Written Answers Nos 1669-1688
1669. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Teagasc advisors under the knowledge transfer group scheme can charge a fee greater than €500 for acting as facilitators to groups under the scheme. [28440/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Knowledge Transfer Programme under Ireland's Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 is delivered by a network of approved Knowledge Transfer Facilitators. Facilitators who meet their commitment under the programme are due a payment per participant of €500 for each year of the three year programme. Payment to facilitators under the programme covers the cost of preparing for and holding meetings as well as the time they spend producing an individualised Farm Improvement Plan for each farmer participant. My Department does not require a participant under the Knowledge Transfer Programme to be a client of Teagasc. It was open to participants to enrol in a group facilitated by either a private or Teagasc advisor.
In addition to its involvement in the Knowledge Transfer Programme, Teagasc also provide an extensive range of Advisory Services to Ireland’s farmers, including 45,000 direct contracts. The primary purpose is to maximise the income and sustainability of farm families within rural communities through improved farm efficiency, based on the transfer of knowledge, new technologies and best practice to all sectors of the industry. The cost of delivering these services is partially borne by the State in the form of an annual Grant-in-Aid, with the balance provided by fees charged to farmers, and some programme support from industry – mainly dairy processing co-ops.
1670. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the costs associated with running and facilitating the various round table forums in each sector including beef, dairy, tillage and so on, in tabular form. [28441/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2017, I facilitated meetings of roundtable forums for the beef, dairy and tillage sectors. These forums have built on the success of the Beef Roundtable which had its first meeting in April 2014.
Roundtable forums bring together all stakeholders for constructive discussion on how the various sectors in Irish agriculture can develop and meet challenges as they arise, with the overall aim of realising the objectives laid down for them in Food Wise 2025.
Costs are kept to a minimum including holding meetings in-house wherever possible. The total cost to date is €3,858.13 – the breakdown per sector reflects the number of meetings per sector held to date.
The costs of the roundtable meetings that have been held thus far are as follows:
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|||
|
Beef Round Table Costs |
€3,095.13 |
Dairy Round Table Costs |
€520 |
Tillage Round Table Costs |
€243 |
1671. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 25 May 2017, the amount of Exchequer funding comprised in the €61 million figure quoted for Bord Bia's budget. [28442/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe amount of exchequer funding comprised in the sum of €61 million is €43,925,000 as follows:
|
Bord Bia 2017 Exchequer Funding |
Total |
|
Grant |
€34,492,000 |
|
Beef Quality Assurance Scheme |
€6,000,000 |
|
Healthy Eating Initiative (Food Dudes) |
€3,133,000 |
|
Organic Funding |
€300,000 |
|
TOTAL |
€43,925,000 |
The balance comprises income from:
|
€ |
|
|
Statutory Levy on cattle, sheep and pigs (Slaughter and live exports) |
€5,417,000 |
|
EU Receipts |
€1,774,000 |
|
Industry Contributions |
€9,597,000 |
(Source: An Bord Bia Agency Statement for Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food & the Marine, 2017 Estimates)
1672. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Exchequer funding allocated to date in 2017 to each State agency under his aegis, including Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the National Milk Agency, Teagasc and the Marine Institute, in tabular form [28443/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy, broken down under non-commercial and commercial State Agencies, is set out below:
The National Milk Agency is not in receipt of any funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Non-Commercial State Agencies
|
2017 Allocation |
Position at May 31st |
||||||
|
Subhead |
Agency |
Current €000 |
Capital €000 |
Total €000 |
Current €000 |
Capital €000 |
Total €000 |
|
C..5 |
Teagasc |
124,920 |
3,210 |
128,130 |
64,360 |
1,650 |
66,010 |
|
C..6 |
Bord Bia |
34,492 |
0 |
34,492 |
14,153 |
0 |
14,153 |
|
D.4 |
Marine Institute |
21,563 |
10,000 |
31,563 |
10,530 |
2,882 |
13,412 |
