Written Answers Nos. 599-611
599. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when outstanding payments for GLAS and AEOS will be issued to persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16519/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the EU Regulations governing GLAS, AEOS 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.
All outstanding GLAS and AEOS cases are being worked through on an ongoing basis and all cases that are cleared for payment are paid on a weekly basis.
600. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [16557/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 as the person named submitted their 2016 BPS application under a different herd number to that used for GLAS.
This issue is being examined with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
601. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16602/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases. Department officials have examined this issue and the application is now being further processed for payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
602. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Irish registered fishing vessels according to vessel size (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16653/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Licensing Authority for Sea Fishing Boats is the Registrar General of Fishing Boats, or, under the superintendence of the Registrar General and the Deputy Registrar General of Fishing Boats. The Registrar General and the Deputy Registrar General were appointed by the Minister under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 (No. 8 of 2006).
All fishing boats within the meaning of the Merchant Shipping (Registry, Lettering and Numbering of Fishing Boats) Regulations, 2005 are required to be entered on the Register of Fishing Boats maintained by the Registrar General in accordance with those Regulations. Only fishing boats licensed in accordance with the Fisheries Amendment Act 2003 (as inserted by Section 97 of the Sea-Fisheries Jurisdiction Act 2006) may be entered on the Register.
An Irish Fleet Register report detailing all currently registered vessels on the Irish Fishing Boat Register is available on the Department’s website and updated reports are posted on the Departments Website on a regular basis.
The following table details the Irish Fleet Register as at 29 March 2017 according to overall length in the categories requested:
|
Overall Length (in metres) |
Number of vessels |
|
< 5 |
119 |
|
5 < 10 |
1,421 |
|
10 < 12 |
239 |
|
12 < 15 |
71 |
|
15 < 20 |
33 |
|
20 < 22 |
22 |
|
22 < 25 |
77 |
|
25 < 30 |
33 |
|
30 < 35 |
9 |
|
35 < 40 |
11 |
|
40 < 45 |
4 |
|
45 < 50 |
6 |
|
50 |
13 |
|
Total Registered Vessels |
2,058 |
603. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons from County Wicklow enrolled in the areas of natural constraint scheme; the process of reviewing qualifying areas for the areas of natural constraint scheme; if his Department has completed the mapping exercise in County Wicklow; when the maps will be published; the consultation which will be undertaken with persons on the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16668/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the 2016 ANC scheme there were 1,783 applicants in County Wicklow.
Under the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. The ANC scheme replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Less Favoured Areas Scheme. The designation of eligible areas under these schemes to date has been based on a range of socio-economic factors. From 2018 eligible areas must instead be designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria. In cases where a Member State does not introduce this new system for payment, the old scheme remains in place but payments must phase out on a digressive basis.
The biophysical criteria set out in the legislation to underpin the new system of designation are:
- Low temperature
- Dryness
- Excess soil moisture
- Limited soil drainage
- Unfavourable texture and stoniness
- Shallow rooting depth
- Poor chemical properties
- Steep slope.
My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently working on sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Department officials have also been in contact with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and DG Agri in the EU Commission in relation to technical issues arising. Over the coming months this analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel be subjected to a refinement process. It is envisaged that stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
604. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons from County Wicklow that have not received 85% of their total 2016 GLAS 1, GLAS 2 and AEOS payment; the reasons for this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16669/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the EU Regulations governing GLAS, AEOS 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 45 GLAS 1, 29 GLAS 2 and 15 AEOS cases are being worked through on an ongoing basis and all cases that are cleared for payment are paid on a weekly basis.
605. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when approval in respect of a forestry proposal as submitted will be finalised in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16675/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was received on behalf of the named person on 2nd November 2016 and technical approval was issued to the applicant and his registered forester on 30th January 2017.
Afforestation projects will not be eligible for grant aid unless prior financial approval has been given in writing before planting operations commence. If the applicant intends to apply for grant aid, his registered forester should complete the application for financial approval and submit it to the Department.
606. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps which have been taken to ensure the importance of retaining Irish access to British waters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16685/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt this stage it is impossible to say with certainty what effect Brexit will have on the Irish fishing industry. We don't know yet what changes the UK may seek to the current arrangements.
What we do know is that there is a strong desire and expectation from parts of the UK fishing industry to ensure that non-UK fishermen will no longer have access to the UK Zone.
In theory, the UK could indeed restrict access to their waters and/or seek to gain larger quota shares at the expense of others. However, that could only happen if the UK were content to ignore the potential repercussions that would certainly arise from the EU side.
In a worst case scenario, an extreme 'hard Brexit' outcome would be a fundamental threat to the well-being of the seafood sector. On average, 36% of the Irish landings are currently taken from UK waters. However, for some of our most important stocks the figures are even higher.
Limitations on access and, more worryingly, any attempt by the UK to increase its current quota share at the expense of Ireland and others must, and will be, be resisted strenuously. These twin threats, on access and quota, could also lead to increased activity by other EU vessels in the waters around Ireland threatening the long term sustainability of our stocks.
