Written Answers Nos. 1116-1130
1116. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer who recently took up suckling would be eligible for payment under the SCEP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17303/23]
View answerThe objective of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.
New Entrants to suckler farming are eligible to apply for SCEP and a new entrant is defined in the Terms and Conditions of the SCEP as someone that has "commenced suckler farming since 2021, i.e. calved and registered an eligible calf for the first time since 1st January 2021".
New entrants are required to declare their programme and yearly reference number at application stage - the programme reference number is the number of eligible suckler cows that will produce an eligible calf on the holding between 1st July 2022 and 30th June 2023. This number will be verified by the Department. The programme reference number is divided by 1.5 in order to calculate the Maximum Payable Area (MPA).
Therefore, anyone that has recently taken up suckling and calves down eligible cows and produces eligible calves before 30th June 2023 is eligible to apply for SCEP.
1117. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail the incident levels of TB in the dairy/cattle herd for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17304/23]
View answerThe table below details the TB statistical figures since the 1st January for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023.
As the spread of this disease is multifactorial, it is being fought on many fronts. The TB programme in each county focuses on factors including wildlife, residual or introduced infection, how disease is distributed in the area, gamma interferon testing, cleansing and disinfection, testing compliance and swift isolation and removal of reactors.
Each TB outbreak is investigated by a veterinary inspector to identify the source of infection. In the case of every outbreak involving two or more standard reactors, there is a veterinary visit to advise the herdowner on how to eliminate infection and measures necessary to help reduce the risk of recurrence. Emphasis is placed on the biosecurity measures a herdowner can take to reduce risks on their farm, and when buying in animals.
Ireland's bovine TB Eradication Programme operates in line with best national and international scientific research and advice. A large body of peer-reviewed research has been conducted into the spread of TB in Ireland and the risks underlying its transmission. This research has found that the principal causes of TB introduction and spread include:
- movement of cattle with undetected infection.
- residual infection in cattle previously exposed to TB.
- spread across farm boundaries.
- indirect spread through other biosecurity breaches, and/or
- spread from infected badgers to cattle.
This research has recently been reviewed in its entirety for the Bovine TB Stakeholder Forum by its Scientific Working Group, which comprises a panel of internationally recognised experts in TB research.
The details of the new TB Strategy along with the results of the review are available on www.bovinetb.ie.
1118. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the vaccination figures of badgers for 2022, and the first quarter of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17305/23]
View answerBadger vaccination is now an integral part of the Irish TB Eradication Programme. This follows over 15 years of research work using BCG vaccine to prevent tuberculosis infection in badgers, and scientific trials carried out between 2013 and 2017 that show that vaccination is no less effective than culling.
In 2022, there were 7,245 badgers captured in vaccination zones. In 2023 to date, there have been 3,783 badgers captured in vaccination zones, which is up over 800 animals compared to this time in 2022.
1119. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the breeders' grant which is typically provided by his Department, on an annual basis, to (details supplied) will issue this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17306/23]
View answerOfficials in my Department are currently working with Horse Sport Ireland on its proposed Breeding Initiatives for 2023. I expect that this process will conclude very shortly.
1120. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when compensation payments will be made with regard to the 2020 Shass Mountain landslide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17313/23]
View answerPayments have now commenced under the Shass Landslide Aid Scheme, and will continue to issue as applications are processed. In small number of cases, further detail has been requested from the applicants. When this further information is received, these applications will be processed.
1121. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the difference in testing figures published by IHRB and the figures published by the State, if he will explain this contrast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17365/23]
View answerThe Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horse racing in Ireland. The Board is a company limited by guarantee set up by the Turf Club (established 1790) and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (established 1866) for the purpose of carrying out the regulatory and licensing functions for Irish horse racing.
The role of the IHRB is provided for under the Irish Horse Racing Act 2016 and subsequent Statutory Instruments.
The IHRB has informed the Department that the figures provided in responses to PQ Dail Reference 749 - 8th March 2022 and PQ Dail Reference 906 - 29th March 2022 included all tests carried out by the IHRB, i.e. equine urine, blood and hair, as well as a small number of environmental and other non-equine samples which were tested in connection with the IHRB’s investigation activity – total 5,987 in 2021.
