Written Answers Nos. 442-461
442. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to allow the mushroom sector to source peat from within the State while it continues to identify potential alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52106/23]
View answerThe extraction of peat does not fall under the remit of my Department. However, my Department in conjunction with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications and Housing, Local Government and Heritage has developed a series of actions to support the horticulture sector as it transitions to sustainable alternatives.
These targeted actions reflect the multi-faceted nature of the problem and seek to address the short-term issue of supply, the medium term one of future access to peat and also the longer-term issue of replacement with alternatives.
My Department commissioned an independent expert to carry out a report on peat supply for the horticulture industry in Ireland. This report identified a number of recommendations to alleviate issues with regards to supply of peat which are being considered across government.
My Department also commissioned experts to provide focused guidance to those wishing to achieve regulatory compliance for extraction of horticultural peat on sub-30 hectare bogs for supply to the domestic horticulture industry. This guidance together with earlier guidance published by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Parks and Wildlife Service should assist stakeholders wishing to become legally compliant and all stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the regulatory framework in place.
The report and guidance were published in November 2022 and are available on www.gov.ie
To support and facilitate research into the development of alternatives to peat for horticultural use, my Department committed €1.69 million to a five-year research project entitled ‘Beyond Peat’ which is being led and co-ordinated by Teagasc. My Department is also funding research projects through the EU Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables.
As the Deputy is aware my Department recently facilitated a site visit for Committee members of the Joint Oireachtas on Agriculture Food and the Marine at two Mushroom farms in County Monaghan to see first hand the research that is being funded and administered by my Department on peat alternatives.
443. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if applications have commenced for the Shannon Callows compensation scheme; if a farmer (details supplied) can be considered for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52112/23]
View answerOn 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 €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 that were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.
My Department issued the Expression of Interest Letter and application form to impacted farmers as identified by the Area Monitoring System on 17 November 2023. If any of those impacted farmers wish to apply for the scheme, they need to complete the simple application form in full and return it by 27 November 2023.
My officials have examined the relevant records and have confirmed that the LPIS parcels claimed on the 2023 BISS application of the herdowner concerned were either not within the area or, where they were within the area, did not meet the flooding criteria and thus did not receive an application form from the Department for the scheme.
The procedure for seeking an internal review is available online in the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme Terms and Conditions under section 9 which can be accessed at gov.ie - Shannon Callows Flood Scheme 2023 (www.gov.ie) www.gov.ie/en/service/b218a-shannon-callows-flood-scheme-2023/.
444. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52121/23]
View answerThe On Farm Market Valuation Scheme is the principal compensation measure available to farmers who experience a TB outbreak in their herd.
The named herd-owner entered a TB restriction on 9th October 2023 having disclosed one reactor animal on a 30 day post movement test. The affected animal was purchased by the named herd-owner on 4th October 2023. This animal was subsequently removed for slaughter on 27th October 2023.
Payment in respect of this reactor animal is currently being processed at the Regional Veterinary Office and will be issued to the herd owner in the coming days.
445. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total costs incurred by his Department arising from the placing of advertisements with the national broadcaster, RTÉ, in any format, for each of the years 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52157/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated by the Department and a reply will be forwarded within 10 working days.
|
Year |
Total Spend (€) |
|
2016 |
Nil |
|
2017 |
See below |
|
2018 |
Nil |
|
2019 |
Nil |
|
2020 |
10,296 |
|
2021 |
Nil |
|
2022 |
39,286 |
|
2023 to date |
76,993 |
446. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences issued to date in 2023 as a percentage of his Department's targets in this area for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52175/23]
View answer459. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to review correspondence (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52332/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 446 and 459 together.
The Forestry Programme 2023 -2027 has been approved by Government, and both the afforestation and forest roads schemes are open to applications, and existing applications are being migrated over to this scheme as the applicants opt in. My Department has begun to issue afforestation and roads licences under the new Programme, while felling licences continued and continue to issue as normal.
Given we are now in a position to issue all licences, the publication of a new Forestry Licensing Plan can be expected before the end of the current Oireachtas term.
To date in 2023, my Department has issued 2,931 forestry licences of all types. This represents 1,325 Coillte felling licences and 1,344 private felling licences, 203 forest road licences and 59 new afforestation licences (548 Ha’s).
In addition to the above, DAFM have processed 59 (558 Ha’s) applications already approved under Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020 that hadn’t commenced planting and have now opted in to the new Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027.
