Written Answers Nos. 156-173
156. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 31 March 2022, the status of the commitment to ensure that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and that pair trawling will be prohibited within the six-mile limit in line with the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26801/22]
View answerAs I advised the Deputy in March, in December 2018, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced that vessels over 18 metres length overall will be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside six nautical mile zone from 1st January 2020. A transition period of three years for vessels over 18 metres length overall targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone. Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was introduced in March 2019 to give effect to the changes.
A Judicial Review was taken by two applicant fishers challenging the validity of the Policy Directive. On 6th October 2020, the High Court judgment held that the Policy Directive was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect. As the Deputy is aware, I appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal and a full hearing took place on 22nd June 2021. Judgment on the case is reserved.
I also sought an extension on the stay on the order of the High Court, which was granted by the Court of Appeal on 19th March 2021, reinstating the Policy Directive, and which was extended by the Court of Appeal following the full hearing on 22nd June. On 23rd September 2021, the Court of Appeal refused the Minister’s application to continue the stay further. This refusal means that the decision of the High Court stands and the Policy Directive is no longer valid, meaning vessels over 18 metres in length overall have resumed trawling in the waters inside 6 nautical miles.
The Programme for 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 wish to assure the Deputy that I am fully supportive of this objective.
I am awaiting the decision of the Court of Appeal to inform next steps. As the matter is sub judice, I cannot comment further until the matter can be resolved before the Courts.
157. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the destinations for Irish agri-food exports post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25998/22]
View answerIrish exports of agri-food food products have continued to grow over recent years, despite the significant supply chain challenges associated with Brexit and COVID-19.
Based on latest CSO trade figures, the total value of Irish agri-food exports in 2021 was €15.5 billion, an increase of €1.2 billion, or 8.4%, compared to 2020, and an increase of €886 million on 2019 figures.
Exports to our top 10 export destinations - UK, US, Netherlands, France, Germany, China, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Nigeria - were either higher or remained stable in 2021 compared to 2020, which represents a strong performance given the supply chain challenges which COVID-19 in particular presented.
In respect of exports to our largest market, and despite the uncertainty associated with the new post-Brexit trading environment, exports to the UK increased by 8.2%, or some €438 million.
While the full impacts of Brexit have not yet been experienced, and the war in Ukraine has created further uncertainty, I am confident that the sector is well-placed to continue to grow its export footprint over the coming years. There is high demand amongst consumers for sustainably produced, high-quality food, and Irish producers are well placed to deliver on these demands.
The industry's Food Vision 2030 strategy sets a clear course for the sector to develop in a sustainable manner. I am excited about the coming period, and about the opportunities to continue to promote the values and culture of our food production systems in international markets.
Minister of State Martin Heydon and I have been able to resume in-person Ministerial trade missions over the last six months, with successful missions to the Middle East, US and Mexico. We have seen first hand that there is a strong demand for high quality, sustainably produced food in these markets, and Ireland is a supplier of choice in this regard.
158. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of tree felling licences; and the number of applications awaiting a decision, by county in tabular form. [26839/22]
View answerThe data for the number of felling licences issued per week is published in a Forestry Dashboard weekly, which is available on the Department's website and is circulated to any interested party.
A table of felling licences awaiting a decision, by county, is set out below.
|
County |
Total |
|
Carlow |
29 |
|
Cavan |
55 |
|
Clare |
176 |
|
Cork |
173 |
|
Donegal |
76 |
|
Dublin |
13 |
|
Galway |
157 |
|
Kerry |
146 |
|
Kildare |
45 |
|
Kilkenny |
86 |
|
Laois |
69 |
|
Leitrim |
77 |
|
Limerick |
127 |
|
Longford |
27 |
|
Louth |
12 |
|
Mayo |
113 |
|
Meath |
51 |
|
Monaghan |
10 |
|
Offaly |
54 |
|
Roscommon |
74 |
|
Sligo |
71 |
|
Tipperary |
186 |
|
Waterford |
89 |
|
Westmeath |
65 |
|
Wexford |
59 |
|
Wicklow |
93 |
|
Other |
152 |
|
Total |
2,285 |
Our plans for licence issue in 2022 are contained in the Forestry Licensing Plan with a target of 5,250 licences issues, which is a year-on-year increase of 30%. This includes an increase of 36% in private felling licences to 1,830, while Coillte felling licences at 1,530 will maintain the levels they achieved in 2021. Progress in issuing licences year to date is good and we are at 99.5% of the overall target in the plan. The priority this year is to deliver on the ambition outlined in the Plan and to issue 5,250 licences, and to reach the projected targets in each licence category, including felling
159. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding streams that are available through his Department for urban horse facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26718/22]
View answerIn line with the Programme for Government, both I and my Department are fully committed to providing for additional urban horse welfare projects.
