Written Answers Nos. 531-549
531. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on progress being made in relation to agreement on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework to allow for a deal to be made on the Common Agricultural Policy; if a deal on CAP could be finalised before the end of Ireland's EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2285/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing good preparatory work by Cyprus and Denmark, President Van Rompuy’s proposals on the MFF last November generally narrowed the gap between Member States. He is now taking work forward and is consulting informally before bringing the matter back to the European Council, which I understand is planned for the meeting of 7 and 8 February. As Presidency, we will give whatever assistance we can to President Van Rompuy, who retains responsibility for, and control of, the process.
As Presidency and nationally, Ireland wants an EU with sufficient funds to carry out its work, and a budget that can support growth and jobs. Agriculture has a particularly important role to play in the maintenance and creation of growth and jobs, so it is vital that a fully funded CAP continues to support the development of the sector. Indeed, the protection of the budget allocation for CAP is Ireland’s number one financial priority, given its importance to our national agri-food development strategy and the importance of the sector to our economic recovery. The Government is therefore determined to protect the CAP to the maximum extent possible, and to defend Ireland’s share of it.
As to whether a deal on CAP reform can be finalised before the end of the Irish Presidency, I believe it can be. However, three things must happen:
- there must be agreement on the MFF early in 2013,
- there must be rapid progress on outstanding technical and political issues,
- all three institutions - the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission - need to engage actively in the negotiating process.
The latter point is particularly important given the tight timescales we are facing, and the need to agree Council and Parliament positions before the trilogue process begins.
I am optimistic about the prospects for agreement, but I am also keenly aware that we need real determination from all of the protagonists across all three institutions to commit to the process and to do what is necessary if we are to successfully conclude the reform of the CAP. I look forward to seeing that determination, and I will not be found wanting in providing the necessary leadership.
532. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a rep scheme payment for 2012 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2358/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in March 2009 and received payments for the first three years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 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. During these checks issues of non compliance with the REPS plan of the person named were identified which are being investigated further. To assist this investigation a letter has issued to the person named requesting an adjusted plan. When this adjusted plan is received the application will be processed further with the intention of an early resolution and payment in respect of 2012.
533. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment did not issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway in relation to the beef technology scheme; if the delay related to BVD samples in view of the fact that the person in question believed that it was compulsory in the second year but not in the first to submit such samples; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2491/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Beef Technology Adoption Programme (BTAP) was introduced in 2012 to improve the technical and financial performance of producers. Its objective is to improve the productivity and profitability of participants’ beef enterprises by focusing on five areas: financial management, grassland management, herd health, animal breeding/welfare and producing animals to market specifications. Under the BTAP, participants engage in peer-to-peer learning by joining discussion groups which are facilitated by professional agricultural advisors drawn from Teagasc and the private sector.
Payments to producers in 2012, which were limited to a maximum of €1,000 per participant and subject to EU state aid rules, were contingent on compliance with Programme requirements, i.e. attendance at a prescribed number of discussion group meetings or approved national events plus completion of two technology adoption tasks from a menu of eight designed to enhance on-farm efficiency. The broad range of available task options allowed participants to choose those best suited to the business needs and particular characteristics of their beef enterprises.
I understand that the individual concerned did not obtain a payment because he failed to satisfactorily complete one of two selected tasks which related to the completion of a herd health plan in consultation with a veterinary surgeon. Participants who chose that task were required to join the voluntary Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme, a condition of which was that herd owners had to submit tissue samples from all calves born on their holdings in 2012 to one of a number of designated laboratories. Task completion was verified by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) which maintains a database of laboratory results on behalf of Animal Health Ireland.
The rationale for this approach is that the BTAP thus recognised and rewarded producers who tested their herds during the initial voluntary phase of a national programme to eradicate a highly contagious and costly cattle disease. Information received from ICBF indicated that the herd owner in question did not sample any animals born in 2012. Given that it is now mandatory for herd owners to take a tissue tag sample from all calves born after 1 January 2013, a producer should not entertain a legitimate expectation of receiving a BTAP payment for complying with a statutory requirement.
