Written Answers Nos. 273-290
273. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates the Bing Map Imagery was taken of each parcel under LPIS, land parcel identification vectors, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5547/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe imagery used to review the lands declared by the person named was captured on 28 March 2012.
Under the Terms & Conditions of the Direct Aid Schemes, which includes the Single Payment scheme, farmers are obliged to declare only eligible land when making their applications and to exclude ineligible features such as roads, buildings, farmyards, dense scrub, etc. These claims are then recorded on the Department’s Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). Given the importance of the LPIS database in underpinning direct aid payments worth in excess of €1.5 billion annually, the Department is obliged under EU Regulations to ensure its accuracy.
Following consultation with the EU Commission, as part of the normal Accounting process, the Department was requested to undertake a complete review of the LPIS database. This has resulted in the necessity to adjust parcels of a significant number of applicants, where it was established that some ineligible features had been included. In certain circumstances these adjustments have given rise to penalties.
A comprehensive review and appeals process has been implemented to ensure that the cases of individual farmers are fully scrutinised. In the first instance, a farmer, who finds himself or herself in this position, can seek a review of the original decision by Department officials. If they are not happy with the outcome of the review, they can submit an appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee.
274. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the single payment scheme; the reason for the delay in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5576/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under 2014 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 23 April 2014. In order to receive payment under the Single Payment Scheme applicants must hold single payment entitlements. As the person named does not hold entitlements, no payment is due.
275. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a payment under the agri-environment options scheme 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5621/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from the 1st May 2013 and payment has issued in respect of the 2013 Scheme year.
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 currently being processed in respect of the 2014 Scheme year and I expect 75% payment to issue shortly. The balancing 25% payment will follow thereafter.
276. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the agri-environment options scheme 1 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5631/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from the 1st May 2013 and payment has issued in respect of the 2013 Scheme year.
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 have been successfully completed in respect of the 2014 Scheme year and 75% payment has now been processed. The balancing 25% payment will follow shortly.
277. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a rural environment protection scheme 4 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5644/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received payments for the first five 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. During the administrative checks in 2014 an area discrepancy was discovered between the Single Farm Payment application for 2014 and the REPS agri-environmental plan which required further clarification and the possible re-digitization of certain plots. This issue is currently being investigated with the intention of achieving a speedy resolution.
278. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the 2014 single payment scheme and disadvantaged area scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5663/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under 2014 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2014. An advance payment in respect of Single Payment issued on 16 October and the balancing payment issued on 1 December 2014. Payment under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme issued to the applicant on 19 September 2014. All payments were made to the nominated bank account of the person named.
279. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a 2014-2015 disadvantaged areas headage payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5686/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2014, processing of which has recently been completed. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is due to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
280. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an appeal under the single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5695/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a number of land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. Following an appeal from the person named a visit by a Department official to verify the position was necessary to progress the matter. The person named was supplied with new maps when notified of the outcome of this inspection in a letter dated 5 January 2015 and advised of the right of appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee. The results of the verification visit have now been processed and payment due for 2013 Single Payment Scheme will issue to the person named shortly.
281. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the society registration date of 2013 for rare-breed eligibility in view of the delay in the roll-out of the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will allow society registrations in 2014 to be included and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5721/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraGLAS (the Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) is part of a suite of proposed measures under the new Rural Development Programme (RDP) which was submitted to the European Commission in July last year and approval for the Scheme is still awaited. My officials are involved in negotiations with the Commission to expedite that approval and the Scheme will be opened as soon as possible.
The scheme gives priority access to those farmers who have valuable environmental assets, and the retention of rare breeds falls into this category. The conservation and preservation of breeds which are under threat is vitally important in the context of halting the loss of biodiversity, which is why those farmers who have continued to maintain these breeds will be given priority access into the Scheme under Tier 1. Any farmers who had registered livestock in 2012 and/or 2013 will be eligible to join the first tranche of the Scheme and this will target those who have traditionally been engaged in this valuable work. Those who register with approved breed societies in 2014 will have the opportunity to join the scheme in the second tranche.
282. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payments under the grassland sheep payment scheme; the reason for the delay in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5756/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2014 Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on 28 March 2014, processing of which has recently been completed. Payment under the 2014 Grassland Sheep Scheme is due to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
283. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application under the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5760/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes application on 18 April 2014. Payment has not issued to the person named as the holding concerned has not satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. Immediately the holding is identified as meeting these requirements, the application will be processed.
284. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his officials have raised any concerns at the beef forum that the €3 per head incentive payment from meat factories for quality assurance is inadequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5805/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the meeting of the Beef RoundTable on November the 12th, agreement was reached on a wide range of issues impacting on the beef sector, resulting in some 23 outcomes in total. At the subsequent meeting of the RoundTable held last week, there was a general consensus that progress was being made in delivering on the outcomes agreed in November, although further work was required in a number of areas. This was accompanied by a strong commitment from all participants to continue this work.
As the Deputy notes, Processors agreed at the November Round Table to a targeted, cost neutral price incentive for all steers and heifers from Quality Assured farms with effect from 1st January, based on consideration of an appropriate mechanism to be agreed by then. Following on from this, Meat Industry Ireland, the representative body for the meat processors announced with effect from 1 January a €3 per head bonus payment for steers and heifers from Quality Assured farms that do not qualify for the current 12c/kg in-spec bonus.
A number of farm organisations believe that a higher bonus payment is warranted, but welcome d the fact that the current 12c/ kg in spec bonus had not been replaced in order to deliver the new bonus payment. This position was noted at the RoundTable meeting last week. This is a commercial matter of course. I have encouraged the processors and farm organisations to discuss any further adjustments to the Quality Assurance arrangements that may be necessary, as appropriate.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that in addition to focussing on the ongoing implementation of the outcomes agreed at the Roundtable meeting in November, the most recent meeting last week considered the improved beef market position and strategic issues concerning bull beef production in Ireland. The Roundtable tasked a stakeholder group, led by Teagasc, with preparing written guidelines for beef farmers which would act as a blueprint for those currently producing bull beef or those considering developing bull beef production systems, taking into account production efficiency and market dynamics. I also updated stakeholders on progress as regards the development of Producer Organisations in Ireland, a key proposal to emerge from the Roundtable process.
I am confident that with positive engagement from all the stakeholders, the forum can continue to make a significant contribution to the strategic development of the beef sector.
285. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a yearly detail of all beef imports into Ireland for each of the past five years, providing the volumes and the country of origin; if it was carcass beef or cuts, or other forms of beef; if it was chilled, fresh or frozen; the amount of this beef that was subsequently re-exported; the details of the countries it was re-exported to; the details of those who imported the beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5806/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Revenue Commissioners record imports of beef into the country where the imports from an individual company exceed a threshold value of €191,000 per calendar year. This information is collected on behalf of the CSO for statistical purposes only. The totals for 2010-2013 respectively are 40,174 tonnes, 46,137 tonnes, 41,448 tonnes, and 26,030 tonnes. The total for January to November 2014 is 22,061 tonnes. My Department is in discussions with the CSO about the breakdown of those amounts.
Ireland is of course the largest net exporter of beef in the Northern hemisphere and for example, exported some 530,000 tonnes of beef in 2014, compared to imports of approximately 22,000 tonnes.
286. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will be able to formally open the beef genomics scheme; when application forms will be available; the proposed latest date for applications; the requirements to be fulfilled; the date on which payments will commence in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5807/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2015 budget includes a package of approximately €74 million for the beef sector in 2015, including a provision of €52 million for a proposed Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) which will place Ireland at the leading edge globally in the use of genomics in beef production.
The proposed BDGP would deliver an accelerated improvement in the environmental sustainability of the beef herd via the application of genomics technology. This will help farmers to manage their enterprises sustainably, cognisant of Ireland’s climate change commitments, and will improve the quality of the national suckler herd. It will also cement our place amongst the more progressive beef producing nations in the world.
