Written Answers Nos. 761-780
761. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total hectares of high nature value grassland now excluded from the forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39996/23]
View answer762. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine who was the qualified authority who decided the definition and area of high nature value grasslands to be removed form afforestation activity in the forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39997/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 761 and 762 together.
The State Aid approval for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 contains new environmental requirements. These additional requirements fully align the licence application and assessment process for afforestation with both environmental legislation and with the State Aid conditions underpinning the new Forestry Programme.
I would like to assure the Deputy that there are no areas automatically excluded from afforestation as a result of an overlap with a High Nature Value Farming likelihood classification. Research from Teagasc in 2020 identified five likelihood categories of High Nature Value farmland (HNVf) in Ireland, and mapped their distribution. This indicative HNVf map has been incorporated into my Department's IT systems (iFORIS and iNET) and can be used by Registered Foresters and by my Department when submitting and processing applications. Where an application is within an area that has been classified on the map as having a high likelihood of being HNVf, then the applicant will be required to provide additional information.
This additional information will be provided in the form of a habitat survey classification, a species survey to indicate site productivity, assessment of any overlap with semi-natural grassland layer and the links or potential links to Annex I habitat. In the assessment of the application my Department will consider this information and all other relevant information. Sites, or parts of sites, that have a high scoring in terms of species rich grassland will not be planted.
I am acutely aware of the need to increase our levels of afforestation but I am also conscious that this needs to be done in a legally compliant and environmentally sustainable manner. I am confident that the new environmental considerations introduced for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will allow us to achieve this.
767. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what supports will be provided for farmers negatively impacted by the new nitrates programme following the failure to secure a derogation from the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40046/23]
View answerLast year Ireland secured a new Nitrates Derogation covering the period 2022-2025. When these discussions were taking place, largely in 2021, there had been increases in Ireland’s national herd and chemical nitrogen use combined with declines in water quality. As a result, the European Commission attached increased conditionality to Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation, including the requirement to carry out a two-year review of water quality.
The risks associated with this conditionality were communicated to the sector from March 2022.
In June of this year the Environment Protection Agency published their 2022 report on Nitrogen and Phosphorous concentrations in Irish waters. As required under Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation, that report includes an annex in relation to the two-year water quality review required as a condition of Ireland’s current Nitrates Derogation. It shows a significant area of the country has failed the Commission's two-year water quality review. In accordance with the Commission Decision, the maximum stocking rate for derogation farmers in these areas must reduce to 220kg N/ha from 2024.
Impacted farmers will have three options in response to the reduction in the maximum stocking rate - reducing livestock numbers, exporting slurry and/or acquiring more land.
Impacted farmers should select one or a combination of these options depending on their own personal circumstances. For example, some farmers may be able to export slurry to other farmers in their locality. In other cases, farmers may chose to outsource contract rearing of their replacement heifers or to reduce their drystock enterprise.
I have met Teagasc on the need to support farmers in dealing with this change as best suits their own personal circumstances. Indeed many farmers have engaged already with their advisor.
Impacted Farmers who have not already done so, should engage with an accredited agricultural advisor to consider their options if they may be impacted by this change.
768. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the failure to secure a derogation under the new nitrates programme from the EU Commission will result in a reduction in the national herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40047/23]
View answerThe European Commission is not obliged to grant any Member State a nitrates derogation and to do so they must be assured that derogation will not compromise achievement of the Nitrates Directive’s objectives of reducing and preventing water pollution caused by agriculture.
Last year Ireland secured a new Nitrates Derogation covering the period 2022-2025. The European Commission attached increased conditionality to Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation, including the requirement to carry out a two-year review of water quality.
The Commission Implementing Decision states that where water quality is poor, or where worsening trends occur over the period 2021-2022, the maximum stocking rate must reduce from 250kg Nitrogen per hectare (N/ha) to 220kg N/ha from January 2024. This is still significantly higher than the normal regulatory limit of 170kg N/ha so it is not the case that Ireland failed to secure the derogation.
In June the Environment Protection Agency published their 2022 report on Nitrogen and Phosphorous concentrations in Irish waters. As required under Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation, that report includes an annex in relation to the two-year water quality review required as a condition of Ireland’s current Nitrates Derogation. It shows that a significant area of the country has failed the Commission's two-year water quality review. In accordance with the Commission Decision, the maximum stocking rate for derogation farmers in these areas must reduce to 220kg N/ha from 2024.
This will impact a significant proportion of Ireland’s ~7,300 derogation farmers to varying extents, however it will not necessarily result in a reduction in the national herd. Impacted farmers will have three options in response to the reduction in the maximum stocking rate - reducing livestock numbers, exporting slurry and/or acquiring more land. Impacted farmers should select one or a combination of these options depending on their own personal circumstances.
Impacted Farmer who have not already done so, should engage with an accredited agricultural advisor to consider their options if they may be impacted by this change.
769. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full-year cost to recruit one additional whole-time equivalent, WTE, deputy chief analyst and one additional WTE chief analyst for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40120/23]
View answerIn my Department the grade of Chief Analyst is remunerated with a salary that starts at €68,268, and increases annually to €89,230 on a nine point incremental scale. Deputy Chief Analysts start on a salary of €64,361 which increases to €85,213, also on a nine point scale.
The full year cost to the Department to recruit one additional WTE Deputy Chief Analyst and one additional WTE Chief Analyst is therefore €132,629, assuming both would start at the first point of their respective scales.
My Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its business needs and utilises workforce planning to identify and address these requirements throughout the organisation.
770. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide, in tabular form, the total number of private felling licences issued by his Department in each year since 2014; the number of felling licences issued to Coillte for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40186/23]
View answerAlong with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, it is my aim to deliver a felling licensing system which meets the needs of the forestry sector. This is regardless of whether that application comes from a private individual, a forest owner or Coillte. Each licence has a value, particularly to the rural economy, where the timber is harvested, transported and processed.
To date in 2023, my Department has issued 1,007 Coillte licences and 1,107 private felling licences (48%/52%, respectively). Last year, we issued 1,686 Coillte and 1,607 private licences (51%/49% respectively).
My Department issues an annual report with extensive statistics on forestry called "Forest Statistics Ireland 2023" and this can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/15b56-forest-statistics-and-mapping.
The number of felling licences issued since 2014 is set out below.
|
Private Felling licences issued |
Coillte Felling licences issued |
|
|
2014 |
1,702 |
915 |
|
2015 |
1,152 |
1,454 |
|
2016 |
1,492 |
1,247 |
|
2017 |
1,312 |
1,691 |
|
2018 |
1,449 |
2,154 |
|
2019 |
1,046 |
3,134 |
|
2020 |
852 |
865 |
|
2021 |
1,345 |
1,532 |
|
2022 |
1,607 |
1,686 |
|
2023 (to 8 September) |
1,107 |
1,007 |
771. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to specify the length of time the director of forestry is in place; to list, in tabular form and date form, the associations, societies and semi-State bodies that the director has met since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40187/23]
View answerThe Director of Forestry was appointed to the position on 15 November 2021.
As part of his role the Director has met with a range of established organisations from the forestry and farming sectors, relevant stakeholder groups and Coillte.
774. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has conducted research into possible health effects of the use of Roundup, which contains glyphosate; and if he intends on extending the licence renewal for roundup. [40209/23]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the competent authority in Ireland for the regulatory evaluation of pesticides and enforcement of controls on their use.
The regulatory evaluation procedure is a two-step process, in which pesticide active substances, such as glyphosate, are first assessed centrally at EU level and approved, or not. Plant protection products containing approved active substances are then subsequently assessed at national level for specific uses and authorised, or not, using robust scientific evaluation and decision-making criteria.
The regulatory evaluation role undertaken by national competent authorities, including by my Department, involves the assessment of detailed scientific data submitted by applicants to satisfy data requirements specified in EU legislation, rather than conducting separate research on pesticides. Applicants are legally obliged to provide all pertinent information, which must always include relevant research data published in the scientific literature.
The EU process to decide whether or not the current EU-approval of glyphosate can be renewed is ongoing. The current approval is due to expire on 15th December 2023.
Comprehensive assessments and peer review of a very wide range of scientific data have been completed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as part of this process, including the input of Member State technical experts and public consultations.
The European Commission is currently considering the outcome of the EU-assessment process and is preparing a legislative proposal on whether or not to renew approval for glyphosate. The proposal will be voted on by Member State representatives at the EU Standing Committee dealing with pesticide legislation.
My Department will finalise its position based on the specific details in the proposal put forward for a vote and taking account of EFSA’s and ECHA’s scientific opinions and conclusions, as it does for all pesticide active substances. Plant protection products containing glyphosate could only be considered for subsequent re-authorisation nationally if the EU-approval of glyphosate were to be renewed before the current approval expires.
775. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details on the measures his Department has taken to implement specific action points (details supplied) of the action plan to support the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. [40225/23]
View answerMy Department's current Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 sets out as one of the Department’s core values "A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and the fair and equal treatment of all." These core values are embraced in respect of both my Department’s employees and the clients of the Department who avail of its wide range of services.
Referring to Action 2.2, My Department is committed to promoting and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees and values each employee both for who they are and what they contribute to the work of the Department. My Department’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Policy, which was launched in 2018, builds on our core values in these areas. In line with this policy, my Department established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy team in 2022. The mission of the team, which is representative of the diverse nature and regional locations of my Department's staff is to " To celebrate the diversity of our people and promote equality of opportunity and respect for diversity in all aspects of the Department’s business. To promote, champion and foster a work environment where our people are free to be their authentic selves, be creative, thrive and flourish, while making a valuable contribution to the Department’s goals."
