Written Answers Nos. 105-117
105. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a forum for the long-term management of sea lice on salmon farms, comprising experts from Inland Fisheries Ireland and his Department, and representatives from the tourism and angling industry at local level, in view of the failure of his Department's existing regulations to contain the incidence of sea lice, as evidenced already in 2015. [25452/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe control protocols for the management of sea lice are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:
- the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry
- data obtained as a result of inspections is published
- treatment trigger levels are set at a low level
Aquaculture operators are required to comply fully with directions from the Marine Institute regarding lice control. In situations where treatment has not been sufficient to bring lice levels below treatment trigger levels the operators are directed to take additional measures. These actions include additional sustained treatments, early fallowing of sites and accelerated harvesting.
These control protocols have been the subject of detailed investigation and testing by the EU Commission which has confirmed that it regards the sea lice protocols operated in Ireland as representing best practice internationally.
Lice control during the spring period in 2015 has in general been good and the national average level for May was below the specified treatment trigger levels.
106. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the harbour in Daingean Uí Chúis in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25460/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDingle Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. My Department carried out investigations in relation to deepening the main navigation channel into Dingle Harbour some time ago. These investigation works involved a Dredging Study Report, incorporating Hydrodynamic Modelling, Benthic Studies and Chemical & Radiological Analysis of the sediments. In advance of any consideration of progressing a dredging project further, detailed examination of the findings would be required.
Dredging at Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre is not in the current Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. As with all other developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, dredging at Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre will be considered under future Capital Programmes on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing priorities.
107. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a payment under the agri-environment options scheme 3. [25533/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants under AEOS was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation was then initiated, which in turn led to the matter being referred to the Gardaí. Payments to applicants under review have been deferred pending the outcome of the investigation. The application of the person named is one of these cases.
The initial stage of this investigation is now concluded and my Department has written to the person named above, on 16 June last, seeking further evidence to support their claim for payment, for the amounts claimed. Suitable evidence to verify what has been claimed as expenditure incurred would include a certified copy (by the issuing bank) of the cheque used to pay for the goods from the participant’s bank, supported by a bank-statement and/or documentation that was submitted to Revenue when the participant was making normal returns to that Department.
Where satisfactory proofs are provided payments will then be processed. As of yesterday, no reply has been received by my Department to this letter.
108. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a payment under the agri-environment options scheme, considering that the delay is causing severe financial hardship. [25534/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants under AEOS was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation was then initiated, which in turn led to the matter being referred to the Gardaí. Payments to applicants under review have been deferred pending the outcome of the investigation. The application of the person named is one of these cases.
The initial stage of this investigation is now concluded and my Department has written to the person named above, on 10 June last, seeking further evidence to support their claim for payment, for the amounts claimed. Suitable evidence to verify what has been claimed as expenditure incurred would include a certified copy (by the issuing bank) of the cheque used to pay for the goods from the participant’s bank, supported by a bank statement and/or documentation that was submitted to Revenue when the participant was making normal returns to that Department.
Where satisfactory proofs are provided payments will then be processed. As of yesterday, no reply has been received by my Department to this letter.
109. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a payment under the agri-environment options scheme year 3 in view of the fact that the delay is causing financial hardship. [25535/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants under AEOS was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation was then initiated, which in turn led to the matter being referred to the Gardaí. Payments to applicants under review have been deferred pending the outcome of the investigation. The application of the person named is one of these cases.
The initial stage of this investigation is now concluded and my Department has written to the person named above, on 11 June last, seeking further evidence to support their claim for payment, for the amounts claimed. Suitable evidence to verify what has been claimed as expenditure incurred would include a certified copy (by the issuing bank) of the cheque used to pay for the goods from the participant’s bank, supported by a bank-statement and/or documentation that was submitted to Revenue when the participant was making normal returns to that Department.
Where satisfactory proofs are provided payments will then be processed. As of yesterday, no reply has been received by my Department to this letter.
110. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway, whose single farm payment is below €100 in total, and who has been notified that he will not receive the basic payment going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25539/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named established 22.10 entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme with a total value of €47.96. In cases where the total payment due to a farmer was less than €100 in any one year, such payment did not issue. As a consequence, the person named did not receive a direct payment in 2013 and does not hold an automatic right to receive entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015. However, although he did hold entitlements, up to recently, he has not been considered as eligible to receive entitlements under the provision known as the Scottish Derogation.
