Written Answers Nos. 191-202
191. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12481/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013. 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. These checks are well under way and I anticipate that payments for AEOS 3 in respect of 2013 will commence shortly.
192. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the strategies in place to deal with the inevitable increase in emissions; and the impact on the environment that will result from the proposed expansion of dairy farming over the next six years. [12497/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish agricultural production system is already recognised as being one of the most efficient in the world. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has found that Irish dairy production has the joint lowest carbon footprint in the EU. The footprint of Irish beef is also below the EU average. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has also found that the temperate grassland production system, which is the predominant system of production in Ireland, is one of the most efficient in the world.
My Department is aware of the need to identify cost effective abatement strategies that can reduce carbon emissions while at the same time improving farm profitability. We are now preparing the agriculture sectoral roadmap under the Heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill published in early 2013. This sectoral roadmap for agriculture will take into account the targets in the industry’s Food Harvest 2020 report as well as the environmental sustainability commitments contained in that report. However, it is important that the roadmap also seeks to balance the objectives of allowing the food industry grow to meet the food security challenges that face the world as well as meeting the needs of future climate change ambition.
Work in this issue has been ongoing for some time. In 2012, Teagasc published its Marginal Abatement Cost Curve for Irish Agriculture which outlined the detailed research which had been undertaken on a number of existing mitigation strategies. This provided results showing the technical, financial and environmental effectiveness of implementing these mitigation measures. These measures include areas such as:
- Accelerated gains in the genetic merit of cows;
- Extended grazing season;
- Fertiliser and manure management.
Many of these mitigation measures are of direct relevance to dairy farmers and have the strong potential to lessen the environmental impact arising from the proposed expansion of the dairy herd. Teagasc has tailored its broadly based advisory programmes to increase knowledge and uptake of these measures and has also developed a Carbon Navigator tool to advise farmers, at individual farm level, on the most cost-effective approach to implementing these measures.
In addition, the recently published Food Harvest 2020 Environmental Analysis Report assessed the potential environmental impact of increased food production as envisaged under Food Harvest 2020. This comprehensive analysis, which is available on our website, has found that the adoption and use of high technology and best production methodologies at farm production level will yield the best environmental outcomes and result in the most effective mitigation measures. A wide range of mitigation measures are available in relation to biodiversity, flora and fauna and water quality and there is an extensive list of technically feasible measures for mitigating potential damage to the environment.
Furthermore, the recommendations of the FH 2020 environmental analysis report are informing the drafting of the new 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme (RDP). Proposals in the current draft programme are designed to progress a range of agri-environmental measures, on-farm resource efficient investments and knowledge transfer mechanisms to support the shift towards a low carbon, climate resilient economy.
193. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will instruct the DSPCA in the interest of transparency to publish an up-to-date account of its kill records. [12498/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to animal welfare organisations, including the DSPCA, to assist them in their work in animal care. Each recipient of aid is provided with a code of practice on recommendations to promote sound welfare and management practices, including the maintenance of records of all rescued, re-homed and euthanised animals. Organisations are also asked to note the advice of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council on the option of humane disposal for horses where the animal cannot be sold or transferred to another responsible owner and on advice that dogs with a history of attacking and killing sheep should be euthanised and not re-homed.
194. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a payment has not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12552/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2010 Single Payment application in respect of the person named was amended and cleared for payment following a successful appeal. Officials in my Department have made the necessary arrangements to facilitate payment and I expect payment to issue to the nominated bank account of the person named in the coming days.
195. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Louth is obliged to carry out certain works on lands which he or she is renting out. [12568/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to be eligible for payment under the Single Payment Scheme, and other area based schemes, an applicant must comply with the Cross Compliance requirements for all lands declared on their application, whether the lands are owned or rented. An applicant also accepts that they are responsible for any breach with these requirements for the full Scheme year. It is noted that the person named, the owner of lands, is not an applicant under the Single Payment Scheme.
The Cross Compliance regime consists of 18 Statutory Management Requirements and the requirement to maintain lands in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition. One of the requirements of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition is that the applicant must take appropriate measures to prevent the encroachment of invasive species and to protect permanent pasture. Where it is identified that an applicant has failed to comply with any of the Cross Compliance requirements an appropriate penalty will be applied. My Department will investigate the issue raised further and will contact the person named directly.
196. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 3 December 2013, in respect of farm penalties, if he will provide these figures for 2011, 2012 and 2013 as per reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12604/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible to provide the comprehensive range of data requested by the Deputy at this time. The data will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
197. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the results of microbiological testing carried out on raw milk by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on behalf of his Department; the results of this testing; the implications for the raw milk cheese sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12605/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Raw Milk Survey is an initiative of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). The aim is to establish current baseline data on the prevalence and characteristics of Salmonella spp., Verocytotoxin producing E. coli (VTEC), Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp. and coagulase positive staphylococci in bovine, ovine and caprine dairy holdings, by analysing both raw milk and milk filters.
My Department facilitated this survey by taking samples and carrying out some testing on behalf of the FSAI in its laboratories. The results of this survey, which have yet to be analysed, will be useful in informing the decision making process on where best to focus risk based official and food business operator controls in the dairy sector, including the raw milk cheese sector, aimed at protecting public health. The final report on this survey has not yet been published.
I regard food safety as the platform upon which the Irish agri food sector is built, and in this regard my Department will continue to fulfil its statutory obligations and to maintain the highest standards using the best available technology to ensure that Irish food maintains its deserved reputation for safety and quality.
198. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if compensation will be paid to amenity tree producers who have suffered losses as a result of measures taken to eradicate chalara fraxinea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12606/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe measures taken to control the spread of Chalara fraxinea, and the collapse in demand for ash plants, have both created difficulties for a number of nurseries. However, due to the current economic difficulties, I regret to inform you that there is no possibility of my Department being in a position to introduce any new compensation scheme for amenity tree producers arising from the measures taken to control Chalara fraxinea.
199. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he voted in favour of the biofuel mandate at the EU agriculture Council of Ministers meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12609/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe bio-fuel mandate has not been an agenda item for EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meetings since my appointment as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Responsibility for bio-fuels is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte T.D.. In this regard, I understand that the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, has been involved in discussions on the issue at Energy Council meetings in the context of the EU Commission proposed amendments to the Renewable Energy Directive.
200. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the proposed islands measure under the rural development programme; the options examined to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12611/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, on 14 January I announced a number of decisions in relation to the implementation of the new CAP. This included details in relation to proposed measure outlines for inclusion in the new Rural Development Programme (RDP) for the period 2014-2020 as well as an outline of the National Exchequer funding for the new RDP. As part of the proposed measures, support for Island Farmers was included in the consultation paper on the new RDP published in January. The rationale for this proposed support is based on the particular constraints faced by Island Farmers such as isolation, high infrastructure and transport costs, land quality issues and income / viability issues.
The deadline for receipt of written submissions in relation to the proposed RDP measures was 19 February. The findings from this process, as well as feedback received from a range of meetings with stakeholders, is currently being examined as part of the design process for RDP measures. A number of possibilities for the delivery of support for island farmers are being considered as part of this process. These include the provision of a specified category for Island Farmers within the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme, and the possibility of focusing on specific issues facing Island Farmers via proposed locally led and output based environmental projects or the establishment of operational groups under the European Innovation Partnership. It will of course also be open to Island Farmers to apply to the range of other proposed RDP measures.
No decision has been made in relation to the specific form that support for Island Farmers will take. Work in relation to the design of the new RDP measures is continuing in my Department as a matter of priority.
201. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application has been made to the EU to de-list equines from eligibility for consideration for stocking density purposes for schemes under the rural development programme such as the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12612/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no changes to the eligibility requirements under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Schemes. Insofar as equines are concerned, these will continue to be eligible for stocking density purposes, provided they satisfy the Scheme requirements as heretofore i.e.
-are appropriately registered and in respect of which the relevant identification documentation has been issued,
- show the animal(s) concerned as being in the ownership of the applicant and have met the breeding enterprise requirement, and
-are from an appropriately registered holding.
202. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a REP scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12620/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first five years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and accordingly is subject to EU Regulation which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. These checks have now been completed and the 75% payment for Year 6 has been authorised and will issue within the next ten days. The remaining 25% balancing payment will issue shortly afterwards.
