Written Answers Nos. 89-99
89. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the position on the superlevy payment that is due for 2014-15; when this payment has to be made; if the arrangements promised by the European Commission to phase the payments over a number of years have been put in place; if not, when the details of these arrangements will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18071/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe entire super levy liability incurred by milk producers in Ireland for the 2014/2015 milk quota year, estimated to amount to €69 million, must be paid by Member States to the Commission before the end of November 2015.
However, under new arrangements, the Commission will allow Member States to facilitate the payment by milk producers of this super levy liability in three annual instalments, without interest. The first instalment must be paid by 30 September 2015 and the two subsequent payments must be paid in 2016 and 2017.
Arrangements for the introduction of a scheme to recover these monies are currently being finalised by my Department and involve discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I expect to be announcing the details of the scheme in the very near future.
90. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if superlevy payments made to the European Commission are specifically used to support the dairy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18072/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSuper levy liabilities which are incurred by member states are paid to the European Agriculture Guarantee Fund (EAGF). The EAGF primarily finances direct payments to farmers and measures regulating or supporting agricultural markets.
Super levy liabilities paid into the fund are not ring fenced for use in specifically supporting the dairy sector, but are taken into account as assigned revenue in determining the overall EAGF budget.
91. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the measures he proposes to implement to support the pigmeat sector, in view of current difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18073/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the crucial role which the industry plays in supporting approximately 7,000 jobs including production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. In 2014 export volumes increased by approximately 7%, with growth to the UK, Continental Europe and International markets. Export values increased by some 3% and are in the range of €570 million, continuing the growth seen in recent years. Pigmeat prices tend to be cyclical in nature with periods of lower prices and production followed by recovery. My Department carefully monitors developments in the pig sector, both domestically and internationally.
I am conscious of the fact that prices have come under pressure in recent months and the difficulties that this is causing for producers. Having said that, it must be noted that Irish prices remain above the EU average at present. However I would also add that like any other EU Minister I do not have a role in the setting of prices. This is a function of the market.
Earlier this year I called on the European Commission to monitor the developments on markets and where necessary, to quickly activate safety net provisions such as public interventions and/or private storage aid. This resulted in the introduction of the Aids to Private Storage scheme for the pigmeat sector which opened in early March of this year. However due to the fact that EU pigmeat market prices stabilised somewhat over recent weeks and the uptake of the scheme by operators dropped to minimal volumes, the Commission closed the scheme as of last week.
In relation to the Russian ban on EU pigmeat exports, I am fully aware of the concerns Irish pig farmers have as a result of the closure of this market. My Department has met with the Russian authorities on a number of occasions to impress upon them the importance we attach to the normalisation of trade with Russia. Ultimately however, the Russian ban on pigmeat is an EU wide issue and is likely only to be resolved at EU level. The Commission has referred this matter to the WTO for resolution.
Support is provided by my Department for the pig sector in a number of ways. Firstly I have included provision in the Rural Development Programme for an on-farm capital investment scheme, TAMS II, with an overall budget of €395 million across all sectors. Some €37 million has been allocated for 2015. Amongst the areas identified for initial funding are investments on pig farms for energy, water meters and medicine dispensers. Other elements of the RDP, such as a targeted on farm animal health and welfare scheme will also be of benefit to the pig sector.
Other supports for the sector come through Teagasc which, through its Moorepark pig research facility and courses in pig production, plays an important role in improving production at farm level. Through its Joint Research Advisory Programme, Teagasc supports Irish pig producers by providing advice, research and education across a range of issues of importance to the sector. The programme which is funded by a voluntary industry levy has enabled Teagasc to employ four additional advisors and researchers to support producers and the sector through advice, research and education across a range of issues of importance to the sector. The high level objective of the programme is to enhance the sustainability of Irish pig meat production, including improvements in economic, social and environmental standards. This will result in improvements in the production and marketability of Irish pigmeat.
I am also conscious of the need to promote the consumption of Irish pigmeat in domestic and overseas markets. Bord Bia provides assistance to the pigmeat sector through its marketing and promotional activities, and the pigmeat quality assurance scheme helps to consolidate the position of Irish pigmeat on the domestic market and to expand its presence on EU and third country markets.
For my part I have undertaken to ensure that as many alternative markets as possible are open to Irish Pigmeat processors since the closure of the Russian market last year. In this regard I was pleased to announce the opening of the markets in Vietnam and the Philippines for Irish pigmeat which will serve as valuable alternative markets to Russia for Irish pigmeat exports. My Department will continue in its efforts to develop access to international markets.
92. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers whose mountain land is accidentally burned before 15 May in any year will be eligible for payment under the basic farm payment scheme and the greening scheme on the basis of force majeure in that year; to set out the situation that would arise if a third party, without the permission of the landholders, started a fire on the land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18074/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applicants under the Basic Payment Scheme, the Greening Payment and other area based schemes are obliged to comply with the EU Regulatory requirements on land eligibility. In order to benefit from payment under the Direct Payment Schemes the land must be eligible and must be maintained in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation.
The Wildlife Acts prohibit the burning of growing vegetation within the state between 1st March and 31st August of any given year. Controlled burning undertaken in full compliance with all of the relevant environmental legislative and other lawful requirements can be acceptable. In the case of Natura lands, i.e. lands designated as SAC and/or SPA, prior approval must be obtained under the Activities Requiring Consent (ARC) system as implemented by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Where burned lands are found at inspection by my Department officials or where cases are brought to the attention of my Department, a full evaluation will be undertaken on a case-by-case basis.
93. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the same rules on eligibility of land that will apply to special areas of conservation and special protection areas under the basic farm payment and greening schemes will also apply to natural heritage areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18075/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions of Article 32 (2) (b) (i) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council are clear in that they cover areas, which are no longer eligible for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme, of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA) and the Water Framework Directive. I have, however, arranged for my officials to raise the issue of the Natural Heritage Areas, which are not covered in Article 32, with the EU Commission.
94. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the new pro rata system being introduced for exclusion of scrub land and so on from eligibility as forage area for the new basic farm payment scheme and the greening scheme, to outline his plans to reissue the maps issued to farmers this year, with reference areas calculated under the old system, and replace them with maps showing the reference areas calculated under the new pro rata system; if extra time will be provided to farmers to readjust their applications in line with the new pro rata system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18076/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new pro-rata system and the use of the Reduction Coefficient applying to land parcels with scattered scrub are fully explained in the Land Eligibility booklet, which is being issued to all farmers. In essence, the assessment will be undertaken at parcel level following the exclusion of all areas, which are fully ineligible.
The creation of new reference areas for a significant number of land parcels across the entire Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) database is a complex matter and has to be approached very carefully. Significant and systematic testing is required to ensure that the re-calculations are accurate. In addition, the printing of new maps for all of these parcels would take some time. The creation of new reference areas for parcels would mean that new parcel identification numbers would need to be allocated to the altered parcels. Such significant data changes at this stage of the 2015 application period would pose a risk to the farmers or their Agents submitting applications under the Basic Payment Scheme, the Greening Payment and GLAS. Given the timelines and the risks involved it would not be possible to issue new maps to all of the applicants involved at this stage.
95. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set down the total number of new registrations received by his Department in the past week under the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme; the increase in the number of applicants who have selected actions under this scheme during the same period; the number of completed applications that have been received by his Department in the past week; the total number of applicants now registered for the scheme, the number who have registered actions to date; the number of completed applications received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18077/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWithin the last week the number of applications registered on the GLAS online system has increased by over 3,700 applications and the number of applications registered with actions has increased by over 3,500 applications. Both these figures are increasing daily. The ‘submit’ facility was activated this morning on the GLAS on-line system and as of mid-day today 31 applications had been formally submitted.
To date the total number of registered GLAS applications now stands at almost 25,000 applications with the total number of applications registered with actions now at around 16,700 applications.
