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Thursday, 29 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 215-220

Agriculture Schemes Payments

Ceisteanna (215)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

215. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will explain his budgetary position is on maintaining payment levels on the rural environmental option scheme and on the agri environment option scheme, disadvantaged areas and suckling cows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53467/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The funding for all schemes and services administered by my Department is determined in the annual Estimates process taking account of the expenditure ceilings set out in the Government’s Medium Term Expenditure Framework, 2012-14. The preparations for the 2013 Estimate are currently under way. All budget lines in my Department’s Vote are being examined critically as part of that process. Under the expenditure ceilings, the funding allocation for my Department has been reduced by €114 million in 2013 compared with 2012. Very difficult choices will have to be made in relation to the funding of schemes and services in order to remain within the reduced allocation. My aim is to ensure the resources available to my Department are managed to provide the optimum benefit to economic activity in the agricultural, food, fisheries and forestry sectors and to realise the potential which exists for the sectors to contribute to the economic recovery.

Common Agricultural Policy Review

Ceisteanna (216)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

216. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will explain his position in relation to a fully funded Common Agricultural Policy for Pillar 1 and Pillar 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53468/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government's strong position is that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) makes an important contribution to economic growth and job creation. This is not only the case in Ireland, where the CAP underpins our national agri-food development strategy, but also at European level, where the agriculture sector can contribute significantly to economic recovery. My Government colleagues and I are fully committed to securing a properly funded CAP budget in the context of the ongoing negotiations on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the 2014-20 period. We are also committed to defending Ireland's share of it by ensuring our levels of direct payments and rural development funding are protected to the maximum extent possible. We are disappointed that it was not possible to reach a deal on the MFF at last week’s European Council meeting, but we will continue to strongly support the CAP budget lines in the renewed negotiations. As regards the overall level of CAP funding, the Commission’s original proposal to maintain spending at 2013 levels in nominal terms was regarded by Ireland as a reasonable starting point in the negotiations. At last week's European Council meeting, the Taoiseach again strongly defended CAP funding, as did some other Heads of Government. Ireland will continue to work with others to get the best possible deal for the CAP in the MFF. In relation to the distribution of CAP funds, Ireland is broadly supportive of the Commission's proposals on Pillar 1. On the distribution of Pillar 2 funds, we still await a definitive proposal from the Commission but we will again be seeking to ensure that Ireland receives its fair share, recognising our effectiveness in using these funds in the past.

Agriculture Schemes Appeals

Ceisteanna (217)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

217. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on an appeal regarding the Burren farming for conservation programme in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53478/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In 2010, my Department invited applications from eligible farmers in the Burren to participate in the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme. As total funding available under the Programme is €1 million per annum, it was necessary, at the outset, to place an upper limit on the number of places in the Programme in order to maximise its effectiveness within the budgetary provision. Since the numbers who applied to enter the Programme greatly exceeded the number of places available, all applications were assessed and ranked according to specific criteria. The person named was an eligible applicant but did not score sufficiently highly on the basis of the criteria laid down to be included in the Programme. The applicant was notified of this outcome by letter dated 29 July 2010. Applicants were advised of the opportunity to appeal their scoring by 19 August 2010, should any of the data used have required correction. The person named did not appeal at that time but has since appealed the Department's decision in a letter dated 6 September 2012. Unfortunately, my Department had to reject the appeal as it was over two years late.

Research and Development Supports

Ceisteanna (218)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

218. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the licensing arragements involved for a private person or company to carry out general research into different grass varieties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53499/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are no particular licences required for a private person or company to carry out general research into different grass varieties in Ireland. However, normal Plant Health and Seed Certification requirements relevant to seed of grass varieties are applicable. My Department is the relevant Competent Authority for official trials carried out under S.I. 525 of 2002 - European Communities (National Catalogue of Agricultural Plant Varieties) Regulations 2002 and which gives effect to Council Directive 2002/53/EC providing for the EU common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species. Official Evaluation of agricultural grass varieties for the purpose of establishing the Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) in Ireland is the responsibility of my Department.

Ash Dieback Threat

Ceisteanna (219)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Ceist:

219. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide a public awareness and education campaign in the identification of ash dieback and remediation steps to be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53520/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Since chalara fraxinea, the fungus which causes ash dieback, was first detected in Ireland in October 2012, my Department has issued several Press Releases to inform the public about the disease. Information is also available on the Department’s website, including information on the symptoms of the disease and contact information for anyone who believes they may have infected trees. A poster providing information about the disease is currently being distributed for display in the offices of my Department, Teagasc, Coillte and NPWS throughout the country, as well as other relevant private sector offices. In addition, the Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, Shane McEntee, has had a number of meetings with representatives of the forest industry in relation to this disease, including forest nurseries, hurley makers, forest owner organisations, professional foresters and forestry contractors. This week, my Department provided training to Coillte staff and registered private foresters on how to recognise chalara fraxinea infected ash trees in winter months. It is envisaged that these measures will provide forest owners and managers with the knowledge and skills to identify the symptoms of the disease and allow for early intervention. In terms of remediating forests affected by chalara fraxinea, my Department is examining the options available for re-establishing those forests and restoring them to their condition prior to the outbreak of this disease.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (220)

Noel Harrington

Ceist:

220. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when rural environmental protection scheme payments will be granted in respect of a person ( details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53521/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and has received payments for the first three years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. This process is nearing completion for 2012 REPS 4 applications and I expect that payments will commence shortly.

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