In relation to Action 2.4, since 2019, my Department has had an active LGBTI+ staff network in place and a Civil and Public service wide LGBTI+ Employee and Ally Network is actively being worked on. Network meetings take place monthly and Departmental representatives are kept informed about all developments.
Under Actions 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 my Department celebrates Pride in June each year and on Saturday 24th June last, a number of staff from my Department, including the Secretary General and members of the Management Board joined with staff from across the Civil and Public Service to participate in the Dublin Pride Parade to celebrate our LGBTI+ colleagues and the LGBTI+ community. Staff from my Department also participated in the Pride parade in Portlaoise on 9 September.
To celebrate the month of Pride, my Department arranged communications to all staff and the installation of prominent outdoor banners and decorations at six of our buildings nationwide including Agriculture House (Dublin), Backweston, Cavan, Clonakilty, Portlaoise and Johnstown Castle, Wexford. Additionally, all of my Department’s offices also have banners in place in the reception areas during Pride month to promote the message that the department is a friendly service provider to one and all.
Furthermore, in relation to Action 3.2, staff in all Department offices countrywide have been provided with LGBTI pins that they can wear on their I.D. lanyards in order to promote our allyship and inform all callers to the public counters that my Department is an LGBTI friendly service provider.
Referring to Action 5.1, my Department considers the impacts on all sectors of society when developing or reviewing public sector policy.
In relation to Action 12.2, my Department’s Corporate Customer System has been amended to record a number of gender categories. Individual customers accessing my Department’s online services will be presented with a pop-up dialog box when logging in that will allow them to update their personal details, including gender.
Action 24.2 is not directly applicable to my Department.
777. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to the afforestation scheme 2023-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40272/23]
View answer779. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of tree shelters that must be erected for a one-hectare example forest of FT12 to protect the 20% broadleaf component, by area; the grant that will be payable under the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme for this one-hectare example forest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40275/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 777 and 779 together.
I fully appreciate that there is a lot of detail in the new forestry programme and would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is more than happy to provide clarification on the details of the new forestry programme to stakeholders and to update the FAQs accordingly.
The Deer Tree Shelter rate of €1,600 per hectare applies to all the pure broadleaf forest types 1-7. Question 37 of the FAQs refers to the support available to protect the 20% broadleaf component in Forest types 10,11 and 12. The rate for this is €625 per hectare.
FT12 is a forest type that is offered through the Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 launched under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027. In the scenario outlined the number of deer tree shelters that must be erected to protect the 20% broadleaf component would amount to 125. tree shelters.
In addition, within their FT12 afforestation application, the applicant can avail of either stock, stock/sheep or stock/rabbit fencing with a maximum grant of €880 per hectare.
We plan to launch the Deer tree shelter, Hare and Deer fencing scheme this week and full details will be available in the scheme document which will be published on www.gov.ie/forestry.
780. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline in detail his proposal for the future of the forestry sector, with particular reference for plans to plant 8,000 hectares of land each year for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40296/23]
View answerI believe that the new €1.3 billion 2023-2027 Forestry Programme, which aims to support the largest, most farmer-friendly investment in forestry in the history of the State, will encourage an increase in planting and provide the basis for the achievement of the target of 8,000 hectares per year set out in the Climate Action Plan.
I am pleased to confirm that the Programme's Afforestation Scheme for the 2023-2027 period opened for applications on the 6th of September. It offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options.
The annual broadleaf target has also increased from 30% to 50% of total annual planting. This is reflected in a substantial increase of 66% in premium rates for the establishment of a native forest, as well as five additional years of premiums for farmers across most forest types.
Agroforestry has been revised significantly. Agroforestry was first introduced to Ireland’s forestry support schemes in 2015, and the new Afforestation Scheme will increase the period for premiums from five to 10 years. To date, support has targeted the establishment of silvopastoral systems which combine forestry and pasture, including grazing and the growing of fodder. It is proposed to expand this in the next Forestry Programme with pilot schemes for silvoarable and forest gardening systems.
Emergent Forest is a further new Forest Type offered under the Afforestation Scheme. This will support the retention and appropriate management of suitable areas of ‘scrub’, which represent an important biodiversity feature within the landscape, with the potential for delivering many ecosystem services.
The Programme also contains a new Native Tree Area Scheme, which builds on a recent amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 that removes the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is our objective to increase and encourage interest in small-scale planting, and I am confident that this change to the Act will remove a barrier to such planting. This Native Tree Area Scheme is expected to open for applications in the coming weeks.
I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade. I am confident that the diverse range of forest types, coupled with attractive grants and premiums, will support landowners to plant trees in a manner that will provide lasting climate, biodiversity, wood production, employment and wider societal benefits.
