Written Answers Nos. 382-402
382. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of surgical artificial inseminations carried out on greyhounds between 2012 and 2022; and the number of those inseminations that were carried out with sperm straws collected from now deceased stud dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49625/23]
View answerThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the competent authority with regard to the maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book. The ICC has been responsible for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923 and this was further underpinned by the enactment of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958.
The ICC has informed my Department that the information requested is not available prior to 2019. The information requested for the years from 2019 to 2022 is as follows in tabular form.
|
By Surgical Implant |
Total Implants from Deceased Sires |
|
|
2019 |
139 |
36 |
|
2020 |
142 |
49 |
|
2021 |
133 |
30 |
|
2022 |
90 |
45 |
383. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Animal Health and Welfare (Dogs) Bill 2022 will include a ban on surgical artificial inseminations carried out on greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49626/23]
View answerI am aware of the concerns raised in relation to the issue of surgical artificial insemination in canines and I have noted the concerns raised in the 2022 report on dogs of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which called for a ban on the practice of surgical artificial insemination in dogs, as well as the report of the the Working Group on Control of Dogs, which included a recommendation that surgical artificial insemination in canines ought to be prohibited.
Officials from my Department are continuing to examine this issue.
The Animal Health and Welfare (Dogs) Bill 2022 that you refer to is a a Private Members Bill which is before the Seanad. The text of that bill is available at: data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/bill/2022/54/eng/initiated/b5422s.pdf.
384. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the traceability system (RCÉTS) for greyhounds is not utilised to provide a full picture of what happens with greyhounds in Ireland, i.e., outlining on a regular basis how many pups are born in any given year, when they die and if they are exported. [49627/23]
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.
385. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, following the recent flooding in north Louth, he will outline the compensation and funding schemes available to farmers for loss of dry stock, damage to machinery and sheds, etc.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49631/23]
View answerI am acutely aware of the hardship that exceptional rainfall has had on farmers around the country.
Usually, losses of dry stock, machinery, farmyard buildings, and sheds would be compensated through the farmers own insurance cover rather than through the national exchequer. Currently there is no compensation scheme planned for loss of dry stock, machinery or sheds in north Louth, however my Department continues to monitor the situation nationally.
386. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what work will be carried out by his Department to assess the damage done to farm land as a result of recent flooding in north Louth; if the Department will be working with Louth County Council or other agencies and departments on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49632/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I have not received any representations to date in relation to damage to farmland in North County Louth following the recent flooding in the area.
My Department continues to work with the Office of Public Works and other agencies in relation to flooding related issues.
387. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will work to ensure that any future agreements between the EU and Third (non-EU) Countries about access to Irish waters under the jurisdiction of the Common Fisheries Policy include a stipulation that they face the same stringent control and conservation regime as the Irish fleet, particularly with regard to mixed species catch. [49652/23]
View answerFishing vessels of any non-EU country may not fish in EU waters, including Irish waters, unless there is an agreement in place allowing them to do so.
All fishing vessels operating in EU waters - whether EU vessels or non-EU vessels - are required to comply with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Ireland's control authorities, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service, are responsible for the monitoring and control of fishing vessels in our Exclusive Fisheries Zone to ensure compliance with the rules of the CFP. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational issues of this nature concerning sea-fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the SFPA and the Naval Service and I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters.
388. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise what all-island mechanisms are in place to tackle and identify theft of farm animals; if he will advise on the engagement he has had with the Minister for Justice and with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49776/23]
View answerMy Department has robust systems of livestock traceability. The primary purpose of these systems is disease prevention and to deliver a rapid response to any food safety concerns. These systems also function to mitigate the risk of theft of farm animals as they involve a number of safeguards including those listed below:
- All livestock keepers/owners must obtain a herd number, unique to the farmer.
- Livestock identification tags are only issued to farmers with valid herd numbers for the species concerned and are delivered only to the registered address of the applicant keeper.
- Through the Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system, my Department assigns the tag numbers that are printed on all livestock tags and keeps a record of those tag orders and the associated herd number.
- Only animals that are correctly identified will be accepted at marts, export assembly centres or factories.
- In the case of cattle, a number of validations are in place whereby movements to marts, export assembly points or factories are only accepted where the system shows those animals are on the herd profile of the presenting farmer.
- Where a bovine is reported missing or stolen, its tag number is flagged on AIM and it cannot be legally presented for sale, slaughter or export.
Annually, my Department inspects 3% of livestock holdings to assess compliance with identification and registration requirements and maintain the integrity of our traceability systems.
