Written Answers Nos. 389-408
389. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on plans submitted to his Department concerning the redevelopment of Shelbourne Park and Kilkenny greyhound stadiums respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5171/24]
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.
In 2018, conditional consent was granted for redevelopment works at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium. Following on from a further submission by RCÉ, in December 2023 DAFM gave approval for RCÉ to proceed with the redevelopment works as provided for in the 2018 consent.
In July 2021, RCÉ sought approval from DAFM for the payment by RCÉ of a grant towards development works at Kilkenny Greyhound Stadium. This proposal is being considered in the context of RCÉ’s operations as a whole and engagement with RCÉ is ongoing.
390. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the deadline for the spreading of lime, under the national liming programme beyond 31 March 2024 in light of the poor weather and poor spreading conditions in marginal land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5195/24]
View answerOn the 6th of October 2023 I announced flexibility regarding the spreading deadline under the National Liming Programme. This extended the spreading deadline from the 31st of October 2023 until the 31st of March 2024 giving approved applicants significantly more time to spread their approved quantity of lime.
This 5-month extension to the spreading deadline was made in light of the challenging weather conditions in 2023.
Farmers who have not yet spread their approved quantity of lime, should do so at the earliest suitable opportunity, and no later than the 31st of March 2024 if they wish to qualify for aid.
The National Liming Programme was supported as a once-off measure funded by the National Exchequer for 2023. Given the generous extension of time already granted, coupled with the need to conclude outstanding payments as soon as possible, I do not intend to make any further extension to the spreading deadline of the 31st of March 2024.
391. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected date that farmers awaiting payment under the ACRES co-operation scheme will be paid on in view that he previously confirmed payments would commence in February 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5196/24]
View answerI fully appreciate the frustration felt by farmers experiencing payment delays and their concern regarding uncertainty of payments. Officials in my Department are working continuously to expedite payments to all ACRES participants as a matter of absolute priority.
Over €79 million has been paid in advance payments to date to 17,723 participants in the ACRES Scheme.
ACRES General stream participants that did not receive a payment in December 2023 will continue to be processed through pre-payment checks and will be added to pay runs as all checks are cleared.
ACRES Co-operation Project payments are more complex to administer. Work is ongoing in this regard, with every effort being made to deliver payments as quickly as possible.
392. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation applications that were submitted in January 2024; how many were approved and the area covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5197/24]
View answerAfforestation applications received by my Department are reviewed for completeness to ensure they are a valid application which can be progressed to licence decision stage. Between 1 and 31 January 2024, five valid applications for Afforestation, covering an area of 51 hectares, were submitted and these are currently being processed. A significant number of incomplete applications were received in the same period and are being followed up with the applicant.
In the same period we issued decisions on 42 Afforestation approvals for an area of 351 hectares.
It is worth noting that since the Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 opened in September 2023, there are 1840 Ha of afforestation licenses available for planting. Furthermore, my department has received 159 valid Afforestation applications for 1,669ha.
The licensing process involves careful assessment of applications from a silvicultural, environmental and scheme compliance perspective.
The Afforestation Scheme 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 for Afforestation. These increases range 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.
I encourage all landowners, and farmers in particular, to consider joining the scheme as it provides a complementary income stream to active farmers, and delivers public goods for the benefit of all.
393. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to advise with regard to slurry exports on monitoring mechanisms put in place by his Department to ensure limits around nutrient distribution are met (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5209/24]
View answerMovements of livestock manure between holdings must be recorded and verified online on www.agfood.ie. The exporter must login to their online account to upload the movement. The importer must then login and verify that movement took place.
In line with my Department’s procedures, as part of the control process, unverified movements are considered not to have taken place, i.e. the livestock manure is considered to have remained on the holding of origin and a penalty is applied where this results in the breach of the holding's limit.
The Agriculture Water Quality Working Group and the Nitrates Expert Group have both identified the need to move closer to real time recording of livestock manure movements. I will very shortly bring forward changes in response to those recommendations.
394. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days that he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form. [5235/24]
View answerThe following information was provided to the Deputy on 27th July 2022 in my response to PQ No. 40038/22.
|
Location |
Travel Dates |
Flight Cost |
Accommodation Cost |
Notes |
|
2020 |
||||
|
Brussels |
20 - 22 Sept |
264.08 |
Government Jet |
|
|
Luxembourg |
18 - 21 Oct |
265 |
Government Jet |
|
|
Brussels |
14 - 16 Dec |
160.24 |
Government Jet |
|
|
2021 |
||||
|
Brussels |
21 - 23 Mar |
NA |
206.48 |
Commercial |
|
Brussels |
25 - 28 May |
NA |
443.56 |
Government Jet |
|
Portugal (Informal) |
13 - 15 June |
NA |
NA |
Commercial |
|
Luxembourg |
27 - 30 June |
NA |
795 |
Government Transport |
|
Slovenia (Informal) |
5 - 7 Sept |
NA |
NA |
Government Transport |
|
Brussels |
14 - 16 Nov |
NA |
373.48 |
Government Transport |
|
Brussels |
11 - 14 Dec |
25.91 |
267.48 |
Government Transport /return commercial |
|
2022 |
||||
|
Brussels |
16 - 17 Jan |
NA |
130.74 |
Government Transport |
|
Strasbourg (Informal) |
6 - 8 Feb |
NA |
NA |
Government Transport |
|
Brussels |
20 - 21 Feb |
342.75 |
154.74 |
Commercial |
|
Brussels |
20 - 21 Mar |
382.44 |
137.74 |
Commercial |
|
Luxembourg |
6 - 7 Apr |
819.9 |
265 |
Commercial Minister McConalogue travelled Dublin to Paris for a meeting and then onto Luxembourg at an additional cost of €226.45 to above. |
|
Brussels |
24 - 25 May |
265 |
170 |
Commercial |
|
Luxembourg |
12 - 13 June |
279.89 |
265 |
Commercial. Minister travelled to Council at own expense . |
|
Brussels |
18-Jul |
540.29 |
172.74 |
Commercial |
|
Trade Missions |
||||
|
Location |
Number of days |
Dates |
Flight Costs |
Accommodation Costs |
|
EXPO 2020 Dubai & Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
6 |
12th Feb – 18th Feb |
€1,839.09 |
€1,080 |
|
4 Flights |
||||
|
Economy Class |
||||
|
Chicago, Columbus, Ohio Washington D.C. |
6 |
22nd April – 28th April |
€1,694.59 |
€564 Chicago |
|
4 Flights |
*US $558 |
|||
|
Economy Class |
Washington D.C. |
The following table sets out details of my foreign trips on behalf of the state since 27th July 2022.
|
Location |
Travel Date |
Flight Cost |
Accommodation Cost |
No of nights |
|
Tokyo |
28/08/2022 |
€2,453.23 |
** |
10 |
|
Luxembourg Milan Rome |
16/10/2022 |
€410.09 |
* |
3 |
|
Paris |
02/11/2022 |
€553.39 |
633 |
2 |
|
Brussels |
20/11/2022 |
€254.37 |
167 |
1 |
|
London |
01/12/2022 |
€729.84 |
* |
1 |
|
Brussels |
11/12/2022 |
€345.72 |
454.98 |
2 |
|
Brussels |
29/01/2023 |
€395.99 |
159.24 |
1 |
|
New Zealand |
14/03/2023 |
€4,413.94 |
1711.76 |
4 |
|
Brussels |
18/03/2023 |
€222.15 |
177.74 |
1 |
|
Luxembourg |
24/04/2023 |
€122.90 |
270 |
1 |
|
China |
13/05/2023 |
€6,675.00 |
** |
6 |
|
Brussels |
29/05/2023 |
€837.59 |
201 |
1 |
|
Stockholm |
11/06/2023 |
€944.08 |
*** |
2 |
|
Luxembourg |
25/06/2023 |
€527.10 |
540 |
2 |
|
Spain |
16/07/2023 |
€1,286.95 |
*** |
3 |
|
Brussels |
24/07/2023 |
€664.60 |
182.24 |
1 |
|
Trade Mission to W Africa |
10/09/2023 |
€8,081.53 |
** |
3 |
|
Spain |
03/09/2023 |
€417.00 |
*** |
2 |
|
Rome |
26/09/2023 |
€401.90 |
** |
1 |
|
Brussels |
18/09/2023 |
€202.47 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Luxembourg |
22/10/2023 |
€353.33 |
364 |
1 |
|
Trade Mission to Korea |
30/10/2023 |
€4,538.14 |
** |
4 |
|
Brussels |
19/11/2023 |
€512.05 |
150.24 |
1 |
|
UAE |
07/12/2023 |
€5,285.30 |
** |
5 |
|
Brussels |
12/12/2023 |
€438.32 |
484.48 |
1 |
|
Brussels |
22/01/2024 |
€166.24 |
255.24 |
1 |
* No claim submitted
** Paid via the Embassy
*** Paid by the EU
395. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5269/24]
View answerAll applicants in the Organic Farming Scheme are subject to annual validation checks to ensure the correct payments are made. To date, approximately 92% of farmers have received their advance payment. Almost half of all payments due to farmers in partnerships have been made.