Now that Article 50 has been invoked, the UK will cease to be a Member State of the EU from March 2019, unless an extension is sought and granted. The EU itself will continue, as will the Common Fisheries Policy.
We must now concentrate all our efforts on the Brexit negotiations at this time to safeguard our interests. The discussion on the post Brexit CFP will undoubtedly occur in earnest once the Brexit arrangements are clear and I do not intend to pre-empt the outcome of negotiations at this early stage.
In February, I hosted a dedicated Civic Dialogue on the potential impacts of Brexit for the seafood sector as whole. This was very well attended by stakeholders from across the industry and gave a clear insight into the real dangers that a 'hard' Brexit presents for our fishing communities.
I will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as the issues develop and work with them and my fellow fisheries Ministers in the EU to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations.
I have recently held a further series of meetings with key fisheries Ministers and am coordinating a like minded group of 8 Member States to ensure that fisheries remains a top priority in the negotiations to come. Protecting existing shares will be a top priority for that group. 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.
In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that I will be unequivocal in opposing any dilution of our existing EU quota shares, including protecting the benefit to Ireland of the Hague Preferences, and any limitations on our existing rights of access.
607. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter with regard to discussions on the next reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16750/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra608. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address issues with regard to discussions on the next reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16751/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra609. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address issues with regard to discussions on the next reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16753/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 607 to 609, inclusive, together.
The future of the CAP is an issue of enormous importance for Ireland’s agriculture sector. It is my strong view that the CAP has evolved considerably and very effectively in recent years in response to changing market, consumer and environmental demands. It also plays a central role in delivering the smart, sustainable and inclusive growth sought under the Europe 2020 strategy. I believe it is important that the CAP continues to evolve in a way that supports the achievement of European strategic priorities, particularly in the context of securing a strong CAP budget for the post 2020 period.
My Department is currently conducting a detailed policy analysis on the future shape of the CAP, taking into account what we see as the key challenges ahead, many of which are reflected in the Deputy’s questions and also mirror the identified priorities for the future CAP which were recently discussed at the Agriculture Council of Ministers meeting in March. In my view, the overriding priority must be to support the sustainable intensification of food production, in order to meet the requirements of a growing global population while at the same time facilitating adaptation to climate change and mitigation against further change. In order to achieve these priorities, I believe it is important that a strong CAP budget is maintained.
The future of the CAP budget will be discussed in the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework for the post-2020 period. The CAP budget accounts for approximately 37% of the overall EU budget and there has been ongoing pressure from some Member States to reduce this proportion and to divert EU spending to newer issues such as migration, external action and development co-operation. It is likely that this pressure on the CAP budget will continue, which will undoubtedly be compounded further by the impact and uncertainty created by Brexit. It will be important to ensure that the CAP is seen as an effective and relevant policy instrument in helping to achieve broader societal goals, such as job creation and economic growth, particularly in rural areas at risk of social exclusion.
Market volatility is an issue we have seen cause considerable difficulties for our farmers in recent times and I am particularly interested in how we can build farmer’s resilience to deal with this in the event of future crises. The use of modern and innovative measures such as hedging arrangements, futures markets and fixed price contracts are areas worth considering, while the direct payments system provides certainty and stability to farmers in the face of market volatility, and should continue to be a key component of the future CAP.
I agree that our deliberations on any further reform of CAP should take account of the need to encourage generational renewal. This has been a priority and the current CAP, which was agreed during the Irish Presidency in 2013, allowed for supplementary payments from the National Reserve for young educated farmers and for their prioritisation in the assessment of applications under various rural development measures. Generational renewal will remain a priority in my department's assessment of any proposals emerging on the reform of CAP.
610. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if service users and providers will be permitted to have an input in the terms of reference for the cost benefit analysis of the regional veterinary laboratories; and if these bodies will include the IFA, the ICMSA, INHFA, VOA and Impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16759/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis cost-benefit analysis will be focused on a number of options for the future development of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory network that have been proposed by a Working Group. In evaluating the benefits of these options, the person(s) undertaking the analysis will have to consider both service delivery to the farming community and improvements to overall disease investigative and surveillance capability. The local managers of the RVLs have been involved in drafting the terms of reference and will be consulted once again when a person(s) is appointed to undertake this work. The outcome of this analysis will be one of the factors that will be taken into account in reaching a decision on how best to develop the network. The Department is also currently engaged in a process of consultation with all relevant stakeholders. Feedback from this consultative process will also inform any decision that is reached.
611. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps which have been taken to deal with the unfolding meat scandal in Brazil; the steps which have been instigated at EU level to ensure that consignments of meat originating in Brazil are allowed onto the EU market; if he has requested the EU to suspend all meat imports from Brazil, whilst a vigorous investigation and inspection is carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16789/17]
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 Patrick's Day, the European Commission asked for clarification from the Brazilian authorities. It is the Commission which approves 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 on March 29th 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.
My Department and I are of course continuing to monitor this matter closely and ensure that all requirements for the import of any food product into Ireland are met fully.