Subject to the approval of the Rural Development Programme by the EU Commission, farmers will be paid for work carried out in a range of areas related to data recording and animal breeding policies. The actions being considered for the Programme include recording a range of data related to performance criteria and animal events, taking tissue (DNA) samples from selected animals and sending for laboratory testing, completing an on-farm Carbon Navigator, and selecting high quality replacement bulls and heifers over the 6 years of the BDGP contract.
All Rural Development Plans submitted to the European Commission are subject to approval, following a detailed period of analysis and discussion. The Commission has provided observations on the BDGP and my Department has been engaged in intensive discussions to address issues raised and to provide the necessary clarifications. The scheme will be rolled out without delay following approval, with application forms issuing to all eligible farmers. Given that this is a 6 year scheme, with very specific actions spread over the full duration, I can assure the Deputy that these farmers will be given sufficient time to allow them to fully analyse the requirements of the scheme and to submit their applications as appropriate.
287. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will appoint agriculture officers to each meat plant to take responsibility for monitoring carcase trim by the factories in line with the commitment in the beef Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5808/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently employs 5 officers who have specific responsibility for monitoring classification and ancillary checks, including carcase trim. In 2014 a Classification officer was appointed to the North West region and the appointment of a Classification officer in the South East was approved in January 2015 to further enhance this level of monitoring.
In 2014 there were 515 unannounced classification control inspections conducted by Classification officers in 31 factories and local authority abattoirs. During these unannounced inspections, 51,017 carcases were checked by regionally based DAFM Classification officers for conformation and fat, weights, dressing (Trim) and labelling. The number of inspections in 2014 is up by 15% from 2013.
Later this month, my Department will engage directly with the industry in a series of regional meetings to update personnel on the legal obligations on each factory regarding, inter alia, classification, carcase dressing (trim) and price reporting.
While I am satisfied that my Department operates a robust and comprehensive carcase classification control regime, I am also mindful of the need to continuously monitor the way in which controls are undertaken, including the feasibility of reconfiguring existing Department resources within meat factories. I can assure the Deputy that this process of analysis and review will continue, and that I will make any changes necessary to ensure the continued good functioning of the control regime.
288. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he will take to remove the barriers on labelling at processing and retail level, that are impeding the live export trade to Britain and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5809/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI attach substantial importance to the live export trade and my Department has been very proactive during my time as Minister in facilitating both the cross border live trade and shipments abroad. Live exports serve a dual purpose as a means of satisfying market demand for live animals and providing alternative market outlets for cattle farmers in Ireland. Total live exports for 2014 were 237,000 head, of which over 72,000 went to the UK - a 10% increase over 2013. Specifically, over 54,000 head were exported to Northern Ireland, which is comparable with the 2013 figure.
I should make it clear that Ireland has been a proponent of mandatory origin labelling for beef, which requires the place of birth, rearing and slaughter to be shown on beef labels. The longstanding policy of UK retailers, who buy large quantities of Irish beef, is to market British and Irish beef separately. This means that beef must be sourced from animals originating in one country or the other, so that they can be labelled as born, reared and slaughtered in the same country. In addition, logistical difficulties can arise when a small number of Irish-born animals are slaughtered in a UK meat plant. Under mandatory EU labelling rules, these carcases have to be deboned in a separate batch, and packaged and labelled accordingly, thereby incurring additional costs for the processor. These issues are a matter of commercial preference, both of slaughter plants in Britain, and of British retailers.
While Bord Bia has repeatedly raised this issue with British retailers over the years, they are unlikely to reverse their marketing policy in the short term and face other demands from UK stakeholders to stock more British beef. Nevertheless Bord Bia, in its ongoing interactions with British customers, will continue to pursue all opportunities to maximise the full potential of the beef and livestock trade with our largest trading partner. In addition, Bord Bia actively supports the development of the live export trade through the provision of market information, developing market access and promotional activity.
I have also had several meetings with my Northern counterpart, Minister Michelle O’Neill, on this subject. We agreed to make a joint approach to the three British retailers who stock Irish Beef, accepting that these were commercial matters, but also seeking some flexibility given that this mixed label beef is produced to the exacting standards required by British consumers.