The county breakdown for applications and applications with actions is as follows:
|
County |
Number of applications |
Number of applications with actions |
|
Carlow |
303 |
204 |
|
Cavan |
925 |
665 |
|
Clare |
1,530 |
1,108 |
|
Cork |
2,100 |
1,411 |
|
Donegal |
2,249 |
1,563 |
|
Dublin |
99 |
57 |
|
Galway |
2,711 |
1,945 |
|
Kerry |
1,768 |
1,270 |
|
Kildare |
313 |
188 |
|
Kilkenny |
388 |
209 |
|
Laois |
426 |
287 |
|
Leitrim |
867 |
694 |
|
Limerick |
913 |
555 |
|
Longford |
411 |
294 |
|
Louth |
190 |
128 |
|
Mayo |
2,766 |
1,815 |
|
Meath |
489 |
316 |
|
Monaghan |
534 |
418 |
|
Offaly |
608 |
311 |
|
Roscommon |
1,362 |
924 |
|
Sligo |
983 |
611 |
|
Tipperary |
943 |
560 |
|
Tipperary North |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary South |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
415 |
250 |
|
Westmeath |
549 |
417 |
|
Wexford |
612 |
336 |
|
Wicklow |
345 |
221 |
|
Wicklow East |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow West |
0 |
0 |
|
Totals |
24,799 |
16,757 |
96. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the progress made to date in negotiations to reduce the fine imposed on Ireland in respect of the land parcel identification system; the reason for the delay in these negotiations; when it is hoped these negotiations will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18078/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Commission in its letter dated 14 May 2014, proposed a 2% flat rate financial correction for Ireland of €181.5 million arising from its Conformity Clearance audits in 2009, 2010 and 2012. The payments audited covered the period from 2008 to 2012 during which over €9 billion was paid to farmers in Ireland under the Direct Payment Schemes. I have always been opposed to the imposition of flat-rate penalties and particularly so in this case. I have strongly refuted the application of this proposed correction as disproportionate to the true level of risk involved and on this basis my Department sought a hearing with the Conciliation Body.
Officials from my Department met with the Conciliation Body on 10 December 2014. At the Conciliation Hearing, my Department outlined Ireland’s fundamental objection to the flat rate correction and argued that the risk to the Fund should be a calculated amount. My officials informed the Body regarding the amount of work undertaken by my Department to identify and remove all ineligible features from the LPIS database, the technical improvement in the LPIS system and the time and resources used by my Department to address all issues raised by the Commission.
The Conciliation Body acknowledged the amount of work done by my Department over such a short period of time and expressed the opinion that the issues with the Commission related to a few, though important, elements of this work.
The report of the Conciliation Body concluded that conciliation seemed within reach and that the two parties should continue discussing the matter with a view to an agreed settlement. On foot of this my Department has maintained regular contact with the Commission with a view to bringing the matter to a conclusion. Further work has recently been carried out to quantify the level of risk to EU funds and this information is with the Commission for consideration.
97. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the large number of farm accidents to set out his plans to introduce an equivalent of the safe pass certificate for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18080/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has primary responsibility for Health, Safety and Welfare at work, and my Department is fully supportive of their work and assisting in the promotion of safe farming practices. The introduction of a safe pass certificate system for farmers would be the responsibility of the HSA rather than the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. However, I am considering all opportunities to include Farm Safety elements in the RDP rollout.
98. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the number for applications for new herd numbers on hand at present; the average delay in issuing herd numbers; if he will clarify the situation of new applicants who are applying for schemes and have not been issued a herd number by the date of close of applications; the steps he intends taking to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18084/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has made special arrangements to ensure that the non-issue of a herd number by the relevant scheme closing date will not impact negatively on applicants under the Basic Payments Scheme. Where an applicant under the National Reserve priority categories of ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant’ had not been issued a herd number or added to a herd number by the closing date of 31 March 2015, their application under the National Reserve will be accepted once they had applied for a herd number or to be added to a herd number prior to 31st March 2015. Similarly, applicants under the Young Farmers Scheme who have not been issued a herd number or added to a herd number by the closing date of 29 May 2015 will have their applications under the Scheme accepted once they have applied for a herd number or to be added to a herd number prior to 29 May.
As expected, there has been a considerable increase in activity in this area and, to date this year, my Department’s Regional Offices have processed over 3,000 new herd number applications and over 3,200 amendments to existing herd numbers. Approximately 3,000 applications for new herd numbers and amendments to herd numbers are currently on hand and are being dealt with as quickly as possible. However, as I have explained, my Department has already taken steps to ensure that this factor will not negatively impact on farmer applicants under the relevant schemes.
99. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he can account for the discrepancy between the digital record and the paper record posted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork in connection with an individual plot area in respect of that person's 2015 application under the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18088/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 25 April 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed to confirm eligibility under the schemes.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing inspection. This initial inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area determined resulting in the area for the parcel concerned being reduced to 35.47 hectares. The person named was notified of this decision by letter issued on 23 December 2014.
A subsequent field inspection to verify the position on the ground determined that this parcel was not eligible for payment under the terms and conditions of the schemes and the area was reduced to 0 hectares. The eligible area of an additional parcel was also reduced by 1.5 hectares. As the total of the over-declaration in area is greater than 50% of the area determined the person named is not entitled to payment under the 2014 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Schemes. The person named will immediately be informed of the outcome of this field visit. The person named will also be informed of the right to seek a review of this decision. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