While investigations into animal theft are primarily a matter for An Garda Síochána, my Department is frequently a point of first contact in relation to the investigation of these matters and the Department provides important support, assistance and advice to An Garda Síochána in this area.
In terms of all-island cooperation on livestock traceability, cross-border movements of livestock are notified through the TRACES system. In addition, officials from Investigations Division represent my Department on the cross-Border Rural Crime Task Force, which comprises representatives from Revenue, FSAI, An Garda Síochana and their Northern counterparts, which include the PSNI and DAERA. The Task Force enables the sharing of appropriate intelligence and ensures a co-ordinated approach to enforcement actions against criminal activities including the theft of animals.
389. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to establishing an all-island system of identifying cases of TB and BVD; if he will advise what efforts have been made in this area in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49777/23]
View answerWhile there are no plans to establish an all-island system of identifying cases of TB and BVD, the science behind surveillance, diagnosis and testing capabilities are similar in both areas and there are significant elements of cross-border collaboration on animal health matters
The All-Island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy provides a framework for a cohesive approach to improving animal health and welfare on both sides of the border. Many things have changed since its publication, but the fundamental elements of the strategy such as co-operation on trade, movement and identification policies as well as disease control and animal welfare policies are still relevant for both jurisdictions.
In addition the first meeting of the All-Island Scanning Surveillance Delivery Forum (AISF) was held in Dundonald House on the 17th May 2023. AISF is a strategic group focussed on optimising delivery of policy and senior veterinary recommendations for animal health surveillance. The purpose of the AISF is to share surveillance developments and ensure coordination of initiatives. The AISF builds upon the annual All-Island Animal Disease Surveillance Reports which are produced collaboratively between the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Northern Ireland and the laboratory service of my Department. These reports continue to be a prime example of trans-boundary information sharing and collaboration and represent a collation of thousands of post-mortem dissections, laboratory tests and histopathological examinations carried out by dedicated teams of vets and scientists in both jurisdictions.
Good collaboration continues between my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Northern Ireland, on animal health surveillance, laboratory supports and exotic disease control preparations and support. Meetings are held every six months between the Chief Veterinary Officers from both jurisdictions along with relevant Heads of Divisions. The main agenda items discussed include animal health issues (including TB, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza), Biosecurity, Brexit, Animal Welfare, North-South and East-West trade and certification. These meetings are vital in maintaining North-South knowledge sharing and collaboration on various issues.
The Animal Health and Import Policy (AHIP) Division of my Department co-ordinate with DAERA on animal health and import policy matters. Meetings are chaired by each jurisdiction on a rotating basis.
Additionally, AHIP agreed to informally keep in touch with DAERA on issues relating to the new Animal Health Law and Import Policy have a regular 6-weekly informal catch-up with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in NI with DAERA, hosted by the FSA NI.
In relation to TB Bi-annual meetings are held at official level between my Department and DAERA. These meetings focus on co-operation on strategic, operational and research aspects of TB eradication programmes, including diagnostic testing, wildlife risk, and policy development. My Department also meets regularly with DAERA in relation to Ireland’s BVD programme and more importantly now on progress towards our BVD freedom application.
390. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person in County Kerry (details supplied) can avail of a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49779/23]
View answerThe Liming Programme was introduced by my Department earlier this year to incentivise the use of Lime, a natural soil conditioner which corrects soil acidity, makes nutrients more available for plant uptake, and improves overall soil health.
In order to be eligible for aid under the Liming Programme, an Expression of Interest must have been submitted between the 15th of March and the 20th of April this year. This was the period when the Programme was open for applications.
A search of Department records has identified that the person named did not submit an Expression of Interest for the Liming Programme and is therefore not eligible to receive aid under the Programme.
391. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with reference to his Department’s Minimum Specifications for the Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems S.198 and in particular with reference to the Declaration of Works Documentation pertaining to solar PV installations, to outline the number of registered companies currently on his Department’s Solar Photovoltaic Company Register; the number of individual installers on his Department’s Solar Photovoltaic Installer Register; if both registers are publicly accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49798/23]
View answerA registered list of competent installers to carry out solar PV installations is maintained by my Department, as required under the terms and conditions of Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme. The latest version of this list is available on the Department’s website. The Declaration of Works Form, as outlined in S.198 regarding the minimum specifications for the installation of Solar PV Systems, requires the inclusion of the Solar PV Registered Company.
