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Wednesday, 15 Apr 2015

Written Answers Nos. 237-250

Milk Supply Regulation

Ceisteanna (237)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

237. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to explain the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was disqualified as a milk supplier in the mid-1990s; and if he is satisfied that the case was handled correctly. [13895/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Records in my Department indicate that the person named by the Deputy was disqualified from selling milk due to breaches of regulations governing the sale of raw milk. I have no reason to consider that the case was not properly handled by Department officials at that time.

Grassland Sheep Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (238)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

238. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine and expedite a payment under the grassland sheep scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13907/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application under the 2014 Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2014, processing of which has recently been completed. The application is now fully processed and payment is due to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.

Single Payment Scheme Appeals

Ceisteanna (239)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

239. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if penalties applied to 2013 and 2014 single farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13912/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that five of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. The person named was notified of this decision and of his right of appeal on 23 October 2013 and an appeal was received on 19 November 2013 with supporting maps submitted on 20 January 2014. Following the review of my Department’s decision, as sought by the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position on the ground was deemed necessary. This visit was completed on 27 March 2014; the findings of the ground verification visit were that additional land claimed by the applicant was deemed ineligible for payment. The outcome was that a level of over-claim of between 3% and 20% was established.

The person named was advised, in writing, of the findings of the visit on 10 July 2014 and advised of his right to appeal the outcome of this verification check to the independent LPIS Appeals Committee. As the field visit was completed during the 2014 Scheme year the findings also effected the payments due to the applicant for 2014.

The person named lodged an appeal to the LPIS Appeals Committee on 25 March 2015. The person named will be advised, in writing, of the findings of the LPIS Appeals Committee once a decision is reached. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this appeal they can appeal this decision to the Office of the Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.

Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaoil Talmhaíochta

Ceisteanna (240)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

240. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén pionós faoin Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaoil Talmhaíochta atá curtha ar fheirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); cén fáth ar cuireadh pionós air; cén méid pionóis atá i gceist; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [13947/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Faomhadh an duine a ainmníodh chun bheith rannpháirteach i Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaol Talmhaíochta (AEOS 2) 2011 le héifeacht ón 1 Meán Fómhair 2011 agus eisíodh íocaíocht maidir le blianta 2011, 2012 agus 2013 na Scéime. Faoi Rialacháin an AE a rialaíonn an Scéim agus scéimeanna eile íocaíochta limistéarbhunaithe, is gá seiceáil chuimsitheach riaracháin a chríochnú, cros-seiceálacha san áireamh leis an gCóras Aitheanta Dáileachtaí Talún, sular féidir aon íocaíocht a eisiúint. Roghnaíodh an t-iarratas le haghaidh iniúchadh talún, a rinneadh an 9 Meán Fómhair 2014. I rith an iniúchta seo, tugadh neamhchomhlíonadh Théarmaí agus Choinníollacha na Scéime faoi deara maidir leis an ngníomh ‘Féarach ar Mhórán Speiceas’. B’éard a bhí mar thoradh ar seo ná gur gearradh pionós. Eisíodh litir don duine ainmnithe a chur ar an eolas é faoi seo an 8 Márta 2015. Tá an comhad á phróiseáil faoi láthair ar bhonn thorthaí an iniúchta agus tá sé de rún íocaíocht a eisiúint maidir leis an mbliain 2014 lúide asbhaintí a luaithe is féidir.

Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaoil Talmhaíochta

Ceisteanna (241)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

241. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaoil Talmhaíochta le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); cén fáth a bhfuil moill ar an íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [13948/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Faomhadh an duine a ainmníodh chun bheith rannpháirteach i Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaoil Talmhaíochta (AEOS 2) 2011 le héifeacht ón 1 Meán Fómhair 2011 agus eisíodh íocaíocht maidir le blianta 2011, 2012 agus 2013 na Scéime. Faoi Rialacháin an AE a rialaíonn an Scéim agus scéimeanna eile íocaíochta limistéarbhunaithe, is gá seiceáil chuimsitheach riaracháin a chríochnú, cros-seiceálacha san áireamh leis an gCóras Aitheanta Dáileachtaí Talún, sular féidir aon íocaíocht a eisiúint. Roghnaíodh an t-iarratas le haghaidh iniúchadh talún, a rinneadh an 9 Meán Fómhair 2014. I rith an iniúchta seo, tugadh neamhchomhlíonadh Théarmaí agus Choinníollacha na Scéime faoi deara maidir leis an ngníomh ‘Féarach ar Mhórán Speiceas’. B’éard a bhí mar thoradh ar seo ná gur gearradh pionós. Tá an comhad á phróiseáil faoi láthair ar bhonn thorthaí an iniúchta agus tá sé de rún íocaíocht a eisiúint maidir leis an mbliain 2014 lúide asbhaintí a luaithe is féidir.

Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (242)

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

242. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out his plans to adopt Article 4(1)(h) of European Union Regulation 1307/2013 to help flexibility, standards and objective criteria regarding land eligibility in marginal land, commonages and hill areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13967/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the provisions of the Basic Payment Scheme, farmers need to declare an eligible hectare for each payment entitlement held in order to benefit from payment. The hectares declared must be eligible and must have an agricultural activity carried out on them. The situation in Ireland has not changed since the Single Payment Scheme was replaced by the Basic Payment Scheme at the beginning of 2015. Eligible lands include those lands with herbaceous grasses and other grazable vegetation. In Ireland, the main type of vegetation other than grasses is heather and this continues to be eligible for payment where it is grazable. I am, however, pursuing options that may assist farmers, who have marginal lands, in particular those that have designated land, in meeting the requirements of the Direct Payment regulations. My Department officials are in direct contact with the EU Commission with the intention of pursuing all possible options and bringing the matter to an early conclusion.

Rural Development Programme

Ceisteanna (243)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

243. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if applications are open for the recently announced €200 million fund by the European Union Commissioner, Mr Phil Hogan, for Irish farmers and agri- and rural businesses; and the process to apply. [13977/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Commissioner Hogan’s recent announcement refers to financial instruments programmed through rural development programmes and funded accordingly through programme budgets. Ireland’s draft Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 states, ‘Ireland will keep the possible use of financial instruments under review during the programming period’. My Department and I have been active in exploring new and more competitive sources of funding and will continue to do so in the context of evolving market requirements. The recent announcement by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland of a new product, ‘Agriculture Investment Loans’, is a welcome addition to the sources of funding currently in the market. This credit is available, subject to qualifying criteria, at favourable terms (i.e. longer term and lower interest rate) for investments by agricultural SMEs involved in primary agricultural production, the processing of agricultural products or the marketing of agricultural products.

In relation to accessing finance and credit terms generally, I have recently been in contact with the main banks. I emphasised that this is a critical phase in Ireland’s dairy expansion and that the increased investment and output from production and processing will have significant downstream benefits across the economy generally, including for the banking sector. In order to support the on-going development of the dairy sector and to mitigate the current difficulties caused by milk price volatility, I asked them to explore the full range of potential measures that could serve to alleviate the loan repayment burden facing farmers and offer maximum flexibility for dairy farmers in what will be a difficult year ahead. I believe that it is essential that short term cash flow difficulties are not allowed to undermine prudent investment plans or the longer term competitiveness of their operations. I will continue to communicate with the main banks on issues affecting the sector.

Food Safety Standards Regulation

Ceisteanna (244)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

244. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will prohibit the use of glyphosate herbicide as a result of its toxic impact. [13981/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Glyphosate was reviewed in 2002, as part of the EU plant protection product review programme which has allowed its use to date. The initial review in 2002 was carried out by Germany acting as the Rapporteur Member State (RMS) and this evaluation was peer reviewed by the other EU Member States. A scheduled re-review is currently underway, with Germany again acting as the RMS with Slovakia acting as a Co-RMS. The process of peer reviewing the German/Slovakian evaluation is coming to a conclusion and it is expected that this process will be completed within the next 6 months. This involves the European Food Safety Authority coordinating a review of this evaluation by all Member States.

