Written Answers Nos. 1018-1041
1018. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise why felling licensing levels are lower than usual given there has been a drop of the number of felling licences being approved month on month so far in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14881/24]
View answerThe number of private felling licences received since the beginning of 2024 at 239 is similar as received for the same period last year at 261. As regards Coillte we expect to receive a new batch of 800 applications in the coming weeks, which is similar to the batch of 750 we received in April of last year. So there has been no drop in the number of applications being received.
As regards output to date this year we have issued 305 private licences, well ahead of applications receive, and 2019 Coillte felling licences, a total of 524 licences. It is the case that we issued more licences in the same period last year a total of 845 licences, made up of 423 private and 422 Coillte. This may be attributed to our strong focus at the beginning of last year on clearing the 1,500 licences on hand for more than 120 days. We have reduced the number on hand to 768 and continue to progressively work through them.
My Department has published a Forestry Licencing Plan which outlines my strong commitment to issuing licences in 2024.
1019. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1067 of 20 March 2024, if, given that in his reply he has stated that the pig farmers keep the records, and only submit to his Department on a voluntary basis, he will outline how his Department ensures that the data is an accurate portrayal of the usage, as it is not independently recorded or verified. [14896/24]
View answerIt is important to clarify that all antimicrobials used on Irish pig farms must have an accompanying prescription, written by a registered veterinary practitioner. By way of regulatory control, my officials carry out routine on-farm inspections where submitted antibiotic use data is verified against farm records and dispensed prescriptions.
The data submitted by pig farmers on antibiotic usage in their herds is self-reported data for analysis of usage and trend. In conducting this data analysis where my officials suspect errors in submitted data, theses are identified and investigated. In addition, Bord Bia conduct regular on farm audits on all Irish pig farms and the examination of veterinary medicines represents a key component of these audits.
I am encouraged by the decreasing trend in the usage of antibiotic premix in medicated feed as recorded in the National Anitmicrobial Usage (AMU) Database for pigs. This trend is supported by the most recent HPRA sales report for 2022 which showed a 43% decrease in sales of oral premix which are primarily used in the pig sector compared to sales in 2021. This represents a significant step in the efforts made by Irish pig farmers in reducing their antimicrobial use by 50% between 2018 and 2030 as part of the European ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy.
1020. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact that the masters report (details supplied) is incomplete/inaccurate; if he agrees that it is very concerning that these reports are not being filled in correctly, given that the date is not accurate and that it is highly unlikely that over 1,000 pregnant heifers experienced no illness or injury at all during the 8/9 days at sea; how will he improve this process to ensure accurate information is being recorded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14916/24]
View answerMy Department has received this Master’s Report referred to, which was delayed in return. Department officials have been in contact with the shipping company, in relation to the discrepancy in regard of the ports of disembarkation, for its attention and follow up as appropriate.
The Master's report for this voyage shows that the same number of in-calf heifers that boarded in Ireland disembarked in Algeria. The report does not record any morbidity or mortality on the voyage and no evidence of any such morbidity or mortality has been reported to or come to the attention of my Department.
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.
1021. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1065 of 20 March 2024, how many sanctions/fines have been imposed for breaching the Pig Directive since 2020; how many farm inspections have occurred; and how often a farm is inspected. [14924/24]
View answerSince 2020, 490 pig welfare inspections have been carried out. In relation to the Pig Directive, no sanctions/fines have been imposed for breaches of the legislation by the courts since 2020.
Farms are selected for inspection based on a number of criteria, including risk factors and the results of previous inspections, which can result in a variance in the frequency of inspection.
1022. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1065 of 20 March 2024, the reason, in relation to the pig and poultry investment scheme, the provision of optimal enrichment is not mentioned as one of the improvements, as that is the biggest risk factor for tail biting (aside from the existence of a tail); and how he plans on monitoring that the specifications for pig housing under the scheme have been met. [14925/24]
View answerIn relation to the design of pig housing, enrichment is an integral part of my Department’s specification S.141, which relates to the minimum specification for new pig houses, with Appendix 1 of this specification setting out the detailed requirements for enrichment in new pig housing.