The Department continues to take a proactive approach in supporting the development of facilities for urban horse populations and in enabling and educating young people in the care and welfare of horses.
Work to support urban horse welfare projects is carried out in close collaboration with the local authorities, charities and community stakeholders, reflecting Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025.
My Department supports urban horse projects primarily through capital funding, which is available through a formal application by the local authority in question, and is primarily aimed at provision of infrastructure and education.
My Department has supported 15 projects to date, involving a total outlay of €1,622,000 spent. There are currently projects at every stage from the initial feasibility and planning stages to the operating stage around the country.
160. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the initiatives that he is undertaking to promote organic farming as a pathway for farmers in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26918/22]
View answerI believe there is tremendous potential in the organic sector in Ireland and I committed to seeing it develop significantly over the lifetime of the next CAP.
The target in the current Programme for Government is to align the utilisable agricultural area under organic production in Ireland with 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.
I have introduced changes to the scheme by reducing the required stocking rate and also by increasing the area paid at the higher rate from 60 hectares to 70 hectares, measures which I believe will encourage new entrants to organic farming.
A budget of €21 million was allocated to the Organic Farming Scheme in 2022, an increase of €5 million from the previous year. This allocation supports the 1,734 existing contracts in the Organic Farming Scheme. This I believe will assist in achieving our target of 7.5% organic area as outlined in the Programme for Government.
For the years 2023 – 2027, I have proposed the allocation of €256 million under the new CAP to continue the development and growth of the organic sector.
The Organic Strategy forum has met twice in 2022 and the theme of the most recent meeting on 19 May 2022 was “Driving participation in Organic Farming”. Following this meeting, a roadmap of activities in advance of the scheme reopening in late 2022 is currently being developed to promote the pathways to organic farming.
My Department is also undertaking a trade mission to Germany in July 2022 to coincide with Biofach, the largest organic trade fair in Europe. This will enable organic client companies to build new business and generate new leads and ensure that all efforts are undertaken to expand the export market for Irish Organic produce.
161. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to diversify agriculture in view of the war in Ukraine and the impact that this will have on food supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26975/22]
View answerIreland, as food-producing nation, is among the most food secure countries in the world. In that context it is important to recognise that Ireland is part of the EU single market and participates in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which is the key mechanism for ensuring food security throughout Europe.
Specifically in the context of the Ukrainian 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. The European Commission announced in March, via the communication, "Safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems", a range of actions to enhance global food security and support farmers and consumers across the EU in light of rising food prices and input costs.
The Commission 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. Third, it confirms the EU agenda to make our food system sustainable and resilient in the years to come.
At farm level, the crisis is 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 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.
There has been a reduction in fertiliser use on farms to date this year in response to Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser campaign. I tasked Teagasc with developing this roadmap to reduce our dependency on chemical fertiliser, which was launched earlier this year. It is a credible roadmap that will be good for the environment, as well as addressing some of the concerns around fertiliser prices.
In March, I announced a targeted intervention package for the tillage sector worth over €12 million with the aim of supporting the growing of additional tillage and protein crops and the establishment of multispecies swards. This package is aimed at producing more native crops and crops with a low demand for chemical fertiliser, while also reducing our dependency on imports.
The tillage incentive scheme will incentivise farmers to grow additional crops such as barley, oats and wheat this year. The scheme is targeted at increasing the overall tillage area and making a real impact on increasing our supply.
The multispecies sward scheme, including support for red clover, is aimed at reducing nitrogen fertiliser use while maintaining forage yields. Multispecies swards have been proven to reduce our dependency on chemical fertiliser while maintaining forage output.
These targeted measures will help Irish farmers diversify at a time of escalating costs and build resilience against the expected impact of the situation in Ukraine.
Earlier this month, I brought a Memo for Information to Government on measures aimed to assist cattle and sheep farmers to produce fodder (silage and/or hay) during 2022 to prevent a Fodder crisis during the coming winter. My Department is continuing to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the detail of the scheme.
