Written Answers Nos. 868-890
868. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their disadvantaged farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47616/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is an applicant under the 2012 single payment and disadvantaged area schemes. In order to meet EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection. As this process had not been completed, it has not, as yet, been possible to finalise the processing of this application. As soon as the inspection and related processes are completed, the application concerned will be progressed.
869. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will include working horses in calculations for the disadvantaged area scheme.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47629/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe budgeted expenditure under the 2012 disadvantaged areas scheme was reduced from €220 million to €190 million and, in order to achieve the €30 million saving in expenditure, it was necessary to introduce changes to the scheme eligibility criteria for 2012. This was achieved by making technical adjustments to the scheme criteria to ensure that the aid payment is focused on farmers, whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in less favoured areas and who are making a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the scheme.
In order to better focus limited resources, it was decided that, in general, horses would no longer be eligible for the stocking density calculation. However, equine breeding enterprises continue to be eligible on the basis of the contribution they make to the local economy.
Furthermore, provision was made for consideration, on a case by case basis, of cases deemed to represent force majeure/exceptional circumstances; all those who are shown not to have achieved the qualifying stocking density for 2011 have been written to and offered the opportunity to outline any circumstance which restricted the activity in 2011.
870. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of the disadvantaged area scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47691/12]
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.
871. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite an application for single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath which is being held up due to the digitalisation process notwithstanding that this persons lands and maps were digitalised in 2011 which led to this payment being made in 2011; the reason more moneys are now being expnded in a redigitalisation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47733/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the single payment scheme/disadvantaged areas scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 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. As in the majority of inspected cases, amendments have had to be made to the relevant maps in order to ensure that the land parcel identification system, used for making payments to farmers, is kept up-to-date. These inspection and related processes have been completed and an advance payment under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme issued on 25 October 2012. The balancing payment will be made in December 2012.
872. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a cross compliance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [47737/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA request for an appeal of a Cross Compliance penalty, recorded at an inspection on 15 August 2011, was received from the person named on 17 October 2012. The Agriculture Appeals Office are currently in the process of arranging an oral hearing on the matter and will be in contact with the person named in due course.
873. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision on a derogation scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47728/12]
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.
874. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment in respect of the disadvantaged area scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47751/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applicant in question declared nine commonage land parcels on his 2012 single payment scheme/disadvantaged area scheme application. The issues involved in this case are complex and, therefore, it has been necessary for my Department to undertake a full review. The applicant will be informed in writing of the outcome of this review.
875. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been taken regarding a funding application by a voluntary orgainsation (details supplied) in County Mayo; if not, when may it be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47794/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for exgratia funding has been received from the organisation in question. Provision of ex-gratia assistance this year is subject to the availability of funds and the application will be considered in this context and having regard to competing claims for financial assistance submitted by other animal welfare bodies.
876. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received their disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47797/12]
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.
877. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in processing a single farm payment for 2011 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the steps being taken to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47711/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no record of the original application in question having been submitted online or in hard copy. However the person named submitted an appeal against the late submission of the 2011 application and this has been accepted on the grounds of force majeure. Payment will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named in the coming days.
878. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to amend the law to make it illegal for circuses to hold performing animals in captivity and use them as part of their performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47836/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraWelfare issues relating to circus animals currently come under the scope of the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965. This legislation is being repealed under the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which I have brought forward. The new Bill strengthens legislation relating to the obligations placed upon animal keepers and owners in terms of food, housing and general care. With regard to animals performing in circuses, I do not intend to interfere with legitimate recreational and sporting events, including the use of animals in circuses, provided they are carried out in a proper manner and no unnecessary suffering of the animals is involved.
879. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a licence is required to produce and sell a product (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47842/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) under the aegis the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies including the Health Service Executive (HSE), Local Authority Veterinary Service and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.
If a farm uses its harvest or part of its harvest (e.g. apples) to produce fruit juice at its premises, such farm exceeds the level of primary production. The activity of producing fruit juice is an activity after primary production and it is therefore subject to the appropriate food safety requirements laid down in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. Accordingly, the producer/retailer concerned should contact his/her local environmental health officer with a view to registering this enterprise.
880. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers in special areas of conservation designated lands have any priority in accessing the agri-environmental options scheme; if so, the weighting that SAC status is given in assessing applicants; in view of the restrictions placed on farm activities in SAC designated lands and the high degree of investment that farmers had to make to comply with REP scheme criteria in the past, if he will consider giving a higher priority to those farmers who farm SAC lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47860/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe priorities for selecting applications for AEOS 3 are set out in the scheme terms and conditions. Privately owned Natura land where applicants have a minimum of 0.5 hectares of utilisable agricultural area of either special protection areas or special areas of conservation are ranked first in order of priority. In the event that the number of applicants in this category exceeds the funding available priority will be given to those with the largest utilisable agricultural Natura area.
Priority is then given to commonage Natura land where applicants have a minimum of 0.5 hectares of utilisable agricultural commonage area. Similarly, in the event that the number of applicants in this category exceeds the funding available priority will be given to those with the largest utilisable agricultural commonage Natura area.
881. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing area aid and single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47871/12]
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.
882. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent provisional deal to reshape the common fisheries policy and the aim to reform the eradication of discards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47854/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDiscarding is a global problem and a complex one, where unwanted catches are returned to the sea as a result of a number of factors including quota restrictions, high grading, minimum landing sizes, and market conditions.
Ireland has been to the forefront in the drive to reduce and eliminate discards for many years and have taken a number of initiatives to this aim. I launched an Irish “discard” atlas last year, which is a detailed compendium of discards by the Irish Fleet on a stock by stock and area by area basis. The atlas, compiled and produced by the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara with the support of Irish Industry, outlines a range of potential measures to help reduce discarding. This was the first publication of its kind and places Ireland firmly to the fore in the debate on eliminating discards.
Finding practical and implementable solutions to the wasteful practice of discarding fish is a major priority issue for me. It is all the more poignant as it is a major principle of the new reform of the CFP. Since taking up office as Marine Minister, I have worked tirelessly to influence and drive a change in policy which will lead to an end to discarding.
I am conscious that any solution must be practical for fishermen and with that in mind I have worked closely with Commissioner Damanaki, my fellow Fisheries Ministers and members of the European Parliament in addition to consulting with our industry at home to ensure that proposals in the Common Fishery Policy to tackle discards would be workable and take account of the practical realities that would face fishermen at sea.
At the Council of Fisheries Ministers in June this year, I helped broker a general agreement among fisheries Ministers on the way forward for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy including innovate measures to tackle the discard problem.
Discarding was the most contentious element of those discussions and threatened to block the Council’s efforts to reach agreement. A compromise approach which I tabled for consideration setting down a definitive timetable for the elimination of discards on a phased basis, offered a practical and progressive solution on the issue which was accepted by fellow Ministers. We are awaiting the EU Parliament’s position on the reform, including in relation to its approach to dealing with discards.
I will prioritise securing final agreement between the EU Fisheries Council and the Parliament on the CFP during the Irish Presidency during the first half of 2013.
883. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing area aid and single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47872/12]
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.
884. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total cost of the suckler cow welfare scheme since its inception; if payment rates will be maintained in 2013 in view of a ring fenced commitment of funding to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47905/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total amount paid to participants in the suckler welfare scheme to date amounts to almost €135 million. This scheme is a five-year scheme for beef animals born during the period, which commenced on 1 January 2008 and will end on 31 December 2012. The primary objectives of the scheme was to improve welfare standards in the sector and to assist in the establishment of a breeding database from which suckler farmers could identify the best breeding stock for their particular requirements. The scheme is fully funded by the Exchequer and a recent value for money audit has concluded that the scheme had met its objectives. Payments will continue to be made on 2012 born calves and those born in earlier years at current rates as they become eligible for payment. Any decision in relation to the future will be considered during the forthcoming budgetary process.
885. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers on a county basis in receipt of payments under the suckler cow welfare scheme; the total payment made on a county basis under the scheme in 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47906/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below sets out the numbers of herds, animals and amounts paid by County under the suckler welfare scheme since 1 January 2011.
|
COUNTY |
HERDS PAID |
TOTAL ANIMALS PAID |
TOTAL AMOUNT PAID - € |
|
CARLOW |
2,199 |
18,696 |
755,152 |
|
CAVAN |
6,026 |
44,820 |
1,806,208 |
|
CLARE |
9,495 |
73,050 |
2,947,842 |
|
CORK |
8,426 |
69,653 |
2,808,574 |
|
DONEGAL |
6,452 |
40,542 |
1,635,104 |
|
DUBLIN |
268 |
2,606 |
104,780 |
|
GALWAY |
14,705 |
105,341 |
4,247,559 |
|
KERRY |
6,352 |
42,197 |
1,702,347 |
|
KILDARE |
1,652 |
16,026 |
647,397 |
|
KILKENNY |
3,854 |
39,945 |
1,610,539 |
|
LAOIS |
4,014 |
36,404 |
1,470,897 |
|
LEITRIM |
4,708 |
26,447 |
1,063,301 |
|
LIMERICK |
3,584 |
29,833 |
1,202,134 |
|
LONGFORD |
3,467 |
26,856 |
1,082,024 |
|
LOUTH |
1,204 |
10,357 |
418,307 |
|
MAYO |
11,190 |
72,075 |
2,901,755 |
|
MEATH |
3,081 |
30,970 |
1,250,222 |
|
MONAGHAN |
3,884 |
28,744 |
1,157,048 |
|
OFFALY |
3,615 |
33,018 |
1,332,939 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
7,422 |
52,080 |
2,094,299 |
|
SLIGO |
4,467 |
28,832 |
1,162,229 |
|
TIPPERARY |
6,863 |
69,890 |
2,822,768 |
|
WATERFORD |
2,329 |
26,433 |
1,066,294 |
|
WESTMEATH |
3,785 |
35,639 |
1,438,016 |
|
WEXFORD |
3,798 |
35,290 |
1,425,208 |
|
WICKLOW |
2,470 |
21,454 |
865,563 |
|
Totals |
129,310 |
1,017,198 |
41,018,509 |
886. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the services that are in place in County Carlow in his Department to deal with persons who suffer from dyslexia and who need advice, guidance and assistance regarding the various farm schemes and assistance with completing application forms for farm payments and farm compliance procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47920/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraCustomers of my Department who suffer from dyslexia can obtain assistance on any Department scheme by phoning any of the dedicated phone lines provided in Department publications and on the main Department website. The website has the “BrowseAloud” facility to read web pages aloud for people with literacy and visual impairments. My Department also has access officers and an enquiry officer to provide assistance to any customer with disabilities, as required by Section 26(2) of the Disability Act. The Terms and Conditions of the 2012 single payment scheme have been published in larger print to assist applicants. My Department will also ensure that, where practicable, future publications and information documents comply with the guidelines of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland to make information accessible for people with dyslexia
887. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has received submissions from the Irish Farmers Association and other farming organisations outlining the challenges and the future developmental needs of the agri food sector; the extent to which expects to be in a position to respond in a positive way to such submissions whether by way of the common agricultural policy or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47924/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI receive submissions on a regular basis from the farming organisations and also from other stakeholders involved in the development of the agri-food sector and I very much value the input received.
