Written Answers Nos. 848-867
848. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing the single farm payment to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when payment will issue. [47353/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application has been fully processed and payment issued on 25th October.
849. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a payment is outstanding to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47379/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to comply with EU requirements, the 2011 Single Payment Scheme application of the person named was selected for a Ground Eligibility inspection. Arising from the findings of this inspection, it was necessary to reduce the payment due, to reflect a reduction in area, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Schemes. The applicant was advised of this outcome and the reasons for it on 2nd May 2012. The applicant was also advised of the right to seek a review and also of the right to appeal the outcome of any such review, in due course, to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office. To date, no such request has been received.
As payments under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme had already issued, my Department initiated a process to recoup this overpayment, as required under EU regulations, and a letter issued to the applicant on 1st June 2012 informing him of the overpayment and how it could be repaid. As no repayment was made, the overpayment was subsequently recouped from other payments due to the applicant from the Department in September and October 2012. Where the outcome of any review/appeal process, should such be initiated, results in a change to the reduction/penalty originally applied, any monies owing will be refunded.
850. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the interaction he has had with the European Fisheries Fund; the amount of money returned by the State to the fund in each of the past five years; the work he is doing with the private sector to ensure that these funds are being drawn down and used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47328/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s programme of capital investment in the seafood sector, co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), is set out in the Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013, and was approved by the European Commission in 2009 in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1198/2006 (EFF Regulation), the framework regulation for investments in the seafood sector. The Operational Programme (OP) seeks to implement the strategic investment priorities indentified in the National Strategic Plan for the Fisheries Sector, prepared in accordance with article 15 of the above Regulation. Approximately €42 million is available to Ireland from the EFF for the period of the OP. This may extend up to 2015.
Given the modest level of co-funding available to Ireland and the broad range of investment priorities identified in the Strategic Plan, a complimentary programme funded solely by the Exchequer was launched in 2010. This Irish Seafood National Programme 2007-2013 provided public support to investments in seafood processing, aquaculture and certain other areas not covered by the OP. The OP provided co-funded support primarily for the 2008 fleet decommissioning scheme, but also covered marine environmental protection measures and coastal development in non-fisheries activities.
The EFF Regulation required member states to produce an independent interim evaluation of national OPs in 2011. This was submitted to the European Commission in June 2011. The Interim Evaluation was conducted by consultants Fitzpatrick Associates. The Evaluation noted the changed economic circumstances facing Ireland and the impacts this was likely to have on availability of Exchequer funding for measures included within the National Programme. It also noted that the measures included in the OP were not likely to be sufficient to draw down the full €42 million allocation from the EFF. The Evaluation recommended the amendment of the OP to include most of the measures previously included in the National Programme, to ensure availability of supports to these important areas of the seafood sector and to ensure full draw down of EFF funds. The recommendations were accepted and a revised OP was submitted to the European Commission in March 2012. This is currently being delivered through schemes operated by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Bord Bia and Udaras na Gaeltachta.
No EFF funds are returned to the European Commission. Funds are transferred to Ireland annually based on claims submitted by my Department towards the end of each year. I am confident that the broad range of measures now included in the OP, the bulk of which are to the benefit of private operators within the industry, will be more than sufficient to ensure full draw down of all the available EFF funds.
851. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the help he is offering to private sector companies who wish to farm fin fish here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that global growth for farm fishing is 8% per annum but in Ireland it is shrinking; the role BIM is taking in this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47329/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am well aware of the great potential for growth in all types of aquaculture around our coast, including fin fish farming, and this is recognised in ‘Food Harvest 2020’. In relation to aquaculture licensing, the sustainable development of the industry and the creation of long term employment from aquaculture into the future can only take place if there is full compliance with the range of EU and national legislation that impact on this area. I am very conscious of the requirement to both ensure compliance with our obligations under EU law and to make progress on addressing the licensing backlog. In order to meet these objectives, my Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and NPWS is investing significant resources into completing the Appropriate Assessment process. I am confident that significant progress is being made which will facilitate determinations on a significant number of licence applications over the coming months. I also anticipate significant progress in relation to licence determinations in Non-Natura areas.
In addition, as part of a general reform of licensing procedures and processes my Department has comprehensively updated aquaculture licence templates to make them 'fit for purpose' to meet the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Significant work has gone into devising this new updated suite of licences, creating a balanced set of rights and obligations for the industry suited to the current era.