This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme. Likewise, those with valid road licences at the end of 2022 can avail of the higher grant proposed under the new Programme.
Approvals under the new Reconstruction of Ash dieback scheme (RADs) have begun with 75 approvals amounting to 359 Ha’s. Finally, 11 approvals have been processed to date under the Native Tree Area Scheme amounting to 11.59 Ha’s.
In addition to the figures outlined above and in recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue, pending the launch of the new Programme, earlier this year, my Department introduced an Interim Afforestation Scheme and an Interim Forest Road Scheme. In 2023, a total of 288 applications were approved under the Interim Afforestation Scheme, representing 1,750 hectares. Under the interim roads scheme, 159 approvals have issued representing 70,222 metres.
447. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department, or any body under the aegis of his Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue by organisations (details supplied) from 2020 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52184/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue by organisations (details supplied) from 2020 to date.
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
448. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the requirement within ACRES that plants provided to farmers must be of Irish origin or Irish provenance is sustainable, given the small number of retailers and nurseries and so on, that can provide for this across the range of plants in question; if he is satisfied that this narrow requirement does not exclude many traders who are not in a position to provide a full range of plants with such provenance; if he is satisfied that this will not favour unscrupulous traders over genuine ones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52202/23]
View answerThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, or ACRES, is the central agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. Farmers commit, when approved into the Scheme, to undertake certain actions.
There are a number of actions within ACRES which require plants from nurseries. My Department considered it prudent, as part of the development work on the proposed interventions in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, to alert nurseries of potential demand for plants following the roll-out of new schemes from 2023.
A Trader Notice (No. 12 of 2021) was accordingly issued in December 2021, by the Horticulture and Plant Health Division of my Department, to all professional operators highlighting the anticipated demand for plants from farmers arising from participation in the eco-scheme and ACRES, and advising that there would be strong farmer demand for trees and hedging plants over the period 2023-2027. This Notice also indicated the proposed tree and hedgerow species and size(s) required under these schemes.
One action within ACRES for which such plants are required is ‘Planting a new hedgerow’. Participants whose contracts include this action are required to plant the contracted length of the new hedgerow by 31 March 2024.
In response to the heightened demand for hedgerow plants in recent months, my Department has notified ACRES advisors that participants who select the Whitethorn species, Crataegus monogyna, as their chosen hedgerow species for a new hedgerow, will no longer have to meet the Irish Provenance or Irish Origin requirement when purchasing plants from DAFM registered professional operators. This is a limited amendment to the requirements as the removal of the Irish Provenance/Irish Origin requirement relates to Whitethorn species only and does not encompass the other seven hedgerow species that are listed in the specification for that action.
The amendment applies to the planting of new hedgerows included in ACRES contracts issued under ACRES Tranche 1 and those to be issued under ACRES Tranche 2, and also for the relevant Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) if/when approved for ACRES Co-operation participants. ACRES Circular No. 27 of 2023, which is available on my Department’s website, refers.
449. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make a statement on the need for increased veterinary supports in rural areas. [52235/23]
View answerThe most recent figures from Veterinary Council of Ireland indicates that there is an all-time high number of 3,352 veterinarians in 745 veterinary practices in Ireland. My Department is aware however of reports of difficulties of recruiting and retaining veterinary assistants currently and especially in farm animal practices.
My Department is updating the 2020 evaluation of the availability of farmed animal veterinary services in Ireland which is available at gov.ie - An Evaluation of Farmed Animal Veterinary Services in Ireland Report (www.gov.ie)www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad113-an-evaluation-of-farmed-animal-veterinary-services-in-ireland-report/
We will continue to monitor this situation closely and will work with all stakeholders to ensure Irish farmers are adequately supported with the provision of veterinary services in the best interests of animal health and welfare.
My Department continues to keep the issue of the availability of farmed animal veterinary services under review.
450. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the requirement for plants to be of Irish origin or Irish provenance and purchased from DAFM-registered professional operators; if he will advise on concerns that nurseries may face challenges in meeting the demand for these plant types; how his Department will support small nurseries and businesses with providing this range of products; if there is a process for nurseries and businesses to become a registered operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52241/23]
View answerThere are a number of actions within the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) which require the planting of either hedgerow plants or trees. The requirements for these actions are set out in the ACRES Specification document for each Tranche, which is available on my Department’s website.
