Seán Fleming
Ceist:239. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a forum for the pig industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18943/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPigmeat Sector
Ceisteanna (239)
Freagraí scríofa
The development of a viable pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the crucial role which the industry plays. I am very conscious of the fact that prices have come under pressure over the last year and the difficulties that this is causing for producers.
Given the strategic importance which the sector plays in our agri economy, a Pig Industry Stakeholder Group, chaired by Dr Sean Brady was established in my Department and membership was drawn from across the sector, including farmers and processors. This Group’s remit was to address these challenges facing the sector under themes such as biosecurity, animal welfare, quality assurance, antibiotic usage, animal health, salmonella control programme, marketing, feed, non-intensive sector and other production models. This was a very comprehensive exercise stretching over many months which also included a public consultation phase during which submissions were received and presented to the Committee by many different stakeholders. The Group completed its report in February and presented it to the High Level Implementation Committee overseeing the implementation of the Food Wise 2025 strategy. This reflected the fact that the preparation of this report is one of the key recommendations under the Food Wise Strategy.
This timely report afforded all industry stakeholders including farmers, processors and Government Agencies a chance to take a collective view of how best to address the challenges facing the industry in order to support its development in accordance with the Food Wise 2025 vision. The focus now must turn to its implementation and my Department is working on a plan for its implementation in the context of the Food Wise 2025 strategy. Given the comprehensive nature of the report, its support from stakeholders and its wide-ranging conclusions I believe that a focus on its implementation represents best use of available resources for all parties and most importantly will deliver the most meaningful outcome for the sector going forward.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (240)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:240. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18950/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
AEOS is a voluntary scheme where applicants agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions on joining the Scheme. There are no circumstances where an applicant can receive payment for a contract where the Terms and Conditions are not adhered to. Any contractual issues between a herdowner and their professional adviser are entirely a matter between those parties.
The person named commenced their AEOS contract on 1 November 2010. Payment issued for the 2010 and 2011 Scheme years in the amount of €5,833.28.
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. The application of the person named was also selected for an on-farm inspection which took place on the 4 October 2012. During this inspection non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Tree Planting and Species Rich Grassland actions which resulted in penalties being incurred. Due to the severity of the breaches of the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme the penalties incurred were far greater than the total payable amount of the AEOS contract. Therefore, the contract was terminated and the Department is recouping all monies paid under the Scheme.
It is open to the person named to contact the Department’s Offices in Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford if they wish to discuss the recoupment options that may be considered in this case.
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme
Ceisteanna (241)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:241. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18952/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned is an applicant under the TAMS II Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme. An application was received on 23 March 2016 and is now being processed. Once it has been determined that all the terms and conditions of the Scheme have been complied with a letter of approval to carry out the works will issue.
Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (242)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:242. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will make a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) under the young farmers investment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18953/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned is an applicant under the TAMS II Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme. An application was received on 24 March 2016 and is now being processed.
Forestry Grants
Ceisteanna (243)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:243. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has made a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) for a forest road grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18954/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The assessment of the application under the Forest Road Scheme by the person named is nearing completion and a decision will issue very shortly.
Aquaculture Licence Eligibility
Ceisteanna (244)
Michael Ring
Ceist:244. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of a query (details supplied); to outline the correct application process with regard to grant aid for a sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18981/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has responsibility for the licensing of seaweed cultivation. Applications for Aquaculture/Foreshore Licences for this purpose are considered by my Department under the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 and applicable EU legislation.
Applications may be made utilising the application form which is available on my Department’s website via the following link: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/fisheries/aquacultureforeshoremanagement/formsdownloads/.
My Department is also responsible for licensing the harvesting of wild seaweed where the primary use of the harvested seaweed is for fisheries related purposes.
Licensing for harvesting of wild seaweed for all other purposes is the responsibility of the Department for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
Information with regard to grant-aid for the sector is available from Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) at the following website address: http://www.bim.ie/schemes/.
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme
Ceisteanna (245)
Mary Butler
Ceist:245. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 555 of 24 May 2016, when a targeted agricultural modernisation scheme II payment will be made to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19028/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned is an applicant under the TAMS II Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme. The application is now being processed. Once it has been determined that all the terms and conditions of the Scheme have been complied with a letter of approval to carry out the works will issue.
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme
Ceisteanna (246)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:246. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of an application by a person (details supplied), including when it will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19040/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned is an applicant under the TAMS II Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme. The application was referred to the Local Office for further processing on 21 June 2016. Once it has been determined that all the terms and conditions of the Scheme have been complied with a letter of approval to carry out the work will issue.
Agrifood Sector
Ceisteanna (247)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:247. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the immediate contingency steps he will take to safeguard the interests of the Irish agrifood sector following the decision by United Kingdom voters to leave the European Union in the recent referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19041/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Last week’s decision by the UK to leave the EU has the potential to give rise to significant challenges for the Irish agri-food sector. I am keenly aware of the concerns of those working in the sector about the UK exit decision, but I am also confident that my Department and our agencies are well prepared to deal with the challenges ahead.