All building plans submitted as part of a TAMS 3 application are reviewed to ensure that the proposed structure can be completed in accordance with the specification, before the works are approved. At payment stage applications are subject to inspections to confirm that the buildings have been completed in accordance with the relevant specifications before payment of grant-aid. For TAMS 3, applicants are also required to submit geo-tagged photographs of the completed investments.
1023. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department has not acted in relation to animal cruelty that has been reported on several occasions (details supplied). [14929/24]
View answerMy Department is aware of this matter, which has been subject to investigation by officials from my Department. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.
Neglect or causing unnecessary suffering to any animal is unacceptable in our society and my Department is fully committed to the ongoing promotion and enforcement of high animal welfare standards. My Department continues to enforce the law in this important area as does An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA).
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline and email through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect. In dealing with complaints, where appropriate, Department officials collaborate with An Garda Síochána, local authorities, the ISPCA and DSPCA.
The Helpline number and e-mail address for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare breaches are as follows: 01 607 2379 or animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
1024. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all outstanding issues regarding the IT system supporting the ACRES scheme have been resolved; if so, when all outstanding payments will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14933/24]
View answerWork is continuing on the calculation and processing of ACRES year one payments, and these payments are expected to issue by the end of June.
ACRES General advance payments commenced on December 15th 2023, and approximately 19,719 farmers were paid a total of €88.356 million by early February 2024.
Due in particular to the additional complexity associated with payments to Co-operation Project (CP) participants, my Department made arrangements for an interim payment to be made to all the remaining applicants who had not yet received an ACRES advance payment. The first interim payment run of €4,000 for ACRES General participants and €5,000 for ACRES CP participants was paid on February 28th 2024, and came to a total of €113,617,000. A second run totalling €5,923,000 was processed last month. A total of 44,780 participants have now received payments totalling €207.8 million.
1025. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the first payments under the ECO scheme issued; the number of payments still outstanding; the reason for the delay in issuing these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14934/24]
View answerThe first Eco-Scheme payments issued on 31st October 2023. To date my Department has issued Eco-Scheme payment to over 118,357 farmers totalling €306 million. There is currently approx. 1,200 cases still to be processed. The reason for delay in processing these cases is due to change in herd ownership details between the time of application and payment processing. The change of ownership herds are expected to be processed for payment within the next two weeks with any remaining cases to be processed shortly afterwards.
1026. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an ECO scheme payment will be made to a person in County Mayo (details supplied), in view of the fact that his Department already acknowledged that this person's herd number was issued late due to the application being mislaid within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14938/24]
View answerThe herdowner named can submit a request a review her 2023 Eco-Scheme application by sending an email to ecoscheme@agriculture.gov.ie with all relevant information relating to her 2023 Eco-Scheme application and stocking rate requirements. The herdowner did apply for AP2 (Extensive Livestock Production - enhanced) within Eco-schemes and using 2023 as the stocking rate year.
1027. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how much money in total was the total CAP budget worth for pillar 1 and pillar 2 for the 2023 recording year; of the total CAP budget in 2023 for pillar 1 and pillar 2, how much money was allocated to - farmers, sub-contractors and administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14966/24]
View answerIreland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) will deliver some €9.8 billion to our farm families over the next five years to support them to continue to produce world-class, safe and sustainable food as well as supporting them in their important work of meeting our climate ambitions. This includes EU CAP funding for Ireland of €7.53 billion over the five-year period from 2023 to 2027. This EU funding is split between Pillar I Direct Payments and Sectoral Interventions (€5.97 billion) and Pillar II Rural Development Interventions (€1.56 billion). The allocation from the national exchequer to co-fund the Rural Development element of the CSP amounts to €2.30 billion bringing the total to €3.86 billion in respect of the Rural Development component of the Plan. The increased national co-funding of €2.30 billion is a substantial increase on the existing rural development programme, and reflects an increase in the co-financing percentage from 43% to 60% over the previous programme.
All funding under Pillar 1 went directly to farmers. Under Pillar 2, approximately €8 million was paid to the ACRES Co-operation Project teams. This accounted for 0.5% of the total payments of €1.5bn under both Pillars paid out in 2023. These teams are facilitating farmers to receive higher payments through a local approach to addressing biodiversity, climate and water objectives in their area. All other payments were made to farmers.
