Written Answers Nos. 581-595
581. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 581 of 23 May 2017, the progress to date in relation to a transfer (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32549/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined to the Deputy in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 581 in May, this is a complex case involving a number of interested parties. The case has been prioritised by my Department, who have been in correspondence with the solicitors for the persons referred to by the Deputy.
My Department has also discussed the matter with the Chief State Solicitors Office and subject to the clarification of outstanding legal and conveyancing issues, will be progressing the case in the most appropriate manner based on the advice received.
582. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.70 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32555/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the introduction of a minimum hourly rate of €11.70, the estimated additional cost to the Department's payroll at present would be approximately €345,000. This figure however does not include the costs associated with Temporary Clerical Officers.
The parallel information in respect of State Bodies under the aegis of this Department is a matter for the bodies themselves.
583. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to meet the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove MP, to discuss the UK's decision to withdraw from the London fisheries convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32590/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe action by the UK in announcing its withdrawal from the 1964 London Fisheries Convention was not unexpected. The UK Government had been intimating this decision for some time now. It is nonetheless unwelcome and unhelpful as it suggests a signal of the UK intent to take a hard line on fisheries in the context of Brexit.
There are no immediate direct impacts for the Irish fishing industry from this action as it will not take effect for two years. Any longer term impacts will only become clear in the overall context of the Brexit negotiations. It is the message of intent and the potential implications of that intent in the wider 12 to 200 mile zone that causes concern for the negotiations to come.
The Convention deals primarily with the right of a number of countries to fish in each other's 6 to 12 mile fishing zones based on historic fishing activity. Most of these rights were later incorporated into the Common Fisheries Policy.
Under the Convention, the Irish fishing fleet has access to parts of the UK 6-12 mile zone while the UK fleet has similar access to parts of the Irish zone. The Irish fleet is not significantly dependant on this limited access. We do however catch significant quantities of fish in UK waters outside of the 12 mile zone.
As Michel Barnier noted after the UK announcement, the decision to withdraw from the London Fisheries Convention will not trigger any immediate change and he is focused on prioritising the fisheries interests of the EU 27.
This will not be a piecemeal negotiation with fisheries isolated from the wider negotiations on a post Brexit EU/UK relationship. There is a long way to go yet and nothing will be agreed until everything is agreed.
For this Government there are two clear objectives when it comes to fisheries and Brexit – the maintenance of our existing quota shares and our existing rights of access. These have, and will continue to be, my overriding priority.
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.
To achieve these objectives, we must have unity of purpose across the Member States directly concerned and across the fishing industry. Disunity will only strengthen those in the UK that seek to exclude all EU fleets.
I spoke with Secretary of State Michael Gove last week and stressed to him the importance of long established fishing patterns by the Irish fishing fleet and the importance of these being acknowledged and protected in the context of Brexit. I have previously discussed fisheries issues amongst other matters with his predecessor as Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsom, on two separate occasions. I have also discussed Fisheries, with a particular focus on the London Fishing Convention along with general access issues with Minister George Eustice during a meeting at the Luxembourg Agriculture Council on 3 April.
As the negotiations develop, unilateral sectoral announcements, like this one on the London Convention, will be dealt with, as this will be, within the Brexit negotiation process and there will be no room, or indeed intent, to address issues in isolation.
I am working closely with our fishing industry and held a detailed public discussion with stakeholders just the other week in Galway. 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 strongly believe that a unified front on these matters is best for Ireland, the EU and the continued sustainability of our stocks.
In conclusion, I would like to assure Deputies that I aim to ensure that fisheries are inextricably linked to overall trade discussions during the negotiations. I will also 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.
584. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of Irish landings made within six and 12 nautical miles of the UK’s coastline for each specific fishing stock; and the percentage of landings made by each EU member state within six and 12 nautical miles of Ireland’s coastline for each specific fishing stock, in tabular form. [32639/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data sought by the Deputy is complex and will take some time to compile. My Department, in consultation with the Marine Institute, will provide a comprehensive reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible. I am advised by the Marine Institute that the estimated amount of landings by Irish vessels from the UK 6 to 12 mile zone and landings by non-Irish vessels from the Irish 6 to 12 mile zone are not considered to be very significant in overall terms.
585. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department for each of the past five years on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32644/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy with regard to photography is available on my Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie/aboutus/ministers/photographycosts. This information is regularly updated by my Department. Wherever possible, the Department avails of internal photography skills.