Minister O’Neill also approved a voluntary beef label in Northern Ireland for cattle born in the Republic of Ireland, raised in the Republic of Ireland and/or Northern Ireland, and slaughtered in Northern Ireland. This label would facilitate the sale of beef from animals born in the South and slaughtered in the North under a voluntary ‘Irish’ label, if retailers are willing to stock the product carrying this label. Of course, such a label would be additional to the mandatory origin label. The question of using such a label is now a commercial matter between processors and retailers in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK.
Following on from this, I convened a meeting with Minister O’Neill and the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium which took place in October. At this meeting the NIRC made it clear that their beef buyers had a preference for single origin beef, of which they had ample supply, but they would keep the situation under review. I also met separately with Tesco where we had a useful and frank discussion on this and other procurement issues. I will continue to pursue opportunities for exports of beef and live cattle at every opportunity.
289. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to work with Bord Bia to support and lead the case for the introduction of a strong single brand for Irish beef exports into the US market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5810/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe opening of any major third country market for Irish beef is a very positive development for the entire beef sector given our heavy reliance on exports. This is particularly true of a lucrative market like the US where the beef market is estimated at 11 million metric tonnes. It is split 60: 40 between food service and grocery retail (by volume). The US imports 1.2 million tonnes of beef every year and Ireland is the first EU Member State to secure access to this market.
As the Deputy is aware, I am currently leading a major trade promotion to the US which will mark the arrival of Irish beef there for the first time in 15 years. I will be launching Irish beef at events in New York, Washington DC and Boston, and I will be meeting high-end trade buyers and promoting Irish beef to US food publications so as to build awareness of the qualities of Irish Beef. Ireland is the first EU country to be allowed back into the United States and we must use this advantage to place Irish Beef at the forefront of the premium steak cut market.
Bord Bia’s strategy for the US market is to position Irish beef as a premium grass based natural product so pure and so natural that you can taste the difference. The brand positioning developed by Bord Bia is grounded in comprehensive consumer and trade research conducted in the US over the last three years. The beef market in the US is significantly different from the consumer packaged goods market and retail sales are nearly exclusively own brand. As a result, Bord Bia will use the visual identity of the Quality Assurance mark to communicate the defining attributes of Irish beef as a natural product sustainably farmed to internationally accredited standards. In addition Bord Bia is developing an application to the sustainably Process Verified Program which will facilitate their endorsement of the product claims on pack. Bord Bia’s marketing programme this year will encompass media advertising, PR and digital campaigns to targeted trade and consumer audiences to support the commercial activities of Irish beef exporters.
290. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the length of time a young farmer allocated entitlements from the national reserve under the 2015 scheme has to hold on to the entitlements before leasing or selling them on in order not to incur any claw-back or penalty; if it is permissible to stack these entitlements without claw-back or penalty after one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5812/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo be eligible under the Young Farmer priority category of the National Reserve an applicant must meet the following conditions: -
- S/he is participating in the Basic Payment Scheme in the year in which s/he submits an application;
- S/he is aged no more than 40 years of age at any time during the calendar year in which s/he first submits an application under the Basic Payment Scheme;
- S/he has successfully completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award at FETAC level 6 or its equivalent. Alternatively s/he must commit to commencing such a course by 30th September 2016;
- Has a gross off-farm income that does not exceed €40,000 in one of the tax years 2013 or 2014;
- S/he is setting up an agricultural holding for the first time or has set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the Basic Payment Scheme application.
The EU regulations governing the National Reserve do not provide for a retention period in respect of entitlements allocated from the reserve. The option to transfer entitlements will not be available until the 2016 scheme year. Rules pertaining to the Transfer of Entitlements in 2016 will be drawn up in due course in consultation with the Direct Payment Advisory Committee, which includes members of the main farming bodies and advisory services.
The relevant EU Regulations governing the operation of the Basic Payment Scheme do not provide for consolidation or stacking of entitlements.
