Written Answers Nos. 676 - 690
676. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funds given by the European Union to support farmers and agricultural sectors in members states affected by the Russian embargo over the 2011 to 2016 period, in tabular form; the countries that received such aid and the sectors concerned, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17868/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn August 2014, Russia introduced a ban on the import of some food products from the EU and certain other countries in response to sanctions imposed on them by these countries.
In response, the Commission took a range of emergency measures aimed at addressing market pressure, stabilising prices and finding alternative sales opportunities. Allocations for these measures were primarily based on previous exports to Russia with specific support measures approved for the dairy sector in Finland and the Baltic countries as set out in table 1.
Table 1 – Dairy Sector
|
Member State |
€ |
|
Finland |
10,729,307 |
|
Estonia |
6,868,253 |
|
Latvia |
7,720,114 |
|
Lithuania |
14,072,892 |
The Commission also introduced a number of Delegated and Implementing Acts relating to public intervention for butter and skimmed milk powder; the opening up of private storage aid for butter and skimmed milk powder; and the opening up of private storage aid for certain cheeses.
In terms of fruit and vegetables, temporary exceptional support measures for Member States were also introduced to deal with the market situation and as set out in table 2.
Table 2 – Fruit and Vegetable Sector
|
Member State |
€ |
|
Greece |
317,215 |
|
Spain |
1,132,495 |
|
France |
262,089 |
|
Italy |
1,288,201 |
The figures were provided by the European Commission.
677. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to make the currently voluntary contributions which farmers can opt to pay to the ICBF when ordering tags compulsory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17886/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra678. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to make the suppliers of cattle tags to farmers pay a compulsory contribution or fee to the ICBF on tags sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17887/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 677 and 678 together.
The ICBF was established in 1998 following a number of years of industry consultation among all stakeholders in the cattle breeding industry.
ICBF is the only body approved under EU legislation (Commission Decision 2006/427/EC) to carry out testing, genetic evaluation and publication of breeding values for Irish dairy and beef cattle.
The objective of the ICBF is to achieve the greatest possible genetic improvement in the national cattle herd for the benefit of Irish farmers and the national dairy and beef industries. The organisation delivers a public good in the area of cattle breed improvement which is the foundation of a profitable and sustainable dairy and beef herd. It is a ‘farmer led’ body receiving its funding from a number of sources including farmers, the breeding industry and with state support. A critical funding source has been the tag levy. However a significant drop in levy collection has arisen leading to major uncertainty in this source of funding. Solutions to the financial issues are being explored by ICBF with industry stakeholders and DAFM and with discussions on-going.
679. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vacant buildings in his Department’s ownership or control; the locations of same; and the time they have been unoccupied in each case. [17921/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe only properties which are in the ownership of my Department, which are currently vacant, are in the Fishery Harbour Centre (FHC) property portfolio and are listed in the following table. However, these properties are subject to legal, operational or planning considerations before they can be considered for public tender.
|
Location |
Buildings |
Current Situation |
|
Dingle FHC |
Light House & Dwelling |
Not suitable for occupation |
|
Dunmore East FHC |
Coast Guard Station & Watch Tower |
Not suitable for occupation |
|
Howth FHC |
Mariners Hall, West Pier |
This property is vacant since October 2010. Following resolution of planning issues the property is being readied for public tender. |
|
22 East Pier |
Not suitable for occupation |
|
|
25 East Pier |
Not suitable for occupation |
|
|
27 East Pier |
Not suitable for occupation |
|
|
Killybegs FHC |
Old Coast Guard Building |
The Irish Coastguard vacated this property in December 2013 and future use is being considered. |
While there are a number of other properties at the Fishery Harbour Centres which may not currently be in use and may appear vacant, these properties are technically/legally still occupied, however, the tenancies are currently in dispute.
680. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17934/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for payment as soon as possible.
681. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17956/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named received an advance payment in respect of his 2016 Organic Farming Scheme application in December 2016.
This was only a first instalment, based on what was calculated as due at that point in time. A balancing payment for the remainder will issue shortly.
682. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to put in place a fund to support persons who are effected by the drop in eggs sales in view of recent reports of avian influenza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17982/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra683. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to put in place a public health information campaign to inform the public that eggs for sale in the Irish market are fit for human consumption to combat the drop in sales of eggs in view of the recent avian influenza reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17983/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra684. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason free range poultry farmers have been advised to take birds indoors in efforts to combat the spread of avian influenza; his plans to rectify this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17984/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra685. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a decision has not been made by his Department to lift the precautionary measures being taken by poultry farmers to combat the spread of avian influenza on the instruction of his Department, which have been lifted at a European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17985/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 682 to 685, inclusive, together.
On 23 December 2016 this Department announced the introduction of regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requiring flock keepers to confine all poultry and captive birds in their possession or under their control in a secure building to which wild birds, or other animals do not have access, and to apply specific bio-security measures. This is the first time such action had been taken by this Department, and this was based on the increasing threat of introduction of avian influenza, following the confirmation of cases in wild birds in Great Britain (in particular in Wales).
On 8 March the decision was taken that the Regulations would remain in place until 30 April. This announcement was made in order to give the poultry industry some certainty on the issue, to allow companies to plan for adjustments necessary to comply with marketing requirements.
The decision to maintain the period of confinement to 30 April was made after taking account of:
- the epidemiological situation in Ireland - 12 cases of the H5N8 strain of avian influenza were confirmed in 4 different wild bird species in 10 locations in 6 counties over the period 30 December 2016 to 24 February 2017
- advice from ornithologists with regard to migratory patterns of the affected wild bird species,
- the ability of the virus to survive in the environment.
One of the objectives is to protect poultry flocks from the introduction of avian influenza, and thus maintain the OIE Avian Influenza free status of Ireland. This will ensure Ireland’s continued access to third country markets for poultry and poultry products.
The decision reflects a careful assessment and evaluation of the information and data specific to Ireland and is in the best interests of the poultry industry in Ireland.
In relation to confining birds during high-risk periods, it is up to the Competent Authority in each Member State to assess the risks in their country. It is not a decision made on a European-wide basis.
My Department has not been made aware of any significant reported decrease in egg sales as a result of the current Avian Influenza restrictions, but is monitoring the situation and will consider all options available. It should be noted that Bord Bia has also made itself available to the sector to engage in promotional activities at this time.
686. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17987/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015.
Low Input Permanent Pasture is one of the actions claimed by the person named and requires further investigation as there is no record on the data bases held by my Department of an owned grazing enterprise on the holding which is a requirement for this action. Once this issue is resolved the processing of the 2016 payment will proceeed.
687. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17988/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
The 2016 GLAS prepayment checks indicate that the person named is also a participant in a scheme operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This issue must be further investigated before GLAS payment can issue to protect against any risk of double payment under both schemes.
688. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payments under the TAMS scheme have been delayed due to computer issues (details supplied); the timeframe for these issues to be resolved; when persons can expect to have payments sanctioned and processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17990/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TAMS II IT system has been updated to allow for the correction of obvious errors and payment claims which are identified as having these errors are being processed for payment.
689. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17996/17]
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. 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.
690. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a GLAS payment. [18030/17]
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 are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
