Written Answers Nos. 190-212
190. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the 2015 national reserve and young farmers' scheme; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5071/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted applications to my Department under the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme. These applications have been fully processed and payment issued to the person named on 15 March 2016.
191. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS II, grant aid assistance fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5085/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applicant named has applied for investments under the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme in TAMS II. All applications received are being examined and approvals will commence when all of the required checks have been undertaken. My Department is working to ensure approvals issue at the earliest possible juncture.
193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal of a payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry under the forestry payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5098/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application by the person named for approval to plant was refused by my Department and a decision issued to the applicant on 14th September 2015. Following a request from the applicant, this decision was thoroughly reviewed and the review decision issued on 3rd March 2016. The decision remained unchanged.
194. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the policy directive 2003/2 on fleet sub-segmentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5104/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing were transferred from the Minister to the Licensing Authority for Sea-Fishing Boats, which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in that Act and Ministerial Policy Directives. All applications for sea-fishing boat licences are considered by the Licensing Authority. As Minister I have responsibility for policy in relation to sea-fishing boat licensing under Section 3 (3) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2003, as amended by Section 99 of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006. In this context and as referred to above, Section 3 of the 2003 Act makes provision for Ministerial policy directives to issue to the independent Licensing Authority for Sea-Fishing Boats. I am, however, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to individual cases, or a group of cases, with which the Licensing Authority is or may be concerned under Section 3(5) of the 2003 Act.
Policy Directive 2/2003 issued in November 2003. The key overall objective of a new licensing policy at that time was to create a new open and transparent policy which would facilitate the achievement of a sustainable and viable livelihood for fishermen operating in the various types of fisheries taking account of available fishing opportunities and fishing resources. The Policy Directive has been subject to a number of amendments to deal with new management policies put in place.
On the basis of a Departmental review of the capacity situation of the fleet, and taking account of intensive consultations with all key stakeholders, including industry representatives and fishermen, the then Minister issued that Directive for adjustment of sea-fishing boat licensing policy. The Policy Directive addressed some of the critical issues associated with fleet management in the Irish context, including segmentation and replacement capacity policy.
The Deputy will appreciate that any amendments to current licensing policy, both in relation to any particular Policy Directive and indeed generally, would have to be carefully considered and analysed. In this regard, I can inform the Deputy that I have asked Department officials to examine in detail the potential impacts of proposals on fleet policy submitted by a Producer Organisation. This process will involve, inter alia, an evaluation and impact analysis and is likely to take some time.
Once the analysis is completed, my Department proposes to circulate a paper incorporating these proposals to Producer Organisations for their views. Depending on the views received from the POs, a decision will then be made on whether the matter goes to full consultation with all stakeholders.
195. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of persons working in the fisheries board who are nearing retirement and are required to retire at 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5119/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that since the enactment of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, persons who joined the public service between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 may retire at age 65, but may continue working beyond that age subject to continuing good health. In accordance with the Public Service Pension (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, persons who joined the Public Service after 1 January 2013 may retire at age 66, but must retire no later than age 70. However, persons who joined the public service prior to 1 April 2004 must retire no later than age 65. Public Service Bodies, subject to the Act, have no discretion to waive these requirements under law.
196. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be allocated entitlements under the national reserve and young farmers' scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5120/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application under the ‘old young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve. This application was not successful as the applicant was deemed not to have commenced farming during the period 1 January 2008 to 31st December 2009. The person named was notified of this decision and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal. My Department has now received an appeal from the person named in relation to their National Reserve application. This appeal will be considered by my Department based on the information set out by the applicant and a decision with regard to the outcome of the appeal will be notified in writing to the applicant as soon as possible.
197. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an approval for the construction of a farm shed under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5168/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the case of the named applicant part approval was issued in December 2015 for urgently required dairy investments under the TAMS II Scheme. It is anticipated that full approval will be given for other investments including the farm shed once the required checks are finalised. My Department is working to ensure approvals issue at the earliest possible juncture.
198. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry under the basic payment scheme and young farmers' scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5186/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe persons named submitted a Transfer of Allocation Right and Reference Value application to my Department. An application to the Young Farmers Scheme was also submitted under the second person named. As the herd number above was amended after the date of submission of the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application, it was necessary for my Department to seek the submission of a Declaration of Undertaking from the applicants. This form was received, the application was fully processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme issued on 8 March 2016. The application under the Young Farmers Scheme can now be finalised with a view to making payment as soon as possible.
199. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry under the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5190/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the Basic Payment Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 7 April 2 015. Full payment under the Scheme has recently issued to the nominated bank account of the person named.
200. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment under the young farmers' scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5192/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted applications to my Department under the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme. These applications have been fully processed and payment to the person named issued on 11th March 2016.
201. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay with a payment to a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the single payment scheme; and when payment will issue. [5223/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2 015. Processing of this case has been finalised and all payments due have issued to the nominated bank account of the person named.
202. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the sustainable dairy assurance scheme including its expected duration; the position regarding primary producers who do not join the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5266/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme, launched in December 2013, was developed in cooperation with milk producers, processors and the regulatory authorities, including my Department. The Scheme was designed to provide the necessary proof to customers of Irish dairy products that milk has been produced under both sustainability and quality assurance criteria. The Scheme gives the dairy sector the capability to both benchmark Irish milk production internationally and to demonstrate the commitment of Irish dairy farms to sustainable farming practices. The Scheme also allows the sector access to markets and buyers that demand on-farm certification and provide assurance for those customers regarding sustainable production of quality milk.
The scheme is open to all milk producers with a valid herd registration who supply to milk processors in the Republic of Ireland. Generally such suppliers apply to Bord Bia, through their milk purchaser, for participation in the Scheme. Bord Bia in turn process the application, provide an information pack and then assign the farm to an auditor. A farm visit will be conducted by an independent auditor on every member’s farm at 18-month intervals at a time and day that suits the farmer. The purpose of these visits is to audit the farm against the quality assurance criteria and to collect data regarding the sustainability of the farm.
To date almost 14,500 applications to join the scheme have been received, 80% of which have been audited. In total over 60% of all dairy farmers are now certified, meaning they have their audit completed and all the corrective actions have been undertaken. There are also farms being audited in Northern Ireland and the first certified farm there was approved last month. This Scheme does not have an end date, as is common with all quality assurance schemes of this nature. It is a matter for processors as to how to deal with milk from suppliers who may choose not to join the scheme. To date 80% of suppliers have applied to join the scheme and I understand from Bord Bia that the capacity is there to audit each dairy farm in the country by the end of the year, if required.
203. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the criteria blocking young farmers who are under 40 years of age, but who have been farming for more than five years, from accessing measures under the new Common Agricultural Policy programme for young farmers, including the national reserve for top-up entitlements; the reason for their exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5268/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the regulations governing the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme, a young farmer is defined as a farmer aged no more than 40 years of age in the year when he/she first submits an application under the Basic Payment Scheme and who commenced their farming activity no more than five years prior to submitting that application. This definition applies to all Member States and my Department has no discretion with regard to its implementation in Ireland. The status of ‘young farmer’ introduced under the reformed Common Agricultural Policy is designed specifically to assist young farmers in the initial stages of establishing a farming enterprise. All farmers who hold low value entitlements including those under 40 years of age will benefit from an increase in the value of their entitlements under the convergence process of the Basic Payment Scheme between 2015 and 2019. Under the convergence process farmers who hold entitlements with an Initial Unit Value below 90% of the Basic Payment Scheme national average will see the value of their entitlements increase so that all entitlements will have reached at least 60% of the national average of entitlements by 2019.
