Written Answers Nos. 1263-1282
1263. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri Food Supply Chain is operational; what staff are currently employed; and to detail work that has been undertaken. [1542/24]
View answerThe Office of the Agri-Food Regulator is now fully operational.
The Programme for Government contained a commitment for an independent statutory body to enforce the unfair trading practices outlined in Directive EU 2019/633 and to provide a price and market analysis function to increase fairness and transparency in the Agri-Food supply chain. Pending the finalisation of the primary legislation required to establish the new authority, the Unfair Trading Practices Enforcement Authority (UTPEA) was established on an interim basis in my Department.
The legislation required to establish the new independent office, the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023, was signed into law by President Higgins on 11th July 2023. This marked the end of a constructive legislative process which allowed for the passing of a bill that included very strong powers of enforcement and investigation. The office is now known as An Rialálaí Agraibhia (The Agri-Food Regulator).
The Chairperson and seven ordinary members of the board of An Rialálaí Agraibhia were appointed following a competition held by the State Boards Public Appointments Service. The Board had their first meeting on 13th December 2023, the establishment day of the new office.
The CEO-designate was appointed on 22nd May 2023, initially taking over as head of the interim Unfair Trading Practices Enforcement Authority, and became CEO of An Rialálaí Agraibhia on establishment day.
The functions of the UTPEA transferred to An Rialálaí Agraibhia on establishment day.
Now that the Regulator has been established recruitment is being conducted on a phased basis.
The Deputy may wish to contact the Agri-Food Regulator directly for information on operational matters and they can be contacted by email at info@agrifoodregulator.ie.
1264. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has analysed the increased cost of food production in Ireland over the past five years; if so, the details of these cost increases over the past five years. [1543/24]
View answerThe agri-food sector has faced numerous challenges over the past five years, including the challenges posed by Brexit, COVID-19 and geopolitical events such as the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. These have resulted in a greatly changed trading environment with our closest neighbour, the closure of the food service sector for much of 2020 and 2021, and a rapid rise in input costs over the past two years. These factors combined have contributed to an increase in the cost of food production.
The CSO's Agricultural Input Price Index has increased by 28% between January 2019 and October 2023, the most recent month for which data is available. This compares to a 22% increase in the Agricultural Output Price Index over the same period.
I continue to engage with stakeholders and continue to work across Government to provide critical support for farm families.
1265. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farms in Ireland in each of the past ten years; how many people have been working in farming full time in each of the past ten years; how many farmers have been working in farming on a part time basis in each of the past ten years; and the number of farmers who have left the sector in each of the past ten years. [1545/24]
View answerMy Department continually monitors farm structures and levels of employment in agriculture and the wider agri-food sector.
The number of farms in Ireland is recorded every ten years in the Census of Agriculture (COA), with 2010 and 2020 being the most recent years, with the Farm Structure Survey (FSS) taking place periodically in between, in 2013 and 2016. The number of farms was recorded as 139,829 in the COA 2010, decreasing to 135,027 in the COA 2020. The below table shows the total number of farms recorded in Ireland since 2010.
|
Source of CSO data |
Number of Farms |
|
2010 Census of Agriculture |
139,829 |
|
2013 Farm Survey |
139,600 |
|
2016 Farm Survey |
137,500 |
|
2020 Census of Agriculture |
135,035 |
Employment figures are primarily sourced from the Central Statistics Office's (CSO) quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS). The table below shows the number of people who identify as working full time in farming (crop and animal production) in each of the past ten years, over the period 2013-2022. This does not include those working in the wider agri-food sector such as in forestry, fishing, wood processing and manufacture of food and beverages. When these are included, the CSO figure for employment in the agri-food sector is 164,900, or 6.5% of total employment in 2022.
|
|
Number of Full Time Farmers (crop and animal production) |
|
2013 |
104,350 |
|
2014 |
101,600 |
|
2015 |
104,000 |
|
2016 |
106,800 |
|
2017 |
103,775 |
|
2018 |
101,925 |
|
2019 |
97,675 |
|
2020 |
96,300 |
|
2021 |
100,900 |
|
2022 |
95,525 |
It should be noted that the Labour Force Survey is based on the main employment a person reports in the survey even where they have off-farm employment and so the number of part-time farmers is not available on an annual basis.
