Written Answers Nos. 479-490
479. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he would consider starting the process again to contact fishers directly when grants become available as fishers may not see the updates on the website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2686/24]
View answerThe €258 million European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programme, forms Ireland’s principal source of development funding for the seafood sector in the coming years. This fund, co-funded by the EU and Government of Ireland, will build on and ensure continuity of the valuable supports provided to the sector under both its predecessor the €240m European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the BAR funded schemes implemented between 2021 and 2023 on foot of the Seafood Task Force Report.
EMFAF related schemes for fishers are administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). BIM use a range of communication methods to inform fishers of the availability of grants. These include adverts in trade journals, social media posts, webpages, email directly to fishers, information sessions in the community, and personal communication via BIMs network of regionally based staff.
480. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on an ACRES appeal; the reason for the delay in finalising this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2687/24]
View answerThe person named applied for Tranche 1 of my Department’s agri-environment scheme, ACRES. They are in the Scheme, but have been assigned to the incorrect stream, i.e. to the General stream rather than the Co-operation Project stream.
My officials are working on a solution to this case, and will be in touch directly with the person named, as well as their approved ACRES advisor, on the next steps to take, once this solution is in place.
481. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will convene a meeting of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Bord Bia, BIM, the fishing producer organisations and co-ops (details supplied) at the earliest opportunity to plot a course for the urgent rejuvenation of the seafood industry in Ireland following the stark findings of the recent Bord Bia report “2023-2024 future focused” that the value of Irish seafood exports declined by 14% over the past year and how this compares with another European country and coastal states such as Norway with a similar population to the Republic of Ireland. [2751/24]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that my Department constantly monitors the needs of the fisheries sector and I regularly meet with the recognised industry representative groups, comprising the Producer Organisations, National Inshore Fisheries Forum, Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association and IFA Aquaculture.
Engagement between my Department and these groups is ongoing, whether bilaterally or through established structures that provide for collective engagement such as the Seafood Task Force and the Monitoring Committee for the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
In January 2021, in light of Brexit, the Seafood Task Force was established to examine the implications of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) for the fishing industry and coastal communities. The membership of the Task Force included recognised industry representative groups, state agencies, local development groups and the City & County Managers Association. The full membership details are available online [gov.ie - Minister McConalogue welcomes Report of Seafood Sector Task Force (www.gov.ie) ].
On foot of the report of the Task Force, which comprehensively considered the needs of the sector, 14 schemes were put in place to provide funding directly to industry. Two further schemes to provide other necessary supports were also put in place - one implemented by Bord Bia to promote Inshore fisheries products and the other, the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme, which funded investment in the piers and harbours maintained by local authorities. These were all funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR).
Separately to this, the full range of recognised industry representative groups, along with relevant marine agencies, are members of the Monitoring Committee for the EMFAF, and were also members of the Monitoring Committee for the previous fund (the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). EMFAF is the programme which provides funding supports to the seafood sector, and the Monitoring Committee has oversight of the programme that has been developed for implementation under EMFAF. It also has oversight of the development of the Implementation Plans which provide for the range and scope of schemes that are to be put in place under EMFAF. The Monitoring Committee provides a formal structure to facilitate engagement with industry around the design of the schemes to support the sector. The EMFAF Monitoring Committee met in November 2023, and engagement with the members of the Monitoring Committee continues between meetings as needed.
This is in addition to the regular engagement between myself and my Department and all of the recognised industry representative groups on an ongoing basis. For the inshore fleet, the National Inshore Fishers Forum also provides a formal structure for the challenges facing that fleet to be discussed with the Department and the marine agencies.
In addition, the Department funds Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which is the state agency responsible for development of the Seafood sector. BIM works closely with industry and all of the recognised representative groups, actively supporting the development of the sector in a myriad of ways. Further information on the work of BIM is available on BIM's website at BIM - Supporting the Irish Seafood Industry. BIM will receive funding in excess of €22 million from my Department in 2024 to support its work. Again there is regular ongoing engagement between my Department and BIM in relation to the needs of the sector.
482. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exact date he will pay all outstanding ACRES and ACRES co-operation payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2864/24]
View answer483. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will pay interest to those who receive delayed ACRES and ACRES co-operation payments; if so, what metric will be applied to calculate the rate of interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2865/24]
View answer484. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of ACRES and ACRES co-operation payments outstanding, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2866/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 482, 483 and 484 together.
