Written Answers Nos. 2130-2145
2130. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the recently announced European Commission approved Irish scheme for the aquaculture sector in the context of Brexit will open; when the terms of the scheme will be announced; the person or body that will be responsible for administering the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41088/22]
View answerI was very pleased to announce, on 25th July, the launch of the Brexit Sustainable Aquaculture Growth Scheme which will provide €20 million in funding for capital investments to accelerate the sustainable growth of our aquaculture sector over the 2022/23 period, with the support of the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
The scheme aims to mitigate the adverse economic and social consequences of Brexit on aquaculture enterprises, but importantly the scheme also seeks to assist seafood processors adversely affected by loss of raw material supply arising from the TCA quota reductions and coastal communities adversely affected by a broad range of impacts arising from the TCA quota reductions and wider Brexit impacts.
The sustainable development of our aquaculture sector offers the opportunity to assist not just the aquaculture enterprises concerned, but also to develop an alternative source of native raw material supply for seafood processors and alternative employment opportunities in the coastal communities affected by the reduction in fishing activity.
The scheme will support capital investments increasing the sustainable production of aquaculture enterprises, increasing added-value in products, improving energy efficiency and mitigating climate change and projects reducing the environmental impact of aquaculture. Grants of 30% to 50% of eligible costs will be available. Projects must be completed by 31st October 2023 to ensure eligibility for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) will be administering the scheme.
2131. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if provision has been made to ensure that Irish farmers will access to sufficient amounts of fertiliser in the event of shortages in the months ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41093/22]
View answerThe current situation in relation to the cost and availability of fertiliser remains a significant concern. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has led to significant increases in energy, feed and fertiliser prices. This is being felt at farm level and is something that I am acutely aware of.
Earlier in the crisis, I established the 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.
This Group continues to meet and I will continue to engage closely with the sector as we work together on these significant challenges.
Within my Department, I established a Rapid Response Team, to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis.
I launched the 2022 Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign in January in response to the unprecedented fertiliser price levels. This credible roadmap, which I tasked Teagasc to develop, will help alleviate reduce their dependency on chemical fertiliser in the longer-term. Teagasc has also 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. Following on from the package of measures announced in recent months to provide support to Irish farmers, I launched a €56 million Fodder Support Scheme on 15th June 2022.
We continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and I continue to engage actively with the EU Commission, across Government and with industry as this situation unfolds. The financial supports previously announced will assist farmers in meeting the rising costs of fertiliser and in providing sufficient fodder for Winter 2022.
I am committed to supporting our farm families and their businesses through this very challenging period.
2132. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail the area of land in County Wicklow that has been planted with coniferous trees in the past 25 years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41094/22]
View answer2133. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail the area of land in County Wicklow that has been planted with deciduous trees in the past 25 years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41095/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2132 and 2133 together.
The Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme is the main afforestation scheme operated by my Department and is available to private land owners. The current Scheme provides for a number of different grant and premium categories and within those categories, for the planting of a number of different species. It sits within the Forestry Programme 2014 to 2020, which takes into account the aims and objectives of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy, including a target of 30% broadleaf planting on an annual and national basis.
Since 1998 my Department has funded some 193,003 ha of new Forests up to end 2021. Some 4,386 hectares of this was planted in County Wicklow. (A county breakdown is not available prior to 1998.) Broadleaf trees accounted for 24% of planting (1,045 hectares) and Conifers some 76% (3342 hectares) in County Wicklow. Over the lifetime of the current programme broadleaf planting has risen in Wicklow from 12% to 69% in 2021.
2134. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of felling licences for forestry’s issued in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41096/22]
View answerThe number of felling licences issued in County Wicklow by my Department from 1st January 2018 to 19 July 2022 are as follows:
|
Year |
Licences Issued |
|
2018 |
267 |
|
2019 |
328 |
|
2020 |
124 |
|
2021 |
211 |
|
YTD to 19/07/22 |
121 |
My Department has committed in our Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 to issuing 3,360 felling licences in 2022. To date we have issued a total of 1,939 felling licences and we fully expect to meet the projections outlined in the Plan.
2135. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current situation around the insurance of forestry’s across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41097/22]
View answerThe Forestry Standards Manual which is published by my Department strongly recommends that forest owners ensure that they have adequate insurance in the event of a fire, including the cost of reconstitution. Landowners who enter the Afforestation Scheme offered under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 (extended to end 2022) are informed that they should ensure that their forest has adequate insurance cover against damage.
Insurance of forests against fire is readily available on the open market and all forest owners are encouraged to ensure against fire losses.