Table 1: CSP Expenditure by Intervention, 2023
|
Intervention |
Total |
|
Pillar I |
€m |
|
Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) |
660.0 |
|
Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) |
113.5 |
|
Eco-scheme |
295.5 |
|
Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CIS-YF) |
23.0 |
|
Protein Aid |
9.5 |
|
Total PI |
1,101.5 |
|
Pillar II |
€m |
|
Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) |
246.0 |
|
ACRES (including CP Teams) |
76.5 |
|
ACRES Training |
5.0 |
|
Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) |
13.0 |
|
Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme incl training (SCEP) |
46.5 |
|
Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) |
19.0 |
|
Technical Assistance |
0.8 |
|
Total PII |
406.8 |
|
Total PI + PII |
1,508.3 |
1028. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider how any added benefit gained from the PGI logo can be fairly distributed along the supply chain (details supplied); if he will report any concerns of the use of the logo to the Beef Market Taskforce and the relevant authorities; if he will monitor the use of the PGI Irish grass fed beef in trade through assessment of market information; if he will consider if there is a need for advertising campaigns to communicate the value of grass-fed beef to consumers; if the PGI oversight committee was informed of/or consulted with before PGI status was awarded to beef placed on Italian shelves bearing a PGI label; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14967/24]
View answerBord Bia, as the PGI applicant on behalf of producers and processors, is currently in the process of working on establishing a PGI monitoring group in consultation with my Department. The functions which are outlined in the Deputy's query are foreseen as roles for the PGI monitoring group which include the following:
(a) monitor the use of the PGI ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’ in trade through assessment of market information available and assessing what new economic and market analyses might be obtained;
(b) consider if there is a need for information, awareness and promotion activities aimed at communicating the value-adding attributes of the PGI to consumers;
(c) consider how any value addition arising from the PGI logo can be fairly distributed along the supply chain;
(d) make recommendations and report any concerns of the use of the PGI logo to the Beef Task Force in the first instance and to the relevant authorities as appropriate.
In regard to advertising campaigns to communicate the value of the PGI to consumers, Bord Bia has undertaken research on marketing opportunities for the PGI and in line with its statutory remit to promote Irish agrifood products will be putting in place plans to leverage the PGI for the benefit of Irish beef farmers and the wider beef sector.
In regard to the PGI product recently placed on Italian shelves, the European Commission PGI rules require that there are sufficient controls to ensure that the product bearing the EU PGI logo meets the product specification registered with the EU before the PGI product is placed on the market. The organisation in question was the first processor to put in place the required controls and these were subject to examination by the PGI applicant, Bord Bia. In accordance with EU rules, my Department, as the Competent Authority, carried out official control verifications on the operator's control framework. Following completion of these steps, it was open to the operator to sell the PGI product to their customer in Italy.
The launch of the product was an important milestone for our producers and processors of Irish Grass Fed Beef. Seeing product with the PGI mark available to consumers so soon after registration is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in achieving this recognition. I look forward to seeing other operators bring their PGI product to market and to hear how the PGI is progressing in the future.
1029. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a series of matters in relation to the 2023 BISS online system will be examined and rectified (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14968/24]
View answerAll Eco-Scheme Space for Nature estimates were subject to review by farmers and/or their FAS advisors when making their 2023 submission to confirm that features mapped represented an accurate assessment of what features were present on the ground. My Department did make it clear to farmers and FAS advisors that all space for nature estimates provided on the 2023 Eco-Scheme application were subject to digitising and validation by my Department.
My department did issue a communication to farmers and Advisors via the Farm Advisory Service email address on 11 May 2023 to notify that there was an issue with how parcels with scrub exclusions were having their space for nature calculated. The Eco-scheme section sent a follow on communication to impacted FAS Advisors on 12 May 2023 outlining what action they needed to take with a phone call being made to impacted farmers.
If the FAS Advisor and/or farmer have specific herdnumbers, they should provide them to my Departments Eco-scheme section.
1030. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14975/24]
View answerThe Suckler Brand Development Oversight Group was established to oversee and advise on the creation and implementation of a distinct brand for suckler beef under the guidance of Bord Bia. The Oversight Group, which is chaired by my Department and includes relevant sector stakeholders, has met seven times to date.