|
D.5 |
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
26,088 |
18,000 |
44,088 |
6,625 |
953 |
7,578 |
|
D.6 |
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
11,800 |
1,000 |
12,800 |
4,195 |
115 |
4,310 |
Commercial State Agencies
|
2017 Allocation |
Position at 31st May |
||||||
|
Subhead |
Agency |
Current €000 |
Capital €000 |
Total €000 |
Current €000 |
Capital €000 |
Total €000 |
|
C.7 |
Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund |
58,756 |
21,244 |
80,000 |
36,500 |
10,600 |
47,100 |
|
Of which: |
Horse Racing Ireland |
42,800 |
21,200 |
64,000 |
25,000 |
10,600 |
35,600 |
|
Bord na gCon |
15,956 |
44 |
16,000 |
11,500 |
0 |
11,500 |
1673. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 25 May 2017, the number of full time and part time staff working in the dedicated market access unit established within the meat and milk policy division; and the yearly cost of the unit including staffing costs. [28444/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's work on developing market access involves inputs across a range of Divisions in relation to technical certification matters, the coordination of inward audit missions from third country authorities, the organisation of trade missions, engagement with industry and a range of other activities.
These activities, which are carried out by a large number of administrative, technical and veterinary staff, are coordinated by a Market Access Unit comprising 6 members of staff.
The staffing complement of this unit consists of a range of grades from CO to AP reporting to a PO and ASG wth responsibility in this area. However, as noted above market access related activity is in fact carried out by a much larger number of administrative, technical and veterinary staff across the Department.
The full time equivalent (FTE) staff complement for the market access unit of Meat and Milk Policy Division is 1 Assistant Principal (AP) , 1 Higher Executive Officer (HEO), 1 Administrative Officer (AO), 2 Executive Officer (EO’s) and 1 Clerical Officer (CO).
The revised payscales with effect from 1 April 2017 for General Service grades are as follows: AP €62,966 to €74,657, HEO €44,816 to €56,415 , AO €29,742 to €56,415, EO €27,383 to €46,616, CO €23,565 to 36,515.
My Department will continue to review the staff complement in this area and will deploy the appropriate resources as the need arises.
1674. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a review of the public intervention instrument and reference threshold levels for butter and skimmed milk powder as permitted under CAP regulation 1308/2013; if he has had discussions at European level in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28445/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhilst dairy markets are currently broadly stable, the Deputy will be aware that between mid 2014 and the end of 2016 dairy markets experienced significant difficulties. During that phase of volatility, the EU Commission, both prompted and supported by Ireland, among other Member States, responded to these difficulties through the deployment of support measures, including intervention provided for under the CAP.
Ireland's industry placed some 36,000 tonnes of skimmed milk powder (SMP) into intervention between September 2015 and the end of 2016. During this period, the EU Commission, supported by Ireland and other Member States, raised the volume thresholds for fixed-price intervention for SMP on a number of occasions. The increased volume thresholds for SMP of 350,000 tonnes and a commitment to avoid market disruption when releasing product have had a stabilising effect on the market in late 2016 and early 2017.
Provisions in the Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulations indicate that the reference thresholds and by extension reference prices for intervention shall be kept under review by the Commission, taking account of objective criteria, notably developments in production, costs of production and market trends. This issue was discussed at EU level during the most recent period of volatility. However, the mechanism for updating the reference thresholds is ordinary legislative procedure which it was indicated would take 18 months. Thus the decision was to utilise enhanced supports in other areas which would have more immediate impact.
The issue of critical importance at present is that the release of stocks of SMP is managed in a way that does not de-stabilise the market, particularly through the peak phase of production in Ireland and the EU. I am satisfied to date that the Commission has managed these stocks in a prudent and sensible manner.
