Written Answers Nos. 976-993
976. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail, in tabular form, the names of all external public relations, communications consultants and organisations used by organisations or agencies within the remit of his Department since 9 March 2011; the details of the services supplied by each; the expenditure on each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34689/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not employ external public relations communications consultants or organisations. Public relations advice, where required is provided by my Department’s Press Office. It is not possible to provide costs for this service, as the work is carried out as part of the standard duties of the staff involved.
977. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of meetings he has had or his officials have had with interested groups in relation to the reconstruction of the beet industry; the results of such meetings and if others are planned or if initiatives are being developed as a result of such meetings; the up-to-date position on the sugar quota within the EU; if he or his Department or others acting on his behalf had any meeting within the EU or with other Ministers within the EU in regard to Ireland's position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34706/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to confirm to the Deputy that in 2011 I met with two separate groups who had conducted feasibility studies, into the possibility of establishing a new sugar/bioethanol facility in the country. I clearly stated at both meetings and on many occasions since both in the Dáil and elsewhere, that any venture to develop a combined sugar-bioethanol production facility would have to be a viable commercial proposition, and supported by a business case which is sufficiently robust to attract the funding from investors for the very substantial capital investment required. I confirmed with both interested parties that it is my job to seek the earliest possible date that would allow for the growing of beet again for the production of sugar in Ireland.
I understand from figures published by the interested groups who are investigating the possibility of building a new facility, that the overall capital cost costs involved could range from €250 million to €400 million, depending on what type of facility will be constructed.
Also my Departmental officials have met with both feasibility study groups on a number of occasions since then to brief them on the progress of the CAP reform negotiations in Brussels, which included measures for a revised sugar regime and meetings with both interested groups are ongoing.
I am now pleased to confirm to the Deputy that at our final Council of Agriculture Ministers in June, which I chaired under Ireland's EU Presidency, and following very comprehensive and extensive discussions which I had with my ministerial colleagues from all the Member States on this issue, I secured agreement as part of the overall CAP reform package to abolish all EU sugar quotas by 30 September 2017. This agreement removes, with effect from 1 October 2017, the sugar quota barrier for operators in Ireland or other Member States, wishing to recommence sugar processing.
This agreement has been welcomed by those who are interested in seeking to re-establish a sugar industry here.
978. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of his departmental staff in County Galway who have transferred to Government Departments in counties Mayo and Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34783/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn answer to the Deputy’s question, I can confirm that no staff from my Department’s office in County Galway transferred to Government Departments in counties Mayo and Sligo since March 2011.
979. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the management and regulation of the horse breeding industry with Horse Sport Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34912/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Sport Ireland (HSI) was established in 2007 following extensive consultation with the main sectoral interests in the sport horse industry.
The establishment of HSI brought together the breeding and sport sides of the Irish Sport Horse Sector.
HSI, a 32 county body, is a limited company run by a board of directors representative of various affiliate bodies. My Department transferred responsibility for maintaining the Irish Horse Register (Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught studbooks) to HSI in July 2008. My Department is required to ensure that HSI is operating as required under EU and national legislation for registered equidae in regard to maintaining these studbooks. HSI conducts a comprehensive breed improvement programme for the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught breeds.
The HSI Breeding Sub Board Committee has the responsibility for formulating breeding policies for the Irish Draught studbook. Members of this Sub Board Committee are nominated and elected by breeders from five electoral regions.
In 2008, HSI initiated a strategic review in order to make improvements to the breeding programmes of the Irish Draught Horse. As part of this overall strategy, HSI developed a revised breeding programme for the Irish Draught Horse with the assistance of an Irish Draught Task Force. The Task Force included representatives of Irish Draught breeders which were chosen by HSI for their knowledge of Irish Draught breeding, rather than for their affiliation to any organisation. The review included lengthy consultation with all involved in the industry and the Irish Draught Breeding Policy was published in 2010.