ACRES payments commenced on 15 December 2023, with a total of €76.5 million issuing to 17,145 participants in the ACRES General stream. ACRES General payments will continue over the coming weeks as applications are processed (queries resolved, validation checks passed, etc.).
Due to the additional complexity associated with the Co-operation Project (CP) stream, payments to ACRES CP participants will begin to issue this February 2024.
Everything is being done by my officials to expedite payments to participants who clear validation checks. It is not my intention to pay interest on such payments.
The table below indicates the number of ACRES participants paid, and the outstanding number of participants to be paid, by county, as of 18th January 2024.
|
County |
Participants Paid |
Awaiting Payment |
|
Carlow |
240 |
231 |
|
Cavan |
982 |
664 |
|
Clare |
964 |
1,984 |
|
Cork |
992 |
2,660 |
|
Donegal |
1,186 |
3,670 |
|
Dublin |
30 |
41 |
|
Galway |
1,893 |
3,562 |
|
Kerry |
327 |
3,130 |
|
Kildare |
175 |
96 |
|
Kilkenny |
398 |
215 |
|
Laois |
219 |
224 |
|
Leitrim |
537 |
1,562 |
|
Limerick |
530 |
828 |
|
Longford |
871 |
363 |
|
Louth |
114 |
136 |
|
Mayo |
1,939 |
3,744 |
|
Meath |
320 |
141 |
|
Monaghan |
441 |
253 |
|
Offaly |
466 |
228 |
|
Roscommon |
1,662 |
920 |
|
Sligo |
646 |
1,062 |
|
Tipperary |
608 |
995 |
|
Waterford |
179 |
309 |
|
Westmeath |
644 |
262 |
|
Wexford |
537 |
469 |
|
Wicklow |
245 |
335 |
|
Total |
17,145 |
28,084 |
485. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has had such a significant reduction in their farm payments this year. [2891/24]
View answerThe new CAP programme, which started in 2023, sees a change in the value of all payment entitlements reflecting the change in allocation of funding under the direct payment schemes.
The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) payment entitlement values are now derived from a fixed percentage (~59%) of the previous combined Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening value.
Also, all BISS Payments outlined in the statement of entitlements are subject to capping. Capping will apply in two tranches to a herdowner’s BISS payment only.
• The BISS payment above €100,000 is fully reduced;
• BISS payment between €60,000-€100,000 is reduced by 85%.
Convergence will continue from 2023 to 2026, with all payment entitlement values below the average reaching a minimum of 85% of the national average value by 2026. Payment entitlement values above the national average will reduce to fund this convergence.
As this herdowner’s current unit value is above the national average it will continue to converge downwards until 2026.
Note, this is the herdowners BISS payment and it does not include other schemes such as ECO, CRISS, CISYF or VCS that the herd owner may have applied for on their 2023 BISS Application.
Full details of the herdowner’s basic payment for 2023 -2026 have been set out in their Statement of Entitlements which issued on 2nd April 2023.
486. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department will take domestically and internationally to meet the commitments outlined in the UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action, to which Ireland signed up to at COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2930/24]
View answerThe COP28 UAE Declaration On Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action affirms that agriculture and food systems must urgently adapt and transform in order to respond to the imperatives of climate change. It states that “to achieve these aims - according to our own national circumstances - we commit to expedite the integration of agriculture and food systems into our climate action and, simultaneously, to mainstream climate action across our policy agendas and actions related to agriculture and food systems”.
This is the first time the COP Presidency has prioritised the link between climate policy and the food system. As a food producing nation, it is critically important that Irish agriculture and food participated and I attended COP to highlight the importance of Sustainable Food Systems and the Irish experience.
