Written Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to devise a scheme for capital expenditure including for machinery purchase that would assist the organic sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34707/22]
View answerThe Department currently offers two schemes which provide funding to farmers and processors for capital expenditure and the purchase of machinery. These are the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Organic Processing Investment Grant.
I am fully committed to the implementation of the National Organic Strategy 2019-2025 which sets out ambitious growth targets for the sector by aligning it closely with the market opportunities. The current Programme for Government is committed to aligning Ireland’s organic land area with that of the EU average of 7.5%. These schemes play a vital role in development and futureproofing of the organic sector and in turn help to achieve these targets.
The Organic Capital Investment Scheme provides grant aid to farmers for on-farm investments such as upgrades to agricultural buildings, machinery and to facilitate the adoption and application of new technologies. The Scheme also aims to provide an incentive to eligible young farmers to upgrade their agricultural buildings and equipment by providing them with an increased level of support Over €3.3m in payments have issued to farmers under this scheme to date.
The Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme provides funding to processors who wish to invest in developing facilities for the processing, preparation, grading, packing and storage of organic products. It is a demand led scheme and all eligible applications received are assessed based on the terms and conditions of the scheme. A budget of €1.2 million has been allocated to this Scheme for 2022 with a maximum payment of €700,000 available on eligible expenditure.
In two weeks time, Minister of State Pippa Hackett will lead trade mission to Germany this month to coincide with Biofach, the largest organic trade fair in Europe to help promote organic Irish food and drink in the German market. It is through initiatives like these that we will continue to develop the sector at production and processing level.
22. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the climate migration steps that he is taking within agriculture to enable solar power to become a practical option to aid agriculture in its transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38351/22]
View answerDeveloping this space is a priority of mine and one that I want to step out as soon as possible to support our farmers.
The Department currently provides grant aid through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) to assist our farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
Solar energy for on-farm use is grant aided under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage and Safety Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme measures under TAMS. The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels for water heating under the Pigs and Poultry scheme.
To date, some 249 applications for solar panels have been approved under the TAMS scheme.The maximum size of PV panels eligible for grant aid is 62KW for Pig and Poultry Farmers and 11kw for all other applicants. An applicant can install larger, but at their own cost.
It is also proposed that support for renewable energy investments will continue under the new Capital Investment Scheme as part of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) submitted to the EU Commission for approval last December.
I am also working closely with Minister Eamon Ryan who launched the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) in December 2021. There are a suite of new measures which was introduced for renewable production this year.
I will continue to engage with Minister Eamon Ryan and his Department and I am examining all ways to support farm families in this area.
23. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that are being put in place to meet forestry licence targets and address the current backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38169/22]
View answerAs Deputies will be aware, I established Project Woodland to improve the forestry licensing system and deal with the backlog, and to drive forward the planting of trees under a shared vision for forestry in Ireland.As part of the work undertaken to deliver on the Project, a legal and regulatory review of forestry licensing was carried out by Philip Lee Solicitors and, following extensive stakeholder engagement, their Report was published on 29th June, 2022. Philip Lee reviewed and critically analysed the existing EU and domestic legal framework for the licensing of forestry activities, including relevant case law. In addition, the Report focuses on practical and implementable options for streamlining processes and procedures, having regard to arrangements in other European countries, and the constraints imposed under EU law as interpreted by the Courts.
My Department is now developing an action plan for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report, with the implementation of certian recommendations already under way.
Work is also on-going with the implementation of the 57 recommendations arising from a business process review carried out under Project Woodland. An Agile Implementation Group is implementing system solutions, including new functionality, arising from that review, with 39% of all recommendations either complete or in progress..
This work builds on earlier improvements to our processes. These improvements have facilitated the preparation of Appropriate Assessment Reports by my Department, which removes this burden from applicants in most cases. Associated with this and in order to assist foresters in submitting quality applications, we recently provided habitat map training and we are shortly due to roll out training specifically for ecologists. Furthermore, a pre-application discussion pilot has been completed and we now intend to deliver this at a national level. All of these measures are aimed at improving the quality of applications received, and at opitmising the time of those assessing applications.
Furthermore, in tandem with looking at processes, I have substantially increased the resources available to process forestry licences, with 35 ecologists now dealing with licence applications.