Bord Bia’s expenditure on the project to the end of December 2023 amounted to €0.82m. Details of project expenditure are an operational matter for Bord Bia. A range of brand development activities were undertaken including:
• research on potential opportunities across several key European markets;
• sharing an approach to implementing the brand proposition communications with the Oversight Group; and
• creation of a collection of bespoke suckler video and photography assets for brand communication purposes.
Bord Bia have advised that the current consumer environment is markedly different from that which existed in 2021 when the original strategy was devised. Specifically, consumer sentiment has changed leading to much more cautious approach to spending on eating out which is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
The Oversight Group provided input at each stage of the proposed suckler branding proposition presented by Bord Bia at each meeting. Minutes of meetings, along with the other relevant documentation were distributed to group members after each meeting. However, it was agreed at the outset that discussions would remain confidential to facilitate open dialogue and respect commercial sensitivities pending the outcome of the process.
Although the suckler brand concept has not yet come to fruition, my department – in conjunction with Bord Bia – has nonetheless been successful in securing European recognition of the unique characteristics of our suckler beef production system.
In December 2023, a PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef was successfully registered in the EU register of geographical register indications. Beef products from suckler cattle that meet the product specification requirements will be eligible for PGI status. Bord Bia plans will explore all market opportunities that PGI status presents, specifically focusing on markets and customers offering the best potential for Irish farmers and processors.
1031. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 260 of 21 March 2024, to detail the two consignment of cattle shipped to Israel specifically when these shipments were made; the number of cattle involved and the private entity that arranged it; to further clarify if Department officials inspected these consignments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14977/24]
View answerThe details of the two consignments that were traded by private commercial businesses from Ireland to Israel over the past six months are given in the table below.
|
Ship |
Consignor |
Date |
Port of Loading |
Port of Destination |
Type of Animal |
No. of Animals |
|
Ganado Express |
Viastar |
16/11/2023 |
Greenore |
Haifa, Israel |
Bulls |
3,397 |
|
Ganado Express |
Viastar |
11/01/2024 |
Greenore |
Haifa, Israel |
Bulls |
3,304 |
I can clarify that all cattle on these consignments were inspected prior to export by veterinary inspectors of my Department (as are all exported cattle) to ensure their fitness for transport and their high animal health status.
Trade in live animals is a necessary and integral part of the dairy and beef sectors and plays an important part in supporting farm incomes. Such trade can only be sustainable on the basis of a strong regulatory regime which protects the welfare and the quality of the animals transported.
While the trade in and transport of animals is a private commercial activity it is heavily regulated by European and Irish national law which my department enforces.
I want to be very clear in stating that my Department only permits animals to be transported in compliance with current legislation.
1032. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the EU Regulation on deforestation-free products will be enacted, in full, by Ireland; the staffing and resources which have been ring-fenced for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14980/24]
View answerThe EU Deforestation Regulation 2023/1115 (EUDR) entered into force on 28th June 2023. It replaces the EU Timber Regulation 995/2010 which has been in operation since 2014 and its key provisions will enter into application on 30th December 2024. The main aims of this regulation are threefold:
• To ensure that the listed products do not contribute to deforestation and forest degradation.
• To reduce carbon emissions caused by EU consumption and production of the relevant commodities.
• To address the deforestation and forest degradation that is driven by the agricultural expansion, which produces the relevant commodities.
The deputy may be aware that there are seven relevant commodities – cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy and wood and some of their derived products such as leather, chocolate, tyres and printed paper.
The new regulation will set mandatory obligations for operators and traders to ensure that compliant products are:
1. deforestation free
2. have been produced in accordance with the relevant legislation of the country of production and
3. covered by a due diligence statement.
The regulation will enter into application on 30th December 2024. For small and micro enterprises this date is extended to 30th June 2025.
My Department participates in the Multi-stakeholder Platform on Deforestation, which meets at regular intervals at which the EU Commission, Third Countries, Member States and Stakeholder organisations are all represented. Various issues that arise in preparation for the Regulation becoming operational are discussed at this forum. My Department has also met commodity specific representative organisations.