One of the requirements, for example, in relation to the ‘Planting a new hedgerow’ action is, as indicated by the Deputy, that ‘plants must be of Irish Origin or Irish Provenance and purchased from DAFM registered professional operators’.
My Department considered it prudent, as part of the development work on the proposed interventions in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, to alert nurseries of potential demand for plants following the roll-out of new schemes from 2023.
A Trader Notice (No. 12 of 2021) was accordingly issued in December 2021, by the Horticulture and Plant Health Division of my Department, to all professional operators highlighting the anticipated demand for plants from farmers arising from participation in the eco-scheme and ACRES and advising that there would be strong farmer demand for trees and hedging plants over the period 2023-2027. This Notice also indicated the proposed tree and hedgerow species and size(s) required under these schemes.
In response to the heightened demand for hedgerow plants in recent months, my Department has notified ACRES advisors that participants who select the Whitethorn species, Crataegus monogyna, as their chosen hedgerow species for a new hedgerow will no longer have to meet the Irish Provenance or Irish Origin requirement when purchasing plants from DAFM registered professional operators. This is a limited amendment to the requirements as the removal of the Irish Provenance/Irish Origin requirement relates to Whitethorn species only and does not encompass the other seven hedgerow species that are listed in the specification for that action. The amendment applies to the planting of new hedgerows included in ACRES contracts issued under ACRES Tranche 1 and those to be issued under ACRES Tranche 2, and also for the relevant Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) if/when approved for ACRES Co-operation participants. ACRES Circular No. 27 of 2023, which is also available on my Department’s website, refers.
Under EU Plant Health Regulation 2016/2031/EU, any operator who is professionally involved in the following activities concerning plants, plant products and other objects must register with my Department:
• planting,
• reeding,
• production (including growing, multiplying and maintaining plants),
• introduction into and movement within and out of the EU territory,
• making plants available on the market, as well as
• storage, procession, dispatching and processing of plants and plant products.
The process involves an operator submitting a Professional Operator Registration form to the Department. When registered, the operator will be issued a unique Plant Health Registration Number (PHR No.). Detailed information on the registration process, and also the authorisation process for issuing plant passports, is available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/planthealth.
451. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when applicants (details supplied) will know if they are successful in their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52242/23]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. There is an indicative budget of €370 million available for the period 2023-2027, and all investments must be linked to Climate, Environment or Animal Welfare.
Tranche 1 of TAMS 3 closed on 30 June 2023. Of the total of 8,241 applications submitted (almost four times the average number received per tranche under TAMS II), more than 550 were submitted under the Low Emissions Slurry Spreading Scheme.
Applicants may purchase mobile equipment, at their own risk, subject to verification of eligibility in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the relevant schemes.
I also announced that 100% of eligible applications under tranche 1 of TAMS 3 will be approved for funding, which is in keeping with my commitment to assist farmers to address animal welfare, climate and sustainability targets.
Applications received across all the measures in Tranche 1 are currently being processed. Once the initial processing is completed, all applications will be subject to a ranking and selection process, which is a regulatory requirement for all TAMS 3 applications.
All eligible applications will then proceed to further detailed processing, with approvals starting to issue to successful applications shortly, on a scheme-by-scheme basis, starting with the Solar Capital Investment Scheme.
452. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there is no tiered system in relation to the spreading of nitrates on land (details supplied); if he will address this matter in order that farmers stocked at 125kg/hectare do not face such a cliff edge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52261/23]
View answerThe maximum amount of chemical nitrogen that can be applied to promote the growth of grass at various stocking rate bands is set out in Table 12 of the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations, also known as the ‘GAP Regulations’ (S.I. 113 of 2022, as amended).
For holdings with an annual grassland stocking rate of less than or equal to 130 kg livestock manure nitrogen per hectare (N/ha), the maximum annual chemical nitrogen allowance is 114 kg/ha, or 92 units/ac.
For those with an annual grassland stocking rate of 131 to 170 kg livestock manure N/ha, the current maximum annual chemical nitrogen allowance is 185 kg/ha or 149 units/ac.
The objective of the GAP Regulations is to reduce and prevent the loss of excess nitrogen from agricultural soils to water. It is fundamental to note that these are maximum chemical nitrogen allowances. There is no obligation or requirement to use the full allowance and the allowance should not been seen as a target. Those who are stocked at the lower end of the stocking rate bands are particularly unlikely to require the full allowance as set out in the GAP Regulations.