I believe these efforts have had a positive impact as we have issued 2,449 licences to end June which is 93% of our projected average at this point in the year. As regards addressing the backlog, my Department has 3,148 applications on hand. Since 1st January, this figure has reduced from 4,800 and from 6,000 in August 2021.This is significant progress. The number of applications now in backlog i.e over 120 days now stands at 2,573.
We will continue to focus on improvements to the system and to assist those who are engaging with it by means of improved communication and training.
24. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have been supported by the 2020 basic payment scheme payments under financial discipline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38236/22]
View answerThe financial discipline mechanism is part of the annual budgetary procedure of the European Union.
It involves a monetary deduction from some direct payments by Member States to create a Crisis Reserve for the European Union.
The Crisis Reserve is intended to provide additional support for the agricultural sector in the case of major crises affecting agricultural production or distribution. If the Crisis Reserve is not activated in the financial year, or it is not fully utilised, the balance is refunded to farmers in the subsequent financial year.
For 2020, the financial discipline mechanism was a monetary deduction of 2.9% for the 2020 scheme year. The Crisis Reserve was not activated in the 2021 financial year and as a result some €21.7 million was reimbursed to 100,763 farmers in June 2022.
A small number of additional cases may become eligible for a reimbursement as ongoing processing of cases takes place. Any such cases will be paid when the next reimbursement in respect of the 2020 scheme year takes place.
The €21.7 million Financial Discipline payments earlier this month bring the total paid to Irish farmers under the 2020 Basic Payment Scheme to over €1.183 billion.
25. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work that he is undertaking to support farmers who wish to generate renewable energy on their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38545/22]
View answerThere is huge potential in this space and it is one that I want to see grow rapdily in order to support our farm families with crucial new incomes streams.
To encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided through The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS). This assists farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
The solar PV systems grant-aided under TAMS include Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels for water heating under the Pig and Poultry Capital Investment Scheme. The grant aid under TAMS is available at the standard rate of 40%, with a higher grant rate of 60% available to qualified young farmers.
The energy produced here is limited to on-farm usage only. This is because the State aid requirements for this scheme are under Commission Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 and Article 14 (4) which state the following:
The investment may be linked to the production at farm-level of of energy from renewable sources, provided that such production does not exceed the average annual consumption of fuels or energy of the given farm. Where the investment is made for the production of thermal energy and electricity from renewable sources on agricultural holdings, the production facilities shall serve only the beneficiary's own energy needs and their production capacity shall be no more than the equivalent to the combined average annual energy consumption of thermal energy and electricity on the agricultural holding, including the farm household.
The current State aid Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas have applied since 1st July 2014 and will expire on 31st December 2022. The European Commission proposed changes to the Guidelines in order to align the current rules with the new CAP and other current EU strategic priorities.
Subject to these changes, there may be scope for us to do more to support farmers. Allowing farmers to generate more renewable energy for their own use and potentially for sale to the grid is a priority of mine.
I am anxious that we would do this and help meet the two-fold purpose of providing more energy in this country from renewable sources while also helping to support farm incomes and allow farmers to be more energy secure.
It is also proposed that support for renewable energy investments will continue under the new Capital Investment Scheme as part of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) submitted to the EU Commission for approval last December. The position for Capital Investments under the CSP will remain for renewables to be consumed on the holding only.
I am working closely with Minister Eamonn Ryan on this given the suite of new measures which that Department has introduced for renewable production this year. I will continue to engage in the revision of the State Aid Regulations as part of this and I will examine all ways to support farmers in this area.
26. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 203 of 26 May 2022, the way in which his Department prioritises support for farmers to generate more renewable energy for their own use and potentially for sale to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38541/22]
View answerI am excited about developing the on-farm renewable sector as way of reducing emissions while also providing new incomes streams for farm families.
To encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided through The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS).
This assists farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms. The solar PV systems grant-aided under TAMS include Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels for water heating under the Pig and Poultry Capital Investment Scheme.
The grant aid under TAMS is available at the standard rate of 40%, with a higher grant rate of 60% available to qualified young farmers.
The energy produced here is limited to on-farm usage only. This is because the State aid requirements for this scheme are under Commission Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 and Article 14 (4) which state the following:
The investment may be linked to the production at farm-level of of energy from renewable sources, provided that such production does not exceed the average annual consumption of fuels or energy of the given farm. Where the investment is made for the production of thermal energy and electricity from renewable sources on agricultural holdings, the production facilities shall serve only the beneficiary's own energy needs and their production capacity shall be no more than the equivalent to the combined average annual energy consumption of thermal energy and electricity on the agricultural holding, including the farm household.