The vast bulk of my Department’s advertising consists of press notices in the specialised farming press, provincial and national newspapers. This expenditure includes the publication of Statutory Notices that are required to comply with various national and EU legislative requirements. Decisions on the placement of notices are made on a case by case basis, depending on the nature of the advertisement and the target audience. The expenditure on advertising for the period in question is set out in the attached table.
In general, public relations advice is provided by my Department's Press Office. However, from time to time, it may be necessary to engage the services of an outside provider for media interview training and preparation purposes. Expenditure in this regard is detailed in the table attached. My Department has not engaged the services of a public relations advisor during the period in question.
There has been no expenditure on website development in the past five years.
Advertising & Publicity 2012 – 2016
2012
|
Company |
Event/Campaign |
Total € |
|
Bloomfield House Hotel |
75 |
|
|
Brindley Advertising* |
230,216 |
|
|
Carrigdhoun Newspaper |
116 |
|
|
Creative AD Limited |
777 |
|
|
Independent Pictures Ltd |
16,930 |
|
|
Lyrath Estate Hotel |
341 |
|
|
Mallow GAA Club |
150 |
|
|
McWilliam Park Hotel |
390 |
|
|
Irish Timber Growers Assoc |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
215 |
|
O’Sullivan Consulting |
Forestry Promotion |
1,107 |
|
Brindley Advertising |
Forestry Promotion |
3,948 |
|
Farm TV |
Forestry Promotion |
1,968 |
|
ITGA |
Forestry Promotion |
784 |
|
Select Media |
Forestry Promotion |
2,448 |
|
Brindley Advertising |
Forestry Promotion |
7,822 |
|
ITGA |
Forestry Promotion |
4,815 |
|
Crann |
Forestry Promotion |
750 |
|
Society of Irish Foresters |
Forestry Promotion |
650 |
|
Irish Timber Growers Assoc |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
430 |
|
Society of Irish Foresters |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
450 |
|
Select Media Ltd |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
3,521 |
|
Government Publications |
Advertising of Notices and Statutory Instruments in Iris Oifigiuil |
7,913 |
|
Iris Oifigiuil |
Revised Rates & Charges Advert |
75 |
|
Iris Oifigiuil |
Rates & Charges Advert |
31 |
*Brindley held the contract for the provision of the majority of advertising needs. Adverts typically included under this contract are afforestation notifications, aquaculture license applications, Department schemes and services.
2013
|
Company |
Event/Campaign |
Total € |
|
Brindley Advertising* |
158,688 |
|
|
Carrigdhoun Newspaper |
812 |
|
|
Creative AD Limited |
689 |
|
|
Science Spin Ltd |
369 |
|
|
Crann |
Forestry Promotion |
2,250 |
|
Agricultural Advisory Alliance |
Forestry Promotion |
1,107 |
|
Select Media |
Forestry Promotion |
1,224 |
|
Society of Irish Foresters |
Forestry Promotion |
650 |
|
ITGA |
Forestry Promotion |
5,599 |
|
Farm TV |
Forestry Promotion |
3,739 |
|
Emergency Services Irl |
Forestry Promotion |
2,153 |
|
Council Review |
Forestry Promotion |
2,153 |
|
Graphics & Display Systems |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
416 |
|
Society of Irish Foresters |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
450 |
|
Select Media Ltd |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
1,218 |
|
Forestry Yearbook |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
2,436 |
|
Irish Timber Growers Assoc |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
645 |
|
Government Publications |
Advertising of Notices and Statutory Instruments in Iris Oifigiuil |
7,997 |
*Brindley held the contract for the provision of the majority of advertising needs. Adverts typically included under this contract are afforestation notifications, aquaculture license applications, Department schemes and services.
