Written Answers Nos. 776-791
776. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of an incident (details supplied); the actions taken to ensure animal welfare provisions are adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15113/23]
View answerThe 2013 Animal Health and Welfare Act provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare for all animals.
My Department provided €5.8 million in grants in December 2022 to animal welfare organisations throughout the country that are directly involved in protecting animals. In addition to supporting their rescue activities, additional funding is provided for education initiatives undertaken by these organisation.
My Department devotes significant attention and resources to animal welfare. It operates a confidential animal welfare helpline, where reports of animal welfare breaches can be made by phone or email. Any information relating to allegations that the welfare of animals are being compromised can be provided to this helpline and reports will be followed up by my officials.
777. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to claw-back on entitlements for non-active farmers who are currently leasing them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15114/23]
View answerThe implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023 to 2027 is outlined in Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan (CSP). The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) scheme is the successor scheme to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and from 2023 to 2027 will be based on payment entitlements. In the years 2015-2022, there were varying amounts of clawback of payment entitlements where these were sold without land (the rate was 20% in 2022). This has been removed for 2023 and 2024 to facilitate succession and generational renewal and this was done in consultation with farm bodies. Any decision to restore this clawback in subsequent years so as to replenish the National Reserve is something that will be considered closer to the time.
There is no measure in the CSP to impose clawback on payment entitlements that are leased out from inactive farmers.
778. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for proposed delays in the payments related to certain schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15117/23]
View answerI know how crucial all payments are to our farm families and I am committed to delivering all payments associated with my Department as quickly as possible.
The new CAP 2023 -2027 came into force this year and payments will commence in the final quarter of the year across a very broad range of schemes.
This CAP is dramatically different to that which preceded it. A whole suite of new schemes , new reporting requirements, new applications systems, and new monitoring and control systems have required significant redevelopment of many of my Department's IT and administrative systems.
It can be anticipated that the work to address these new requirements may be front loaded in the lifetime of the current CAP Programme. However, the impact of the enormous redevelopment this year must be taken into account when determining payment deadlines.
I am fully committed to making payments to farmers under the various schemes at the earliest date possible and to the maximum number of farmers possible. My commitment to farmers is evidenced in the very high payment rates achieved across all schemes over the last number of years in both EU and Exchequer funded schemes.
Almost €1.8bn will be paid to farmers across the country in the final quarter of this year. At EU level, Ireland ranks amongst the most efficient Member States in getting payments to farmers expediently and in line with the legal requirements of relevant EU Regulations. I am confident that despite the challenge of implementing and entirely new CAP in 2023, my Department will be among the most efficient in the European Union in terms of issuing CAP payments to farmers this year.
779. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider deferring an implementation date by one year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15123/23]
View answerThe approval and uses of creosote as a wood preservative were recently reviewed under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation.
The EU review process, which was managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), resulted in a renewal of approval for creosote that was limited in its scope due to significant concerns, including the carcinogenic potential for humans. This means there is a cancer risk associated with using creosote.
Permitted uses were restricted to industrial vacuum pressure impregnation of wood used for railway sleepers, electricity poles and telecommunications poles only.
The renewal Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2022/1950) came into force on 1st November 2022 and stipulates that from 30th April 2023 only railway sleepers or utility poles for electricity or telecommunications treated with creosote may be placed on the market in EU Member States.
A national derogation to allow for placing on the Irish market of creosote treated agricultural and equine fencing beyond 30th April 2023 is not possible under the regulatory framework.
It should be noted that timber already treated with creosote and sold to end users e.g. farmers before 30th April 2023, can be used after that date.
780. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1543 of 21 March 2023, if he will clarify why there is a discrepancy in the list of factories named when compared to a similar reply received on the same issue in November 2021 (details supplied). [15211/23]
View answerHaving re-examined the information on our recording system, two factories were not listed in the previous reply in error. Our recording system changed and was upgraded in 2021.
I wish to confirm the full list of plants fined for non compliance with carcase trim over the time period queried was Kildare Chilling, Traditional Meats, Meadow Meats, Kepak Kilbeggan, Emerald Isle Foods, Kepak Clare (closed), Kavanagh Meats and Ballon Meats.
781. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reverse the decision to issue areas of natural constraint payments one month later than usual which impacts on the viability of small farmers dependent on these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15238/23]
View answerI know how crucial all payments are to our farm families and I am committed to delivering all payments associated with my Department as quickly as possible.
The new CAP 2023 -2027 came into force this year and payments will commence in the final quarter of the year across a very broad range of schemes.
This CAP is dramatically different to that which preceded it. A whole suite of new schemes, new reporting requirements, new applications systems, and new monitoring and control systems have required significant redevelopment of many of my Department's IT and administrative systems.
It can be anticipated that the work to address these new requirements may be front loaded in the lifetime of the current CAP Programme. However, the impact of the enormous redevelopment this year must be taken into account when determining payment deadlines.
I am fully committed to making payments to farmers under the various schemes at the earliest date possible and to the maximum number of farmers possible. My commitment to farmers is evidenced in the very high payment rates achieved across all schemes over the last number of years in both EU and Exchequer funded schemes.