It is important also to bear in mind that the extent of any risk ultimately depends on the trade and other arrangements negotiated between the EU and the UK. These negotiations may take up to two years, and perhaps longer, and over that period existing arrangements will continue to apply.
Nevertheless, my Department has engaged in detailed contingency planning for the possibility of this result, and has published a summary of the key actions we will now take to address the contingencies arising from the UK’s decision.
The most immediate concerns for agri-food exporters centre on exchange rates. In that regard, the Central Bank of Ireland has pre-established contingency plans to deal with market volatility surrounding the referendum result. The Bank will engage with the Department of Finance and individual financial institutions regarding potential risks. Actions by ECB and other global actors will be monitored closely. In addition, I have asked Bord Bia to provide practical guidance to SMEs to assist them in dealing with marketing challenges arising in the short term.
Aside from currency fluctuations, the main areas in which potential impacts are foreseen are in relation to tariffs and trade, the EU budget, regulations and standards, and customs controls and certification, while complex issues also arise for the fisheries sector.
However, we must remember that our trading relationship with the UK is not altered in any way until the negotiation process that will dictate the terms and conditions of the UK’s departure is completed. In the meantime, and as part of our overall contingency planning, I have established a dedicated unit in my Department to work on all of the issues that I have mentioned, and I will convene a consultative committee of stakeholders to ensure a full exchange of information as the negotiations proceed.
Beef Exports
Ceisteanna (248)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:248. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the immediate contingency steps he will take to safeguard Irish beef exports, including the live cattle trade, given the large volume that goes to this market following the decision by voters in the United Kingdom to leave the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19042/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The decision of the UK last week to leave the EU is one that creates considerable challenges for the agri-food sector as a whole, including the beef sector. The UK is by far our largest trading partner. Last year we exported almost €5.1 billion worth of agricultural products. This included more than €1.1 billion in beef products and almost €970 million in dairy products. Ireland is also the UK’s largest destination for its food exports - worth €3.8 billion last year.
This bilateral trade takes place on the basis of harmonised EU rules on animal and public health and labelling, without complex certification, quota limits or customs duties and tariffs. And it is underpinned by the vital support of the CAP budget, to which the UK is a significant net contributor.
Given these linkages, and as the UK is a net food importer, both countries have a strong interest in maintaining a close agri-food trading relationship. In addition, the resilience of the Irish agri-food sector, and of the beef sector in particular, is well recognised, and this, together with the strong commercial relationships built up over years of trading, will help us to negotiate our way though the challenges ahead.
It is important also to bear in mind that the precise implications of last week’s decision depend on the trade and other arrangements ultimately negotiated between the EU and the UK. These negotiations may take up to two years, and perhaps longer, and over that period existing arrangements will continue to apply.
Nevertheless, my Department has engaged in detailed contingency planning for the possibility of this result, and has published a summary of the key actions we will now take to address the contingencies arising from the UK’s decision.
The most immediate concerns for beef exporters centre on Euro Sterling exchange rates. It should be noted that the fall in the value of Sterling against the Euro since the UK referendum, while significant, is not unprecedented. Nevertheless a sustained period of currency volatility could be of concern. In that regard, the Central Bank of Ireland has pre-established contingency plans to deal with market volatility surrounding the referendum result. The Bank will engage with the Department of Finance and individual financial institutions regarding potential risks. Actions by ECB and other global actors will be monitored closely. In addition, I have asked Bord Bia to provide practical guidance to SMEs to assist them in dealing with marketing challenges arising in the short term.
The other areas in which potential impacts are foreseen are in relation to tariffs and trade, the EU budget, regulations and standards, and customs controls and certification, while complex issues also arise for the fisheries sector.
However, we must remember that our trading relationship with the UK is not altered in any way until the negotiation process that will dictate the terms and conditions of the UK’s departure is completed. In the meantime, and as part of our overall contingency planning, I have established a dedicated unit in my Department to work on all of the issues that I have mentioned, and I will convene a consultative committee of stakeholders to ensure a full exchange of information as the negotiations proceed.
UK Referendum on EU Membership
Ceisteanna (249)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:249. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the first meeting of the consultative committee of stakeholders will take place following the decision by voters in the United Kingdom to leave the European Union in the recent referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19043/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following the announcement of the UK referendum result, I announced my intention to convene a consultative committee of stakeholders to ensure a full exchange of information as the exit negotiations proceed. Arrangements for the first meeting are currently being finalised, and I expect this to take place next week.
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme
Ceisteanna (250)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:250. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out by county to date in 2016 the number of applications received to date under tranches 1, 2 and 3 of the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme II; the number of applications that have received part approvals thus far; the number of applications that have received full approvals thus far; the number of participants that have received payments to date; the number of payments that have not issued yet; when outstanding payments will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19044/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy concerned as soon as it is available.