The number of solar PV installers on the Department’s registered list as of November 2023 now stands at 192. The registered list is comprised of businesses, companies and sole traders.
It should be noted that my Department has a single list of registered installers which is sufficient for the purposes of operating the TAMS grant aid scheme in respect of applications for solar PV installations.
392. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what engagement is being carried out with stakeholders in the commercial timber sector in response to concerns about planting restrictions under the new Forestry Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49893/23]
View answerIreland received a State aid approval letter from the EU Commission regarding its new Forestry Programme. Among other things, this letter states that afforestation under the new programme “will be avoided on environmentally unsuitable sites. Afforestation will be adapted to environmental sensitivities, such as habitats and species (including NATURA sites, Freshwater Pearl Mussel and Hen Harrier, Breeding Curlew, open habitat birds, Annex I habitats), high nature value farmland, peat soils, hedgerows, water quality (including fisheries sensitive areas, waterbody status, acid sensitive areas), archaeology, landscape, and local sensitivities.”
It has been necessary to introduce some new application requirements to deal with environmental sensitivities and to restrict afforestation in some areas due to the concerns raised by the European Commission during our State Aid approval process. I remain committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Since the opening of the afforestation scheme under the new Forestry Programme in September the Department has held a number of in-person and online training sessions for Registered Foresters, Ecologists and Coillte covering topics such as changes to the requirements of the application process, peat survey techniques and habitat identification while also addressing queries from stakeholders.
Videos of any of the training that was recorded are being uploaded to the my Department's website together with the presentation slides. A Frequently Asked Questions document on the new afforestation scheme is also available on the website.
Teagasc held Nationwide in person Forest Information meetings on the New Forestry Programme in October.
Minister of State Pippa Hackett also met with Forest Industries Ireland in October to discuss all aspects of the new Forestry Programme and my officials continue to meet with them on a regular basis.
Engagement with stakeholders on the new Programme requirements will continue in the future with further training to be provided as required.
I am confident that the diverse range of forest types on offer, coupled with attractive grants and premiums in the new Forestry Programme, will support an increase in forestry afforestation and support scheme applications. A comprehensive and well-subscribed forestry programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits not just for climate change, but for biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life
394. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide figures on the number of forestry applications with ecology from September 2022 to date; if this information can be provided in tabular form, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49895/23]
View answer395. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the average ecology processing times for forestry applications from September 2022 to date; if this information can be provided in tabular form, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49896/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together.
The number of forestry applications referred to Ecology from September 2022 to date and the average Ecology process times for forestry applications, referred to and cleared by Ecology, from September 2022 to date, in tabular form by month, is set out below.
|
Month referred to Ecology |
Afforestation average Ecology processing times (In months) |
Roads average Ecology processing times (In months) |
Felling average Ecology processing times (In months) |
Number of Afforestation applications referred to Ecology |
Number of Road’s applications referred to Ecology |
Number of Felling applications referred to Ecology |
|
September 2022 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
116 |
38 |
225 |
|
October 2022 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
101 |
31 |
262 |
|
November 2022 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
59 |
38 |
303 |
|
December 2022 |
6 |
6 |
2 |
40 |
19 |
261 |
|
January 2023 |
8 |
5 |
3 |
35 |
14 |
238 |
|
February 2023 |
8 |
7 |
4 |
17 |
9 |
216 |
|
March 2023 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
20 |
31 |
258 |
|
April 2023 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
17 |
15 |
133 |
|
May 2023 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
23 |
38 |
205 |
|
June 2023 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
15 |
39 |
123 |
|
July 2023 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
21 |
50 |
123 |
|
August 2023 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
27 |
220 |
|
September 2023 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
28 |
180 |
|
October 2023 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
22 |
15 |
167 |
|
November 2023 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
12 |
46 |
397. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a review (details supplied) on his Department’s processes on forestry will be published, considering he advised in June 2023 that the final report was due to be delivered imminently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49898/23]
View answerThe review of the current management system , structures, staffing and skill set of the three Forestry divisions covers a wide range of areas in relation to licensing, sustainable forest management, forestry payments, forestry policy, both national and international, promotion, knowledge transfer and ancillary issues.
A comprehensive review is being finalised and I expect that the final report will be published shortly.
398. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an overview of how his Department intends to promote the commercial forestry industry as part of the new Forestry Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49899/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to increasing the number of timber growers in the State and offers grants to fully establish new forests and support the management of the existing forest estate. The Government’s new Forest Strategy places a strong emphasis on the use of timber and its important role in reducing the amounts of concrete and steel in construction.