Farmers should consider the optimum chemical nitrogen needs for their production system taking into account soil fertility (soil pH, phosphorous and potassium index) and soil type, demand for grass in terms of animal type and stocking rate, grassland management and yield potential, sward composition and the best use of available organic manure on the farm.
Therefore, I strongly encourage each farmer to seek advice from a Farm Advisory Service (FAS) accredited advisor to determine the optimum nutrient management strategy for their farm. This will reduce environmentally harmful emissions and will also ensure the most efficient use of costly inputs.
453. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if she will provide an update on the forestry licensing plan for the remainder of 2023 and 2024, given indications in October that the plan is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52262/23]
View answerThe Forestry Programme 2023 -2027 has been approved by Government, and both the afforestation and forest roads schemes are open to applications, and existing applications are being migrated over to this scheme as the applicants opt in. My Department has begun to issue afforestation and roads licences under the new Programme, while felling licences continued and continue to issue as normal.
Given we are now in a position to issue all licences, the publication of a new Forestry Licensing Plan can be expected immediately in the next week.
454. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what the additional funding secured for the TB programme will be utilised for; if he will provide an update on additional staff being recruited or allocated to effectively implement the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52266/23]
View answerSignificant exchequer funding has been provided annually for the bovine TB eradication programme and the budget allocation of €56m for 2024 will ensure that my Department can continue to implement the policies necessary to reduce the burden of TB on Irish family farms affected by TB.
The development of policies for the bovine TB eradication programme will continue to be led by the TB Forum and its subgroups and I would very much like to see the Forum propose further policies in 2024 that can make significant inroads into the current levels of TB. It is important that we utilise the fool range of information and regulatory tools available to us to continue the fight against bovine TB.
Since September 2023 nineteen Technical Agricultural Officers have commenced employment with my Department. There are another 19 applicants currently waiting on start dates and to have contracts issued, while a further 40 applicants have been put into clearance. In addition to this there will be approximately another 30 candidates interviewed in December. These officers, will be placed across my Department, including the TB programme. Those offices working as part of the TB programme together with their veterinary and administrative colleague will form a key part in combatting the current levels of TB disease in the national herd.
455. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on reports of additional controls being put in place and with regard to certain aspects of the TB programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52267/23]
View answer456. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what supports are in place for farmers who have TB lockdown herds in their local area; the steps his Department is taking to ensure they are not negatively affected by such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52268/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together.
The implementation of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030 is overseen by the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum along with support from three working groups – a scientific group, an implementation group and a finance group to ensure that all aspects of the Strategy are addressed. The Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum and its working groups comprise of representatives from across the agri-food sector, leading researchers, farming organisations and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
The Scientific Working Group is comprised of qualified personnel with a specific expertise on TB (e.g. experts with a record of scientific publication) or who are currently employed in scientific research organisations working on TB, and the group has four overall aspects to its role:
(a) Providing scientific opinions to the Forum in response to questions put to the group by the Forum on matters of science and research.
(b) Updating the Forum on scientific developments of relevance to the TB eradication programme.
(c) Providing opinions to the Forum about themes for further scientific research which can guide and inform DAFM research funding calls for TB issues.
(d) Independent scientific evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme, including an assessment of disease transmission risks and the extent to which those risks are mitigated by the programme.
The Scientific Working Group received a request from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to examine the potential effectiveness of using a regional approach to facilitate the eradication of TB in Ireland. If a regionalisation approach was to be adopted in Ireland one of the elements would involve different TB testing and cattle movement control strategies depending on TB levels within a specific region. The Scientific Working Group presented their findings on a regionalisation approach to the most recent TB Forum meeting held on 24th October 2023. The farming organisations accepted the broad principles of the report, but the general consensus was we need to tackle the measures nationally as opposed to a regional approach.
The Scientific Working Group report findings on a Regional Approach to TB eradication are available on www.bovinetb.ie gov.ie - TB Forum (www.gov.ie) www.gov.ie/en/collection/d6572-tb-forum/#scientific-working-group
There are no restrictions on the movement of cattle from areas where there may be outbreaks of TB other than those herds who are restricted.
457. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 2 of 9 March 2023, if he can reconcile the response with the eventual diametrically opposite position taken by Bord Iascaigh Mhara in correspondence between the fishers and a representative of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52301/23]
View answerIn its report of October 2021, the Seafood Task Force recommended the introduction of a voluntary permanent cessation scheme. The scheme aims to restore balance between the fishing fleet capacity and available quotas following quota reductions arising from the Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the EU and the UK. The Task Force also recommended that it would be appropriate to compensate crew who are impacted by the scheme.