With regard to qualification for the enhanced 60% rate of aid under TAMS, the definition of ‘young farmer’ laid down for the purposes of any capital investment schemes is also that farmers must be below 40 years of age at the time of application and have been set up in farming within the previous five years. Unfortunately, this means that some farmers will not qualify for the enhanced rate of aid under TAMS. However, any young farmers who do not qualify for the enhanced rate of aid under the dedicated Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme will be prioritised for aid under the various other new TAMS schemes which offers grants of 40% of investment costs. The following schemes are open for application to all farmers irrespective of age:
- Dairy Equipment Scheme
- Low emission Slurry Spreading
- Organic capital investment Scheme
- Animal welfare safety and nutrient storage Scheme
- Pig and poultry investment Scheme
204. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking at European Union level to negate threats posed by any completion of the Mercosur trade talks and the potential impact on the Irish beef sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5269/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have repeatedly raised Irish concerns at EU level in relation to the potentially serious impact that a MERCOSUR deal would have on the Irish and EU agriculture sector, and in particular on the beef sector. The Commission’s own analysis of the worst case scenario would see production levels drop by some 150,000 tonnes, with the producer price for beef falling by as much as 8%. Ireland, uniquely, exports over 90% of its beef production to the EU, and the entry of a very competitive player such as MERCOSUR would therefore have a potentially damaging impact on our market. It is also important to note that in the case of MERCOSUR, EU and Irish beef would be replaced by beef produced in a less carbon efficient manner.
I am in regular contact with EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan on this issue. I have highlighted Ireland’s concerns with him both bilaterally and around the table at the Council of Agriculture Ministers in recent months. With my Department I have also been working closely with colleagues in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation - who take the lead in negotiating international trade agreements - and Minister Bruton has raised the matter with Trade Commissioner Cecilia Maelstrom.
In addition, we have been working with other Member State colleagues in both agriculture and trade formations in order to build effective opposition to any potentially negative developments. As recently as last week, Ireland joined forces with eight other Member States in calling on the Commission to consider very carefully any potential exchange of offers, given the current market situation in the agriculture sector, to update its analysis of the individual and cumulative impacts of MERCOSUR and other negotiations, and to exclude any reference to beef access from any offer under consideration.
I will continue to keep this issue at the top of the EU agenda.
205. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the trade missions he has planned in 2016 to open new markets for Irish agricultural produce in sectors such as dairy, beef and lamb; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5270/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe need to open new markets, and to continue to diversify our product offerings to meet the different expectations of consumers around the world, is essential to the future development of the agri-food sector. Trade missions play an important role in this regard, and their use to explore new markets should continue to be optimised so that they facilitate the maximum conversion of new opportunities. I have completed trade missions to markets as diverse as the U.S., the Gulf region and West Africa in recent times, and I am certain that these missions will continue to play a critical role in 2016 and 2017. However, while my Department is well advanced in its consideration of likely destinations, having consulted with stakeholders and with the relevant agencies, I think a final decision should await the formation of the new Government and the appointment of a Minister.
206. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will allow 2,500 Tier 3 farmers into round 2 of the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, who are currently denied access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5271/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe assessment and processing of GLAS Tranche 2 (GLAS 2) applications was undertaken by my Department in January 2016. The unprecedented level of applications to the Scheme has meant that for GLAS 2, priority is being given to what are called Tier 1 and Tier 2 candidates, i.e. those who either manage key environmental assets like endangered birds, protected habitats or high-quality water courses, or who have committed to undertake particularly valuable environmental actions like growing feed-crops for wild birds, adopting low-impact tillage techniques or using low-emission slurry spreading methods.
Farmers had been urged to present the highest standard environmental plans under GLAS 2, and to adopt actions that would promote them from Tier 3 to a higher tier, thereby significantly increasing the chance of selection. I am delighted that over 80% of applicants in this second tranche of GLAS opted to do so, and with the funding available to me I have been able to approve all of these.
In addition all GLAS 2 applications from new entrants to farming in 2015, and from new farm partnerships, have been granted priority access under this round, because of difficulties they had in applying under GLAS 1. This includes applications by new entrants or partnerships from Tier 3. All other Tier 3 applications were not selected into the Scheme and the decision letters in respect of these cases have issued to applicants.
A third tranche of GLAS will open later this year and any applicant who was unsuccessful this time round has the opportunity now to re-examine their proposed farm-plan in consultation with their advisor and see how it might be improved to increase their chance of selection under GLAS 3.