My Department provides guidance and advice to forest owners and monitors forest fire risk throughout the main risk period and provides Fire Danger Notices when conditions dictate, in conjunction with Met Éireann. This information can be found at gov.ie - Fire Management (www.gov.ie). Forest Fire protection information is also available at www.teagasc.ie
Coillte carries public liability insurance on its forests in support of its open forest policy.
2136. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current situation in regard to the responsibility of forestry owners to replant forests destroyed by fire across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41098/22]
View answerFire is a significant but preventable risk to forests in Ireland. The protection of individual forest holdings is the responsibility of forest owners, but cooperation between forest owners can be highly beneficial in protecting against fire and most importantly reducing available fuel loads to manage risk.
Forests at younger stages of development are most at risk from fire, and fire risk is highest during Spring when winter vegetation is dead and can readily dry out and become flammable during dry spells.
My Department provides guidance and advice to forest owners and monitors forest fire risk throughout the main risk period and provides Fire Danger Notices when conditions dictate, in conjunction with Met Éireann. This information can be found at gov.ie - Fire Management (www.gov.ie). Forest Fire protection information is also available at www.teagasc.ie
Insurance of forests again fire is readily available on the open market and all forest owners are encouraged to ensure against fire losses.
Where forests are damaged or destroyed by fire, there is an obligation to report these losses with six months of the damage occurring, pursuant to Section 12 of the Forestry Act, 2014.
There is an obligation on forest owners to replant lands where forest has been destroyed by fire, to prevent deforestation, pursuant to Section 12(3) and section 26(1) of the Forestry Act, 2014.
2137. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he have received any gifts from visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the details of these gifts, their value, and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41111/22]
View answerI have received some small gifts from officials while on agri-food trade missions representing my Department abroad. These gifts have been primarily decorative in nature and kept in my office where some are displayed. The monetary value of this gifts would not exceed the guidelines set out the Standards in Public Office Commission Information note on gifts to office holders.
2138. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received any gifts while travelling abroad; if he will provide a breakdown of the detail and value of these gifts and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41129/22]
View answerI have received some small gifts from counterparts while on trade missions representing my Department and the agri-food sector abroad. These gifts have been primarily decorative in nature and kept in my office where some are displayed.
The monetary value of this gifts would not exceed the guidelines set out the Standards in Public Office Commission Information note on gifts to office holders.
2139. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his Department have given any gifts to visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the detail and the value of these gifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41147/22]
View answerWhile travelling abroad on official missions or hosting a visiting official it is customary to exchange gifts between state officials.
These gifts are token in nature and are normally decorative items such as prints etc. Currently my office when required to give a gift we are using a small handmade writing set. The value of this is approximately €50.
2140. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will approve the funding request from hen harrier project which includes payments owed to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41184/22]
View answerThe Hen Harrier Project is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Hen Harrier Project Team. The Project team are responsible for the administration of the project and associated payments. Any queries relating to payments due should be addressed directly to the Project team.
2141. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to introduce a new farm retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41188/22]
View answerThe challenge of generational renewal is widely recognised both at national and EU level. There are challenges both for younger farmers becoming established and older farmers having concerns about future income, taxation, the suitability of collaborators and the retirement process itself.
The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) cites generational renewal as one of its nine key objectives, while it is also prominent in Food Vision 2030, the new stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector. Food Vision proposes a number of actions, including maintaining the strong level of current support; the promotion of land mobility and succession planning; and increased education & promotion of the diversity of careers in the agri-food sector.
This reflects the need for skilled and innovative young farmers to respond to societal demands for quality food and environmental public goods. Supporting younger and older farmers therefore remains a key policy objective.
Given this, as the Deputy may be aware, there are a range of measures in place at present – both in the existing CAP and at national level – that support younger farmers and facilitate generational renewal. Under the current CAP, this includes the Young Farmers Scheme, the National Reserve, the TAMS II Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme and support to establish Collaborative Farming arrangements. Further assistance is available from national supports including through taxation measures such as the Agricultural Relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax, Stamp Duty exemptions, Stock Relief and Long-Term Leasing Relief, as well as the availability of tax credits via the Succession Farm Partnerships. Such interventions, which are available to all sectors, provide vital supports to young farmers in setting up their enterprises and older farmers wishing to retire.
Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan proposals reaffirm our commitment to generational renewal, with a number of proposals currently under review by the European Commission. This includes a new initiative to support advice for older farmers on succession and retirement options.
I want to ensure that the agri-food sector remain strong and sustainable into the future, and will continue to engage with stakeholders to find the best approaches to support young farmers to ensure a bright future for the sector.