The figure published by the IHRB in its recent Anti-Doping and Annual Reports relates only to equine samples (5,952 in 2021) but excludes the other non-equine investigative samples (35).
1122. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide information from the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System on the number of non-coursing dogs entered on the RCETS for each of the years 2021 and 2022; the breakdown of the 35,701 greyhounds entered on RCETS by year of birth, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17366/23]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1123. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide information from the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System on how many of the non-coursing greyhound pups born in 2020 were registered on the RCETS in 2021; how many of the non-coursing greyhound pups born in 2021 were registered on RCETS in 2021; how many of the non-coursing greyhound pups born in 2021 were entered on RCETS in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17367/23]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1124. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide information from the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System on the number of non-coursing greyhounds born in each of the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 who were raced in Ireland; the number of non-coursing greyhounds born in the years 2017 to 2021, inclusive, listed under the category ‘export international’ and the country of destination, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17368/23]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1125. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide information from the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System on the number of non-coursing greyhound pups who were born in 2019, 2020 and 2021 who were registered on RCETS but did not race, and a breakdown of what happened to these dogs; the breakdown of the cause of death in the case of the 1,867 dogs listed as dead in 2022; the breakdown of the status (reason for inactivity) of the 8,314 dogs listed as inactive on the RCETS for the years 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17369/23]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1126. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide his response to the draft report on co-management of fisheries in the EU and the contribution of the fisheries sector for the implementation of management measures (details supplied), with particular reference to main obstacles to co-management in the Union and possible solutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17370/23]
View answerThe term "co-management" refers to arrangements whereby public administrations, the fisheries sector and relevant stakeholders are involved in the fisheries management process. In its draft report on co-management of fisheries in the EU and the contribution of the fisheries sector for the implementation of management measures, the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries requests, inter alia, that the European Commission develop an EU-wide regulatory framework on fisheries co-management.
As the Deputy will be aware, in February the Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius, published a Communication document outlining the Commission's assessment on the functioning of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) along with a package of measures to improve the sustainability and resilience of the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The Communication acknowledges the progress that has been achieved through the framework of the CFP over the past decade and the fundamental role played by stakeholders in driving these positive changes. However, the Communication does not seek any reform of the CFP, but rather seeks further strengthening and implementation of the existing legislation.
Stakeholder engagement is a vital part of fisheries management, both at EU and national level.
Stakeholders, through the Advisory Councils, may submit recommendations or suggestions to the European Commission and Member States on fisheries management matters. In addition, within the framework of regionalisation, the Advisory Councils are fully consulted as part of the process of developing Joint Recommendations such as those relating to the implementation of the landing obligation or on technical measures.
At a national level, stakeholders play an important role in fish quota management through the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC). Allocations and other arrangements are decided by the Minister on an ongoing basis having regard for the advice of the QMAC. This Committee is a formal consultative committee, involving fishing industry representatives from the catching, inshore and processing sectors.
Each year, I meet with stakeholders including fishing industry representatives and environmental NGOs as part of the Sustainability Impact Assessment to prepare for the negotiations on agreeing Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for the following year.
I meet with stakeholders on a regular basis and welcome the opportunity this affords to hearing stakeholders concerns and priorities and updating them on developments in the sector.
1127. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Rásaíocht Con Éireann's total expenditure on Youghal Greyhound Stadium for each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, broken down into operational expenditure and capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17419/23]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1128. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the terms and duration of the temporary contract agreed between Rásaíocht Con Éireann and the operators of Youghal Greyhound Stadium effective from 1 April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17420/23]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1129. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the nature of any financial commitments made by Rásaíocht Con Éireann to the continued operation of Youghal Greyhound Stadium, including any capital expenditure after 1 April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17421/23]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1130. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an issue (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17425/23]
View answerI have signed the Warrant of Appointment to update the trustees of this property at Knockadeery Co Limerick. My officials will lodge the Warrant in Tailte Eireann, formerly the Property Registration Authority, in order for that office to amend the registration on the folio.