1675. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the RDP measure or sub measure for which a possible scheme under the European solidarity corps programme could be examined for rollout. [28446/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Solidarity Corps Programme was announced by the European Commission in September 2016 and was first launched in December 2016. Under the EAFRD, measure 16, 19 and 20 have been suggested as those most appropriate measures for the European Solidarity Corps. However, there are currently no plans to introduce a new measure under Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 in relation to the European Solidarity Corps Programme.
1676. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken and the contributions he has made at the recent EU Agriculture Ministers meeting following moves by the European Parliament’s environment committee to make it more difficult to use forests and grasslands to offset emissions cuts under the EU's draft 2030 plan. [28447/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe challenge of feeding an increasing world population, which is set to grow by 2 billion by 2050, in a sustainable manner whilst reducing GHG emissions has been recognised as uniquely challenging for the Agricultural sector.
There must be a coherent approach to the twin challenges of climate change and food security that does not force us to reduce our sustainable production of food. Such an approach is clearly recognised in the EU Council Conclusions of October 2014 and in the Paris Agreement which outlines that efforts to limit global temperature increases to less than 2 degrees and to pursue 1.5 degrees must do so in a manner that does not threaten food production. From the forestry perspective of land use, the Paris Agreement includes a strong recognition of the role of forests in mitigating climate change and the need to account for both emissions and removals.
These objectives are in line also with the Government’s stated long-term ambition for the sector-an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production.
Therefore, maintaining the current Commission proposal, which allows Ireland the potential to use up to a cap equivalent to 5.6% of 2005 emissions (2.7 Mt CO2eq per annum) from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) from the 280mt EU flexibility in order to meet its emission reduction requirements, is of major importance to Ireland. This flexibility is based on a combined contribution of net afforestation and cropland and grassland management activities.
We continue to emphasise that the flexibility from the land use sector should not be seen as an offsetting proposal but rather as an effort to broaden the “toolbox” of abatement options available to achieve targets. This is particularly the case for Member States where existing abatement measures are costly and action in the LULUCF sector, that encourages removals and limits emissions, may present a more cost effective option.
Likewise, the starting point is critical to the achievement of a cost efficient burden which reflects the reality of our end-point in 2020 and not the assumption that we have reached our -20% target.
1677. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the operational details for the yellow card system in place for farm inspections. [28448/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new Penalty Regime and "Yellow Card" system was introduced in respect of land eligibility requirements as part of an overall suite of measures under the Simplification Process of the CAP. These provisions applied from the 2016 Scheme Year and are applicable to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), the Young Farmers Scheme (YFS), the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme and Areas of Specific Constraints (ASC) Islands Scheme, only. The provisions aim to simplify the process and reduce the penalty levels applied under these schemes.
The new penalty regime reduces the level of penalty to be applied in cases where area over-declarations greater than 3% or 2 hectares are determined. This provision applies to all relevant cases irrespective of how the over-declaration is determined.
The "Yellow Card" provision applies to those cases where a determined over-declaration in area is greater than 3% or 2 hectares, but does not exceed 10%. For such cases the penalty will be further reduced by 50%, subject to specific criteria.
The additional criteria attaching to the provision is that an applicant can only avail of the "Yellow Card" once per individual scheme and furthermore, where an applicant is found to have an area over-declaration resulting in a penalty in the following year, they will be required to pay-back the value of the 50% reduction applied in the previous year, in addition to the penalty being applied for the current year. There is also a requirement for inspections in the following year on those applicants who declare an area greater than the area determined in the previous year following an inspection.
Under the Cross Compliance regime, there is a provision in the governing regulations that, where a breach of any of the requirements is deemed to be minor and remedial action is taken within a specified period, no monetary sanction will apply.
1678. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on amending the existing regime pertaining to fishing boat licences that restrict inshore fishermen from engaging in marine tourism activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28449/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Licensing Authority for Sea Fishing Boats that fishing boat licence conditions do not restrict inshore fishermen from engaging in marine tourism activities.