2142. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ó mhí Feabhra 2022 ar fhorbairt an chéibh domhan mhara i Ros a Mhíl; cén uair a bhfuil súil obair a thosnú ar an suíomh, dreigeáil san áireamh [41286/22]
View answerTá seirbhísí na n-innealtóirí comhairleacha faighte ag mo Roinn agus tá an dearadh mionsonraithe do Thionscadal na Cé Deepwater ag céim chun cinn. Ina theannta sin, bainisteoidh na hinnealtóirí comhairliúcháin an próiseas tairisceana le haghaidh oibreacha tógála, déanfaidh siad maoirsiú ar na hoibreacha tógála, agus in am trátha aistreoidh siad na hoibreacha tógála críochnaithe ar ais chuig mo Roinn. Cuirfidh na hinnealtóirí comhairleacha comhairle ar mo Roinn maidir leis an sceideal faoi na gnéithe éagsúla den tionscadal lena n-áirítear na hoibreacha dreidireachta agus tógála.
Fógraíodh an tairiscint le haghaidh eilimint dreidireachta na n-oibreacha an 9 Iúil 2022 agus tá an tairiscint le haghaidh eilimint tógála na n-oibreacha sna céimeanna deiridh den ullmhú agus táthar ag súil go n-eiseofar í sna laethanta amach romhainn. Go dtí go mbeidh na próisis tairisceana curtha i gcrích, níl mé in ann dáta tosaithe na n-oibreacha a mheas go cruinn.
Beidh mo Roinn ag obair go dlúth leis an gcomhairleoir chun an Fhorbairt a chur chun cinn.
2143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide detailed consideration of the issues outlined in correspondence by a national organisation (details supplied) in relation to the need to ensure that farming and the agri-food sector are not adversely impacted by sectoral emissions targets; if he will ensure that the importance of this sector in its very sizeable contribution to the national economy and also its role in food security are taken fully into account in all assessments in relation to emissions reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41302/22]
View answerThe world is faced with a climate crisis. Ireland has committed, through the promulgation of binding legislation, to cutting emissions by 51% by 2030,compared to emissions in 2018.
Within that context , the legislation provides for an overarching carbon budget to be approved by the Oireachtas, and subsequently for the establishment by Government of sectoral carbon budgets.
In the exercise of its functions under the Act, the Government is required to have regard to a variety of considerations, including the special economic and social role of agriculture, the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane, the need to deliver best value for money and the net benefits to society.
Against that general background, the Climate action Plan 2021 established a target for emissions cuts from agriculture of between 22% and 30%. This is lower than that for any other sector, for a variety of very good reasons, including the special status of Irish as recognised by the Programme for Government and the need to continue sustainably producing food of the highest quality.
The Government is currently considering the establishment of specific carbon budgets for each sector. In doing so, it will take account of all of the provisions in the Climate Act, including those specifically relating to agriculture, and of the concerns of stakeholders and citizens.
The actions required to meet the overarching target proposed by Government and approved by the Oireachtas, will be enormously challenging for every sector, including agriculture, but there is no alternative to taking action now to mitigate climate change.
I will continue to support the agriculture sector in meeting this challenge and n the production of safe, high quality and sustainably produced food, so that it can continue to make a positive contribution to rural society and the economy.
2144. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of badger culling in the years 2019 to date in 2022; the number of badgers culled by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41342/22]
View answerThe Wildlife Unit of the Bovine TB (bTB) Eradication Programme removes badgers from areas where there have been epidemiological links to badgers and bovine TB breakdowns in accordance with licences from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The table below shows the breakdown of badger capture and removal in culling areas since 2019. The decrease from 2019 to 2020 in the number of badgers removed reflects the addition of vaccination zones throughout the country. The increase since then is associated with an increase in badger-mediated bTB breakdowns as bTB levels rose.