In relation to the CAP reform process, at the commencement of the negotiations, a consultative committee was established comprising all of the main stakeholders. This committee meets on a regular basis, most recently last week, and the views and submissions have proved very useful in informing our policy formulation.
888. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has succeeded in ensuring that adequate time and financial resources have been made available to pig producers attempting to comply with animal welfare legislation by 1 January next; if any assessment has been done to determine the extent to which producers have been able to meet the emerging requirements whether is respect of time or resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47925/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra889. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has managed to convey to the banking sector the urgent financial requirements in terms of expenditure by pig producers in order to comply with animal welfare legislation; if he satisfied that the necessary compliance measures are likely to be completed by 1 January next; if any interim measures are contemplated in the event of any failure to meet the deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47926/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra890. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department has been in touch with the various planning authorities with a view to facilitating early processing of planning applications associated with animal welfare requirements and without the imposition of punitive levies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47927/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra893. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to monitor the development and future growth prospects of the pig meat industry; the areas in respect of which he anticipates particular or specific opportunities to arise while controlling costs insofar as is possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47931/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra933. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the problem of escalating costs in the pig and poultry sectors; if he will identify any particular steps he may take to address this issue; if the specific issues driving up costs in the sectors have been identified; if he expects to be in a position to offer any particular alleviation measures in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48529/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 888 to 890, inclusive, 893 and 933 together.
The pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agri-food sector, with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. The industry faces a number of challenges in the short and medium term and my Department will continue to assist the sector to resolve these issues. 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 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 in my Department.
While planning issues are a matter for local authorities, my Department has made them aware of the deadline for compliance with the sow housing regulations.
I and my Department are in regular contact with farm bodies, various national banks and the Irish Banking Federation concerning the availability of credit to farmers, including those in the pig sector, who are under financial pressure. I am aware that, like many other sectors, farmers are finding it difficult to get credit due to the strict assessments introduced as a result of the global financial crisis and that pig farmers have particular issues regarding high feed costs. The banks do provide information online, via the Irish Banking Federation, as to the type of information that they require when making a decision on a loan request in the agriculture sector. However, farmers who are not satisfied with the service provided by their banks can ask for an internal review by the relevant bank and if they are still not satisfied can apply to the Credit Review Office to have their case reviewed. Despite concerns, a relatively small number of cases from the agri-food sector have come before the Credit Review Office.
Over the last year I understand that some of the banks have been involved in organising information sessions and conferences to explain the credit facilities available in the sector and just recently one of the pillar banks announced its intention to expand its lending activity in the agri-sector. Nonetheless, I will continue to meet with relevant parties, including the Irish Banking Federation, on a regular basis to discuss all credit-related issues.
My Department has been in regular contact with all pig producers to keep them apprised of the requirements and ascertain their intentions and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
I am aware of the concerns currently being expressed by both the pig and poultry sectors, 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 supply side has been adversely affected by drought in the US during the summer which led to a 27% decline in the forecast corn harvest. This came after spring drought in South America and has been followed by a reduced harvest in the Ukraine after a poor summer. Indeed, the Ukraine announced a ban on wheat exports last week but has since modified this stance somewhat.
Given that Ireland imports much of the feed used in both the pigmeat and poultry sectors, the impact of price increases in these commodities is acute. Domestically a number of initiatives have been explored and developed. 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.
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.
Pigmeat remains the most consumed meat worldwide and I consider that the substantial trade surplus in pigmeat in Ireland and the measures being taken to improve efficiency and market access leave us well placed to avail of developing opportunities in international markets.
In so far as international trade in Irish pigmeat is concerned, my Department has been extremely active in developing relationships in new and expanding markets in order to build the kind of confidence in Irish production and control systems that provide a platform for long term trading relationships in the future.
And of course Bord Bia continues, through its promotional activities, and through the pigmeat quality assurance scheme, to consolidate the position of Irish pigmeat on the domestic market and to expand its presence on EU and third country markets.
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 returns in the coming months.