Where a part-time farmer reports their off-farm job as their main employment, they will not be recorded as working in primary agriculture. However, the Census of Agriculture acknowledges the many farm holders and their family members who work part-time on the land in addition to their main employment, indicating that there were 278,580 family and regular non-family workers on Irish farms in 2020. This number has actually increased from each of the two previous agriculture censuses, with 272,016 family and regular non-family workers in 2010 and 257,948 in 2000.
As another measure of part time employment, Teagasc in their annual National Farm Survey outline that up to 37% of farm holders had off-farm employment in 2022, while 57% of farm holders and/or their spouse had an off farm employment. The above data demonstrates the volatility of employment in the sector, with movement between full-time and part-time employment depending on prevailing macroeconomic conditions.
1266. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on a matter with regard to live exports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1552/24]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine facilitates lawful commercial trade while ensuring that live animal transport is carried out in compliance with legislative welfare standards.
There are currently no restrictions on trade with Israel in place.
1267. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the issues relating to the records of cattle owned by a person (details supplied) will be resolved as a matter of urgency as all information has been provided to his Department by the herd owner. [1598/24]
View answerThis herd was restricted by my Department following breaches of bovine identification and movement recording requirements found on his holding. My Department’s Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) is currently engaging with the herd owner to assist him in regularising the identified breaches.
Once my Department is satisfied that the herd is in full compliance with the bovine identification and movement recording regulations the herd restriction will be withdrawn.
1268. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with the Minister for Finance on issues arising in relation to VAT refunds for farmers; if he has engaged with representatives from the agriculture sector and sought a solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1622/24]
View answerThe Minister for Finance is responsible for tax policy and the Revenue Commissioners are responsible for the operation of the tax system and are independent in carrying out that function.
They advise that the VAT treatment of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In accordance with the EU VAT Directive, farmers can elect whether or not to register for VAT in respect of their farming business. Farmers who register for VAT have an entitlement to reclaim VAT on costs incurred in relation to the agricultural business. Alternatively, farmers can remain unregistered and opt for the Flat Rate Farmer’s Scheme.
The Flat Rate Farmer’s Scheme is designed to reduce the administrative burden for farmers and allows them to remain outside the normal VAT system, thereby avoiding the obligations of registration and returns. Unregistered farmers may avail of a VAT refund on certain expenses allowed for under the “VAT refund order” (S.I. No. 201/2012). The VAT refund order allows for refunds to be claimed on outlay incurred on:
• the construction, extension, alteration or reconstruction of a farm building or structure; on fencing, draining and reclamation of farmland;
• and on the construction, erection, or installation of qualifying equipment for the micro-generation of electricity for use in a farm business.
I am advised that the refund order does not provide for refunds for VAT incurred on farm machinery, equipment, fixtures or capital expenditure generally. I am further advised that each claim is assessed on its own merits and a refusal of a claim for a refund under the order may be appealed to the Tax Appeals Commission.
In recognition of the various concerns around this issue, and that the different types of expenditure in agriculture can evolve quickly as agricultural technology develops, I have asked my officials to make any technical assistance available to Revenue in these assessments as required.
1269. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the number of complementary income support for young farmers applications his Department received in 2023; the number of applications approved and payments made to date; the number that remain to be processed; when he expects the remaining application payments to be approved and paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1660/24]
View answerTo-date 6,660 applications have been received for processing under the 2023 Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers. Approvals have issued to 4,760 applicants following administrative checks, and €23m in payments has issued.
Some 400 applications are awaiting the submission of further documentation or information where this has been requested from the applicant. These applications will be further processed when the documentation or information has been submitted. On-farm checks as provided for under the scheme are required in 10% of the eligible population of applicants, and these applications will be finalised when this process is completed. A further 330 cases were unsuccessful following administrative checks. The remaining cases are undergoing administrative checks to finalise processing.
1270. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to ensure that there is an increase in the overall number of afforestation licences issued for the coming year, in view of the low number of afforestation licenses issued each month for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1708/24]
View answer1271. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the monthly targets for private licenses with ecology input, excluding Coillte felling licences, were below target across all months in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1709/24]
View answer1272. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to ensure that the monthly targets in 2024 for private licenses with ecology input, excluding Coillte felling licences, will be reached each month in view that the number of these licences issued each month in 2023 were well below target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1710/24]
View answer1273. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to ensure that targets are met each month for the coming year across all areas of forestry licencing in the forestry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1711/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1270, 1271, 1272 and 1273 together.