Apart from the focus on progressing licence determinations in the bays, it is also intended to radically expand the production of Irish organic farmed salmon by creating new fish farming production areas in deeper waters. The placement of farms in deep waters will ensure that there is no impact on NATURA 2000 sites. BIM estimates that just one of these production areas could generate over 100 Million Euro in exports p.a. and create 350 direct jobs. A further 150 jobs will be created indirectly in the service sector, supplying fish feed, netting, transportation and other services.
BIM, working with the Marine Institute, is currently investigating suitable sites. An application for an aquaculture licence in respect of one of these sites in Galway Bay has been submitted to the Department by BIM. This application is currently being assessed in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act. I am confident that the steps I have outlined above together with the work being done by BIM and the Marine Institute will result in the sustainable development and significant expansion of this important industry.
852. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an application for their disadvantaged area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47338/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraProcessing of the application concerned has recently been completed and payments under the Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.
853. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers awaiting the advance single farm payment on the 22 October 2012; the reason for the delay in processing these payments; the steps taken by him to resolve the issue speedily in view of the financial hardship caused to farmers as a result of the delay; when he expects the backlog to be cleared up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47340/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the case of the Single Farm Payment, the earliest payment date under the governing EU rules is 1 December. However, earlier this year, in recognition of the difficult financial situation faced by many farmers, I successfully sought the approval of the Commissioner to have advance payments made as and from 16 October. Payment of the 50% to farmers under the Single Farm Payment Scheme started issuing on cases cleared for payment, as scheduled, on 16 October. Since that date, about 115,000 applicants have been paid some €579M. Currently, the number of farmers awaiting payment of the advance of the Single Farm Payment is 7,665 or 6.24% of applicants. Advance payments will continue to be made as cases are cleared, twice weekly, on an on-going basis. Balancing payments will commence as provided for under EU legislation from 1st December.
854. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that feed prices for the pig sector have risen by 23% in the past six months and on average prices have increased by 76% since 2010, if he will offer any support to ensure that the approximately 400 pig farmers that are left here will be able to stay in business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47424/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agri-food sector, with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. I am aware of the concerns currently being expressed by the sector, particularly with regard to feed costs. High feed costs, most notably cereals and compound feed remain an issue. Pig producers are especially affected by the increase in cereal prices since June 2009, given that cereals account for 75% of feed. Contributory factors include weather events in the Black Sea region and the United States during recent years, currency fluctuations and general supply and demand factors including but not limited to, better diet and increased meat demand in emerging economies and the ongoing shift towards biofuels.
The price of pigmeat and, of course, feed is ultimately determined by demand and supply considerations. You will be aware that, due to Ireland’s membership of the Single Market, unilateral actions or interventions to support individual sectors is not permitted. For my part however, I and my officials will continue to press the European Commission to make use of all the available market supports when circumstances require it, to ameliorate the worst effects of price volatility. Indeed the Aids to Private Storage Scheme introduced for pigmeat in 2011 played a significant role in putting a floor under pigmeat prices at that time. This, together with release of cereal stocks from intervention, improved the situation somewhat at that time.
From a National perspective, the ‘Food Harvest 2020 Report ’, which was published in July 2010, sets out the vision for the future of the food industry including the pig sector. The Report targets a 50% increase in the value of output by 2020. This is a target set by the industry for itself. I am personally chairing a High Level Group to ensure that the steps necessary to facilitate the development of the sector are taken. My Department and its agencies will, along with industry, play a central role in this regard. For example Teagasc, through its Moorepark pig research facility and the provision of FETAC courses in pig production and benchmarking pig herd performance, plays a critically important role in improving productive capacity at farm level. Teagasc have also circulated pig producers with a number of the options available to them to reduce feed costs and improve feed efficiency. This is particularly important given that feed is the largest single component of the overall cost of production.
While input costs have increased significantly in recent years, the returns available to producers have also risen sharply. This has helped ameliorate the situation to some extent. At the end of October, prices were almost 24/c per kilo ahead year on year, which equates to an increase of more than 16%. Compared to the same week in 2010, per kilo prices have risen by over 40/c per kilo, or almost 31%. The forecast decline in the European sow population and consequent lower production and ongoing high demand for European pig meat internationally, should lead to even higher prices in the coming months.