In addition, on the future of Ireland's agri-food sector generally, you will be aware that the new Food Vision 2030 strategy was launched last August. Food Vision is a landmark for the Irish agri-food sector and is honest and upfront about the challenges ahead. Crucially, it proposes solutions and charts a pathway to sustainability in all its dimensions. Food Vision aims for Ireland to be a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems, which would deliver food security and nutrition for all in such a way that the economic, environmental and social basis to generate food and nutrition for future generations are not compromised. This will deliver significant benefits for the Irish agri-food sector itself, for Irish society and the environment.
I am taking a very proactive approach to the crisis in Ukraine. We must protect our farm families and their businesses through this period of significant upheaval.
162. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to support the group of farmers known as the forgotten farmers. [26962/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government ‘Our Shared Future’ contains a commitment to seek to resolve the issue of support for the category of farmers known as Forgotten Farmers.
I am examining options to address the issue of forgotten farmers both through the next CAP and also through other measures to support this group.
I am committed to helping this cohort of farmers and I will bring forward proposals as soon as possible. Many of these farmers find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own and we will work with them to address this issue.
163. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the latest estimates of the margins per hectare in terms of family farm income generated from the different main forms of farming that is, dairy, beef herds, grain and so on. [26876/22]
View answerIn December last year, Teagasc published the final report on the National Farm Survey (NFS) for 2020. This detailed the most recent estimates of Family Farm Incomes (FFI), showing that:
- Dairy farms had the highest average FFI per hectare of €1,223 in 2020.
- Tillage had the next highest margin per hectare at €525
- Drystock farms recorded an average FFI per hectare of €295 for Cattle Rearing farms, €408 for Cattle Other farms, €403 for sheep farms and €449 for Mixed Livestock farms.
It should be noted that these margins are calculated using mean average farm sizes. The FFI within the given systems, and its distribution, varies considerably within each farm system type, as detailed in the NFS.
These estimates use data for the year 2020. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the economic context has changed significantly since then. Teagasc issued an updated Situation and Outlook for Irish Agriculture in April, following the illegal Russian Invasion of Ukraine. This highlighted the impact of the war for agricultural input costs, output prices and margins, including variation in anticipated effects across each of the main farming systems.
Even before Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, agricultural prospects for 2022 were dominated by concerns relating, to cost pressures that began to build up over the second half of 2021. However, the war in Ukraine has led to a sharper and more widespread increase in farm input prices, particularly for feed, fertiliser and fuel, than had been anticipated.
The situation and outlook remain uncertain, and I am closely monitoring events in terms of their implications for Irish Family Farm Incomes. I am committed to supporting family farm enterprises and have introduced a number of measures over the past three months to assist the agriculture and fishing sector. These targeted measures will help Irish farmers and fishers at a time of escalating costs and build resilience against the expected impact of the situation in Ukraine.
164. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his plans to develop Killegar forest as an amenity and biodiversity forest after the decision in 2021 not to sell this forest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26974/22]
View answerCoillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
165. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the best way to assist dairy farmers on fixed milk prices at present in the context of spiralling production costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26907/22]
View answerThe nature of all markets, particularly in export dependent sectors such as dairy, is that prices will fluctuate.
Weak global supply and sustained demand for dairy ingredients have now meant that markets prices are remaining positive. However, I am acutely aware of the pressures that farmers are under at present, arising from rapid increases in input costs.
Fixed price contracts are a commercial decision between dairy co-ops and their suppliers, and indeed can be an appropriate risk management tool for suppliers to guard against times of high volatility in milk prices.
I am aware that the unprecedented increase in input costs is creating particular difficulties for dairy farmers who have a significant share of their milk supply locked into fixed price contracts currently. I am pleased to see the recent move from many of the dairy Co-ops who have responded by increasing the price paid to farmers on existing fixed milk price contracts with an additional supplementary payment in response to increasing production costs.
I should emphasise that it is not within my remit as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to intervene in commercial arrangements between supplier and purchasers. I am also aware that contractual arrangements will exist at other points of the supply chain.
However, I will continue to engage closely with the sector as we work together on the significant challenges arising from the illegal invasion of Ukraine. My Department will continue to monitor the market situation for dairy and other agri-food commodities.
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that carbon reduction measures are not allowed to impact negatively on the agri-food sector; if he will ensure that all the necessary steps will be taken to reduce carbon emissions; if the measures will be carried out in a responsible way to protect the agri-food sector and avoid food shortages which are already beginning to appear across Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26834/22]
View answerIreland has an obligation to contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change, and the Agri-Food sector has a critical role to play in these efforts.