In the development of a scheme in response to this recommendation, compensation for crew was incorporated and is determined based on qualifying criteria specified in the scheme and according to length of service. Under the terms of the Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme crew compensation is negotiated between the crew member and the owner.
The Terms and Conditions of that scheme are available on the Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) website BIM - Brexit Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme bim.ie/fisheries/funding/brexitvoluntary-permanent-cessation-scheme/ and these terms include provisions for mediation.
In relation to evaluation of individual applications for decommissioning and the associated calculation of crew payments, this is an operational matter for BIM. As such, I will ask BIM to reply again to the Deputy on this matter, and in particular to consider whether mediation is appropriate in the context of the scheme terms and conditions.
458. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why a person (details supplied) is being charged for SNP testing when the cost of testing is covered by the DAFM-HSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52329/23]
View answerIn 2022, under a national equine breeding initiative, funded by my Department, equine breed societies commenced transitioning from micro-satellite (MS) to Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) DNA analysis, aligning with global equine genetics standards. This move involved generating a reference library by re-analysing using SNP approximately 10,000 samples of horses active in studbook breeding programmes in the previous three years. My Department fully supports this movement to SNP due to the opportunities, not only to verify parentage, but to also identify markers for potential genetic variants for use in breeding programmes. For example, various genetic diseases, breed composition, colour prediction and genomic evaluations, etc.
In 2023, my Department has provided funding for SNP genomic testing to breed societies under the Equine Technical Support Programme (ETS) for first time samples, i.e. foals, at a rate of 70% and under the National Breeding Programme initiative for sires and/or dams who previously had been tested by MS at a rate of 100%. The rate of 70% grant aid for first time samples is in accordance with State Aid guidelines and is similar to the rate provided for MS testing in previous years. Funding is no longer being made available for MS testing for parentage verification purposes.
It is the responsibility of each equine breed society to put in place the measures required to implement the SNP genomic testing. Should issues arise in individual cases, these should be brought to the attention of the breed society in the first instance.
460. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52379/23]
View answerThe applicant has received all the 2022 Organic Farming Scheme payments that were due to them. Their 2022 advance payment issued on the 24th of November 2022, and their remaining balance payment issued on the 31st of March 2023.
2023 Organic Farming Scheme payments have not issued yet. It is anticipated that they will commence in December.
461. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is considering restricting the importation of certain raw wood products such as unsawn timber from areas where the bark beetle Ips typographus has been identified; the measures that are in place or are being considered to prevent the arrival of the bark beetle into Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52486/23]
View answerImporters in Ireland are prohibited from importing unprocessed conifer logs (roundwood) from areas where the bark beetle Ips typographus has been identified.
Coniferous roundwood is both imported into and exported out of Ireland. All imports into Ireland must be compliant with the EU Plant Health Regulation and importers must be registered as Professional Operators. Similarly, any action Ireland takes in response to threats from pests must also be compliant with EU Plant Health Regulations and the International Plant Protection Convention. Importers in Ireland are prohibited from importing roundwood from areas known to be affected by quarantine bark beetle species. The only area internationally where imports into Ireland of coniferous roundwood with bark is permitted is from a specific UK Government authority assigned ‘Pest Free Area’ in the West of Scotland. In light of recent developments with bark beetles in Great Britain, found outside of their ‘Pest Free Area’, this Department has been engaging directly with Scottish forestry authorities, Northern Ireland and the European Commission to ensure that the pest free status of the island of Ireland is maintained.
Imports of roundwood logs from this Pest Free Area (PFA) in Scotland are subject to an inspection regime. All imports from the PFA must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate which is issued by the UK Government authority, in accordance with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), to attest that the logs meet the phytosanitary import requirements of Ireland and the EU, and are in conformity with the certifying statement.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regularly engages with stakeholders including on phytosanitary risks. The Department launched a major plant health initiative in its ‘Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy 2020-2025’ which outlines the importance of plant health biosecurity for Ireland and helps ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the risks to plant health in Ireland, and their role and responsibilities to reduce those risks. In addition there has been significant investment in EU ‘Border Control Posts’ facilities in recent years to allow import control inspections of plants and plant products from non-EU countries.