In the current year HSI is initiating a review of this Irish Draught Breeding Policy in order to determine the effectiveness of the policy and make any amendments to the policy which would be in the best interest of the breed. To assist this process, an Irish Draught Breeding Policy Review Taskforce is being established. As part of the review process submissions will be sought from groups or individual breeders regarding the current breeding policy for the Irish Draught with key areas of interest to include the breeding objective for the Studbook, the classification system, inspection system and suggestions for studbook initiatives to improve the quality and marketing of the breed.
980. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the recent Common Agricultural Policy agreement, the process that will inform all stakeholders of the proposed changes that will take place as a result of the agreed redistribution of Ireland's and when the process will begin. [34926/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have already posted on the website of the Department preliminary details of the CAP reform package on which political agreement was reached between the three EU institutions last month. Over the coming days I will be adding to that information. One of the main features of this agreement on the CAP is the amount of flexibility it gives to Member States to implement the common policy in a way that addresses the particular needs and specificities of individual Member States.
Specifically in regard to the redistribution of direct payments within Member States, the agreement provides options for Member States to converge fully or partially to uniform rates of payment per hectare by 2019. The partial convergence option is based largely on a model originally proposed by Ireland whereby farmers with payments below 90% of the national or regional average would have their payments raised by at least one third of the difference between their current payment and 90% of the national or regional average. This would be financed by reductions to payments above the national average payment per hectare and would be subject to a minimum payment of 60% of the national or regional payment per hectare. There is an optional provision to limit losses from convergence to a maximum of 30% and Member States have flexibility to decide how payment reductions are applied to those above the average. Member States also have the option to apply the greening payment at a rate of 30% of a farmer’s individual payment rather than a flat rate. As an add-on to either the flat rate or partial convergence models, there is provision for an optional redistributive payment on up to 30 hectares or the national average farm size, if higher.
In Ireland's case, I have made no secret of the fact that we should go the partial convergence route in a way that continues to support productive farmers while bringing more equity and fairness into the distribution of direct payment funds. Nevertheless, there are many open questions remaining about the extent to which payments should converge, whether we should adopt a regional approach, how we should finance the convergence and whether we should avail of the add-on redistributive payment.
I will be launching a consultation process shortly to obtain the views of all stakeholders regarding the many options open to Ireland for implementation of the new regime.
981. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a BTAB discussion group payment which has been cleared for payment for a number of months. [34928/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the payment due under the 2012 Beef Technology Adoption Programme issued by my Department to the person named on 8 July 2013.
982. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 178, 179, and 180 of 31 January 2013, if he will provide an update on the issues raised; the current status of investigations here and in other member States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34956/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report on the "Equine DNA and Mislabelling of Processed Beef Investigation", which I published on 14 March, provides extensive details on the investigation and the actions taken by my Department. Operations in a total of four plants were suspended (in some cases on a voluntary basis) for varying periods arising from the investigation.
My Department is considering legal proceedings where appropriate, as indicated in the report. It is important to note in that context that while some of the failures referred to in the report risked reputational damage to the Irish food sector, they did not breach EU or national law.
Actions taken in relation to this issue at both national and EU level include a programme of DNA testing of beef products and testing of horse meat for the presence of phenylbutazone. Controls relating to horse identification are being strengthened and my Department has taken responsibility for the supervision of all horse abattoirs in Ireland. Meat traders/agents will also be required to register as food business operators.
The EU Commission is pursuing an action plan over the remainder of 2013 and into 2014 which includes specific actions and measures on the following basic elements: fighting food fraud, testing programmes, horse passports, official controls and origin labelling. It is important that controls in this area are strengthened on a pan European basis, not just at national level, and as stated in the report some of the measures envisaged will require legislative change at EU level.
The Irish authorities were the first to discover and disclose this problem of adulteration of beef products, which turned out to be a pan European problem. Information in relation to activities by traders and other intermediaries in the supply chain outside of the jurisdiction has been passed to Europol and other Member States to facilitate continuing investigations in other countries. Exposure of this malpractice will result in improved consumer protection not just in Ireland, but across the EU.
983. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to prevent a re-emergence of a fodder shortage later this year; his views on whether there is an adequate supply of fodder imported and available in storage, if required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34957/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important that we do as much as we can over the next few months to ensure that Irish farmers are not faced with the same issues and difficulties next Winter as experienced earlier this year in sourcing adequate fodder for their animals. Accordingly, Teagasc’s Interagency Fodder Committee is currently monitoring the fodder situation while also examining and co-ordinating the next steps required to ensure that there is a strategic approach to fodder production and conservation to ensure continuity of supply.
I have asked the Interagency Fodder Committee to report to the High Level Implementation Committee of Food Harvest 2020 which I chair, on the outlook for the rest of this year and also to detail the actions being taken to ensure adequate fodder is available for next winter.
It is also important that farmers are maximising grass production and fodder conservation in the coming period and I have asked Teagasc to prioritise this policy in their advisory campaigns over the summer months. In this context, adjustments to the Nitrates regulations recently agreed with the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government will provide support to farmers to maximise grass growth and conservation into next autumn.
In addition, I recently announced the lifting of the restriction of 15 July cutting date for this year for participants in AEOS 2 and AEOS 3 who selected the Traditional Hay Meadow action.
984. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to address the issue of credit for farmers and agricultural merchants on foot of the fodder crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34958/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the fodder situation, concerns regarding access to credit and flexibility around loan repayments were significant issues for many farmers. My Department has been in contact with the banks, co-ops and feed merchants to urge flexibility and co-operation. Both banks and co-ops have asked farmers to contact them to discuss the terms that are available and have indicated that they will show flexibility on the basis that the longer term outlook for farming is positive and prices are strong across most areas.
985. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total savings in 2012 disadvantaged area scheme payments solely due to the changes in the stocking rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34959/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraProcessing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is largely finalised, with a small number of residual cases continuing to be processed as further supporting documentation and information is submitted by applicants. To date, payments worth in excess of €210 million have issued to 95,590 beneficiaries compared to €223 million paid under the 2011 Scheme. The level of savings achieved as a result of the changes to the minimum stocking density requirements is almost €10 million.
986. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 202 of 29 May 2013, the current status of each application; if further applications have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34960/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOf the five applications for approval of ships outstanding at 29 May, four of the ships involved have now undergone inspections by an independent marine surveyor and a Department Veterinary Inspector. All four were deemed not to meet the standards laid out in the legislation in their current state. Detailed reports have issued to the ship owners on foot of these inspections. The approval process of the fifth application is ongoing.
My Department has received one further application for approval since 29 May. This application is currently being examined.
To date two shipments containing cattle and one shipment containing both sheep and cattle have gone to Libya. A further shipment is planned in the coming weeks.
987. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to provide an outlet for horses surplus to the horse industry; if consideration has been given to introducing a testing regime similar to that employed for imported horsemeat from the US bound for human consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34961/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra990. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to provide an outlet for horses surplus to the horse industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35084/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 987 and 990 together.
Horses can be slaughtered for human consumption subject to a number of conditions, including that they have been registered within six months of birth or by 31 December of the year of birth whichever is the later, have not have been treated with any prohibited veterinary medicines and are accompanied to the slaughterhouse by the horse passport. This latter requirement is an essential part of the food-chain information under EU food law.
With regard to horses that can no longer fulfil the purpose for which they were bred, my Department supports the option of humane disposal where an owner can no longer adequately provide for the animal as such action will help prevent the emergence of long-term animal welfare problems. As a further support for dealing with potential surplus horses, my officials have sought the EU Commission opinion on the possible use of horsemeat in petfood. Such an initiative could help to provide an outlet for horses which are not eligible for the food chain, thereby encouraging owners to dispose of unwanted horses. In addition, my Department provides funding to Local Authorities under the Control of Horses Act, 1996, to enable these bodies implement their wide ranging powers relating to the control and welfare of stray or abandoned horses. The Local authorities are humanely disposing of a considerable number of these horses under these arrangements on an ongoing basis.