All uses of glyphosate approved in Ireland are in line with approved uses in all other EU Member States. Uses are only granted if the appropriate risk assessment indicates that safe uses are possible under normal conditions. Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 regulates the authorisation, marketing and use of plant protection products (PPPs) and as such each registration must conform to the norms, methodologies and principles contained therein. Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) are currently in place facilitating all currently registered uses. These MRLs are currently under review by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the EU. To date, no EU, or indeed OECD countries, have taken a negative regulatory position on Glyphosate and currently all EU Member States have extant glyphosate registrations. Any regulatory action by my Department in relation to glyphosate will be based on the scientific review carried out by the EU Member States and the European Food Safety Authority.

Single Payment Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (245)

Michael Creed

Ceist:

245. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to explain the reason a person (details supplied) has been the subject of a €1,300 fine under the single farm payment for 2013; if the original notification of alleged over-claim was the subject of a formal appeal by that person's agent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13989/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a land parcel declared by the person named contained ineligible features. The person named was notified, in writing, of this decision and of his right of appeal on 5 September 2013. An appeal was received from the person named on 20 September 2013 and from his advisor on 24 October 2013. Further to these appeals, a visit by a Department official to verify the position was necessary to progress the matter. This verification visit was completed on 10 April 2014. The person named was advised, in writing, of the outcome of this visit on 9 July 2014 and advised of the right of appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee. To date the person named has not availed of this right.

Rural Development Programme

Ceisteanna (246)

Gabrielle McFadden

Ceist:

246. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the European Commission is launching its roadshow to explain the workings of a new guarantee system to ensure access to credit for farmers as a result of a new memorandum of understanding agreed between the European Union and the European Investment Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14000/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Commissioner Hogan’s recent announcement refers to financial instruments programmed through rural development programmes and funded accordingly through programme budgets. Ireland’s draft Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 states, ‘Ireland will keep the possible use of financial instruments under review during the programming period’.

My Department and I have been active in exploring new and more competitive sources of funding and will continue to do so in the context of evolving market requirements. The recent announcement by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland of a new product, ‘Agriculture Investment Loans’, is a welcome addition to the sources of funding currently in the market. This credit is available, subject to qualifying criteria, at favourable terms (i.e. longer term and lower interest rate) for investments by agricultural SMEs involved in primary agricultural production, the processing of agricultural products or the marketing of agricultural products.

In relation to accessing finance and credit terms generally, I have recently been in contact with the main banks. I emphasised that this is a critical phase in Ireland’s dairy expansion and that the increased investment and output from production and processing will have significant downstream benefits across the economy generally, including for the banking sector. In order to support the on-going development of the dairy sector and to mitigate the current difficulties caused by milk price volatility, I asked them to explore the full range of potential measures that could serve to alleviate the loan repayment burden facing farmers and offer maximum flexibility for dairy farmers in what will be a difficult year ahead. I believe that it is essential that short term cash flow difficulties are not allowed to undermine prudent investment plans or the longer term competitiveness of their operations. I will continue to communicate with the main banks on issues affecting the sector.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (247)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

247. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to explain the reason an overpayment under the disadvantaged areas scheme 2013 has been notified to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, following a review by his Department; if the person has an option to seek a review of the overpayment notification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14013/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is currently re-examining the circumstances of this case and, further to same, will make direct contact with the person named (or a representative, if required) in the near future.

Ministerial Appointments

Ceisteanna (248)

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

248. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out his views on the statement by the Minister of State with responsibility for rural affairs to the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht to the effect that she was recently assigned to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government; and the person who assigned the Minister of State. [14016/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I welcome the announcement of an Taoiseach on 10 December 2014 to assign additional responsibilities to Minister of State Phelan at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Her additional remit which involves special responsibility for local, community, rural economic development issues and implementation of the CEDRA report at that department will provide her with a fuller and more integrated scope to develop rural communities. The new functions are in addition to her existing responsibilities at this Department and at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Forestry Premium Payments

Ceisteanna (249)

Áine Collins

Ceist:

249. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a forestry premium payment. [14023/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There were some technical difficulties with the applicant’s forestry plot data within the payment system which delayed this payment. Payment will now be made in the week beginning April 13th 2015.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (250)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

250. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the funding allocated in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14025/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The application for ex-gratia funding submitted by the Organisation in question was approved and an amount of €8,000 was awarded last December. The organisation was informed of the allocation on 18th December 2014.

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