The provision known as the Scottish Derogation allows for the allocation of entitlements to persons who never held Single Payment entitlements but who actively farmed during the 2013 scheme year and can provide verifiable evidence of agricultural production. Such allocation is restricted to those who ‘produced, reared or grew agricultural products’ in 2013 in the following sectors beef, dairy, sheep and arable sectors.
I brought this anomaly to the attention of the EU Commission and it was recently agreed that persons who were entitled to receive a payment of less than €100 in 2013 may be considered as fulfilling the same conditions as farmers who fall within the scope of the Scottish Derogation. This is subject to the condition that these farmers must never have held payment entitlements, either owned or leased, with a value greater than €100 in any year of the Single Payment Scheme. My Department will be in contact with the person named in the next couple of days to arrange the submission of a Scottish Derogation application.
111. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an application for a grant under the forest road scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25543/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application by the person named is currently under consideration by my Department. Every effort will be made to expedite an early inspection and decision in this case.
112. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the function the herd register continues to perform for an Irish farmer, and for his Department, in view of the operation of the animal identification and movement system and the cattle movement monitoring system; the reason it is considered as a breach, and with respect to its operation and maintenance, can lead to possible penalties, following on from farm inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25548/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirement to maintain a bovine herd register is one of the four pillars of the Bovine Animal Identification and Traceability System and is required by EC Commission Regulation 911/2004/EC and S.I. No 77 of 2009 European Communities (Identification of Bovines) Regulations. Under these regulations, herd keepers are required to record all births and movements/disposals in the Herd Register of Bovine Animals known as the ‘blue book’. The Department has simplified the process of maintaining cattle records for herd keepers using the electronic register Agfood.ie by removing the requirement to maintain the paper on farm bovine herd register. Keepers that wish to avail of this facility must complete a declaration agreeing to abide by the Terms and Conditions. Such farmers are required to ensure the information on the electronic register reflects the activity in their herd and is accurate. If information is not maintained by the farmer, it will still constitute a penalty at inspection if the on-farm position is not accurately reflected in AIM.
In relation to farm inspections, EU Regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes and other area-based schemes require my Department to carry out on-the-spot checks to ensure compliance with Cross Compliance requirements as laid down in this legislation. Compliance with bovine identification and registration requirements is one of the specific Statutory Management Requirements under the Cross Compliance regime. Where non-compliances with these requirements are identified by means of an on-the-spot check, or where a non-compliance is brought to the attention of my Department, a penalty must be applied. However, where a non-compliance is deemed to be minor in nature, a tolerance may be applied resulting in no financial sanction and the applicant is advised to remedy the problem. Where the non-compliance is not remedied within a certain period, a penalty must be applied.
The electronic register initiative facilitates the optimum use of the Department's records to reduce the burden of record keeping for farmers and other stakeholders and confers significant benefits for stakeholders including reduced bureaucracy, removal of duplication, increased flexibility and reduced risk associated with financial penalties arising at cross compliance inspections.
114. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an overpayment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25564/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person-named entered the Early Retirement 2000 Scheme (ERS2) with effect from November, 2003. On joining the Scheme he made a written declaration that he had read and understood the governing Scheme conditions. Under the Scheme conditions, any state pension must be deducted from ERS2 pension payments. On 27 October, 2010 he was advised in writing to inform the Department if he was awarded the State Pension Transition. No reply was received to this letter.
On 13 July, 2011 the Department advised him in writing to apply for the State Pension on his 66th birthday and to forward any correspondence from the Department of Social Protection to facilitate any adjustment required to his Early Retirement Pension. No reply was received but he did submit his Annual Declaration as usual in October 2011 advising no change in his circumstances.
My Department subsequently contacted the Department of Social Protection who advised on 25 October 2012 that he had been in receipt of the State Pension Transition from 16th December 2010. Consequently, an overpayment of the ERS pension had arisen of €11,850.60 for the period from December 2010 to December 2011. He was advised of this on the 29th of November 2012. He appealed the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office and his appeal was rejected.
The person named has been reminded on a number of occasions of the outstanding debt. An option of repaying by instalments has recently been offered, but has not been accepted to date. If the gentleman concerned would contact the Department an appropriate repayment schedule can be worked out.
115. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if payments due to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny under the beef genomics scheme for 2013 and 2014 will be reviewed and paid; if the full circumstances of the case will be examined, as they are exceptional; and if he will expedite the matter. [25579/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named registered 65 animals under the 2013 Beef Data Programme. Of these, 58 animals were not registered within the legally required timeframe. Therefore, they are not eligible for payment. The data required under the Programme for the other 7 animals was also not submitted by the deadline set in the Terms and Conditions of the Programme, which means that they are not eligible for payment. A total of 77 animals have been registered under the 2014 Beef Data Programme. Payment will shortly be made to eligible applicants subject to compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the Programme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Beef Genomics Programme, participants are required to remove or retest animals found to be persistently infected with BVD within seven weeks of a positive test. The initial test result of one of the animals of the person named indicated that this animal was persistently infected with BVD. This calf was not removed from the herd or re-tested for BVD for 30 weeks and so the person named is not eligible for payment under this Programme. It is open to the person named to seek a review of the decisions in his case. If he wishes to do so he should write to the Beef Schemes Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Government Buildings, Portlaoise, Co. Laois outlining the reasons for the non-compliances and submit any supporting documentation that might be relevant to his case.
116. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a new herd number will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim regarding farmlands in Arigna, County Roscommon. [25642/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been a considerable increase in activity in regard to herdnumbers arising from the new Basic Payments Scheme negotiated in the context of CAP reform. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the number of applications to my Department's Regional Veterinary offices for new herdnumbers and amendments to existing herdnumbers. These are being processed as quickly as possible. In this context, priority is being given to cases relating to applicants under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme where a minimum stocking density requirement exists.
However, in the case of the person referred to, I understand that the processing of the application is at an advanced stage and it is anticipated that the herd number will issue next week.
117. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that Ballydoyle Honey won the Sporting Press Oaks at Shelbourne Park on 20 June 2015, collecting €25,000 in prize money, that this greyhound is a daughter of Brett Lee, born on 25 July 2013 and registered in breach of the artificial insemination regulations, and is thus an illegal dog; that the Statutory Instrument 494, dated November 2014, relating to artificial insemination, did not alter the status of dogs registered prior to the amendment; the reason non-compliant greyhounds are allowed to compete; if he will provide a list of the other sections of the various greyhound Acts that greyhound owners are allowed to ignore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25645/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is responsible for the identification and registration of greyhounds in the Irish Greyhound Studbook. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon (BNG) under Section 26(2) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 (the Act). BNG is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing.
Detailed rules governing the practice of the artificial insemination of greyhounds were set down in the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds Regulations, 2005, (S.I. No. 561 of 2005), which were made by BNG under Section 39 of the Act.
The Regulations included a two year limit on the use of semen for artificial insemination following the death of a stud dog, thereafter any unused semen had to be destroyed.
In March 2014, as a result of the operational difficulties in the implementation of certain provisions of the Artificial Insemination of Greyhound Regulations, 2005, Bord na gCon invited industry stakeholders to submit proposals regarding the suitability of the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds Regulations 2005 in the context of meeting current industry requirements.
After a detailed consideration of submissions received, Bord na gCon decided in September 2014, having consulted with the ICC, to remove the two year limit on the use of semen following the death of a stud greyhound. Arising from this decision, and with the consent of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, new regulations were introduced by Bord na gCon which came into effect on November 1st 2014 removing this two year limit on semen from an expired sire.
I am informed by Bord na gCon that in conjunction with the Irish Coursing Club they have carried out preliminary research and discussions with various experts in the areas of Quantitative Genetics, Animal & Bioscience Research and Canine Genetics on the specific aspects such as:
- Pedigree analysis of inbreeding levels and rate of accumulation of inbreeding in the Irish Greyhound
- Developing a breeding program to ensure long term gains while simultaneously managing genetic diversity
- The impact on the age of semen or age of semen donor on gene mutation rate.
Following on from this, I understand that Bord na gCon have commissioned a scientific study dealing with topics outlined above with a view to assisting the Board in relation to policy development in this area. Bord na gCon has informed me that greyhound owners are not allowed to ignore the provisions of the legislation pertaining to the greyhound industry and any allegations of breaches are investigated by Bord na gCon.
