Written Answers Nos. 203-213
203. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an extension to the timeframe for planting hedgerows and coppicing hedgerows will be provided under the GLAS scheme in view of the fact there is a shortage of hedging plants here and farmers need more time to source them before planting. [22441/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHedgerow planting was an available action under tranche 1 of the GLAS scheme and due to the fact that the delivery target for the entire programming period to 2020 was exceeded in the first tranche, this action was suspended for tranche 2 & 3 applications.
Farmers who selected this action in tranche 1 were required to have new hedgerows planted by 31 March 2017. No issue in relation to the supply of plants was brought to the attention of my Department before the deadline.
204. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the dredging of Howth harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22469/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHowth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.
Regarding a possible dredging project in Howth Fishery Harbour Centre, preparation work has been underway for some time. A report from a site investigation works, which was commissioned in 2015, was received by my Department in March 2016. The report included vital information on the nature of the material to be dredged in any future dredging project.
The information revealed from the Site Investigation Report indicated that some of the dredge material would not be suitable for conventional disposal at sea.
In June 2016, a firm of consulting engineers were engaged to prepare a report on a potential dredging project at Howth, to include the possible scope of the project, various disposal options for the dredged material at Howth and permitting requirements.
An initial draft of this report was received by my Department in February 2017 and the final report was received on 14th March last. This report is currently being reviewed by my Department's Marine Engineering Division.
Depending on the outcome of this review, and as is the case for all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, any decision with regard to progressing this project further will be considered under future Capital Programmes on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing priorities.
205. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's input and priorities for the Brexit negotiations on the future of fisheries in British waters in view of the number of shared fisheries and the emergence of a fisheries lobby group in the European Parliament; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22470/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt this stage it is impossible to say with certainty what effect Brexit will have on the Irish fishing industry. We do not know yet what changes the UK may seek to the current arrangements.
In theory, the UK could indeed 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.
Any attempt by the UK to increase its current quota shares at the expense of Ireland and others must, and will be resisted strenuously.
Earlier this year, 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. Representatives from across the seafood sector also met with An Taoiseach and myself to discuss the potential threats arising from Brexit.
I will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as the issues develop and work with them to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations.
I am also continuing to work closely with my European colleagues to ensure that fisheries remain a top priority in the negotiations to come.
I welcome the establishment of the European Fisheries Alliance, which includes representatives from the Irish industry, and believe that they will be a strong and constructive voice throughout the negotiations. It is clear that the alliance shares the concerns and priorities of Ireland and the other fishing Member States, namely that existing shares and access must be protected.
In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that, working with all stakeholders, I will be unequivocal in opposing any dilution of our existing EU quota shares and any limitations on our existing rights of access.
206. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the upcoming renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22471/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current Common Fisheries Policy came into force on the 1st of January 2014. The European Commission are obliged to report to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the current Policy before 31st of December, 2022.
In the normal course of events, it would be expected that the Commission would begin the process of review by publishing a Green Paper followed by a public consultation at least 2/3 years prior to December 2022. However, that possible timetable may well be impacted by the Brexit negotiations and the process of reviewing the new CFP may not begin for some years yet.
In the immediate future, it is the Brexit negotiations that will be my absolute priority. When the review of the CFP does begin, I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will, as always, be fully engaged to ensure the best possible outcome for our fisheries sector and the coastal communities reliant upon it.
207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of fish landings at each of the fishery harbours owned by his Department for each of the past 20 years and to date in 2017, by species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22496/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data requested is held by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and I have referred the Deputy's request to them for attention and direct reply. It is a significant amount of information and I understand that it may take some time to compile.
208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in each of the past five years and to date in 2017 that used donkeys as part of their stock in order to qualify for the disadvantaged area scheme or the scheme of natural constraints; the number of donkeys involved each year; his plans to change the eligibility rules for donkeys under this scheme for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22497/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme forms part of the 2014 to 2020 Rural Development Programme, and has replaced the previous Disadvantaged Areas and Less Favoured Areas Schemes. Eligibility requirements under the new ANC scheme have remained largely the same as under the previous schemes, with some minor adjustments. The requirement to maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectares, calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year has been maintained. Donkeys continue to be considered for inclusion in the stocking density as per the Terms and Conditions of the scheme.
Data as requested by the deputy for previous years is below, data in respect of 2017 scheme year will not be available until year end.
|
Scheme Year |
ANC Beneficiaries with Donkeys |
Number of Donkeys |
|
2016 |
836 |
2878 |
|
2015 |
854 |
2998 |
|
2014 |
750 |
2709 |
|
2013 |
716 |
2622 |
|
2012 |
589 |
2235 |
209. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the mackerel review; when the submissions received will be available to view online; his plans to meet with stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22527/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I received a request from the Irish South and West Fish Producer Organisation to allocate the increase over 2016 of Ireland’s mackerel quota for 2017 entirely to the Polyvalent Segment on a 1 year pilot basis in exchange for the recipient vessels forgoing demersal fishing in order to gauge the impact on the demersal vessels.
This matter has generated a lot of discussion in the industry and the Minister has received many representations on the matter. After having carefully considered the matter, I decided that, without prejudice, there is a case for a review of the policy on allocations between the RSW Pelagic segment and the polyvalent segment of the fleet, taking account of request by the IS&WFO. In that regard, I decided that I am restricting consideration to the increased quota for Ireland in 2017 over that in 2016.