Almost €1.8bn will be paid to farmers across the country in the final quarter of this year. At EU level, Ireland ranks amongst the most efficient Member States in getting payments to farmers expediently and in line with the legal requirements of relevant EU Regulations. I am confident that despite the challenge of implementing and entirely new CAP in 2023, my Department will be among the most efficient in the European Union in terms of issuing CAP payments to farmers this year.
782. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many boat owners have accepted a voluntary decommissioning offer from BIM; if the figure increased from 20 and if so, by how much; how many of those are owners of inshore boats; how many of those are owners of offshore boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15274/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Seafood Task Force, which included representation from the Producer Organisations and fishing sector, recommended the introduction of a voluntary permanent cessation scheme. The recommendation aimed to remove 8,000 gross tonnes of capacity from the fleet. The detailed recommendation was published by the Task Force in its report, Navigating Change, in October 2021.
The Brexit Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme eligibility criteria are set out in detail in the BIM Guidelines for Applicants and set out that the scheme was open to licence holders of fishing vessels that:
- are registered on the Irish sea-fishing boat register in the polyvalent or beam trawl segments and holding a valid sea-fishing boat licence issued by the Licensing Authority for Sea-Fishing boats at the time the time of application and which vessels are 10 years or more in age at the time of application, and
- have carried out at least 90 days of fishing activity at sea per year either during 2020 and 2021 or during the calendar years 2018 and 2019.
Vessels that were granted capacity under the 2001 Lost at Sea Scheme could also apply subject to special conditions.
Of those who applied for the scheme, 57 were eligible and were issued letters of offer. With the deadline for responding to letters of offer recently passed, I can confirm that 42 vessels have accepted and are due to proceed with decommissioning their vessels at a total cost of €63 million.
It is important to reflect on the objective of this scheme which was to remove up to 8,000 gross tonnes of capacity from the fleet in order to ensure there would be sustainable fishing opportunities for those remaining in the fleet following loss of quota due to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The total capacity associated with these 42 vessels is 6,700 gross tonnes, which represented 84% of the target and will free up an estimated €30 million of quota for species such as prawns, hake, monkfish and haddock.
While the offers made under the scheme have been accepted by the vessel owners, these individuals still have to comply with the terms and conditions of the offer and complete the decommissioning process. As the majority of these vessel owners are yet to complete this process and receive all payments, it would not be appropriate at this point to offer any detailed figures which may result in the identification of individuals.
783. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1565 of 21 March 2023, if he will clarify the situation regarding farmers whose herd breakdown predates 1 February but who have yet to receive any compensation; whether they will be entitled to the revised compensation rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15310/23]
View answerAs part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working Group comprising representatives from my Department and the farming organisations was set up to review the current financial model of the TB programme.
The TB Forum concluded agreement on proposed changes to compensation criteria proposed by the Financial Working Group of the Forum on increased Income Supplement, Hardship Grant and Depopulation Grant rates and a transitional Animal Health Law support with effect from 1st February.
Existing rates are still in place whilst changes to IT systems are put in place; any supplementary compensation due will be backdated in due course.
Updated Terms and Conditions will be available shortly. The changes to the schemes are subject to Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanction and my Department will put these in place subject to this sanction being received.
784. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of concerns regarding the lack of alternative products following the proposed banning of a product (details supplied) at the end of April 2023; if he is aware of the consequences of this in respect of displacement of the product in the market place by imported product; and if in the circumstances, if he will consider delaying the introduction of the ban on this product until April 2024 to enable the market to catch up with the new regulations on alternative product. [15312/23]
View answerThe approval and uses of creosote as a wood preservative were recently reviewed under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation.
The EU review process, which was managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), resulted in a renewal of approval for creosote that was limited in its scope due to significant concerns, including the carcinogenic potential for humans. This means there is a cancer risk associated with using creosote.
Permitted uses were restricted to industrial vacuum pressure impregnation of wood used for railway sleepers, electricity poles and telecommunications poles only.
The renewal Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2022/1950) came into force on 1st November 2022 and stipulates that from 30th April 2023 only railway sleepers or utility poles for electricity or telecommunications treated with creosote may be placed on the market in EU Member States.
A national derogation to allow for placing on the Irish market of creosote treated agricultural and equine fencing beyond 30th April 2023 is not possible under the regulatory framework.
It should be noted that timber already treated with creosote and sold to end users e.g. farmers before 30th April 2023, can be used after that date.
Everyone recognises that there are challenges associated with this EU regulatory decision. It is not a decision that we sought out or brought to the table. Recognising these challenges my Department engaged with stakeholders at an early juncture so that they could prepare for and work through the regulatory changes.
There are a number of timber preservatives that are permitted to be used to treat timber fence posts in accordance with the Irish National Standard IS 436: Farm fencing - Timber post and wire -Requirements.
Details of the alternative wood preservative products authorised for use in Ireland can be found on my Department’s website (www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie).
785. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on what grounds a person’s (details supplied) horses were seized; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15348/23]
View answerAs this question relates to an on-going investigation, led by An Garda Síochána, I am unable to comment on this matter.
786. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine about the safety of the insecticide, acetamiprid, in relation to its use near bee colonies; and if there are any regulations covering same (details supplied). [15354/23]
View answerPesticide active substances, such as acetamiprid, contained in plant protection products are approved centrally at EU level based on a rigorous peer review process managed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Products are subsequently authorised, or not, nationally by the relevant Competent Authorities, in accordance with evaluation and decision-making criteria agreed at EU level and taking account of local agri-environmental conditions.
Products are only authorised if it can be reliably concluded that the intended uses have no unacceptable impacts on human and animal health and the environment. Potential impacts on honeybees are considered as part of the active substance approval and product authorisation in all cases.
The use of acetamiprid in plant protection products was reapproved at EU level in 2018 for a 15-year period, based on EFSA’s scientific conclusions. EFSA did not identify any critical areas of concern for the uses it assessed.
In Ireland, there are currently three products containing acetamiprid authorised for the control of pine weevil in forestry situations as part of an overall integrated pest management strategy.
Plant Protection products must always be applied by trained professional users and used in accordance with conditions of the authorisation.
787. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will defer the ban on the use of creosote in fencing until measures for alternative treatments are in place, including his Department’s approval of copper oil-based treatment products and the availability of same to business in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15492/23]
View answerThe approval and uses of creosote as a wood preservative were recently reviewed under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation.
The EU review process, which was managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), resulted in a renewal of approval for creosote that was limited in its scope due to significant concerns, including the carcinogenic potential for humans. This means there is a cancer risk associated with using creosote.
Permitted uses were restricted to industrial vacuum pressure impregnation of wood used for railway sleepers, electricity poles and telecommunications poles only.
The renewal Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2022/1950) came into force on 1st November 2022 and stipulates that from 30th April 2023 only railway sleepers or utility poles for electricity or telecommunications treated with creosote may be placed on the market in EU Member States.
A national derogation to allow for placing on the Irish market of creosote treated agricultural and equine fencing beyond 30th April 2023 is not possible under the regulatory framework.
It should be noted that timber already treated with creosote and sold to end users e.g. farmers before 30th April 2023, can be used after that date.
There are a number of timber preservatives that are permitted to be used to treat timber fence posts in accordance with the Irish National Standard IS 436: Farm fencing - Timber post and wire -Requirements. The Irish National Standard I.S. 436 allows for the treatment of timber fencing posts with copper organic preservatives. The ending of the derogation for creosote has no negative impact on the use of copper organic preservatives.
Details of the alternative wood preservative products authorised for use in Ireland can be found on my Department’s website (www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie).
788. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide details of all procurement competitions, if any, in which companies (details supplied) won contracts from her Department since 2016. [14730/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that no contracts were won by the organisations referenced since my Department was established in 2017.
789. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total costs of accommodation and travel expenses associated with her recent foreign trip, or foreign trips by Ministers for State at her Department, for St Patrick’s Day; and if a breakdown can be provided on travel costs, accommodation costs, country/state visited, number of departmental staff accompanying her, and the duration of the trip, in tabular form. [14748/23]
View answerAs Minister for Rural and Community Development and Minister for Social Protection, I represented the Irish Government in the UK this year as part of the St. Patrick's Day overseas programme. Minister of State O'Brien represented the Government in Poland. While all costs are currently not yet available due to the time lag in processing all relevant costs, details that are available are set out below.
|
Minister |
No. of AccompanyingOfficials |
Country/State Visited |
Total Flight Costs |
Duration of Trip |
|
Minister Humphreys |
2 |
United Kingdom |
€831 |
10th – 14th March |
|
Minister of State O’Brien |
2 |
Poland |
€982 |
15th – 18th March |
790. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a dog-breeding establishment is required to list the type of breeds of dogs that it is breeding; and if not, the reason therefor. [15022/23]
View answer791. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of dog-breeding establishments that are breeding dogs on the restrictive breeds list. [15023/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 790 and 791 together.
My Department has policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The Act provides a robust regulatory framework for the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments.
Under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010, local authorities are responsible for all operational activities such as the registration, inspection and regulation of Dog Breeding Establishments, including enforcement activities.
It is the responsibility of each local authority to maintain the register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area. At present, this register must include at a minimum:
- the name of the applicant and the address at which he or she ordinarily resides,
- the address of the premises or dog breeding establishment to which the application relates,
- the maximum number of bitches over 4 months old capable of being used for breeding purposes that may be kept at the premises or dog breeding establishment, and
- any conditions attaching to the registration.
The Act also places an obligation on any person seeking to operate a dog breeding establishment to have the premises included on the local authority register and to display the DBE registration certificate, as issued by the relevant local authority, in a prominent position at the premises. It is a matter for each local authority to ensure compliance with this requirement, and to determine if they wish to collate any other information not prescribed in the act such as recording the breeds in a DBE. My Department has no function in this operational activity.