Table: Badgers Captured and Removed in Culling Areas
|
DVO Office |
Total Badgers Captured and Removed in Culling Areas 2019 |
Total Badgers Captured and Removed in Culling Areas 2020 |
Total Badgers Captured and Removed in Culling Areas 2021 |
Total Badgers Captured and Removed in Culling Areas2022 To Date |
|
Carlow |
128 |
79 |
3 |
1 |
|
Cavan |
186 |
278 |
460 |
199 |
|
Clare |
478 |
548 |
531 |
291 |
|
Cork North |
165 |
310 |
347 |
230 |
|
Cork South |
309 |
276 |
386 |
244 |
|
Donegal |
162 |
59 |
159 |
20 |
|
Dublin |
9 |
21 |
8 |
18 |
|
Galway |
283 |
250 |
202 |
159 |
|
Kerry |
263 |
240 |
329 |
217 |
|
Kildare |
151 |
56 |
173 |
111 |
|
Kilkenny |
117 |
39 |
42 |
26 |
|
Laois |
206 |
105 |
143 |
105 |
|
Leitrim |
298 |
244 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
180 |
82 |
205 |
120 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
0 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
240 |
121 |
146 |
117 |
|
Meath |
48 |
172 |
174 |
93 |
|
Monaghan |
311 |
173 |
275 |
180 |
|
Offaly |
119 |
144 |
185 |
172 |
|
Roscommon |
178 |
126 |
302 |
209 |
|
Sligo |
182 |
142 |
286 |
172 |
|
Tipperary North |
260 |
340 |
383 |
191 |
|
Tipperary South |
164 |
114 |
75 |
75 |
|
Waterford |
85 |
127 |
122 |
48 |
|
Westmeath |
198 |
273 |
454 |
273 |
|
Wexford |
256 |
154 |
242 |
95 |
|
Wicklow East |
130 |
148 |
119 |
51 |
|
Wicklow West |
148 |
185 |
105 |
76 |
|
Totals |
5254 |
4806 |
5868 |
3493 |
Table 2. Badger Capture and Removal Culling Costs
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 To Date |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
Operational Costs |
2.333 |
2.275 |
2.673 |
1.810 |
|
*Services/Supplies Costs |
0.510 |
0.670 |
0.846 |
0.391 |
|
Total |
2.843 |
2.945 |
3.519 |
2.201 |
*The expenditure on services and supplies supports the overall Badger Capture and Vaccination programme and cannot be apportioned between the capture and vaccination projects.
2145. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of vaccinating badgers in the years 2019 to date in 2022; the number of badgers vaccinated by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41343/22]
View answerIn 2018, after trials demonstrated that a policy of badger vaccination was at least as effective as badger culling in controlling bovine TB breakdowns, my Department introduced a badger vaccination policy.
Since then, in line with the Programme for Government and on the basis of scientific evidence specific areas have been subject to ongoing appraisal and badger vaccination areas have increased in number and area each year.
As a result, the number of badgers captured in these areas has increased year-on-year and is expected to increase on an ongoing basis.
Table 1.Badgers Captured in Vaccination Areas
|
DVO Office |
Total Badgers Captured in Vaccination Areas 2019 |
Total Badgers Captured in Vaccination Areas 2020 |
Total Badgers Captured in Vaccination Areas 2021 |
Total Badgers Captured in Vaccination Areas 2022 To Date |
|
Carlow |
0 |
43 |
158 |
164 |
|
Cavan |
50 |
56 |
9 |
142 |
|
Clare |
0 |
0 |
23 |
7 |
|
Cork North |
80 |
217 |
409 |
292 |
|
Cork South |
48 |
154 |
185 |
106 |
|
Donegal |
37 |
124 |
259 |
300 |
|
Dublin |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
126 |
211 |
295 |
221 |
|
Kerry |
24 |
261 |
205 |
28 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
220 |
340 |
166 |
|
Kilkenny |
480 |
780 |
818 |
448 |
|
Laois |
42 |
209 |
258 |
187 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
21 |
285 |
188 |
|
Limerick |
20 |
131 |
146 |
123 |
|
Longford |
90 |
194 |
489 |
330 |
|
Louth |
55 |
370 |
427 |
271 |
|
Mayo |
27 |
176 |
294 |
241 |
|
Meath |
67 |
47 |
20 |
50 |
|
Monaghan |
79 |
168 |
201 |
155 |
|
Offaly |
168 |
147 |
193 |
99 |
|
Roscommon |
59 |
122 |
126 |
68 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
0 |
28 |
31 |
|
Tipperary North |
109 |
137 |
313 |
140 |
|
Tipperary South |
157 |
344 |
493 |
288 |
|
Waterford |
190 |
378 |
234 |
237 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
146 |
308 |
181 |
|
Wicklow East |
29 |
46 |
70 |
120 |
|
Wicklow West |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Totals |
1937 |
4702 |
6586 |
4583 |
Badger Capture in Vaccination Areas Costs
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 To Date |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
Operational Costs |
0.682 |
1.409 |
1.773 |
1.078 |
|
*Services/Supplies Costs |
0.097 |
0.136 |
0.139 |
0.200 |
|
Total |
0.779 |
1.545 |
1.912 |
1.278 |
*The expenditure on services and supplies supports the overall Badger Capture and Vaccination programme and cannot be apportioned between the capture and vaccination projects.