It is the responsibility of participants and their facilitators to familiarise themselves with the Programme Terms and Conditions and with the consequences for breaches of the rules. In applying for the BTAP, farmers undertook to comply with the Terms and Conditions of the Programme and accepted that failure to abide by the rules could result in a loss of payment. It was determined following appeal that the individual concerned failed to fully comply with the BTAP Terms and Conditions and, accordingly, no Programme payment was possible in this case. However, subject to satisfying eligibility criteria, the producer concerned is free to participate in year two of the Programme, the opening of which I announced last week.
534. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of agri environment options scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if the payment is being held up because of a penalty of less than three percent; if so, if the payment could be processed manually because the scheme participant is most anxious to receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2492/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and full payments totalling €1,050.30 and €3,629.48 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks for 2012 an issue was identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Species Rich Grassland action which resulted in a 2.25% penalty reduction in two land parcels. Officials in my Department are finalising the application of the person named on this basis and arrangements are being made to issue payment as soon as possible.
535. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is awaiting payments under the single farm payment scheme and area aid; if he will expedite this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2504/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe advance of the 2012 Single Payment issued to the person named on 16 October 2012 and the balance issued on 3 December 2012. Processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has recently been completed with payment due to issue to the bank account of the person named shortly.
536. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh maidir le hAchomharc ar Mhaolú atá déanta ag feirmeoir (sonraí leis seo) [2530/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFaoin Scéim Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste 2012, tá dhá chritéar le comhlíonadh maidir le capaill. Sa chéad áit, ní mór don ghabháltas an sainmhíniú a chomhlíonadh maidir le bheith ina Fhiontar Póraithe Chapall agus sa dara háit, ní mór do na capaill, d'fhonn a bheith curtha san áireamh chun críocha dlúis stocála, a bheith idir bliain amháin agus cúig bliana d'aois agus, san áit ina bhfuil siad níos sine, ní mór dóibh a bheith ina láir pórúcháin chun críocha na Scéime.
I gcás an duine ainmnithe, cé go gcomhlíonann an gabháltas an sainmhíniú maidir le bheith ina Fhiontar Póraithe Chapall, faraor, ós rud é go bhfuil trí chapall as na ceithre chapall ar cuireadh pasanna ar fáil dóibh, níos sine ná cúig bliana d'aois agus nach gcomhlíonann siad an sainmhíniú maidir le bheith ina láir pórúcháin, ní féidir iad a chur san áireamh chun críocha dlúis stocála. Dá bhrí sin, níl an duine ainmnithe incháilithe faoin Scéim 2012.
537. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive the agri environment option scheme 2 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2548/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €1,288.14 in respect of 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. Payments in respect of the 2012 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investment through checks on receipts. During these checks issues were identified in relation to the Tree Planting Whips action which will result in a 10% penalty being applied. Officials in my Department are finalising the application of the person named on this basis and arrangements are being made to issue payment as soon as possible.
538. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider establishing a whaling industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2561/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhales are a protected species and come under the remit of NPWS (National Parks and Wildlife Service). This Department therefore has no role in relation to this species and has no plans to introduce a whaling industry in Ireland.
539. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their animal welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2637/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named registered twelve animals for the 2011 Suckler Scheme. However, the information required under this Scheme was only received for one of these animals and payment will issue in respect of this animal as soon as possible. As the required information was not received for the other animals, they are not eligible for payment.
Sixteen animals were registered for the 2012 Suckler Scheme. Six of these animals have been cleared for payment which will issue as soon as possible. Weaning information has been also been received for a further eight animals which is being examined. One calf and its dam were sold together and as this movement contravenes the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, this animal is ineligible for payment. No weaning information has been received to date for the remaining animal and when this information has been received this aspect can be progressed.
540. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of a 2012 suckler cow scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2646/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named registered seven animals under the 2012 Suckler Scheme. According to the information received from the applicant, three of these animals were sold before they were weaned and meal was not provided to the fourth animal for the required four weeks prior to weaning. Information is awaited for the remaining three animals and the matter cannot be progressed until this can be supplied.