The current State aid Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas have applied since 1st July 2014 and will expire on 31 December 2022. The European Commission proposed changes to the Guidelines in order to align the current rules with the new CAP and other current EU strategic priorities.
Subject to these changes, there may be scope for us to do more to support farmers. Allowing farmers to generate more renewable energy for their own use and potentially for sale to the grid is a priority of mine.
I am anxious that we would do this and help meet the two-fold purpose of providing more energy in this country from renewable sources while also helping to support farm incomes and allow farmers to be more energy secure.
It is also proposed that support for renewable energy investments will continue under the new Capital Investment Scheme as part of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) submitted to the EU Commission for approval last December. The position for Capital Investments under the CSP will remain for renewables to be consumed on the holding only.
I am working closely with Minister Eamonn Ryan on this given the suite of new measures which that his Department has introduced for renewable production this year. I will continue to engage in the revision of the State Aid Regulations as part of this and I will examine all ways to support farmers in this area.
27. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work that he is undertaking to support the growth of the organic farming sector in Ireland. [38544/22]
View answerI am fully committed to development and growth of the organic sector and I believe under the new CAP there is a significant opportunity to do so.
The current Programme for Government is committed to aligning the utilisable agricultural area under organic production in Ireland with that of the EU average of 7.5%, which is also consistent with the target proposed by Agri-Food Strategy 2030.
All our organic policies are designed with this in mind. In 2022, I secured a budget of €21 million which represents a €5 million increase in allocation from 2021. The additional funding provides for an extra 50,000 hectares converting to organic production in 2022. I have also reduced the required stocking rate and increased the cap on the higher rate of payment from 60 hectares to 70 hectares.
Furthermore under the new CAP, I have proposed the allocation of €265 million in funding - this is a five-fold increase for the budget for organics. Based on this level of funding, it is my intention to implement enhanced payments to organic farmers to support the maintenance and conversion to Organic Farming. I believe these changes will attract strong numbers of new entrants to the organic farming sector.
Minister of State Pippa Hackett has reconvened the Organic Strategy Forum which has met three times so far in 2022. Currently, the forum is developing a road-map of activities in advance of the scheme reopening in late 2022 to promote the pathways to organic farming.
Minister of State Hackett 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.
To ensure farmers have the help and support to transition to organic farming, my Department has provided funding to the Agricultural Consultants Association to increase advisory support in the sector and Teagasc are committed to continuing their support of organic farming through their advisory service.
I believe that these measures are having a positive effect as we saw a 20% increase in applications to join the Organic Farming Scheme in 2022 in comparison to 2021, bringing in an expected additional 17,000ha of land giving an overall increase of 35% of land being farmed organically over the last two years. I intend that this will be the first of many increases in the volume of land farmed organically in Ireland.
28. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that he has made in implementing the various supports and schemes recommended by the Seafood Sector Taskforce. [38547/22]
View answerThe Report of the Seafood Task Force – Navigating Change (October 2021) recommended 16 support schemes at an estimated cost of €423 million, collectively designed to address the impacts of Brexit and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement on our seafood sector and coastal communities. Given the large number of recommendations and the work required to examine each from the perspective of funding available, eligibility under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve Regulation, State Aid rules, and the Public Spending, the Task Force recommended that its 16 recommended schemes be considered on a phased and prioritised basis.
Since the publication of the Task Force Report, many of the recommended schemes have since been launched. The first of these was a Brexit Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme which ran from October to December 2021. It made available supports of €4,600 up to €88,700 per month depending on vessel size for vessels to tie-up for a calendar month. Vessels in the Rockall squid fishery could tie-up for 2 months at these rates. In total, some 179 vessels availed of this scheme at a cost of €10 million.
I introduced this tie-up scheme again last month and it will operate until November this year. To further assist the fishing fleet in these difficult times, I am allowing each vessel to receive aid for 2 months in 2022. Already, some 67 vessels availed of the scheme for the month of June, with a further 43 approved for tie-up for July.
For the inshore fleet, a Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme operated over January to March and was availed of by 771 inshore fishing vessel owners at a cost of €2.6 million to assist in adjusting their business to the post Brexit environment. In addition, a Brexit Inshore Marketing Scheme is underway and is investing €600,000 in 2022 in promoting stocks of interest to inshore fishers to support prices at the quayside.