It is my Department's aim that the majority of organic farmers, including the remaining partnerships, will be paid within the next seven weeks, including the case referred to by the Deputy.
396. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of recorded/confirmed dates of fireblight erwinia amylovora infections detections by his Department in 2023 per county; the scale of each detection in terms of linear metres or hectares, species infected and whether sites of infection were in an agricultural/forestry setting; the recommended best practice methods for preventing or eradicating the disease, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5325/24]
View answerPromoting and safeguarding plant health is a key strategic principle of the Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy 2020-2025. Within the EU, plant health, including plant pest outbreaks, is governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against pests of plants.
In 2023 DAFM investigated twenty-one potential outbreaks of Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al.) of which seventeen were subsequently confirmed.
A summary of county and location type is provided in the Table below:
Table: County and type of location of n=17 Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al.) outbreaks investigated by DAFM in 2023.
|
County |
Type of Location |
|
Kerry |
Farm |
|
Limerick |
Garden Centre |
|
S. Dublin |
Industrial Estate |
|
Donegal |
Nursery |
|
Kilkenny |
Garden Centre |
|
Galway |
Roadside |
|
Galway |
Roadside |
|
Laois |
Nursery |
|
N. Dublin |
Roadside |
|
N. Dublin |
Roadside |
|
N. Tipp |
Nursery |
|
S. Tipp |
Public Park |
|
N. Dublin |
Public Park |
|
Mayo |
Garden Centre |
|
Clare |
Garden Centre |
|
Laois |
Garden Centre |
|
Limerick |
Garden Centre |
In line with EU rules, for each of the seventeen confirmed outbreak sites a “demarcated area” consisting of a 500m “infested zone” and a 5km “buffer zone” were established in line with the known biology of the pest. Delimiting surveys were then conducted to establish the true extent of the outbreaks. Of the seventeen outbreaks, delimiting surveys up to 1 km have been conducted at eleven outbreak sites. Delimiting surveys will resume during the Spring of 2024, when growing season resumes. Under EU rules a 24-month period from the official confirmation of the presence of the pest is permitted to complete surveillance and achieve eradication, where possible.
Pest eradication measures are set out in the Ireland's plant health generic contingency plan which is available on my Departments website.
397. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that have been taken by his Department currently to eradicate fireblight erwinia amylovora infections in 2023, in the most significant outbreak believed to be throughout a Kerry townland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5326/24]
View answerPromoting and safeguarding plant health is a key strategic principle of the Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy 2020-2025.
Within the EU, plant health, including plant pest outbreaks, is governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against pests of plants.
At fireblight outbreak sites, a “demarcated area” consisting of a 500m “infested zone” and a 5km “buffer zone” is established in accordance with the Regulations. Delimiting surveys are conducted to establish the true extent of the outbreak. Delimiting surveys in some cases will resume during the Spring of 2024, when the growing season resumes.
Under EU plant health rules, a 24-month period from the official confirmation of the presence of the pest is permitted to complete surveillance and achieve eradication, where possible. Eradication measures are set out in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine plant health generic contingency plan which are available on the Department's website.
398. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what advice and training is being provided to local authorities, landowners or contractors to assist his Departmental staff in suppressing regarding fireblight erwinia amylovora infections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5327/24]
View answerPromoting and safeguarding plant health is a key strategic principle of the Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy 2020-2025. Within the EU plant health is governed by the EU Plant Health Regulation 2031 of 2016 and the Official Controls Regulations 625 of 2017. My Department conducts annual plant health surveillance checks for plant pests and diseases, including Fireblight. Following confirmation of the presence of a pest such as Fireblight and in line with EU rules and this Departments plant health generic contingency plan (published on my Departments website) a “Demarcated area” consisting of an inner “infested zone” and an outer “buffer zone” is established in line with the known biology of the pest. Delimiting surveys are then conducted to establish the true extent of the outbreaks and can result in the revision of the size of infested and buffer zones, respectively.
This Department has published a factsheet in relation to Fireblight on our website. During delimiting surveys at Fireblight outbreaks in 2023, this factsheet together with a cover letter was distributed locally within the demarcated area informing recipients of the outbreak and actions to be taken and provided contact details for this Departments outbreak investigation team. Landowners or private residents directly affected by the outbreaks also received these details. Where outbreaks occurred in public parks/roadsides etc., officers form this Department engaged directly with local authority staff and their contractors.
399. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a comprehensive disease risk analysis was carried out regarding fireblight erwinia amylovora infections by his Department prior to the November 2023 relaxation on the requirement for use of native provenance plants or plants of Irish origin under the ACRES scheme; and if so will he make a copy available. [5328/24]
View answerMy Department conducts annual plant health surveillance checks for plant pests and diseases, including Erwinia amylovora (Fireblight).
Ireland is recognised as having a favourable plant health status and has the highest number of protected zones in the EU, with 23 pests and diseases listed. A protected zone is a region in which a harmful organism which has established in one or more parts of the EU is not present in that region. Ireland (except Galway city) has protected zone status for Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al.).
The amendment to the specifications for the ‘Planting a New Hedgerow’ action within the ACRES scheme relates to Whitethorn species only, in respect of which the requirement for Irish provenance and Irish origin was removed. The amendment was made, following representations from stakeholders, to address supply demands.
Whitethorn is a host plant for the disease Erwinia amylovora. Whitethorn plants, if imported into a protected zone, are subject to import requirements, as follows:
• Imports from another Member State are required to be notified to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine no more than 48 hours after their arrival.
• Imports from third countries, with the exception of certain third countries where imports are prohibited, require a phytosanitary certificate and pre-notification of the import.
Furthermore, all plants must be accompanied by a specific protected zone Plant Passport, which certifies that the additional protected zone requirements have been fulfilled.
Evidence of the associated EU plant passport remains a key requirement of any whitethorn hedges planted under ACRES.
400. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5342/24]
View answerMy Department provides public information about the Department's wide range of schemes, services and policies.
The amount spent by my Department on advertising in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2024, is set out in the table below. This included information campaigns in 2023 on farm safety and the new Forestry Programme.
Expenditure also includes the publication of Statutory Notices that are required to comply with various national and EU legislative requirements.
|
Year |
Amount in Euros (€) |
|
2014 |
224,068 |
|
2015 |
238,460 |
|
2016 |
312,021 |
|
2017 |
544,657 |
|
2018 |
288,186 |
|
2019 |
387,482.57 |
|
2020 |
322,722.55 |
|
2021 |
381,738.63 |
|
2022 |
741,490.98 |
|
2023 |
1,922,209.87 |
|
2024 (to date) |
1,476.00 |
401. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental, Ministerial public relations; if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5360/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated by my Department and a reply will be forwarded within 10 working days.
402. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent by his Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5378/24]
View answerIt is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the required time. The information is currently being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
|
Year |
Expenditure incurred on Legal Costs or Legal Services € |
|
2014 |
156,840 |
|
2015 |
267,018 |
|
2016 |
38,466 |
|
2017 |
705,679 |
|
2018 |
79,529 |
|
2019 |
776,135 |
|
2020 |
339,007 |
|
2021 |
108,167 |
|
2022 |
1,135,826 |
|
2023 |
330,567 |
|
2024 to date |
360.00 |
403. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent by his Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [5396/24]
View answerIt is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the required time. The information is currently being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
|
Year |
Office Space |
Furniture |
IT Equipment |
|
2014 |
100,000 |
753,502 |
3,758,035 |
|
2015 |
106,000 |
1,168,151 |
3,554,026 |
|
2016 |
115,149 |
1,147,732 |
1,114,225 |
|
2017 |
115,247 |
1,293,572 |
3,155,392 |
|
2018 |
115,518 |
1,180,833 |
3,406,905 |
|
2019 |
115,788 |
1,219,977 |
3,451,849 |
|
2020 |
114,959 |
635,129 |
3,323,458 |
|
2021 |
189,231 |
751,639 |
3,719,014 |
|
2022 |
752,985 |
423,973 |
5,840,648 |
|
2023 |
588,542 |
694,496 |
4,772,321 |
|
2024 to date |
89,641 |
24,401 |
11,808 |
404. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending the fodder support scheme to include a farmer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5483/24]
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. This is for LPIS parcels in the Shannon Callows impacted as determined by my Department's Earth Observation team, utilising the 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 Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, identified as having been impacted by flooding within the Shannon Callows during the summer months, July to September, and provided 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. LPIS parcels flooded within the Shannon Callows before 2 July 2023 or after 29 September 2023 are not eligible for payment. There are no plans currently to extend the locations covered, or to amend the time frame of this scheme.
The full Terms and Conditions of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme are available on www.gov.ie.
405. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the application of PGI status for boxty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5505/24]
View answerGeographical Indications identify a product whose quality, reputation or other such characteristics are linked to its geographical origin. My Department, as the Competent Authority for Protected Geographical Indications (PGI), checks PGI applications to ensure that the application meets the conditions of the relevant EU Regulations governing the scheme.
As part of its scrutiny of the Boxty PGI application, my Department has had extensive engagement with the applicant with a view to ensuring that the application meets those requirements. The application needs to withstand scrutiny at a number of levels: by my own Department, the European Commission, and through both the national opposition procedure and the Union/Third Country opposition procedure.
My Department’s scrutiny is at an advanced stage and once it is satisfied that the application meets the required conditions, it can move to the next stage which is the national opposition procedure.
406. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the footage shared of pregnant cows who are being exported to Algeria for the first time (details supplied); if he agrees that forcing a pregnant animal to travel from Ireland to Algeria, with all of the known health risks, is a desperate compromise in welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5544/24]
View answerI can confirm that a shipment of in-calf animals was recently exported from Ireland to Algeria on a dedicated livestock vessel.
It is important to emphasise that the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine only permits animals to be transported in compliance with the EU's animal welfare legislation, which is amongst the most progressive legal frameworks in the world. Furthermore, Ireland has national rules to protect the welfare of livestock being transported on dedicated livestock vessels, which lay down controls that are more stringent than EU rules, and which have been cited as an example of best practice by the European Commission to other Member States.
Each loading of livestock onto dedicated vessels for international transport is monitored and supervised by a team of experienced Department officials. The consignment referred to was supervised in this manner.
EU Regulation 1/2005 requires that prior to travel an animal must be deemed to be fit for the intended journey. The Regulation does specify that a pregnant animal for whom 90% or more of the expected gestation period has already passed is not considered to be fit for long distance transport. Thus, as part of the official certification process, veterinary inspectors assess each animal to ensure it meets the conditions for fitness to travel as laid down in the regulations. Animals which do not meet these conditions are not allowed to travel.
The Department is conscious of the need to ensure the welfare of the animals in transit and, as the regulator in this area, is satisfied that the systems in place in respect of the intra-community movement and extra-community movement of these animals are supportive of the welfare of the animals and in compliance with the relevant legislation. The Department continues to monitor and enforce compliance, to ensure the welfare of animals transported.
407. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for the nutrient values ascribed to chicken litter in Ireland; and the reason that figure differs considerably from the value used in Britain and elsewhere.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5548/24]
View answerThe nutrient values for poultry manure, as stated in Tables 7 and 8 of the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters (GAP) Regulations (S.I. No. 113 of 2022, as amended), cover litter/manure from egg producing birds (known as layers) and meat producing birds (known as broilers). The tables represent manures of varying dry matters and litter types. Both of these parameters have a significant influence on the nutrient content of poultry manure.
The figures in the GAP Regulations reflect the current manure values for poultry published in Teagasc’s “Green Book” titled Major and Micro Nutrient Advice for Productive Agricultural Crops which was last updated in 2020. The values published by Teagasc are derived from the most up to date research conducted on manure types.