Eleven animals were registered in the 2011 Suckler Scheme. Payment has already issued in respect of six of these animals and, issues having been resolved relating to one other animal, payment will issue in the near future. The applicant has been advised that a review sought of the decision to reject one other animal has been unsuccessful and of the right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Unit. Letters issued on 18 January 2013 in relation to outstanding issues concerning the remaining three animals and the matter cannot be progressed until these have been addressed.
541. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 566 of 13 November 2012, the position regarding an application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2656/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks for 2011 an overclaim was discovered on the Species Rich Grassland and Traditional Hay Meadow actions which will result in a penalty being applied. A letter detailing the nature of the penalty will shortly issue to the person named and my Department is making arrangements to issue payment as soon as possible.
542. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2721/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith processing of the application of the person named having recently been finalised, payment under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account.
543. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when REP scheme 4 payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2765/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2008 and received payments for the first four years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 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. These checks have been completed in this case and I expect that payments will issue shortly.
544. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an appeal for disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2766/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named is one of a number, their derogation application having been unsuccessful, who were offered the option to appeal to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee. To date, this option has not been availed of. Should the applicant choose to appeal, it will be referred to the Committee.
545. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will direct Coillte to cease the selling off of State forestry lands. [2767/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the sale and acquisition of land which take place regularly, are the responsibility of the company. This transaction is an operational matter at the discretion of the company and is separate from the Government decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be put forward for sale. Coillte advises that it only sells land where it is not of strategic importance for its forestry business and where it can maximise the value of the land sold.
546. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will issue on a disadvantaged areas scheme appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will expedite payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2788/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named is one of a number, their derogation application having been unsuccessful, who were offered the option to appeal to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee. To date, this option has not been availed of. Should the applicant choose to appeal, it will be referred to the Committee.
547. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an appeal for single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2795/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis matter has progressed since my response of 12 December 2012 to the Deputy. The review process, which was requested by the applicant, relating to the decision on the outcome of an inspection is now at an advanced stage and the applicant will be advised of the outcome very shortly. As already indicated, the applicant retains the right of appeal of the outcome, if unsatisfactory, to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
548. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the 47 jobs created in 2012 under the Killybegs job's task force; if these jobs are on a full-time or part-time basis; if he considers this rate of job satisfaction to be satisfactory in view of the fact that the jobs plan is now into its third year; if he will provide details of the number of jobs expected to be created in the seafood sector in Killybegs for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2872/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 47 full time equivalent jobs created in 2012 were all in the seafood sector. It is hoped to create a further 34 full time equivalent posts during 2013 in the seafood sector, for which I have responsibility.
As I have previously pointed out, I want to see the potential for job creation, as identified in the Report of the High Level Group on the Jobs Initiative for the Killybegs region, materialise. At the November meeting of the Group, progress across the full range of areas identified in the report was reviewed and I am advised that progress is being made under each of the 5 areas. At that meeting, the Group agreed to set up a local Implementation Group to further enhance delivery on the action items identified within the Report, which was launched 15 months ago. This move should help to continue to deliver real jobs for the people of the Killybegs area despite the current challenging economic situation.
549. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current situation regarding gillnet fishing in area VIa; if he will provide details of any restrictions currently in place with respect to fishing of any species in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2873/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCouncil Regulation (EC) No 1288/2009 of 27 November 2009 established transitional technical measures for the 1 January 2010 to 30 June 2011. Subsequent measures were established by Regulation (EU) No 579/2011 of 8 June 2011 for the period 1 July, 2011 to 31 December 2012.
These Regulations amended Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles or marine organisms and provided for the continuation of certain technical measures established in Council Regulation (EC) No 43/2009 of 16 January 2009.
A new technical conservation measures framework is awaited in the light of the undergoing reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). In the interim an extension of the application of the transitional technical measures is necessary.
In October 2012 following triologues on the issue facilitated by the Cypriot Presidency the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers agreed wording of a new extension to the technical measures. The measures envisaged enable restricted fishing with gillnets including providing for a lesser spotted dogfish fishery, which was a specific request of Ireland.
Council and Parliament have yet to formally ratify the new regulation, this is expected to be finalised in early February, with an early adoption thereafter.
As things stand the measures as outlined in Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 now take precedence.