This will not be easy, and will require significant change in the way we produce our food. We will continue to maintain a strong strategic focus on optimizing the contribution of the sector to our economy.
The agri-food sector has benefited from an approach to strategic planning through the development of ten-year stakeholder-led strategies, revised every five years. Since their inception, these strategies have ensured that the sector has a coherent, stakeholder-led vision and strategy to underpin the sector’s continued development.
The new strategy, Food Vision 2030, was published in August last year. One of the standout aspects of Food Vision is that it has adopted a food systems approach, taking a holistic view of agri-food by ensuring an interconnectedness between food, health & nutrition and between food and the environment. Food Vision aims for Ireland to be a world leader in sustainable food systems. This means that it will be profitable throughout (economic sustainability), have a positive or neutral impact on the natural environment (environmental sustainability), and have broad based benefits for society (social sustainability).
Food Vision sets out over 200 actions under 22 goals which are grouped around four high-level Missions for the sector to work towards:
A Climate Smart, Environmentally Sustainable Agri-Food Sector.
Viable and Resilient Primary Producers with Enhanced Well-Being.
Food that is Safe, Nutritious and Appealing, Trusted and Valued at Home and Abroad.
An Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Agri-Food Sector, Driven by Technology & Talent.
Food Vision outlines a roadmap to deliver on the ambition of a climate-neutral food system by 2050, with verifiable progress achieved by 2030. It takes a systematic approach to addressing the challenge of ensuring that Ireland can continue to produce high quality food in a manner that protects the environment and mitigates climate change. The targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are challenging but I know that the sector is committed to the challenge. Delivering real results will require collaboration, cooperation, and a sense of shared responsibility between citizens, industry and the State to deliver our environmental ambitions.
The success of any strategy is in its monitoring and implementation framework, allowing any negative impacts to be identified and for actions to be progressed in a responsible way.
Food Vision includes a detailed monitoring and implementation framework that has four key elements. The first is working in partnership with all stakeholders in the chain from farm to fork. The second is monitoring of key indicators and targets for the four missions and the publication of a detailed implementation plan. The third is monitoring implementation and the establishment of a High Level Implementation Committee, chaired by myself. The fourth is environmental monitoring, review and reporting. This includes many of the recommendations from the Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Appropriate Assessment, as well as the work of a Food Vision Environmental Working Group.
Implementation of the Strategy is well underway, with many of its actions already commenced. The Food Vision Environmental Group and the Food Vision Dairy Group are progressing priority actions.
167. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will explore further funding for an European Innovation Partnership scheme project (details supplied); when the current funding expires in 2022; and if his Department will continue to support the project throughout the State. [26842/22]
View answerMy Department is funding 57 European Innovation Partnership (EIPs) projects introduced under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 – 2020. EIPs are a really important and successful model of farming communities working together for the betterment of farming and the environment.
The BRIDE project on biodiversity is one of these EIPs and is an excellent example of an innovative agri-environment project based in a river catchment.
The aim of this EIP is to design and implement a results-based approach to conserve, enhance, and restore habitats in lowland intensive farmland.
My Department’s proposed new agri-environment climate measure (AECM) under the next CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) will be building on the learnings and experience of these EIPs including those of the BRIDE. Subject to approval by the EU Commission of the CSP, the new AECM will have two streams – General and Co-operation (CP).
The CP stream will be managed by new Co-operation Project Teams and represents a scaling-up of the EIP model and the learnings gained.
The new AECM has been developed taking into account the excellent collaborative work done by these pilot projects, including the BRIDE EIP, in developing and testing innovative solutions to challenges in the agri-environment sector. One of the aims of these pilot projects was to offer an opportunity for a broad range of people – farmers, scientists, advisors – to work together to overcome problems relating to the interaction between farming and the environment in their local area. The outcome of their work in such areas as results-based management of land will now be extended beyond a pilot project to the whole of the country.
The BRIDE EIP is due to finish at the end of 2022 and I look forward to receiving its final report. However we will be continuing to support the work of this project through the new AECM throughout the whole State. I would encourage farmers participating in this and other EIPs to apply to join the AECM Scheme – either the General or Co-operation stream, as appropriate to their location, when the Scheme opens for applications later this year.
168. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to address the incompatibility of CAP agri-environmental schemes with farmers planting forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26284/22]
View answerI assure the Deputy that afforestation by farmers is compatible with the Agri-Environmental Schemes offered by my Department.