I held a series of important bilaterals at COP and these engagements were an important opportunity to highlight the considerable work being done in Ireland to address the challenges of climate change and food security through innovation and systemic change. Through sharing our experience, we hope to play a key role in the global transformation of food systems which will be of benefit to all and lead to more sustainable outcomes. I co-hosted an event with the COP Presidency, UAE, entitled “A Sustainable Food Systems Approach to Innovation for Climate Action” and also participated in the event hosted by the United States Chamber of Commerce, “Reducing Methane from Food and Agriculture”.Food Vision 2030 is our shared strategy for the continuing development of the agri-food sector in Ireland, developed for the sector by the sector. Food Vision is a landmark for the Irish agri-food sector with the potential to transform our agriculture, food, forestry and marine sectors in the period to 2030, with sustainability at its core. Food Vision adopts a systems approach, one of the first agri-food strategies to do so globally, and aims for Ireland to be a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems. It sets out four high-level Missions for all stakeholders to work towards:1. A Climate Smart, Environmentally Sustainable Agri-Food Sector. 2. Viable and Resilient Primary Producers with Enhanced Well-Being 3. Food that is Safe, Nutritious and Appealing, Trusted and Valued at Home and Abroad. 4. An Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Agri-Food Sector, Driven by Technology and TalentI am committed to leading on Food Vision as we seek to deliver on our environmental, economic and social sustainability ambitions. I established a High Level Implementation Committee and have already chaired nine meetings, where we have examined a wide range of issues. I am pleased to say that implementation of Food Vision 2030 is well underway, with many of its actions commenced. Ireland is a leading voice in advocating for global food systems transformation, based on an appreciation of the central importance of farming, fishing and food production to rural and coastal communities and of course to global food security. The urgency to transform our agri-food systems in a holistic way cannot be understated. We must strive for a resilient model which is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable; a model that provides healthy affordable diets for all. My Department has strongly supported the UN Food Systems Summit process and are working with partners globally to promote sustainable food systems approaches.
487. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he has read the preferred results response to a report by a person (details supplied) about the greyhound industry; and whether he considers its findings should result in a change in Government policy on public support for the greyhound industry.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2959/24]
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 funding provided to the greyhound racing sector helps sustain a long-standing tradition as the industry is part of the social fabric of our country. This funding underpins economic activity across the country and is of particular importance in rural Ireland. The importance of the greyhound industry has been acknowledged by successive Governments and it is also supported through legislation and policy initiatives. Exchequer support to the greyhound industry is provided accordingly, via RCÉ.
488. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what steps are taken to ensure that the required storage facilities for chicken litter are in fact built after chicken farms are established. [2960/24]
View answerStorage facilities for poultry litter must meet the regulatory requirements as set out under Article 11 of the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations (SI 113 of 2022, as amended). The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the competent authority responsible for these Regulations.
Larger and more intensive poultry farms are also regulated under the Industrial Emissions Directive. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the competent authority responsible for enforcing this Directive.
Ensuring that poultry units have built their required storage facilities is the responsibility of the local planning authority and/or the EPA. Questions in that regard should be addressed to them.
489. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of hectares under water covered by the Shannon Callows flooding scheme; the percentage number of hectares that has been paid on under the scheme to date; if he will outline the criteria for selecting 15 hectares and determining such a cut off; the specific provisions made for farmers who have more than 15 hectares; the basis for this calculation, how was it verified/approved, and who selected the number of 230 eligible farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3007/24]
View answerFollowing exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023 I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder 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 in the Shannon Callows 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.
My Department has contacted the farmers that the Area Monitoring System identified as having been impacted by the flooding, providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.
A total of 230 expression of interest letters including the application form were issued on the 17 November 2023 and a further 47 expression of interest letters including the application form issued on the 7 December 2023, with 268 out of 277 now paid.
A total of 2,330 hectares were identified as eligible for payment under the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme (SCFS). As of 19 January 2024, 97% of this area has been paid on under the scheme.
The maximum limit of 15 hectares was set and designed to distribute funding evenly across impacted farmers whilst maintaining a sufficient payment rate per hectare. Increasing the limit to a greater number of 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.
490. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of eligible farmers under the Shannon Callows flooding scheme; the number who submitted an application; the number paid to date; the number awaiting payment [3008/24]
View answerFollowing exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023 I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder 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 in the Shannon Callows 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.
My Department has contacted the farmers that the Area Monitoring System has identified as having been impacted by the flooding, providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.
A total of 230 expression of interest letters including the application form were issued on the 17 November 2023 and a further 47 expression of interest letters including the application form issued on the 7 December 2023, so 277 in total.
As of 19 January 2024, 275 have so far submitted an application. Of those, 268 have been paid to date.
