Written Answers Nos. 586-598
586. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who have had their GLAS payments delayed; when the payments will be made; the steps he is taking to ensure that payments are processed as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16195/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the EU Regulations governing GLAS and all other area-based payment schemes, a full check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place before payment can issue. Currently 2911 GLAS 1 and 1246 GLAS 2 cases are being worked through on an ongoing basis with all cases that are cleared for payment being paid on a weekly basis.
587. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of investigations that have taken place in the past ten years into illegal gorse fires and the illegal burning of uplands; the number of these investigations that have resulted in prosecutions with the relevant fines imposed on the offender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16224/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Arts, Heritage Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The burning of vegetation is controlled by the Wildlife Acts. It is an offence under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife Act, 2000) to burn, from 1st March to 31st August in any year, any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated. Individuals who are found to burn vegetation within that prohibited period are liable to prosecution by An Garda Síochána or by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. My Department has no role in regard to prosecutions.
588. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the establishment of a winter feed crisis fund or other similar fund to assist farmers; if it has been established; the way in which small and independent farmers across Ireland and especially in counties Sligo and Leitrim can access this fund in view of the problems caused due to inclement weather in winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16249/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the weather conditions encountered this winter, it can be summarised as having been very mild overall, with no periods of extreme weather conditions. The month of January was even quite dry. Thankfully, this has contributed to the absence of a fodder shortage, unlike the previous winter.
In addition, fodder is readily available on the market across the country, and at modest prices. In fact, silage for example, is currently trading at comparatively low rates.
In view of the current weather forecast, stock are being let out early on land, due to good ground conditions and substantial grass growth having commenced in earnest.
Needless to say, my Department is constantly monitoring the fodder situation, and remains in close contact with Met Eireann and Teagasc on an ongoing basis, ensuring a thorough understanding of the situation on farms.
589. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will be received by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; the reason for the delay in processing 5,000 applications for payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16270/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications for GLAS payments are subject to passing the required regulatory validations and checks. There are currently 4,000 of the 37,000 active applications in GLAS 1 and 2 awaiting payment of their 2016 advance payment. These cases have not passed all of the required checks or the crosscheck of information on Department databases shows an error. These issues include:
- declared parcel use for BPS purposes not compatible with the GLAS action selected on the parcel;
- changes in parcel boundaries on which a GLAS action is chosen including splitting or merging of parcels;
- applicants no longer claiming parcel on BPS 2016 but this change not notified to GLAS;
- an outstanding error on the 2016 BPS application which must be resolved before GLAS payment can be process;
- incomplete documentation such as incorrect information on Low-Emission Slurry declaration or incomplete interim commonage management plan information.
All of these need to be reviewed on a case by case basis, this work is ongoing and as issues are cleared payments are being processed on a weekly basis.
The person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases in relation to the applicant's catch crop action. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
590. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 249 of 25 January 2017 and 538 of 21 February 2017, when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16274/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named is an applicant or beneficiary under three closely related schemes, i.e. the Burren Farming for Conservation Scheme, its successor the Burren Programme, and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS).
He has already received payment for 2015 under the Burren Farming for Conservation Scheme and for 2016 under the new Burren Programme. I can also confirm that he has now been approved into the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) with a contract start date of 1 June 2015.
As he has already received payment for 2015 under the earlier Burren Farming for Conservation Scheme he will not receive a further payment for that year under the OFS, as it was not possible to benefit under both these schemes at the same time. However, under the terms and conditions negotiated by my Department for the new Rural Development Programme, I am glad to say that from now on he may be eligible for payment under both the OFS and the new Burren Programme, provided of course that he receives the required field-scores under the latter programme. The payment due to him for 2016 under the Organic Farming Scheme is now being assessed.
591. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if on signing up to CAP II he agreed to the implementation of a clawback on the leasing of entitlements; if so, the reason he has not implemented such a clawback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16278/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the EU Regulations governing the operation of the Basic Payment Scheme, each Member State has the option to apply ‘clawback’ to the transfer of entitlements without land. Ireland opted to apply clawback on the sale of entitlements without land.
EU Regulations state that the application of "clawback" must not present a substantial obstacle or prohibition of the transfer of entitlements in a Member State. Ireland is one of the only Member States in the EU that operate a "conacre" system, and widespread corresponding short term leasing of entitlements. In many cases the only option open to Irish farmers at risk of losing entitlements due to non usage is to lease entitlements without land to a farmer who has "naked" hectares to use them, thereby safeguarding their assets. The introduction of "clawback" on leased entitlements would present a significant obstacle to this option.