The new €1.3 billion Forestry Programme, launched in September, offers attractive grants and yearly premiums for landowners to plant new forests for timber. Applicants can receive grants of €4,452 per hectare, and annual payments of up to €863 per year for 20 years to plant a new diverse conifer forest for timber production with 20% broadleaf species through the new Afforestation Scheme.
My Department has commenced a comprehensive promotional and advertising campaign on all options available to landowners under this programme. The first phase of this campaign has included advertising in print and on radio, both national and regional as well as social media channels and is entering its second phase now with intensifying reach. The second phase of the local and regional radio campaign includes a bespoke farming package with spots around farming programmes. My Department will also be funding projects to promote commercial use of timber under the recent call for proposals for promotional projects.
Last week, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett has appointed a new Steering Group to increase the use of timber in construction. This new Interdepartmental & Industry Steering Group on Timber in Construction brings together industry and government Departments to assess the needs of the sector and to increase the use of timber in construction. The group is tasked with examining potential obstacles to increasing the use of timber, including regulatory and standardisation challenges, and to maximising the use of home-grown timber.
We want to see more timber used in construction. Not only is wood a sustainable, home-grown product, but it can also replace steel and concrete, reducing the carbon footprint of our buildings. Timber used in construction is an excellent way of storing and locking up carbon and has a positive impact on our climate. We know our forests bring great benefits for our climate, water quality, nature and biodiversity - growing timber as a product for construction is also central to our climate efforts and to the future of the forest sector.
399. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who lost grazing will be supported by the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49966/23]
View answerFollowing exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on the 7th November 2023, I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have been affected by fodder loss due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare for eligible LPIS parcels (i.e. grassland parcels) impacted as determined by my Department's Area Monitoring System and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application. The payment rate reflects the loss of fodder and also the loss of grazing and aftergrass.
In the coming days, my Department will be contacting the farmers the Area Monitoring System has identified as having been impacted by the flooding and providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to be apply for the support. Farmers will be asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the extended flooding in order to receive payment. It is my intention that payments will commence in December 2023.
400. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers along the River Suck and in the Little Brosna River will be included under the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49967/23]
View answerFollowing exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, the Deputy will be aware that on the 7th November 2023, I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have been affected by fodder loss due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare for LPIS parcels impacted as determined by my Department's Area Monitoring System and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application. A small number of LPIS parcels along the River Suck and the Little Brosna River that are within the Shannon Callows area are included within the Shannon's Callows Flood Scheme.
In the coming days, my Department will be contacting the farmers the Area Monitoring System has identified as having been impacted by the flooding and providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers will be asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the extended flooding in order to receive payment. It is my intention that payments will commence in December 2023.
401. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for the maximum limit of 15 hectares in the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme; if he will consider increasing this limit to 25 hectares to support a greater number of farmers affected by flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49968/23]
View answerFollowing exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on the 7th November 2023, I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have been affected by fodder loss due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare for LPIS parcels impacted as determined by my Department's Area Monitoring System and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.
The maximum limit of 15 hectares is designed to distribute funding evenly across impacted farmers whilst maintaining a sufficient payment rate per hectare. Increasing the limit to 25 hectares would not result in supporting a greater number of farmers but rather would result in reducing the payment rate per hectare and therefore result in less support for those farmers with 15 hectares or less of flood impacted land.
In the coming days, my Department will be contacting the farmers the Area Monitoring System has identified as having been impacted by the flooding and providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to be apply for the support. Farmers will be asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the extended flooding in order to receive payment. It is my intention that payments will commence in December 2023.
402. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 26 October 2023, if his attention has been drawn to reports of recent trawling activity by large vessels (details supplied) in and around the Glengarriff Special Area of Conservation site 00090; the details of any permits provided to these vessels to fish in and around the Glengarriff SAC site; the details of any appropriate assessment carried out to ensure that this pair trawling activity observed on 12 October 2023 and 8 November 2023 would not significantly disturb or endanger the species for which the site was designated, or that it would not have other significant impacts on the SAC and protected species such as harbour porpoises and common dolphins which hunt sprat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49976/23]
View answerI have received recent correspondence regarding fishing within the coastal bays of Cork and Kerry.
Further to my answers to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 26 October 2023, 43 of 13 July 2023 and 87 of 25th of May 2023 I remain committed to ensuring inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and my Department has sought up-to-date scientific and economic advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, respectively, on trawling in the waters inside the six nautical miles. I look forward to receiving policy options for my consideration .