On the question of implementing a testing regime similar to that employed for imported horsemeat from the US bound for human consumption, the position is that there is no direct importation of horsemeat into the EU from the USA. The slaughter of horses for human consumption within the US ceased in 2006. I understand, however, that live horses are exported from the US for slaughter in both Canada and Mexico. Some of this meat is then exported to the EU. The regulations relating to the import of meat from third countries are set at EU rather than at domestic level and are outlined in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004. The third country of dispatch, together with the individual establishment from which the product is dispatched, must be on an approved list and these lists are published on the EU Commission’s website. There is also a requirement that imports of meat are only allowed from countries with an approved residue monitoring plan.
Equine carcases are regularly sampled as part of the National Residue Control Plan and testing is carried out for a wide range of substances including veterinary medicines. Additional tests were carried out this spring under an EU Commission sponsored testing programme for phenylbutazone (commonly known as "bute"). These found 16 positives from 3,115 tests carried out across the EU. In Ireland, of the 840 tests carried out by my Department under this programme, just one was positive. Testing for "bute" and other substances continues at horse abattoirs in Ireland. The frequency of testing is determined using a risk-based approach.
988. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has sought and received legal advice outside the Office of the Attorney General; the number of times advice was sought per year in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the costs of outside legal advice per year in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34975/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegal advice was sought outside of the Office of the Attorney General three times in 2011, none in 2012 and three times to date in 2013. The total costs for this service was €10,820.50 in 2011 and €19,907 in 2013.
989. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the penalty being imposed on a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the single payment scheme; the reason for this penalty; the number of scheme years for which this penalty will be imposed; the amount of money being recouped in total as a result of the penalty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35009/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above named was selected for a 2011 eligibility inspection, which was carried out by way of Remote Sensing. In order to complete the inspection process, it was necessary to carry out an on-the-spot inspection of the holding of the applicant. The final conclusion of the inspection process was that 89% of the applicant’s declared land was deemed ineligible because of scrub.
Under the provisions of Commission Regulation (EC) No 11222/2009, as the percentage over-declaration was greater than 50% no SPS payment was due to the applicant for the year in question. In addition, a Multi-Annual Sanction, as also provided for in the above mentioned Regulation, totalling €490.89 was established. This was recouped from the applicant’s 2012 SPS payment.
992. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline Ireland's contributions to the biennial 38th meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in Rome, Italy that took place from 15 to 22 June 2013 and was attended by the Minister of State at his Department; the outcome of the conference, in view of the importance of the event as Ireland held the Presidency of the Council of EU member states and responsibility for the co-ordination of EU positions and consensus seeking at the conference; the agreements he sought on the theme of the conference, sustainable food systems for food security and nutrition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35086/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe FAO Conference is a bi-annual event that brings together representatives from virtually every country in the world. In addition to the formal agenda there are also a number of ‘side events; organised by various groups and Member Countries covering various themes related to Food and Agriculture.
As President of the EU, Ireland had the task of coordinating the views of all EU Member States. The EU position was negotiated over several months prior to the conference and my officials prepared statements outlining our policies and our suggestions for improvements in the FAO’s work. These were read at the conference and incorporated into the report of the Conference. All of the documents being debated at the conference are available on the FAO website at http://www.fao.org/bodies/en/.
Minister of State Tom Hayes, TD, attended the opening phase of the conference, where he met with officials and delivered an address outlining Ireland’s commitment to smallholders and improved nutrition in developing countries. His address, together with those of other lead contributors, is available at http://www.fao.org/bodies/conf/c2013/addresses-and-statements/en/.
The Irish Ambassador to the FAO also attended and played a very active role in leading the EU’s response to various issues, in particular in relation to the budget and the need for reorganisation of the FAO’s work.
A report outlining the key agreements at the conference has been prepared by the FAO and will be available on the FAO website over the coming weeks.
993. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farm inspections carried out in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the figures for County Kerry in comparison to each of the other counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35265/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraDue to the volume of the information requested by the Deputy, it was not possible to provide it in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
