Wednesday, 20 Mar 2024

Written Answers Nos. 973-992

Civil Service

Questions (973)

Alan Dillon

Question:

973. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the salary of a person has been cut (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11613/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I understand that my officials are currently looking into this request. My officials will also liaise with the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) on this matter, as the NSSO has responsibility for the payment of pensions to former civil servants.

I would like to assure the Deputy one of my staff will contact the person directly to assist with this matter.

Marine Protected Areas

Questions (974)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

974. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the special protection area off the Wexford coast, to specify any changes to be introduced to the current fishing grounds, and to specify what special protection measures will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11616/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The designation of Natura 2000 sites (including Special Protection Areas) and the identification of qualifying interests and conservation objectives for such sites comes under the responsibility of the Minister of State in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan TD. On 11 January 2024, Minister Noonan announced the proposed designation of the ‘Seas off Wexford’ as a Special Protection Area – the second such designation in recent months. My Department has requested advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara to inform my response to the designation of this site.

Public Procurement Contracts

Questions (975)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

975. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any consideration was given to dismissing a bid in a tender process for breach of publicity guidance during the tender process (details supplied); if his Department gave consent to publicity during the live tender process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11674/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The contract for the provision of Marketing Services to the sport horse sector and was awarded to the Irish Horse Board following a competitive tendering process carried out by my Department in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines.

The named organisation was simply stating their intention to participate in the already published tender competition. The named organisation did not breach the competition rules, nor did my Department.

Animal Welfare

Questions (976)

Holly Cairns

Question:

976. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what measures his Department is taking to ensure animal welfare standards are increased during the transport of live exports; and what measures are being taken to ensure time limits on travel are being adhered to. [11732/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine only permits animals to be transported in compliance with the EU's animal welfare legislation.

Ireland has also introduced its own national legislation regulating animal welfare during transport of livestock in dedicated livestock vessels (typically to countries in the Mediterranean region). These lay down more stringent controls that go beyond those in EU law. Furthermore, over the past three years, my Department has introduced extra controls on animal welfare during long distance transport by road, such as additional checks to prevent transport of animals during hot weather, an increase in the minimum space allowance for calves in trucks that is more than that specified in EU rules, and a requirement for drivers and attendants to undergo training every three years, rather than ten years as formerly.

Department officials and inspectors monitor compliance through a system of official controls, including advance checks of weather along the proposed journey, and veterinary inspection of lorries, livestock vessels and of all animals before they travel. Journeys must be notified to the Regional Veterinary Office two working days in advance, and veterinary certification will only be provided where the journey complies with all animal transport and animal welfare regulations. Furthermore, there is a requirement to notify the Regional Veterinary Office of the outcome of the journey and the condition of the animals on arrival, together with satellite navigation data from lorries where required, to facilitate verification that transporters complied with rules on resting times and maximum transport times.

Since the scaling back of COVID-19 restrictions, Department veterinary staff have occasionally accompanied calves on board ferries from Ireland on a proportion of journeys during the peak spring season for calf trade.

The Government supports the international trade of animals as it plays an important part in competition in the marketplace particularly. In that context, however, the Government demands the highest standards of animal welfare during transport.

Animal Welfare

Questions (977)

Holly Cairns

Question:

977. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has engaged with any EU officials or lobbied for any measures in relation to excluding sea travel from travel time limits on the export of live animals; if so, the details of these engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11733/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has indicated to the EU Commission that it is supportive of the revision of the EU rules on animal welfare during transport, to facilitate the high welfare intracommunity trade and export of live animals to third countries. In that context the Department has engaged with the Commission services pointing out the need to ensure that any new proposed rules ensure that Irish farm businesses have the same access to the European Single Market as similar businesses from all other Member States.