Broiler production is the predominant sector within Ireland's poultry sector. A number of years ago and arising from concerns my Department had that nutrient values of Irish broiler manure were lower than those published for the United Kingdom, Teagasc undertook a research survey involving approximately 10% of broiler farmers in Ireland. Arising from the peer-reviewed findings coming from that research, the nutrient value in the GAP Regulations for broiler litter was updated from 11kg total Nitrogen per tonne to 28kg total Nitrogen per tonne. This value is considered to be in line with the data from other studies and as published in the 2023 UK’s Nutrient Management Guide (RB209).
New research would be required to determine if the current nutrient content values for other poultry manures require updating. However, on review of the published Irish figures compared to the UK’s RB209, based on the dry matter percentages of manures produced by layers and turkeys, the nutrient values are comparable and not significantly different.
408. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses that were seized and or impounded for trespass and for non-compliance with chipping law and regulation by county in each of the years from 2016 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5656/24]
View answerUnder the Control of Horses Act 1996, local authorities may take a range of actions in relation to equines including prohibiting horses in certain areas, the issuing of licences and the seizure of horses in contravention of the Act. These powers can be used in respect of straying horses, which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land. Local authorities may also prosecute offenders.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) provides financial support to help local authorities with these seizures - figures with respect to the number of animals involved are outlined below. Detailed information about reasons for the seizures rest with the local authorities.
In dealing with breaches of equine identification legislation, the Department’s policy is to adopt a fair and proportional approach. Authorised officers engage with keepers to ensure that they understand their responsibilities and where potential breaches of the legislation are identified, they generally provide an opportunity for non-compliant keepers to rectify the position within a specified timeframe.
Horses Seized by Local Authority - 2016-2023
|
Local authority |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Seizures 2023 Provisional Figures |
|
Carlow Co. co. |
76 |
24 |
13 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan Co. co. |
4 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare Co. co. |
11 |
18 |
14 |
47 |
29 |
6 |
4 |
15 |
|
Cork Co, co. |
91 |
87 |
63 |
75 |
35 |
22 |
21 |
35 |
|
Cork City Co. |
47 |
39 |
33 |
23 |
12 |
38 |
16 |
13 |
|
Donegal Co. Co. |
19 |
13 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City Co. |
193 |
120 |
183 |
90 |
42 |
76 |
43 |
18 |
|
South Dublin Co. Co. |
266 |
227 |
147 |
83 |
69 |
45 |
28 |
19 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
29 |
7 |
13 |
15 |
23 |
11 |
4 |
3 |
|
Fingal |
161 |
155 |
86 |
41 |
43 |
19 |
18 |
22 |
|
Galway City |
64 |
34 |
35 |
15 |
22 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway Co. |
40 |
40 |
66 |
70 |
35 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
28 |
12 |
22 |
16 |
16 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
|
Kildare |
155 |
145 |
91 |
103 |
29 |
16 |
9 |
5 |
|
Kilkenny |
52 |
21 |
21 |
18 |
60 |
19 |
4 |
19 |
|
Laois |
66 |
49 |
64 |
35 |
49 |
19 |
15 |
20 |
|
Leitrim |
16 |
10 |
8 |
10 |
5 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
|
Limerick City and Co. |
209 |
166 |
206 |
109 |
128 |
91 |
89 |
59 |
|
Longford |
19 |
21 |
13 |
11 |
33 |
22 |
9 |
7 |
|
Louth |
23 |
38 |
37 |
11 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Meath |
80 |
57 |
25 |
19 |
3 |
7 |
3 |
4 |
|
Monaghan |
29 |
11 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
66 |
60 |
16 |
13 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
19 |
6 |
9 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
129 |
97 |
105 |
88 |
76 |
44 |
30 |
32 |
|
Waterford City & Co. |
32 |
18 |
28 |
31 |
17 |
10 |
7 |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
50 |
36 |
37 |
19 |
11 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
89 |
39 |
50 |
33 |
30 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
65 |
45 |
57 |
43 |
32 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Total |
2,128 |
1,603 |
1,460 |
1,050 |
819 |
477 |
326 |
295 |