The option to lease entitlements without land is critical for many Irish farmers who are unable to obtain sufficient hectares of land to use their entitlements annually. Under the Single Payment scheme the rotation of entitlements safeguarded farmers’ entitlements but this is not available under the Basic Payment Scheme where 100% of farmers’ entitlements must be used at least once every two years. A large number of farmers in Ireland depend on the availability of affordable leased/rented land to use their entitlements. If farmers are unable to obtain leased/rented land through unavailability or high price they are at risk of losing their Basic Payment Scheme entitlements permanently through non-usage. In many cases the only option open to them is to lease their entitlements without land to a farmer who has naked hectares to use them, thereby safeguarding their assets.
Decisions in relation to Basic Payment Scheme entitlements including ‘clawback’ are made in consultation with the Direct Payments Advisory group which includes members of the main farming bodies and agricultural education and advisory services. Following consultation with this group a decision was made to reduce the level of ‘clawback’ on the sale of entitlements without land from 50% in 2016 to 20% in 2017. The group did not express support for the option to apply ‘clawback’ to the lease of entitlements without land.
592. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quantities of beef and sheep meat imports by country of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16284/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFull year figures for 2016 from the Central Statistics Office for beef and sheep meat imports are provided below as requested by the Deputy.
Typically, imports into Ireland are made up of lower value manufacturing product or carcase beef or sheep meat, which undergoes some further processing by Irish companies before re-export.
Whilst Ireland is of course a net exporter of both beef and sheep meat, imports of both these products nonetheless make an important contribution to the overall output of these sectors nationally and constitute a necessary component of the overall trade flows in these sectors.
Beef Imports 2016
|
Country |
Value (€000) |
Tonnage (Tonnes) |
|
Great Britain |
84,243 |
22,002 |
|
Northern Ireland |
14,374 |
3,968 |
|
Netherlands |
2,504 |
818 |
|
Germany |
2,995 |
674 |
|
Poland |
2,107 |
470 |
|
France |
714 |
222 |
|
Lithuania |
451 |
202 |
|
Sweden |
370 |
99 |
|
Denmark |
254 |
60 |
|
Belgium |
282 |
54 |
|
Hong Kong |
137 |
50 |
|
Austria |
89 |
29 |
|
Italy |
247 |
28 |
|
Uruguay |
110 |
26 |
|
Canada |
53 |
25 |
|
Brazil |
98 |
22 |
|
Luxembourg |
37 |
17 |
|
Spain |
74 |
13 |
|
Romania |
9 |
2 |
|
Switzerland |
9 |
2 |
|
Other |
722 |
267 |
Sheepmeat Imports 2016 excluding Offals.
|
Country |
Value (€000) |
Tonnage (Tonnes) |
|
Great Britain |
17,447 |
3,395 |
|
New Zealand |
364 |
81 |
|
France |
262 |
58 |
|
Northern Ireland |
151 |
47 |
|
Belgium |
686 |
45 |
|
Australia |
196 |
29 |
|
Italy |
91 |
11 |
|
Others |
51 |
14 |
593. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2016 AEOS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16287/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced their AEOS 2 contract on 1 September 2011. Payment issued for the 2011-2015 Scheme years.
Under the EU Regulations governing this Scheme and all other area-based payment schemes, a full check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place before payment can issue. As all AEOS II participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Cases are being worked through on an ongoing basis and all cases cleared for payment are paid on a weekly basis.
594. Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action taken by his Department in view of the Brazilian beef and poultry producer scandal which has seen allegations of shipment of adulterated meat, allegations of shady practices and allegations of endemic corruption within the Brazilian beef and poultry sectors; if Ireland will be joining the growing number of countries which have banned meat imports from Brazil following the scandal; if Ireland will advocate for beef to be taken off the agenda in the Mercosur talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16324/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrazilian police announced on 17 March that, after a two-year probe, they had discovered evidence that a number of beef and poultry plants allegedly bribed inspectors to overlook improper practices. This facilitated the export of meat unfit for human consumption. 21 Brazilian establishments are concerned. Most of them produce for the domestic market and only 4 of them are approved for meat export to the EU.
My Department is closely monitoring this case through our Embassy in Brasilia who are in direct contact with the Brazilian authorities, and through the European Commission.
As soon as the story broke on Saint Patricks Day, the European Commission asked for clarification from the Brazilian authorities. It is the Commission which approves the Third Countries for export of meat into the EU on behalf of MS.
On 19 March the Brazilian authorities (MAPA) confirmed that they had been informed of the Federal Police Operation on 17 March. Based on information received, they suspended certification from the 4 establishments under investigation that were approved for export to the EU.
On 20 March the Commission requested full information on all exports to the EU from the 4 establishments since 1 January 2017, and asked the Brazilian authorities to recall any consignments in transit. The Commission also suggested the suspension of certification from all other establishments approved for export to the EU, pending the outcome of a full investigation.