The Marine Survey Office (MSO), Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has full responsibility for the issue of Passenger Boat Licences (e.g. vessels which offer angling/charter trips). MSO rules do not permit vessels that are entered on the Register of Fishing Boats to be licensed as Passenger Vessels. Accordingly, the matter raised is a matter for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
1679. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a new early retirement scheme for farmers; and if there is a funding measure or submeasure available for same. [28450/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Retirement Scheme was suspended in 2008. It was reopened briefly in September 2009, with limited additional funding, to accommodate farmers who had applications completed or close to completion at the time of suspension. I have no plans to re-open this scheme or introduce another similar scheme at this time. I can confirm there is no funding available for a new Early Retirement Scheme at this time.
In recent years the priority of my Department has shifted to the encouragement of generational change for farmers. The focus under the 2014 - 2020 Rural Development Programme is for an enhanced capital investment scheme for young trained farmers. This new Scheme provides grant aid at a rate of 60% of the cost of the investment, compared to the standard grant rate of 40%, and is an important support and encouragement to young farmers starting in agriculture for the first time.
1680. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is technically possible to introduce a suckler cow scheme under the animal welfare measure or submeasure in the rural development programme. [28451/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupports for the suckler sector, or indeed any other sector, have to be considered in the overall context of Ireland’s current Rural Development Programme (RDP), taking into account our existing budgetary commitments under the programme.
It may be technically possible to provide assistance to the suckler cow sector under the animal welfare measure in the Rural Development Regulation. Any such assistance could only be funded on a costs incurred and income foregone basis, would have to be funded from within the Rural Development Programme envelope. It would also require a significant amendment to that Programme and be subject to the approval of the European Commission.
The Rural Development Programme already provides significant support for the Suckler sector. Through Pillar II of the CAP some €300 million of funding over a six year period has been targeted at the Irish suckler herd through the Bovine Data Genomics Programme (BDGP). In response to significant demand, earlier this year I reopened the BDGP programme for new entrants. This clearly reflects the success of this programme which targets improving both the environmental footprint and also the profitability of the suckler herd through improving the genetic merit in participating herds. The effects of improving the genetic merit of the suckler herds are cumulative and permanent. It is my belief that this type of scheme which sees the application of leading scientific technology applied in a practical manner at farm level is the most appropriate means of providing support to the suckler sector.
While BDGP is the main support, there are a range of further supports provided to suckler farmers under the RDP such as Knowledge Transfer Groups, GLAS, TAMS and supports to ANCs.
1681. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the tuberculosis eradication programme movement of contiguous herds which is automatically restricted to a four months test period; his plans to review this and increase the time limit in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28453/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHerds which are contiguous to the farm fragment linked to a high risk breakdown are put on a contiguous test programme. However, there is normally an interval of several weeks following a herd breakdown before a contiguous herd is tested. Previously during this interval, farmers were free to trade their animals and therefore there was a risk of spreading TB from the sale of such animals to clear herds. Statistics available to my Department show that animals in herds which are contiguous to high risk breakdowns are 3 times more likely to have TB infected animals than “normal” herds, indicating that the risk of TB spreading from herds which are contiguous to high risk breakdowns is very significant.
As a result, my Department introduced controls on movement from contiguous herds such that herds which have not had a full herd test within the previous 4 months are prevented from selling cattle on the open market pending a full clear herd test. However, such herds are permitted to move cattle direct to slaughter and to buy-in cattle under permit. They are immediately de-restricted once they have passed a TB herd test. I should point out that the new controls only apply to herds which are identified as relevant to the breakdown following an epidemiological investigation. I have no plans to review this policy or to increase the time limit in place.
1682. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of fish exports to Northern Ireland in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [28455/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1683. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of fish imports from Northern Ireland in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [28456/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1684. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of fish exports to the UK, excluding Northern Ireland, in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28457/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1685. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of fish imports from the UK excluding Northern Ireland in 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28458/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1686. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of fish exports to all countries on an annual basis in each of the years 2010 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28459/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1682 to 1686, inclusive, together.