As a peripheral EU island nation Member State, with a long history of and dependency on livestock farming, Ireland has a fundamental interest in ensuring that proposals the Commission bring forward do not disadvantage Ireland vis-à-vis other Member States and that Irish farmers and farm families have the same access to the Single Market as farmers in all other Member States of the Union.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (978)

Michael Lowry

Question:

978. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11932/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I can confirm that an Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) application for Tranche 2 was not submitted on behalf of the person named.

Tranche 2 of ACRES opened for applications on Friday, 24 November 2023 and closed at 5.30pm on Wednesday, 13 December 2023.

The application process was outlined via ACRES Circular No 29/2023, dated 24 November 2023, which was sent as a reminder to all ACRES advisors. The process required advisors to undertake the following mandatory steps for each application

1. Submit an Expression of Interest;

2. Prepare and submit a Farm Sustainability Plan (FSP);

3. Complete and submit the ACRES application to include relevant document uploads (Rare Breeds and Soil Sampling).

The first two steps of the application process were completed for the persons named. However, the final step to submit the ACRES application was not completed by the closing date and time. As the application process was not completed on behalf of the persons named, no application was successfully submitted for this herd number.

As the application window for Tranche 2 of ACRES has now closed, no further applications can be submitted.

EU Meetings

Questions (979)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

979. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his priorities for the upcoming discussion on the future of the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector to be held in Bruges on 24 and 25 March 2024. [12017/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The theme of the discussions at the Informal Meeting of Fisheries Ministers on 24 and 25 March 2024 is "The Future of EU Fisheries and Aquaculture".

This is an opportunity to highlight the challenges that the Irish seafood sector is facing and to examine solutions and opportunities for the future.

I have, on numerous occasions, underlined the need for a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of Brexit on the functioning of the Common Fisheries Policy, in particular, the impact on the EU and Member States’ fishing opportunities as a result of quota transfers under the Trade and Co-operation Agreement. We need a clear picture of the challenges the EU fleet is facing, in order to identify solutions for the future.

I will also focus on how the EU can support the fisheries and aquaculture sector in facing wider, global challenges such as the impact of climate change and the energy transition.

Forestry Sector

Questions (980)

Niall Collins

Question:

980. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the distance land needs to be outside of a special protection area before forestry planting can occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12033/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the new forestry programme there will be no new afforestation licensed within Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

Applications for afforestation outside of SPAs that do not overlap with the footprint of the SPA will be assessed in relation to any possible impact on hen harriers, and suitability for afforestation generally.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (981)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

981. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 28 February 2024, if there has been direct engagement with any farmers whose scores are affected as a result of the proposed buffer zone; if he is aware that turbary zones on commonage are often shared and accessed across communities, and that farmers taking part in ACRES cannot police commonage areas; if consideration has been given to not proceeding with a buffer zone in turbary areas on commonage, given that farmers were unaware of such a rule, and the negative impact it could have on scoring for ACRES payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12036/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

With reference to assessment of certain commonage for payment under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), while there has not been direct engagement by my Department with farmers, my Department has engaged, and is continuing to engage, with farmer representatives who have raised concerns about how the protocol applied to the turbary areas will affect the overall commonage parcel scores.

I am fully aware of issues relating to commonages and their management. Farm representatives brought their concerns to me, before any scoring of commonages took place, that turbary areas could disproportionately impact on the score of an overall commonage parcel. A protocol was accordingly put in place by my Department, in conjunction with the ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) teams, to mitigate the negative impact that turbary would have on commonage scores, while at the same maintaining the environmental integrity of the scheme.

Commonage parcels with turbary have been fully scored and submitted by CP teams on the basis of this protocol.

Horticulture Sector

Questions (982)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

982. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on concerns raised in relation to imports of hawthorn and the risk of fireblight; what measures will be introduced to mitigate this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12037/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Promoting 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 Regulation 625 of 2017. These Regulations harmonise the rules on several areas, including rules on imports and surveillance for pests of plant health.

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.).