Separately, a €45 million Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme is open for applications at present, with the aim of supporting the seafood processing sector to engage in transformational change, mitigating the effects of Brexit, and assisting the sector to move further up the supply chain to produce higher value seafood products. Grants of up to 50% for capital investment are available.
For coastal communities, a €25 million Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme is open for applications and aims to counter the adverse economic and social consequences of Brexit on businesses operating in the blue economy in our coastal regions. The scheme offers aid of up to €200,000 for capital investments and also offers aid for training and mentoring.
Additionally, a €35 million Brexit Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme is well underway, with grants of €32 million approved for local authorities to renew important local infrastructure that will facilitate both fishing activities and the growth of our blue economy.
Further support schemes are anticipated in coming months, with four awaiting State Aid clearance from the European Commission. This includes a voluntary decommissioning scheme, an off register capacity buyout scheme, a capital support scheme for aquaculture, and a liquidity support scheme for fisheries cooperatives.
29. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his work in relation to afforestation licensing. [38546/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has committed to issuing 5,250 forestry licences this year, which is an increase of 30% on the number issued last year. The Forestry Licensing Plan was published at the start of the year and sets out a range of forestry priorities set to run for the whole of 2022.
As regards progression towards our overall target at the end of quarter two up to 30th June, 2,449 licences have issued, just short of the projected average of 2,635 at 93%. It is, however, inevitable, in the context of the annual target figures, that there will be fluctuations in licence output and across categories from week to week.
Across the individual categories of private felling, Coillte felling and roads we are close to or above our projected target. I acknowledge that we have not reached expected levels in relation to afforestation, at 57%. However when compared to our output at the same time last year we are slightly ahead.
In order to achieve our targets, we have improved our systems, and given the number of files required to be referred to ecology, we have recruited significant numbers of additional ecologists. There are 35 full-time equivalent ecologists working on forestry applications with 21 dealing with afforestation. The full impact of these measures and of this recruitment will become evident across the second half of the year.
Training of these new staff and the requirement for a second 30 day public consultation period for those sites subject to Appropriate Assessment has delayed output to date, but I am hopeful that the second half of the year will see an increase in the number of afforestation files issued.
In addition, to ensure efficient use of resources and similar to other planning authorities, files with outstanding further information requests back with the applicants over a set length time will be removed from the licensing worklist. Reminders will always be sent to applicants to make them aware of the situation with their file.
In the interest of full transparency details of all licences issued by category are available on the weekly dashboard. This is published on my Department's 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.
Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsbility for the sector, it is our firm commitment to meet the targets as set out in the Licensing Plan and to deliver for the forestry sector in Ireland.
30. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of his Department’s efforts to streamline the application processes for forestry licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37577/22]
View answerI established Project Woodland to improve the forestry licensing system and deal with the forestry licensing backlog, and to drive forward the planting of trees under a shared vision for forestry in Ireland.As part of the work undertaken to deliver on the Project, a legal and regulatory review of forestry licensing was carried out by Philip Lee Solictors and, following extensive stakeholder engagement, their Report was published on 29th June, 2022. Philip Lee reviewed and critically analysed the existing EU and domestic legal framework for the licensing of forestry activities, including relevant case law. In addition, the Report focuses on practical and implementable options for streamlining processes and procedures, having regard to arrangements in other European countries, and the constraints imposed under EU law as interpreted by the Courts.
The Department is now developing an action plan for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report, with the implemtation of certain recommendation already under way.
Work is also on-going with the implementation of the 57 recommendations arising from a business process review carried out under Project Woodland. An Agile Implementation Group is implementing system solutions, including new functionality, arising from that review, with 39% of all recommendations either complete or in progress.
This work builds on earlier improvements to our processes. These improvements have facilitated the preparation of Appropriate Assessment Reports by my Department, which removes this burden from applicants in most cases. Associated with this, and in order to assist foresters in submitting quality applications, we recently provided habitat map training and we are shortly due to roll out training specifically for ecologists. Furthermore, a pre-application discussion pilot has been completed and we now intend to deliver this at a national level. All of these measures are aimed at improving the quality of applications received, and at opitmising the time of those assessing applications.
Furthermore, in tandem with looking at processes, I have substantially increased the resources available to process forestry licences, with 35 ecologists now dealing with licence applications.
I believe these efforts have had a positive impact as we have issued 2,449 licences to end June which is 93% of our projected average at this point in the year. We will continue to focus on improvements to the system and to assist those who are engaging with it by means of improved communication and training.
31. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 26 May 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. [38170/22]
View answerAs I advised the Deputy in May last, 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 will be 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 2021. 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 once again that I am fully supportive of this objective.
As previously advised, I am awaiting the decision of the Court of Appeal to inform next steps. As the matter remains sub judice, I cannot comment further until the matter can be resolved before the Courts.
32. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that he is taking to support small farmers who are being squeezed out by large agri-business. [38532/22]
View answerI am very supportive of small farmers, who contribute in a very meaningful way to the economic, environmental and social sustainability of rural communities and the rural economy. Having grown up on a small, family farm I personally know the importance they have.
The draft CAP Strategic Plan which has been submitted by my Department to the European Commission for approval includes total funding of €9.8 billion.
Many of the measures are targeted to support smaller farmers, including the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS). This is a mandatory intervention in the next CAP period for all Member States, and I have instructed my Department to implement it at the recommended 10% of the Direct Payments overall financial allocation for the period.
This €118million per year will be paid out on the first 30 eligible hectares of every Active Farmer’s land, at a rate of about €43 per hectare. The impact of this has been modelled by my Department in August 2021, and the results indicate that approximately 70% of farmers will see a net benefit as a result of this redistribution. This effect will be more pronounced the smaller the farm.
In terms of a strategic approach to the future development of the sector, the Food Vision 2030 strategy, launched by the Taoiseach and myself last year, sets a vision that Ireland will become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade.
Food Vision acknowledges the central importance of primary producers – our farmers and fishers – to the sustainable development of the sector and includes a specific Mission “viable and resilient primary producers, with enhanced well-being” .
Food Vision recognises that economically and socially sustainable farmers are an integral part of our rural and coastal communities.
It also envisages there being a place in Ireland’s agri-food sector for all types of primary producer whether full time or part time, big or small.
The strategy includes specific actions aimed at improving the competitiveness and productivity of primary producers; increasing the creation of value and distributing it fairly; introducing greater diversification in production systems and incomes; and improving the social sustainability of primary producers.
In relation to improving fairness along the food supply chain, the Department’s Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Enforcement Authority is utilising the powers approved last year under the UTP Regulations and has my full support in its efforts to remove the unfairness from trading practices in the food supply chain.
The draft Bill which I have proposed to establish an Office for Fairness and Transparency in the agri-food supply chain is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny. I look forward to receiving the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee as soon as possible so that this important legislation can be progressed.
33. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to pursue value enhancing market avenues as an alternative to live animal exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38247/22]
View answerThe Irish meat sector has been very successful in accessing and developing new market opportunities in both European and international markets. Diversifying and developing markets for beef, sheep meat, pig meat and poultry meat will continue to be a priority for me and the Government.
An intensive programme of Ministerial trade missions to priority international markets is central to that market diversification and development work.
Earlier this year, I led trade missions to the Gulf region and North America to progress market opportunities for Irish meat exporters. Resulting from governmental and technical dialogue associated with those visits, I was able to announce in February agreement in principle on lifting a restriction whereby Irish beef exports to Saudi Arabia were derived from cattle processed at, or under, 30 months of age.
Similarly, during my trade mission to Washington in April, I thanked Agriculture Secretary Vilsack for the positive working relationship between our officials which was evidenced by a recently agreed veterinary health certificate that will allow Irish sheep meat exports to the US subject to the completion of some necessary formalities.
These high-level political engagements are very important in fulfilling the Programme for Government commitment to pursue value-enhancing market avenues. The live export of cattle does, however, offer very important competition to the sector as a way of driving better returns for our farm families.
34. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he hopes to mitigate carbon reduction requirements by way of enhanced sequestration thereby ensuring the viability of the agri-food sector while at the same time meeting carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38477/22]
View answerThe Climate Action plan 2021 sets a separate target for the land use sector to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030. Measures set out by my Department to reach this target include enhanced sequestration measures such as improved management of grassland on mineral soils, cover crops, incorporation of straw and afforestation.
Recent initiatives supported through funding from my Department will provide much needed data on the emission profile of our farms and will inform policy decisions in this area to better support farmers in their efforts to sequester, store and protect carbon through better management decisions.
In particular, the establishment of the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory with supporting technology for the measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a range of different soil and farm types will place Ireland at the forefront of EU carbon sequestration research. This action is also supported through the roll out of a soil sampling scheme, measuring soil carbon across more than 7500 farms in its pilot phase.