Some 682 GLAS participants planted a total of 3,702ha of forestry between 2016 and 2021. The Results-Based Environment Agri Pilot Programme (REAP) will run to the end of 2022. While parcels brought into REAP may not be converted to forestry during the term of the REAP contract, it is not a whole-of-farm project. Afforestation opportunities continue to exist for REAP participants on parcels that have not been selected for the project.
My Department fully recognises the need for afforestation to be complementary to the CAP Agri-Environmental Schemes. Newly-planted forestry will continue to qualify for the new Basic Income Support Payment, subject to the underlying rules for eligibility for the afforestation Single Payment Scheme (SPS).
As outlined in the CAP Strategic Plan, various tree planting actions have been included in the Pillar II Agri-Environment Climate Measure (AECM). Furthermore, the planting of trees or participation on agroforestry or native woodland establishment schemes will qualify the applicant for higher status in ranking and selection thereby giving the applicant a greater chance of being awarded an AECM contract.
As set out in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to a new national Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027, which will be the main implementation vehicle of the new Forest Strategy. This new Forestry Programme will focus on the importance of climate smart forestry and new afforestation will be encouraged in pursuit of climate, water, biodiversity and commercial objectives
An amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 has passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas. This amendment was necessary to remove the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is my objective to increase and encourage interest in small scale planting and I am confident that this change to the Act will remove a barrier to such planting.
The exemption for the creation of up to one hectare of native woodland would be available through a scheme which my Department now intends to design and implement. It is hoped that such a scheme will contribute to the stated policy goal of incentivising small-scale tree planting and of re-engaging farmers with afforestation.
169. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he made a case as part of the negotiation on the reformed Common Fisheries Policy for the extension of the exclusive coastal zone around member states of 12 miles to a more realistic level to protect coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26904/22]
View answerUnder 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.
In Ireland’s case, other than Northern Irish vessels under the Voisinage Agreement, no EU Member State or Third Country has access to our 0-6 nautical miles zone. France, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium have access for specific species in various areas of the 6-12 nautical mile zone along Ireland’s West, East and South coasts. Ireland does not have access to any other Member States’ 6-12 nautical mile zones.
Last year, the European Commission published a proposal to rollover, for another ten years, the provisions relating to the restrictions on access to Member States' 6-12 nautical miles zones, as set out in the Common Fisheries Policy Basic Regulation (Regulation (EU) No. 1380/2013).
I had sought that this issue be dealt with in the context of the CFP Review. The matter of access to waters for fishing fleets is a sensitive issue and cannot be looked at in isolation. However, the Commission views this as a technical amendment. This means that the proposal is now moving ahead of the CFP review process.
I am seeking exclusive access to the 12 nautical miles zone around Ireland for our own fishing fleet. I believe that there is a strong case to be made to increase the protections for Ireland’s fishing fleets in these waters, particularly against the background of Brexit.
I have had ongoing engagement with Commissioner Sinkevicius on this issue. I have also been engaging with the French, Belgian, Dutch and German Fisheries Ministers. Last month, I met with the French Fisheries Minister to further discuss my proposal and Ireland's concerns. France is the most impacted of the four Member States and France currently has the Council Presidency.
Earlier this week, on the margins of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, I met with the Dutch and German Fisheries Ministers to discuss this matter further.
I highlighted in particular the unacceptable impact of the TCA on our fisheries and the importance of a re-examination and full review of the CFP to ensure a fair, balanced and equitable policy, and explained the strong case for my proposal in relation to our 12 miles zone. The dossier will be considered before the end of the month to agree a Council General Approach and I will continue to work to find a compromise that takes into account Ireland’s case for our 12 miles zone.
170. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he last met with fisher and processor representative organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26840/22]
View answerI have ongoing engagement with representatives from the fishing and processing sector and meet with them on a regular basis.
Most recently, I met with representatives of fishing and processing organisations on the margins of the Skipper Expo in Limerick on the 25th March 2022 to discuss current issues of relevance to the seafood sector.
I updated the representative groups on the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the Seafood Sector Taskforce. I also listened to industry concerns relating to the cost of fuel in the context of the fuel crisis arising from the conflict in the Ukraine.
I found the meeting valuable and productive and I reassured industry of my commitment to continue to work with them to support them at this challenging time and to progress the schemes recommended in the Taskforce.
171. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has assessed the value of greenhouse gas savings over a twenty-year timeframe, calculated at the carbon price used in capital project evaluation under the public spending codes of diversification initiatives (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26875/22]
View answerThe Irish agri-food sector is committed to the challenge of meeting environmental targets over the coming years, as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021, and work on assessing the options to identify the best way forward is ongoing.