It is important to note that I have not made any decision at this time to change the allocations between the segments in respect of this part of the quota. All relevant issues will be carefully evaluated and subject to a full consultation with stakeholders before I decide if any amendment to the policy is justified for the proper and effective management of the mackerel fishery.
The public consultation process concluded on 28 February 2017 and 353 submissions were received. All submissions are currently being evaluated.
To support transparency in this process, arrangements are presently being made to make publicly available on my Department’s website all views received on the Consultation Document. Following the closure of the formal consultation process, any meeting that may be held with stakeholders will be open to all interested stakeholders who have engaged in the public consultation.
210. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1249 on 2 May 2017, the value of products that are provided here under the EU school milk scheme for each of the past five years in respect of category 1 products that are heat treated milk with chocolate, fruit juice or flavoured (details supplied); if the value of products provided under category 1 are broken down in terms of the quantity and value provided; if not, the reason therefore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22534/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is not readily available however my Department will arrange to have the information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
211. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons that will comprise the recently announced high level market access committee within his Department; the number of civil servants that will work exclusively on this dedicated committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22558/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish food and drink exports increased by 2% in 2016 to reach €11.15 billion and Ireland exports food and drink to around 180 countries all over the world. The Department is especially committed now, against the backdrop of Brexit, to further increase market access for Irish food and drink internationally, especially for the meat and dairy sectors. Indeed this principle was already a key component of Food Wise 2025.
While we have achieved significant success in recent years in conjunction with the various stakeholders such as such as Bord Bia, the industry, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassies abroad to increase the number of markets to which we enjoy access, there is always room for improvement.
The work required to unlock markets draws in people from many different strands of my Department including veterinary, technical and administrative. The High Level Market Access Committee will operate as a sub committee of the management board. It will be chaired by an Assistant Secretary General and will include senior veterinary, technical and administrative staff from relevant divisions to ensure that the work or the Department across different strands of market access is co-ordinated and effective. It is not intended that officials will be working exclusively on this committee.
212. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of civil servants in his Department allocated to work exclusively on market access; the number of persons that work on market access exclusively for the sectors of beef, dairy, lamb, pig meat and poultry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22559/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish food and drink exports increased by 2% in 2016 to reach €11.15 billion and Ireland exports food and drink to around 180 countries all over the world. One of the Department’s priorities now, particularly in the context of Brexit, is to further increase the market opportunity for Irish food and drink internationally, especially for the meat and dairy sectors. Indeed this principle of market development is already a key component of Food Wise 2025. We have achieved significant successes in recent years in conjunction with the various stakeholders to increase the number of markets to which we enjoy access.
In terms of beef market access, 2016 saw some considerable successes including the extension of our beef market access to the USA to include Beef Intended for Grinding (BIFG) as well as the opening of the Canadian, New Zealand and Israeli beef markets. Significant steps were also taken in terms of beef market access to China, South Korea and Vietnam in conjunction with the Trade Mission there. 2017 has already seen the re-opening of the Egyptian market to Irish beef and beef exports have now commenced. It has also seen the extension of our beef market access to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to include a range of minced and processed beef products, as part of my Trade Mission there.
My Department is also working on expanding market access for sheepmeat, pigmeat, poultry and cooked meats across a range of markets and is also working to simplify certification procedures in a number of markets to which we already have access.
The meat market access work involves staff across the department, including veterinary services, laboratory staff, inspectorate staff, International Trade Division and a wide range of other divisions, in completing market access questionnaires, facilitating incoming inspection visits, participating in diplomatic meetings, agreeing export health certificates etc. All of this inter-connected work facilitates the accessing of new markets, and on the meat side is co-ordinated by a dedicated market access unit comprising five people. The unit also works very closely with external stakeholders such as Bord Bia, the industry, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassies abroad. I have committed to providing additional resources to for market access unit and am at present making the necessary arrangements.
213. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the completion date for the review of export markets in which conditions of certification present barriers to trade and additional costs for exporters. [22560/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland exports food and drink to around 180 countries all over the world and Irish food and drink exports increased by 2% in 2016 to reach €11.15 billion. One of the Department’s main priorities now, particularly in the context of Brexit, is to further increase the market opportunity for Irish food and drink internationally, especially for the meat and dairy sectors. Indeed this principle of market development is already a key component of Food Wise 2025. We have achieved significant successes in recent years in conjunction with the various stakeholders to increase the number of markets to which we enjoy access.
While a major and high profile part of the work involves getting new markets opened; maintaining access to existing markets and improving and enhancing the level of access to previously opened markets and changing the current veterinary health certificate conditions is also of paramount importance.
For example in terms of beef market access, 2016 saw the extension of our beef market access to the USA to include Beef Intended for Grinding (BIFG), exports of which have now commenced. And 2017 has seen the extension of our beef market access to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to include a range of minced and processed beef products, as part of my Trade Mission there. Some technical steps remain to be taken here before exports will commence.
However, despite the significant successes achieved to date, I reviewed the Department's approach to market access at present and one of the findings was that there should be a review of export markets which are open but where there are barriers to trade. For example in relation to beef some of these barriers or costs could include the requirements for BSE testing on cattle, only cattle aged under 30 months being accepted or conditions that the meat be boneless only. Certificates and conditions with different Third countries have evolved at different times and some of these restrictions may be related to historical issues.
This review is now complete and my Department now consulting with industry to identify priorities. I should say of course that the conditions for importing beef are a matter for the competent authorities in the importing country. I would envisage that this work will continue on an ongoing basis as needs arise.