New EU Animal Welfare rules set down new standards in relation to the housing of sows and these are due to come into force on 1 January 2013. A significant number of producers have undertaken the necessary work required in order to upgrade their facilities in order to comply with the new rules.
My Department is aware of the scale of the challenge facing pig farmers in respect of the new requirements. To this end, the Department introduced a Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) for Sow Welfare in June 2010. Grant-aid is available at a rate of 40% to eligible producers with a maximum investment ceiling of €300,000, i.e. a maximum grant of €120,000. A total of €13 million has been provisionally allocated to this scheme under the rural development Programme. It follows two earlier schemes in 2005 and 2007 and payments of €6.2 million have already been made under these schemes. The provisions of the scheme were modified earlier this year to allow multiple applications from pig farmers with more than one sow house together with an increase in the ceiling to €500,000 for the first house and €300,000 for each of the next three.
Furthermore, in order to ensure that as many pig producers as possible would be in a position to comply with the new EU animal welfare rules, I have extended the closing date for applications to end-January 2013. All applications received during the period of this extension would now be included in a new final tranche for which a sum of €3 million has been made available. The final date for completion of work and the lodgment of payment claims is 30 September 2013. Applications from almost 120 producers, to the value of €13.86 million are currently being processed by officials in my Department. I can assure the Deputy that my Department and its agencies will continue to work closely with the industry to ensure that it can continue to develop and grow in accordance with the targets in the Food Harvest 2020 Report.
855. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has consulted with his UK equivalent on the spread of Chalara Fraxinea amongst trees in the UK; if he has measures in place to protect the Irish Forestry industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47419/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartment officials have been regularly in direct contact with their Northern Ireland counterparts on the issue of Chalara fraxinea, or ash dieback disease, with a view to putting measures in place to prevent the spread of this disease on the island. These contacts have led to the introduction of legislation to ban the import of ash plants from countries or parts of countries known to have the disease. This Statutory Instrument came into effect from the 26th October 2012 and was simultaneously introduced in Northern Ireland. Last week, I met with my Northern Counterpart Michelle O Neill, MLA at a joint North South Ministerial Council where we shared information on actions taken in both jurisdictions in relation to Chalara. In addition, late last week Minister McEntee had a further meeting met with Minister O’Neill to discuss additional legislative measures in relation to wood imports in co-operation with the authorities in Northern Ireland. These legislative measures will be introduced on both sides of the border today.
856. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47429/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is an applicant under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Currently, this applicant is one of a number, whose cases are impacted by a requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare and who have applied for a derogation in this regard. Immediately a decision is reached on this application, the person concerned will be notified in writing. Should the decision be negative, a fully independent appeals procedure is available.
857. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is on time in respect of the requirements of the negative judgement by the European Court of Justice; and if there is any likelihood that currently suspended European Court of justice fines will be imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47423/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no rulings of Court of Justice of the European Union outstanding, for which my Department is the policy holder.
858. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No 171 on 27 September 2012, the position regarding this case and when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47447/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis file has been forwarded to the Forest Service District Inspector for a site inspection which is necessary following reconstitution of a failed area of the forestry plantation. The inspection is scheduled to take place in the week beginning 5th November 2012. Subject to the site passing the inspection, the 2nd instalment of the forestry grant will be processed for payment and forestry premium payments on the plantation will consequently resume. If the site fails the inspection further remedial works may be required by the applicant.
859. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licences that were granted or renewed in Natura 2000 areas in Ireland between the introduction of the Natura 2000 sites and the negative judgement of the European Court of Justice in 2007 against Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47448/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Habitats Directive placed an obligation on Member States of the EU to establish the Natura 2000 network. The network is made up of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) established under the EU Birds Directive, and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), established under the Habitats Directive itself. Ireland’s contribution to the Natura 2000 network was created under the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 94 of 1997 as amended by S.I. 233 of 1998 and S.I. 378 of 2005). These regulations transposed the EU Directives into Irish national law. The designation of individual ‘Natura’ sites has taken place on a rolling basis since establishment. Since then aquaculture licence determinations in the order of 550 were made up to December 2007 (the date of the European Court of Justice ruling referred to by the Deputy). This figure refers to all determinations made in relation to sites located both inside and outside designated ‘Natura’ areas, having regard to the rolling nature of the designations.
860. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding Kenmare Bay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47450/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs indicated in my previous reply to the Deputy the European Court of Justice declared in case C418/04 that, by failing to take all the measures necessary to comply with Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43 (Habitats Directive) in respect of authorisation of aquaculture programmes, Ireland had failed to fulfil its obligations under that Directive. In the negotiations to address the judgment a process was agreed with the European Commission which would lead to full compliance by Ireland with the relevant EU Directives. This process includes the following steps:
- a detailed data collection in 91 Bays/Estuaries
- detailed analysis of raw data collected
- setting of Conservation Objectives by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in respect of each site
- carrying out Appropriate Assessments of each licence application/fishery plan against the detailed Conservation Objectives set, and
- determination of Licences/Fisheries on the basis of the Appropriate Assessment and other relevant factors.
My Department has been working closely with the Marine Institute, BIM, and NPWS to achieve full compliance through a multi-annual work programme. A key factor of this Work Programme is the identification of prioritised bays based on the number of aquaculture sites, the ready availability of scientific data and other factors. The prioritised list of bays is kept under continuous review by my Department so as to facilitate the use of scientific and other resources on a flexible basis across the full range of bays, if deemed necessary. This approach is consistent with the maintenance of a prioritised list which, as previously indicated to the Deputy, includes Kenmare Bay.
861. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of the number of farmers who will receive less than €5,000 and €9,999; between €10,000 and €19,999; between €20,000 and €29,999; between €30,000 and €39,999; between €40,000 and €49,999; between €50,000 and €59,999; between €60,000 and €69,999; between €70, 000 and €79,000; between €80,000 and €89,999, between €90,000 and €99,999; and over €100,000; if his Department's proposals on the reform of the single farm payment were to be accepted. [47459/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information is being compiled at the present and will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.
862. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when disadvantaged area scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47467/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraProcessing of the application concerned has recently been completed and payments under the Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.
863. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their appeal for single farm payment 2009, 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47547/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that a decision has been reached in the above case and a letter has been issued to the person named.
864. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department train persons dealing with farmers on the way to handle the situation of they are presented with a person who is suffering from reading difficulties or dyslexia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47567/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is required, under EU legislation governing the Single Payment Scheme, to provide for an advisory system for farmers on land and farm management, know as the Farm Advisory System (FAS). The advisory system must cover the Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) and Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) associated with the cross-compliance regime. In this regard, my Department is currently in the process of providing training for both existing and new FAS advisors on cross compliance, including any updates to regulatory requirements. As this training deals specifically with the requirements of the cross compliance regime, as such, it does not lend itself to including training on issues arising from reading difficulties or dyslexia.
Nonetheless, my Department actively provides assistance in this area in that it has responded to the concerns of farmers with dyslexia by publishing the terms and conditions document for the 2012 Single Payments Scheme in larger print. An audio version of the terms and conditions document has also been made available on CD. These can be found on the Department’s website or can be posted on request. The Department’s website also has the “BrowseAloud” facility to read web pages aloud for people with literacy and visual impairments.
Department officials are also available in all regions to provide assistance to applicants who have questions or concerns on any scheme operated by the Department. The 2012 terms and conditions document provides details of telephone numbers and other contact details. On a more general level, my Department has two access officers and an inquiry officer in accordance with section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005. Access officers are a point of contact for people with disabilities wishing to access Department services.
865. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when disadvantaged area scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47569/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named on the 20th April 2012. In order to comply with EU requirements, this application was one of a number which was selected for inspection. The outcome of the inspection process was that over-claims in excess of 20% were confirmed (area reduced from 23.63ha to 16.04ha). As the total of the over claims are greater than 20% of the area claimed, application of the relevant penalty provisions results in no payment being due under the Single Payment Scheme or under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in this year. The applicant was informed of these findings on 18 October and of the right to seek a review of this decision within 14 days. To date no review has been sought.
866. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will approve an application for single farm payment in respect of a person (Details Supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47595/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the single payment scheme/disadvantaged areas scheme was received from the person named on the 26 April 2012. In order to comply with EU requirements, the application was one of a number which was selected for inspection and therefore payment could not be made pending the outcome of this process. The inspection and related processes have been completed and an advance payment under the 2012 single payment scheme issued on the 1st of November 2012. The balancing payment will be made in December 2012.