On 21 March I wrote to Commissioner Andriukaitis, supporting the suggestion to suspend certification from all other establishments approved for export to the EU.
Food safety is a shared responsibility between national and EU authorities. Food business operators in the EU also carry out their own quality and safety checks in line with their responsibilities to ensure that their products are safe.
My Department is in charge of carrying out controls on imports (at Border Inspection Posts – BIPs). The EU imposes strict hygiene and safety controls on food imports, and in particular on animal products for which documentary, identity and physical checks are compulsory for meat products imports. These are implemented here in Ireland by veterinary staff from my Department at the Border Inspection Posts.
The checks on all Brazilian product are now being intensified in light of current developments. Following on from a meeting of the Chief Veterinary Officers of the EU on 24 March it was unanimously decided at the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed that there would now be 100% physical checks on all Brazilian shipments presented for import to the EU as well as 20% microbiological checks on said consignments.
On the subject of removing beef from the EU-Mercosur FTA talks, I have been very active in highlighting the potentially damaging impact of a Mercosur deal on the European agriculture sector, and on the beef sector in particular. Following intense lobbying from Ireland and other EU Member states, the Commission decided to exclude a TRQ for beef when it exchanged offers with Mercosur on 11 May 2016.
I will continue to raise the issue with Commissioners Malmström and Hogan, both within and outside the Council of Agriculture Ministers. I will also continue to monitor the situation closely in co-operation with my Member State colleagues, as well as with my Government colleagues.
595. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if discussions have taken place and, if so, the details of same, with signatories to the 1964 London Fisheries Convention regarding the withdrawal of the UK from the convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16327/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent days, there have been a number of articles in the UK media suggesting that there will be an announcement of the UK’s intention to withdraw from the London Fisheries Convention. The reports suggest that this is part of the UK’s intended Brexit strategy on fisheries to provide a ‘clean slate’, which also includes withdrawal from the Common Fisheries Policy. However, a formal UK Government position has not yet been announced.
The withdrawal process set down in the Convention provides that contracting parties give two years notice of intention to withdraw.
The Governments of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are the signatories of the London Convention, 1964.
In recent times, I have held a series of bilateral meetings with EU Member States including Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain. I am in the process of organising further meetings with Portugal, Belgium and Sweden and hope to meet with the French Minister once the elections are finished. These meetings have enabled me to initiate discussions with the eight Member States whose fisheries are most impacted by Brexit in order to work together on a common platform on an agreed way forward. The EU fishing industry, including the Irish industry, is taking a similar approach, and our combined efforts will strengthen our delivery of the EU fishing priorities in the Brexit negotiations.
The aim of this work is to ensure that fisheries remains a priority in the negotiations to come. Protecting existing shares and existing access arrangements will be the top priority. As both I and An Taoiseach have stated before, we intend to ensure that fisheries remains high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that Ireland obtains the best possible outcome from the negotiations.
596. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific Council of EU agriculture ministers meetings at which the revision of state aid rules for primary producers was on the agenda or at which he made the case for the need of such a revision; the progress which has been made at EU level to increase current state aid thresholds to support agri-food enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16335/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe revision of State Aid rules for primary producers arose in 2016 as one of the potential measures, which could be introduced, to assist producers in the face of the market difficulties they had been experiencing since 2015. In March 2016, at the Council of Agriculture Ministers, I put forward a 10 point plan, setting out proposed measures, that I believed were practical, easily implemented and responded to the pressures on farmers and processers in an appropriate and proportionate way. Among the measures proposed in the 10 point plan, was greater flexibility in the State Aid rules, both through a modest increase in the de minimis limit of €15,000 per farmer over three years, and also by including a reference to volatility management in the Agriculture Block Exemption Regulations.
I continued to call upon the Commission to consider introducing these flexibilities, and in particular, increasing the de minimis threshold limits, at a number of Council of Agriculture Ministers meetings throughout the remainder of 2016.
The Commission has considered the possibilities for such an increase and has advised that an increase in the thresholds could only be done if the increased threshold does not have a distortive effect on competition and trade. The Commission indicated that a full economic analysis of any potential distortive effects would have to be undertaken to assess the impact of any proposed increase.
597. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding an AEOS 1 inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16336/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartment records indicate that a letter was issued to the person named at the time outlining the imposition of a penalty. However, in the circumstances outlined, a copy of the letter has been forwarded to the person named. In addition, the Regional Inspector will accept a request for a review of the penalty decision within 10 working days of the date of the reissue of this letter. The person named may also request the return of the documentation referred to by contacting the Regional Inspector.
598. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of requests his Department received for material to be made available in Braille format in each of the years 2014 to 2016; the number of these requests which were accommodated by his Department; the cost implication and the person or body which provided the translation service. [16386/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received no requests for material to be made available in braille format for the period in question.