The Forestry Programme 2023 -2027 has been approved by Government, and both the afforestation and forest roads schemes are open to applications. Existing applications under the old programme are being migrated over to these scheme as the applicants opt in. My Department began issuing afforestation and roads licences under the new Programme in September 2023, while felling licences continued and continue to issue as normal.
We are now issuing all licences, as well as approvals under other forestry schemes. The new Forestry Licensing Plan has now issued and in 2024, my Department will continue to build on the improvements to its licencing system.
The Forestry Licencing Plan estimates that my Department will issue 4,200 new licences in 2024, and confirms that my Department has capacity to issue sufficient licences to meet its annual target of 8,000 hectares of new forests, but this is entirely contingent on receiving enough applications to achieve this goal.
I am confident that the attractive and increased rates under the new Programme, coupled with 20 year premiums for farmers, will encourage strong uptake of afforestation options. I expect that this will continue in the years ahead as the benefits and complementary nature of forestry to farming is better understood and as communities and public authorities engage with the new Programme.
The new programme will help to support an increase in afforestation. It offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options. It provides generous incentives to farmers in particular to re-engage with forestry. This can be seen in our increased premia rates ranging from between 46% to 66%, along with a longer premia term of 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers across most Forest Types.
The Programme also contains a new Native Tree Area Scheme, which builds on a recent amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 that removed 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 barriers to such planting.
Over the last three years, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has invested significantly in staff resources. These included investment in additional forestry Inspectors, ecologists, engineers and administrative staff. The Department has also invested in improving IT systems and procedures. Due to continued high output in forestry licencing in 2023, we have seen further reductions in the worklist of forestry licence applications.
In 2023 we issued 474 more licences than applications received and my Department intends to continue to outstrip demand by issuing more licences than it receives in 2024.
In 2023, my Department issued 3,169 forestry licences of all types. This included 1,427 private felling licences,1,411 Coillte felling licences, 243 forest road licences and 88 new afforestation licences (789 Ha’s). The volume of wood licensed to be felled at the end of 2023 is over 8.8 million cubic metres, which significantly exceeds the COFORD forecast of 4.5 million cubic metres. This is the third year in a row that the volume licenced has significantly exceeded the annual forecast volume to be harvested.
In addition to the above, during 2023, my Department processed 99 (847 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. Approvals under the new Reconstitution of Ash dieback scheme (RADs) continued with 220 approvals amounting to 902 Ha’s. Under the Native Tree Area scheme there were 31 approvals processed amounting to 34.19 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, early last 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.
My Department is also continuing the rollout of the remaining forestry schemes announced as part of the new Programme. The Woodland Improvement Scheme was launched on 21st December 2023 and applications are currently being received. Applications also opened on the 03rd January 2024 for the second tranche of the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme: Module 2 - Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector. In addition, my Department intends to launch the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme for new applications in the coming weeks. Details of all schemes available under the new Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 are now available on my Department's website gov.ie - Forestry Grants and Schemes (www.gov.ie). The remainder of the Schemes on offer within the Programme will be introduced on a phased basis over the coming weeks and months. A circular will issue to stakeholders informing them of the application process and requirements when each Scheme opens.
The monthly targets for private licences with ecology input, excluding Coillte licences, were in place to monitor how licence applications, requiring specialist ecology input, were progressing. This was on foot of court decisions in 2019 which meant significant changes to the requirements in order to obtain a forestry licences. Now that the delays in issuing licences have been resolved and significantly more resources have been devoted to processing licences, including the employment of significantly more ecologists, this statistic is no longer relevant. My Department is working on producing an updated dashboard that will reflect the work currently being done and this will issue in the coming weeks.
I remain committed to working closely with the forestry sector, to support landowners to plant trees in a manner that will provide lasting climate, biodiversity, wood production, employment and wider societal benefits.
1274. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the greyhound track attendance figures for each of the Shelbourne Park, Enniscorthy and Limerick tracks, on 2, 9 and 16 November 2023, respectively; and if he will provide a breakdown of the figures into paid and complimentary entry, and entry by adults, children, greyhound owners, trainers and bookmakers etc, in tabular form. [1713/24]
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.
1275. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the greyhound track attendance figures for each of the Curraheen, Kilkenny, Newbridge and Galway tracks on 3, 10 and 17 November 2023, respectively; and if he will provide a breakdown of the figures into paid and complimentary entry, and entry by adults, children, greyhound owners, trainers and bookmakers, etc. in tabular form. [1714/24]
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.