As you will appreciate, the knowledge gained from research and technological infrastructure establishment activities pursued through this Department will not only demonstrate the continued viability of our agri-food sector but it will also allow for the refinement of our reporting to the National Inventory further emphasising the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
35. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to increase the national quota allocation for the mackerel hook and line fishery for 2023 following engagement with industry representatives at recent meetings of the Quota Management Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38352/22]
View answerManagement arrangements for the State’s fisheries, including the Mackerel fishery, have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the introduction of quotas. Pelagic stocks, such as Mackerel, are managed on an annual or seasonal basis with catch limits set based on allocation regimes developed over many years and related to historical catch records. Amendments to the mackerel policy in 2010 and 2017 were introduced following a full review and public consultation. It should be noted that the 2017 policy is subject to a legal challenge in the Courts.
In order to amend Mackerel Policy, I, as Minister, must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect of the policy, it would require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.
There has been, for the past 20 years or so, intensive competition within the industry for a higher share of the mackerel quota. The EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota to the UK by 2026. This will only increase demands for a higher share of Ireland’s Mackerel quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet.
Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase in the Mackerel quota for any sector in the allocation made available, it must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the TCA.
In accordance with policy, there is an allocation of 400 tonnes of Mackerel for a fishery for smaller vessels (under 15 metre vessels) fishing for Mackerel by means of hooks and line.
The management arrangements, within national policy, for the mackerel hook and line fishery have been on the agenda and discussed with industry representatives at recent meetings of the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC). It is important to note that the remit of the QMAC is to examine and make recommendations within Ministerial policy.
Earlier this year, I asked the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) to examine measures to strengthen the management arrangements for the 2022 Mackerel hook and line fishery, within the policy, for my consideration. A working group involving industry representatives recommended by the QMAC and the Department was put in place and made recommendations for the management of the 2022 Fishery which were supported by the QMAC and which I have approved. The management arrangements are available on the Department’s website. The fishery is now open and the SFPA has advised that as of 11th July 2022, 138 tonnes of the 400 tonnes available quota have been landed to date with a corresponding percentage uptake of 34.5%.
36. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a new decommissioning scheme for fishing vessels will be announced; the conditions that will apply to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38514/22]
View answerThe Report of the Seafood Task Force – Navigating Change (October 2021) recommended 16 support schemes at an estimated cost of €423 million, collectively designed to address the impacts of Brexit and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement on our seafood sector and coastal communities. Given the large number of recommendations and the work required to examine each from the perspective of funding available, eligibility under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve Regulation, State Aid rules, and the Public Spending, the Task Force recommended that its 16 recommended schemes be considered on a phased and prioritised basis.
Since the publication of the Task Force Report, many of the recommended schemes have since been launched , including Brexit support schemes for the fishing fleet, for the inshore fleet, for the processing sector and for coastal communities. A further four schemes are awaiting State Aid clearance from the European Commission.
Of all of the recommendations, the voluntary permanent cessation scheme is certainty the most complex. The Task Force recommended a voluntary permanent cessation scheme for the whitefish polyvalent and beam trawl fleet segments with the objective of removing 8,000 gross tonnes and 21,000 kilowatts of fleet capacity, equivalent to 60 vessels approximately. The Task Force recommended that special provision be made for tax treatment of the decommissioning scheme payments, similar to the decommissioning scheme that operated in 2008 and that complementary measures for buy-out of off-register fleet capacity be instituted in order to lessen the risk of fishers re-entering the fleet with new vessels.
Following discussions with the Ministers for Finance and for Public Expenditure and reform, the recommended tax measures were included in the Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, which was signed into law on 2 June 2022.
On 14 March 2022, a State Aid Notification for a Brexit Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme was submitted to the European Commission for its consideration. I await State Aid decisions from the European Commission on these matters.
37. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work that he is undertaking to support Ireland’s wool industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38518/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, one of the commitments of the current Programme for Government is to conduct a review of the potential demand for wool-based products such as for insulation and fertilisers in domestic and international markets.
Despite its versatility in many industries, wool prices remain unacceptably low so in order to address this issue and seek a more favourable outlook for the future of the wool industry I initiated a comprehensive review of the wool industry to explore market opportunities and maximise its value for all stakeholders
In March 2021, I launched a public consultation process to identify terms of reference for the review and to invite stakeholders to make recommendations on potential domestic and international market opportunities for wool products. Stakeholders submitted a total of 45 submissions.