To mitigate risk, hosts plant for the disease Erwinia amylovora (Fireblight) are subject to the following import requirements :

- Imports from another Member State are required to be notified to my Department no more than 48 hours after their arrival and plants must be accompanied by a specific Protected Zone Plant Passport which certifies that the protected zone requirements have been fulfilled.

- With the exception of certain third countries where imports are prohibited, imports from third countries are required to be pre-notified to my Department one working day in advance of the expected arrival. Consignments require a phytosanitary certificate for entry into protected zones in accordance with the requirements in Implementing Regulation 2019/2072.

My Departments conducts annual plant health surveillance checks for plant pests and diseases, including the protected zone pest, Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al. ).

Live Exports

Questions (983)

Paul Murphy

Question:

983. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has actively sought new outlets for beef rather than live animals, in relation to live exports outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12039/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Developing and diversifying markets and market segments is identified as a priority in our shared strategy for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector, Food Vision 2030. 2023 was another successful year for beef exports, totalling over €3 billion in value and 478 thousand tonnes.

Ireland has access to all EU markets and a range of non EU or third country markets. My Department has invested considerable efforts, particularly since the Brexit vote in 2016, in achieving, maintaining, improving, and restoring access to third country markets, including for beef. That process can be detailed and painstaking but we must recognise that the importing country sets the requirements, sets the pace of negotiations, and ultimately makes the decisions in terms of granting market access.

My Department works in partnership with industry and Bord Bia to identify market access priorities. There has been significant activity in relation to priority third country markets for beef, with recent examples being:

- The resumption of beef access to China in January 2024.

- The progress of beef access through the Korean parliament following key meetings during the whole of government trade mission in 2023.

- A successful audit for beef access to Thailand leading to current negotiations on export certification.

An intensified programme of ministerial trade missions to promote Irish food and drink in EU and third country markets is an essential component of the market diversification strategy and has been going continuously since 2017. In 2023, there were third country trade missions to China, Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines, with further missions planned to the USA, China, and a number of South East Asian markets for 2024.

While my Department’s role is to open up international markets in consultation with stakeholders, it is for industry - with the support of my officials and Bord Bia’s marketing expertise - to develop the potential opportunities available to it in those markets. The time frame for reaping the benefits is always a commercial decision for export enterprises.

Live Exports

Questions (984)

Paul Murphy

Question:

984. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a deal was sought first for dairy/milk powder in relation to the two shipments of in-calf dairy heifers to Algeria this year. [12040/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Ireland has had existing access to Algeria for dairy product exports for many years including milk powders through the certification arrangements that my Department has in place with their counterparts in the competent authority in Algeria.

2023 dairy exports to Algeria amounted to €100 Million (31,648 tonnes). The main exports are cheddar and skimmed milk powder. Algeria was the 13th largest export destination country for Irish dairy in 2023. Details in relation to market access arrangements for all countries are available through the Market Access portal on my Department's website on gov.ie

Live Exports

Questions (985)

Paul Murphy

Question:

985. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific data on which a claim is based (details supplied); and what studies have been carried out to demonstrate that live cattle exported outside the EU impacts price. [12041/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Programme for Government (PfG) recognises the economic and social role of agriculture, as our most important indigenous industry, in promoting balanced regional development. It commits the government to protecting and enhancing the incomes and livelihoods of family farms; approximately 55 per cent of which are engaged in specialist beef production. The government is working consistently to support the beef sector and to improve animal health and welfare standards.

The sole reference to live exports in the PfG document simply acknowledges that this trade plays a significant role in stimulating effective price competition in the domestic supply chain. Other functions of the live trade are providing an alternative market outlet for farmers with different types of production systems as well as meeting demand for different ages and breeds in destination markets. The PfG makes no mention of either the destination or composition of live cattle exports.