1276. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the greyhound track attendance figures for each of the Mullingar, Dundalk, Tralee and Waterford tracks, on 4, 11 and 18 November 2023, respectively; and if he will provide a breakdown of the figures into paid and complimentary entry, and entry by adults, children, greyhound owners, trainers and bookmakers, etc. in tabular form. [1715/24]
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.
1277. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the number of registered non-coursing greyhound owners for each of the years 2013 to 2023 inclusive, broken down by number of dogs registered to each owner for each year specified, in tabular form. [1716/24]
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 its IT system does not currently posses the capability to provide such a report. My Department understands that the ICC is progressing a new IT system that will accommodate a number of reports and will advise my Department of progress in that regard in due course.
1278. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of reported/recorded lost fishing pots; the number of recovered fishing pots that had been reported/recorded lost on the Irish coast and in Ireland's waters overall for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1723/24]
View answerMy Department does not hold the data being sought by the Deputy in respect of lost or recovered fishing pots. However, I would like to reassure the Deputy that my Department assists in the collaborative effort to help in keeping our oceans clean and healthy and launched the Clean Oceans Initiative in January 2019. The Clean Oceans Initiative is managed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to help protect marine life from the harmful effects of plastic and other pollution. A number of activities form part of the initiative including ‘Fishing for Litter’ which encourages fishers to collect any litter or debris they come across while working at sea. I can inform the Deputy that Ireland’s fishing sector has collected more than 1,000 tonnes of marine litter to date as part of its ‘Fishing for Litter’ activities.
While I launched the Fishing Gear Retirement programme under the Clean Oceans Initiative in June 2022, the Single Use Plastics Directive has also created new obligations in respect of fishing gear that contains plastic. Ireland is required to monitor and report on fishing gear placed on the market and waste fishing gear collected to the European Commission. The Environmental Protection Agency is the competent authority in Ireland for the monitoring and reporting of this data, with the first return being due in 2024.
In addition, the Single Use Plastics Directive requires the setting up of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for fisheries and aquaculture gear containing plastics by the end of 2024. It is the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications which has responsibility for the implementation of this Directive in Ireland. I can advise the Deputy that Bord Iascaigh Mhara are assisting the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in preparing the fishing sector for this requirement through raising awareness of the sector’s responsibilities along with conducting trial Fishing Gear Retirement schemes.
1279. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to review a case (details supplied); and if he can clarify updates on mentioned VAT exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1742/24]
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.
Farmers who qualify for grant aid under TAMS 3 are grant aided on the lower of the reference or receipted cost of the item, excluding VAT. The rules for the reclaiming of VAT in respect of on-farm investments are set by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, and are not under the remit of my Department.
1280. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the 20% additional broadleaves required in the new forestry programme under the new forest types can be only one broadleaf species or if a variety of broadleaf species are required under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1747/24]
View answer1281. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the 20% additional broadleaves required under FT12 can comprise only one broadleaf species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1748/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1280 and 1281 together.
Under the new Forestry programme under certain Forest type selection, it is possible that the broadleaf component may consist of an appropriate singular species or variety of broadleaf species.
As part of the assessment process that my Department undertakes for afforestation applications, the site productivity is evaluated. This is completed by using a method that includes giving existing vegetation on site combined Reaction plus Nitrogen (R+N) values.
All sites submitted for afforestation under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 must reach a R+N score of 6 or greater. This will ensure that all sites will have a baseline level of fertility suitable for the growing of broadleaf trees, including ‘pioneer’ species such as birch, rowan, alder and willow.
Broadleaf trees planted to fulfil the 20% requirement must satisfy the rules underpinning the relevant Forest Type they are being planted under (e.g. FT 1 Native Forest). If planted as additional broadleaves within a plot dominated by conifers, (e.g. FT 12), the species selected must be suited to the immediate site conditions that the trees are being planted into, and must be protected and maintained as necessary.
1282. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if alder does not qualify for the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme in both plots and as additional broadleaves in other forest type plots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1749/24]
View answer1283. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm that the Forestry Service will not fail or ask for remedial actions where deer have damaged or eaten alder planted as additional broadleaves under the afforestation or reconstitution programme as alder is not eligible for the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1750/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1282 and 1283 together.
The Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer fencing scheme assists applicants to protect forests which may be susceptible to damage by deer in the vicinity. Alder, however, is generally not considered palatable for deer to eat and therefore is not susceptible to deer damage in the same way other broadleaf trees are susceptible.
For this reason Alder was deemed ineligible under the Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 and its predecessor programme for this scheme.