My Department is currently examining the staffing and resources required to implement the regulation. My Department already carries out a wide range of checks and controls in relation to a number of commodities and we will use existing systems and resources where possible. It should be noted that deforestation is not a significant issue in Ireland and commodities produced here will be deforestation free.
1033. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on a young farmers scheme application (details supplied). [14987/24]
View answerThe person named was added to a herd number in April 2023 and changes of this nature require that a transfer of entitlement application is submitted to move the payment entitlements to the new owner ID. The closing date for receipt of applications to transfer payment entitlements in 2023 was 14 June and the application was not submitted by the person named until October 2023. As transfer applications are processed in the order in which they are received, it was not processed immediately upon receipt and when it was reached there were land errors preventing the processing being completed. These have now been resolved and the processing is in progress. It is expected that this will be completed in the coming days.
The person named also submitted applications under the 2023 National Reserve and the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers. When the transfer of entitlements application is finalised in the coming days, the applications under the National Reserve and the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers can then be processed and the person named will be notified of the outcome of both applications.
1034. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 483 of 9 May 2023, to provide an update on his Departments work in conjunction with the European Commission's Joint Research Centre to identify the relevant lands and to identify the appropriate means of protecting these carbon-rich soils, specifically as it relates to the prohibition or restriction of agricultural practices such as ploughing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14995/24]
View answerMy Department has ongoing communication and interaction with the European Commission in relation to GAEC2 – Protecting Peatland and Wetlands.
Our collaboration with the European Commission's Joint Research Centre has come to a conclusion with the publication of the technical report. This report (Technical report on methods and tools in support of the creation of an “IACS carbon theme") can be viewed in full on the JRC website - wikis.ec.europa.eu/display/GUIDANCEANDTOOLSFORCAP/Climate+Action
The report looks at some of the technical options for integrating data on peat soils with the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), which is the mapping system used to support area-based payments to farmers. Findings from this report will help to formulate my Departments proposals for the protection of carbon-rich soils.
As previously stated, the GAEC 2 provisions will be subject to the agreement and approval of the European Commission, and Ireland's CSP will be amended when this process is completed.
1035. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will compensate organic farmers for their financial losses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15009/24]
View answerBoth the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) and ACRES terms and conditions advise that farmers may participate in both schemes, but for certain actions, payment will be foregone in OFS in order to avoid double funding.
As per the ACRES terms and conditions: “Organic Farmers can apply for the ACRES General approach under Tier 1 provided they are registered with, and approved as an organic operator by, one of the Organic Control Bodies by the closing date for applications under the relevant Tranche of ACRES. Where there is risk of double-funding, the payment under the Organic Farming Scheme will be reduced accordingly to avoid a double-funding situation”.
As per the Organic Farming Scheme terms and conditions: “farmers participating in ACRES may also participate in and draw down payment under OFS but may not claim payment in OFS for certain ACRES actions. (See Annex 6 & 7 for list of OFS payment allowable on ACRES Actions).” This was also highlighted at the information sessions that took place around the country in the lead up to the implementation of the new CAP Strategic Plan.
1036. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15040/24]
View answerMy Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act, as amended, and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. All submissions received during the public and Statutory consultation phase are considered during the licensing process.
As the applications referred to by the Deputy are under consideration by my Department, it would not be appropriate to comment further pending the conclusion of that process.
1037. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15042/24]
View answerThe Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) is an independent appeals body established under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997.
The purpose of ALAB is to provide an independent authority for the determination of appeals against decisions of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on aquaculture licence applications.
Pursuant to Section 62(2) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Minister may not exercise any power or control in relation to a particular case with which ALAB is or may be concerned.
Accordingly, I have requested the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board to respond directly to the Deputy's query.
1038. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the development of the Agrisnap app for ACRES, including the IT development was a collaboration between Department of Agriculture staff, an organisation (details supplied), farmers and farm advisors; if he will provide details of the farmers and farm advisors involved in the design of the Agrisnap app; how these participants were remunerated for their involvement in the Agrisnap design process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15150/24]
View answerThe AgriSnap™ application is the DAFM’s geotag photo app designed as an IT solution to ease the administrative burden on farmers. AgriSnap™ was originally developed as part of the Horizon 2020 New IACS Vision in Action (NIVA) project. My department led the development of the app in collaboration with The Walton Institute (South East Technical University), who provided the expertise in app design. Since November 2022 AgriSnap™ has been solely owned and maintained by my department.