207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the timeline for processing payments of applications under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS II; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5272/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new TAMS measure will make €395m available to Irish farmers for investing in on-farm infrastructure, facilities and equipment. My Department is working to process approvals as quickly as possible and to make payments at the earliest possible juncture.
208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will include a new sheep fencing scheme and a new tillage scheme in the next targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, tranche; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5273/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is awaiting confirmation from the Commission on the inclusion of Sheep Fencing as an investment item and the provision of a dedicated Tillage Scheme in TAMS II. and is endeavouring to finalise approval for inclusion of these in the next tranche, as soon as is practicable.
209. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have submitted data notifications and the number who have submitted the required genomic testing under the beef data and genomics programme 2015 to date; the number of farmers who have received payments for 2015 to date; the total amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5274/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date 25,166 have submitted some or all of the required data notifications, while 23,676 applicants have submitted some or all of the required genomic samples. The data and samples submitted in some of these cases is not sufficient to be eligible for payment at this point. EU regulations require that full and comprehensive administration checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, are completed before any payment issues. To date payments in excess of €36m have issued to almost 20,000 participants in the Programme. The remaining herds are continuing to confirm compliance with the 2015 scheme requirements and payments are being made on an ongoing basis.
210. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who applied to join the beef data and genomics programme; the number of these who have informed his Department that they wish to leave the scheme; the number of farmers of the remainder who have failed to furnish any genomic testing results to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5275/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of 29,865 applicants were accepted into the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, of which 4,278 have now withdrawn. Approximately 1,488 herds have not, as yet, returned their genomic samples.
There is also evidence of interest in joining the scheme from farmers who missed the application deadline. I am keeping the question of reopening the scheme under review having regard to the budgetary availability and other demands under the Rural Development Programme.
211. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will admit all eligible applicants under the tranche 2 green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, into the scheme; the date from which their contracts will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5276/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe assessment and processing of GLAS Tranche 2 (GLAS 2) applications was undertaken by my Department in January 2016 and decision letters in respect of applications selected and not selected into the Scheme have issued to applicants. For those applications selected into the Scheme under GLAS 2 the commencement date of the contract is 1 January 2016. The unprecedented level of applications to the Scheme has meant that for GLAS 2, priority is being given to what are called Tier 1 and Tier 2 candidates, i.e. those who either manage key environmental assets like endangered birds, protected habitats or high-quality water courses, or who have committed to undertake particularly valuable environmental actions like growing feed-crops for wild birds, adopting low-impact tillage techniques or using low-emission slurry spreading methods.
Farmers had been urged to present the highest standard environmental plans under GLAS 2, and to adopt actions that would promote them from Tier 3 to a higher tier, thereby significantly increasing the chance of selection. I am delighted that over 80% of applicants in this second tranche of GLAS opted to do so, and with the funding available to me I have been able to approve all of these.
In addition all GLAS 2 applications from new entrants to farming in 2015, and from new farm partnerships, have been granted priority access under this round, because of difficulties they had in applying under GLAS 1. This includes applications by new entrants or partnerships from Tier 3.
All other Tier 3 applications were not selected into the Scheme at this juncture but applicants have the opportunity to consider submitting an application to Tranche 3 in the Autumn.
212. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have received payments under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS; the average payment and the percentage payment made to these farmers; if payments under the GLAS+ have been made to date; if not, when they will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5277/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date some 21,000 GLAS Tranche 1 (GLAS 1) farmers have received a first instalment of their 2015 part year payment in respect of payable actions for the period 1 October to 31 December and representing up to 85% of the total amount due for 2015 part-year. The remainder of payments in respect of the 2015 part-year, including balancing payments and GLAS + payments for eligible applications are scheduled to be processed in May 2016 when all GLAS 2015 inspections have been completed.
It is important to note that these part-year payments are purely in respect of actions that were payable in 2015 and are not based on the full annual value of GLAS 1 contracts. In terms of the average value of payments it is not possible to establish this accurately until payment claims are submitted as part of the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme process and pre-payment validations are completed.