As the Deputy will be aware, Teagasc are assisting in designing and evaluating these options, and the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) was developed to identify ways for the sector to progress towards these targets.
The MACC allows for the ranking of measures based on the cost-effectiveness and includes measures as outlined by the Deputy on the rewetting of drained organic land and afforestation. However, it must be noted that the MACC is not a static analysis and will be subject to revisions as both the scientific knowledge and socioeconomic conditions evolve.
On the measures specifically highlighted by the Deputy, the MACC, as published in 2019, refers to the afforestation of 7,000 ha per year; estimated to sequester 2.1 MtCO2e. It also refers to the rewetting of 40,000 ha of organic grassland soils; estimated to sequester 0.44 MtCO2e over the period. On the question of biofuels, the actual impact will depend on the specific biofuel and type of grassland but this is an area my Department and Teagasc will continue to examine.
The current price of carbon used in the Public Spending Code (PSC) is based on the estimated costs associated with achieving a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but as the Deputy will know, the Government's climate ambitions have been considerably strengthened. My colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has indicated that the price applied in the PSC must be updated to reflect this enhanced ambition, with that work, by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, expected to take place in the coming months.
An exercise to assess the value of GHG savings over the twenty year timeframe calculated at this carbon price has not been undertaken to date. It is something that is worth consideration when the methodologies are revised.
I want to assure the Deputy that I am committed to supporting initiatives to facilitate the sector in reaching its climate targets, such as the work ongoing in the Food Vision Dairy Group, and will continue to engage so that we can together achieve the ambition of being a world leader in sustainable food systems.
172. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average number of afforestation licences targeted for issuance per week in 2022; and the average issued per week to date. [26964/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued 4,050 forestry licences last year, which was an increase of 56% on the number issued in 2020. It is my priority this year to increase the number of licences issued to 5,250 and in particular to focus on increasing the number of afforestation licences.
In this regard we intend to double the number of afforestation licences to 1,040. This means issuing on average around 20 afforestation licences per week is the target. Up to 20th May, we have issued 299 afforestation licences, which I acknowledge is below the projected average. It is, however, inevitable, in the context of the annual target figures, there will be fluctuations in licence output and across categories from week to week. In the week ending 20th May, we issued 18 afforestation licences and I am confident that we will reach our annual target. To this end we have recruited additional ecology resources and these 36 Full Time equivalents will begin to positively impact output.
In the interest of full transparency details of all licences issued by category are available on the weekly dashboard. This is published on the Departmental website and is made available to all interested parties as well as being submitted to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine each week.
173. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to facilitate farmers trading carbon credits; if he intends to establish a verifiable framework to record and manage net carbon sequestration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26283/22]
View answerIt is my firm contention that farmers must be recognised for their environmental ambition and rewarded accordingly.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 commits to the development of an enabling framework for the potential trading of carbon credits, and which rewards farmers for emissions reductions and carbon removals, including through potential private sector investment.
I recognise the development of a carbon farming framework is very much in line with the EU’s policy direction and in December 2021 the European Commission published its communication on Sustainable Carbon Cycles outlining a roadmap for the adoption of both nature-based and technology based carbon storage solutions. I look forward to the upcoming proposal from the European Commission for an EU regulatory framework for the certification of carbon removals in this regard.
To gain a deeper understanding of relevant issues, I have recently convened a Carbon Farming Working Group, chaired by officials from my department and initially drawing on expertise from across semi-state and governmental Departments to explore opportunities for the development of practices which encourage the removal of carbon in line with developments at EU level.
In development of a carbon farming framework the establishment of baseline data, auditing, the development of voluntary carbon codes, leveraging of private financing through public/private partnerships, and the putting in place of good governance structures will be required.
Like many other EU countries, Ireland is beginning to develop experience and knowledge in this area. I have recently provided funding through for initiatives such as the establishment of the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory, the Pilot Soil Sampling Programme and the Farm Environmental Scheme along with a number of European Innovation Partnership (EIP) research projects, to provide the required data for the development of future policy options in this area. In addition, The Woodland Environmental Fund (WEF) run by my department is an early example of an initiative which makes a payment for ecosystem services, including carbon capture.
I strongly believe that Carbon farming is an area that will become a crucial part of the future of farming in this country. I know this will be a real opportunity for farmers to derive a new income stream for their farm and I will drive this very exciting opportunity forward.
