated media advertising campaigns under way nationally, as well as EU-funded pigmeat promotion programmes running in key export markets.
Teagasc has also intensified its dedicated, ongoing advisory supports being provided to pig farmers and is actively engaging with pig farmers to explore the options potentially available to them.
There is also support for access to finance through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), particularly the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme and the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme. Both of these SBCI finance products, which are part-financed by my Department, can be used for working capital and include features which will assist the current financial needs of pig farmers.
Furthermore, the Department continues to engage at EU level to ensure a joined-up EU approach to the challenges arising from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, including through the European Food Security Crisis preparedness response Mechanism (EFSCM).
Last week the Commission announced the adoption of exceptional support measures across the agriculture sector, along with a communication on Food Security. In addition, the Commission in view of the particularly difficult situation in the pig meat sector has opened a new private storage aid scheme to assist in stabilising the sector.
The Department is currently examining the detailed requirements and conditionality attached to the exceptional aid allocation to Ireland of €15.8 million in EU funding. We continue to engage with the pig sector and we are considering potential options to support it.
Along with Minister of State Martin Heydon, I met with the IFA on Tuesday night following its rally. Officials from the Department have agreed to meet with the IFA on its proposal and I will also engage with the IFA in the coming days.