Live Exports

Questions (986)

Paul Murphy

Question:

986. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given that according to Bord Bia, 60% of the value of all cattle exported is from exports to Northern Ireland (details supplied), if a figure can be given on the value of these shipments. [12042/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Bord Bia 'Export Performance and Prospects Report 2023 - 2024' is a useful source of information in relation to export performance for the sector. I am pleased to note that the value of Irish food and drink exports surpassed the €16 billion mark for the second year in a row and that the sector’s overall exports when non-food products are included was €18.5 billion.

The trading of live animals internationally continues to provide an important alternative market for the Irish livestock industry with exports valued at an estimated €265 million during 2023, an increase of 13%. Cattle exports account for most of the live export trade, with 332,000 animals exported in 2023, valued at €190 million. The number of cattle traded increased by 14% when compared to 2022 levels. Trade with Northern Ireland for both finished cattle and those for further production also recorded an improvement in the second half of 2023 when compared with 2022, representing an increase of 8% in export value. Exports to Northern Ireland accounted for 59% of the total share of live export value by destination in 2023, equating to €112.1 million.

Tighter cattle supplies in the UK, a favourable exchange rate, and a growing price differential between Irish and UK deadweight cattle prices all provided some increased positivity in this trade.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (987)

Robert Troy

Question:

987. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on claims that consistent incompatibility problems within the new computer system in his Department is resulting in delayed or incorrect payments (details supplied). [12047/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In 2023 a wide range of new farm support schemes were introduced under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP). These schemes are critically important to farmers and to date my Department has paid out approximately €2 billion to over 125,000 farmers.

While no doubt there have been challenges for all parties in rolling out these new schemes, work has been continuing to ensure that all outstanding payments relating to 2023 payments are made. All Divisions within my Department are constantly engaging to ensure that the various schemes work together and where issues are identified these are being resolved.

Where an applicant or advisor has a specific issue with a case I would encourage them to make direct contact with the relevant payment area so that these can be dealt with and payments finalised.

Fishing Industry

Questions (988)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

988. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the landings of fish, by species at each pier and harbour across the State in each of the years, 2007 to 2024, inclusive, in tabular form. [12083/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As the Deputy may be aware, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is the single legal competent authority responsible for the collection and reporting of fish landings into Ireland.I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question on the the landings of fish, by species at each pier and harbour across the State in each of the years, 2007 to 2024, inclusive, in tabular form to the SFPA and have asked them to revert directly to the Deputy with the figures requested.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (989, 990, 991, 992, 993)

Bríd Smith

Question:

989. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds that participated in at least one official trial whose year of birth was 2021 as recorded on RCETS, and the number of non-coursing greyhounds that participated in at least one official trial whose year of birth was 2022 as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12099/24]

Bríd Smith

Question:

990. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds that completed one or more races on an RCE licensed track whose year of birth was 2021 as recorded on RCETS; the number of non-coursing greyhounds that completed one or more races on an RCE licensed track whose year of birth was 2022 as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12100/24]

Bríd Smith

Question:

991. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds exported after completing at least one official trial, but before having completed a race on an RCE licensed track whose year of birth was 2021 as recorded on RCETS; the number of non-coursing greyhounds exported after completing at least one official trial, but before having completed a race on an RCE licensed track whose year of birth was 2022 as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12101/24]

Bríd Smith

Question:

992. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds rehomed before completing at least one official trial whose year of birth was 2021 as recorded on RCETS; the number of non-coursing greyhounds rehomed before completing at least one official trial whose year of birth was 2022 as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12102/24]

Bríd Smith

Question:

993. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds rehomed after completing at least one official trial, but before having completed a race on an RCE licensed track, whose year of birth was 2021 as recorded on RCETS; the number of non-coursing greyhounds rehomed after completing at least one official trial, but before having completed a race on an RCE licensed track whose year of birth was 2022 as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12103/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 989 to 993, inclusive, together.

Rásaíocht 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.

Question No. 990 answered with Question No. 989.

Question No. 991 answered with Question No. 989.

Question No. 992 answered with Question No. 989.