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the tables.
Table 1
|
Fisheries Exports to Great Britain and Northern Ireland* |
||||||||
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Jan-Mar 2017 |
|||||
|
Country |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
|
Great Britain |
48,228 |
18,105 |
48,605 |
19,072 |
54,483 |
18,800 |
10,938 |
3,539 |
|
Northern Ireland |
8,023 |
3,327 |
8,721 |
2,504 |
9,779 |
3,486 |
1,523 |
396 |
|
Total |
56,251 |
21,432 |
57,326 |
21,576 |
64,262 |
22,286 |
12,461 |
3,936 |
|
Fisheries Imports from Great Britain and Northern Ireland* |
||||||||
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Jan-Mar 2017 |
|||||
|
Country |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
€ 000 |
Tonnes |
|
Great Britain |
128,994 |
26,125 |
149,557 |
28,885 |
149,527 |
32,470 |
34,537 |
7,832 |
|
Northern Ireland |
16,265 |
4,713 |
15,344 |
3,867 |
16,065 |
4,150 |
3,756 |
926 |
|
Total |
145,260 |
30,838 |
164,901 |
32,752 |
165,592 |
36,620 |
38,293 |
8,758 |
Table 2
|
*Fisheries Global Exports Value |
||||||||||||||
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
||||||||
|
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
||||||||
|
Fish |
370,523 |
416,102 |
523,412 |
480,552 |
531,414 |
567,600 |
554,715 |
|||||||
|
*Fisheries Global Imports Value |
||||||||||||||
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
||||||||
|
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
||||||||
|
Fish |
167,159 |
189,639 |
211,078 |
211,298 |
236,304 |
265,399 |
263,239 |
Table 3
|
Fisheries Global Exports Volume* |
||||||||||||||
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
||||||||
|
Fish |
221,607 |
180,201 |
282,862 |
243,878 |
259,481 |
251,995 |
201,824 |
|||||||
|
Fisheries Global Imports Volume* |
||||||||||||||
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
||||||||
|
Fish |
75,630 |
51,919 |
118,054 |
75,228 |
69,335 |
69,572 |
56,123 |
* Figures have been provided by the CSO
1687. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made on targets to increase fish exports in volume and value terms as per Foodwise 2025. [28460/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile Food Harvest 2020 included a target for total seafood sales of €1 billion by 2020 (export and domestic), Food Wise 2025 does not include a specific export growth (or total sales) target for seafood.
Seafood exports grew by 52% in value terms between 2010 and 2016, from €370 million to €563 million. Exports decreased by 2% in 2016, arising from a volume decrease of 21%, which was offset by an average increase in unit price of 24%, demonstrating the on-going strength of demand in most key markets. Total seafood sales, including domestic sales of €350 million, were €913 million in 2016, indicating a positive outlook for achievement of the 2020 Food Harvest target of €1 billion in sales.
My Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme was launched in 2016. That Programme includes a number of key initiatives to foster the growth of seafood sales and to enhance the value added from our fish stocks. The EMFF Programme is providing €5 million to Bord Bia to enhance its existing seafood promotion work programme, while the Programme is providing €24 million to Bord Iascaigh Mhara to deliver a suite of support schemes to the seafood processing sector. A Seafood Innovation & Business Planning Scheme supports new product development and other innovation initiatives, together with supports for business planning and market research. A Seafood Scaling & New Market Development Scheme supports seafood processors to work collectively to develop new markets and route to market structures. A Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme supports capital investment by seafood processors in equipment and premises to enhance the value of seafood raw material through value added processing.
1688. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has examined regulations regarding feedlots in the United States of America with respect to the setting here. [28461/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the first instance feed lots would have to meet the requirements of planning laws which are a matter for the Local Authorities. Under EU Directive 98/58/EC for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes all livestock enterprises are subject to welfare inspections by officials of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine.