Following a competitive public procurement procedure, ‘The Agile Executive’ a consortium made up of experts from Munster Technological University and Donegal Yarns, were appointed in November 2021 to carry out the wool review and examine the submissions received under the public consultation process.
The Agile Executive produced a report on the findings of the review and this report was published on the 1st July 2022. This report which was compiled independently by The Agile Executive, contains a number of findings and recommendations. One of the main recommendations is the establishment of an industry-led Wool Council to develop and promote Irish wool domestically and internationally and bring together multiple stakeholders to foster collaboration, innovation and scaling activities in the wool sector.
Following the formation by industry of this Council, I am pleased to announce that my Department will commit funding of €30,000 towards the initial set-up costs. I am very supportive of the proposal of an industry led Wool Council which I believe can provide a pathway towards maximising the true potential of this valuable natural resource into the future.
38. 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; and the timeframe for the delivery of same. [37912/22]
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 have asked officials in my Department to examine 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.
39. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that he is taking to promote organic farming for local consumption and direct farmers' markets. [38533/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine reconvened the Organic Strategy Forum this year, the members of which are undertaking a full examination of the Organic Sector. The Forum includes representatives of small-scale and artisinal organic producers and processors. It also includes Bord Bia as the agency responsible for the promotion and marketing of Irish food, drink and horticulture, is taking a lead role in regard to this .
In their presentations to the Forum, Bord Bia has committed to helping the organic sector develop by building on their current activities in a way that can benefit the sector through targeted market development and promotional activity. Working closely with their organic client companies through capability development also ensures that they are best placed to capitalise on any opportunities that arise on the domestic or export markets for Irish organic produce.
Following extensive market research and organic stakeholder engagement over the past year, Bord Bia identified a need to develop a strong promotional platform to support sales of organic products at domestic retail level. With this in mind Bord Bia is collaborating with major Irish retailers to raise awareness of the range and availability of organic produce from Ireland among consumers. Bord Bia has developed digital and in-store promotional materials for the Organics from Ireland campaign, which can be used by retailers to highlight their organic Irish beef, lamb, dairy, seafood, eggs, and prepared consumer foods.
Irish food markets are an extremely valuable link for consumers to our farmers and food producers and provide an opportunity for all small farmers and food producers (including those certified organic) to sell their produce and connect with their customers. In recognition of this important route to market Bord Bia have a dedicated section of its website which focuses specifically on preparation for direct selling via this channel. It includes a range of advice in setting up a stall/food market and also a useful location tool for consumers to identify their closest farmers market.
40. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking in conjunction with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and Transport to ensure that fishing representatives organisation and fishermen are fully included in the planning process for all offshore wind projects to minimise the impact of these projects on their fishing grounds and livelihoods. [37845/22]
View answerI am acutely aware of the concerns of fishers and fishing representatives in relation to potential impacts on fishing grounds and livelihoods as a result of Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) developments.
I can confirm that my Department has worked constructively throughout the past year with officials in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage which has led the establishment of the Seafood/ORE working group. This group will facilitate discussions on matters arising from the interaction of the seafood and offshore renewable energy industries, to promote and share best practice, and to encourage liaison with other sectors in the marine environment. Its initial aim will be to agree a communications protocol between these two strategically important maritime sectors.
I have encouraged early engagement in this process and officials from all three Departments participated in a seafood sector information session, which was held online on 22 July 2021, in order to inform seafood stakeholders of the intentions of the Departments and outline the proposed objectives of the working group. This information session was well attended by fishing representatives.
It is important that we continue to find a pathway that recognises the value that our ocean territory has for our economy and that balances this with how we harness its natural resources. Food Vision 2030, the agri-food sector strategy adopted as government policy, calls for greater recognition, respect and support for primary producers for their key societal role in addressing our climate and biodiversity emergency. It is essential that the needs and experiences of fishers are factored into the scoping, planning and designing of any offshore renewable energy projects.
I am pleased that the Chairperson of the Seafood/ORE working group was recently appointed and I am assured that the inception meeting of this group, which will include fishing industry representation, will be held at the earliest available opportunity. I encourage effective engagement and cooperation between the Departments, Agencies and State Bodies involved and with the seafood and ORE industries in order to fully understand potential impacts, both positive and negative, co-existence opportunities and displacement considerations, and guide any potential mitigation responses as appropriate.