In 2023 further developments were made to the app by the DAFM to allow agents to record ACRES scorecard information within the app. This work was led by the AgriSnap team within my Department in conjunction with the ACRES team. The layout and information captured within each scorecard was designed and agreed by a group containing representatives from the ACRES team, the ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) teams and the AgriSnap team. Farmers and farm advisors were not involved in the initial development of the ACRES scorecard element of AgriSnap™. Input was also received from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Housing.
The ACRES CP teams were selected based on an e-tender process and as such this work is one of multiple tasks for which they received remuneration. As farmers and farm advisors were not involved in the ACRES scorecard AgriSnap™ development no remuneration was due. Based on feedback from farm advisors further developments are being made to the scorecard workflow for 2024 to improve the user experience.
1039. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of his visit to Milan in March 2024 with farm organisation representatives and an organisation (details supplied) to launch a PGI logo; if he will advise on aspects of the trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15151/24]
View answerThe application for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Irish Grass Fed Beef was submitted by Bord Bia on behalf of producers and processors. The PGI was registered by the European Commission in December 2023 after almost five years of work to get it to that stage. This is a huge achievement as PGI status is reserved only for the highest quality food and drink products in Europe. Adding grass-fed Irish beef to this list was true recognition of the quality and status of our beef products.
The European Commission PGI rules require that there are sufficient controls to ensure that the product bearing the EU PGI logo meets the product specification registered with the EU before the PGI product is placed on the market. The organisation in question was the first processor to put in place the required controls and these were subject to examination by the PGI applicant, Bord Bia. In accordance with EU rules, my Department, as the Competent Authority, carried out official control verifications on the operator's control framework. Following completion of these procedures, the organisation in question could successfully bring the PGI product to market for their customer in Italy.
I was delighted and privileged to attend the launch of the first Irish Grass Fed Beef product on supermarket shelves which took place in Milan in 19th March. It was an important milestone as it marked the first placing of this PGI product on the market for consumers. I was delighted to be joined there by the processor concerned, their customer, Bord Bia representatives and the farming body representatives from the Board of Bord Bia. This reflected the collaborative approach to achieving this PGI. It's essential now that our marketing initiatives for this PGI product continue and that we see it rolled out to consumers where PGI products are highly valued.
Bord Bia and my Department are there to assist other operators bringing forward their PGI Irish Grass Fed Beef products in due course. My Department’s expenses were funded through the normal travel expenses protocol for such events. Other attendees at the launch were responsible for their own expenses.
1040. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make the Land Commission records public; the progress made to date in digitising these records; and his rationale for the delay in providing the public with access to these records. [15155/24]
View answerThe Records Branch of my Department houses the Land Commission records. The entire collection is estimated to number anywhere between 8 and 11 million individual documents all of which will first have to be identified and catalogued before they can be made available to the public. Granting public access to the records in advance of them being identified and catalogued would not be prudent or responsible and would greatly diminish the ability of my Department to keep the documents safe from loss, damage and deterioration.
Digitisation of the entire collection of Land commission records has now been ruled out as simply not being feasible or practical given the very significant numbers and diversity of documents involved.
Instead, my Department is currently working with Officials from the National Archives in relation to identifying and cataloguing the Land Commission records with a view to ultimately transferring the collection to the National Archive from where the records can eventually be made available to the public. The public can expect Land Commission records to start transferring to the National Archive within about 2 years and being made available to the public thereafter. Additional records will transfer to the National Archives at scheduled intervals thereafter with the entire collection ultimately transferring within an estimated 10-15 year timeframe.
1041. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of requests made to view Land Commission records by academics in 2022 to date in 2024; and the number of requests that were declined and rationale for same. [15156/24]
View answerMy Officials in the Records Branch inform me that the decision to grant academics access to Land Commission Records can be made on a case by case basis by contacting the Records Branch at the following email address: recordsbranch@agriculture.gov.ie
I am informed that there have been nine requests made to view Land Commission Records by academics from 2022 to date in 2024. All nine academic access requests have been granted.