2014
|
Company |
Event/Campaign |
Total € |
|
Brindley Advertising |
1,634 |
|
|
Farm TV |
1,993 |
|
|
Farmers Journal |
22,632 |
|
|
Hillgate Publishing |
1,353 |
|
|
Inshore Irl Publishing Ltd |
308 |
|
|
Media Vest Ireland* |
148,444 |
|
|
Spectrum Print Management |
492 |
|
|
Steedview Manufacturing Ltd |
529 |
|
|
Farm TV |
Forestry Promotion |
1,968 |
|
Select Media |
Forestry Promotion |
1,224 |
|
Agricultural Advisory Alliance |
Forestry Promotion |
738 |
|
Irish Timber Growers Association |
Forestry Promotion |
849 |
|
Council Review |
Forestry Promotion |
2,153 |
|
Emergency Services Ireland |
Forestry Promotion |
2,153 |
|
ITGA |
Forestry Promotion |
1,686 |
|
Crann |
Forestry Promotion |
750 |
|
Forestry Yearbook - ITGA |
Forestry Promotion |
3,247 |
|
Society of Irish Foresters |
Forestry Promotion |
700 |
|
Ashville Media Group |
Forestry Promotion |
1,722 |
|
Irish Timber Growers Assoc |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
684 |
|
Select Media Ltd |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
2141 |
|
Society of Irish Foresters |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
450 |
|
Forestry Yearbook |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
1218 |
|
Government Publications |
Advertising of Notices and Statutory Instruments in Iris Oifigiuil |
25,000 |
*Mediavest currently holds the central Government contract for the provision of the majority of advertising needs. Adverts typically included under this contract are afforestation notifications, aquaculture license applications, Department schemes and services.
2015
|
Company |
Event/Campaign |
Total € |
|
Agriland Media Ltd |
923 |
|
|
Alex Fernie Audio Ltd |
902 |
|
|
Ashville Media Group Ltd |
1,169 |
|
|
Clayton Hotel Silver Springs |
969 |
|
|
Connemara Coast Hotel |
525 |
|
|
Creative Ad Limited |
775 |
|
|
Dundrum House Hotel |
1,569 |
|
|
Hodson Bay Hotel |
450 |
|
|
Hotel Keadeen |
1,323 |
|
|
Hotel Kilmore |
325 |
|
|
Inshore Irl Publishing Ltd |
246 |
|
|
Irish Farm Film Producers |
1,661 |
|
|
Irish Grassland Association |
500 |
|
|
Knightsbrook Hotel& Golf Res |
850 |
|
|
Media Vest Ireland* |
176,688 |
|
|
Newpark Hotel |
575 |
|
|
Radisson Sas Hotel |
1,261 |
|
|
Royal Dublin Society |
129 |
|
|
T F Royal Hotel & Theatre |
1,141 |
|
|
The Gleneagle Hotel |
1,354 |
|
|
Whites Hotel Ltd |
570 |
|
|
Society of Irish Foresters |
Forestry Promotion |
700 |
|
ITGA |
Forestry Promotion |
6,151 |
|
Agricultural Advisory Alliance |
Forestry Promotion |
738 |
|
Crann |
Forestry Promotion |
2,250 |
|
Select Media |
Forestry Promotion |
1,464 |
|
Forestry Yearbook |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
1,218 |
|
Irish Timber Growers Assoc |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
6,188 |
|
Select Media Ltd |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
2,141 |
|
Society of Irish Foresters |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
450 |
|
Dingle Peninsula Tourism |
Harbour Advertising (Dingle) |
300 |
|
Government Publications |
Advertising of Notices and Statutory Instruments in Iris Oifigiuil |
22,955 |
*Mediavest currently holds the central Government contract for the provision of the majority of advertising needs. Adverts typically included under this contract are afforestation notifications, aquaculture license applications, Department schemes and services.
2016
|
Company |
Event/Campaign |
Total € |
|
Agriland Media Ltd |
10,148 |
|
|
Ashville Media Group Ltd |
1,845 |
|
|
DOB Media Ltd |
2,706 |
|
|
Dough Hotels Ltd |
830 |
|
|
Farmers Journal |
8,982 |
|
|
Hillgate Publishing |
1,353 |
|
|
Irish Food Publishers Ltd |
9,379 |
|
|
Irish Grassland Association |
500 |
|
|
Irish Horse Review |
332 |
|
|
Landmark Media Ltd |
3,764 |
|
|
Media Vest Ireland* |
139,227 |
|
|
Michael O'Brien Media Ltd |
800 |
|
|
Select Media |
Forestry Promotion |
732 |
|
ITGA |
Forestry Promotion |
52,547 |
|
Crann |
Forestry Promotion |
850 |
|
Agricultural Advisory Alliance |
Forestry Promotion |
738 |
|
Farm TV |
Forestry Promotion |
30,841 |
|
Select Media Ltd |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
2,141 |
|
Irish Timber Growers Assoc |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
684 |
|
Forestry Yearbook |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
1,218 |
|
Society of Irish Foresters |
COFORD Tool advice and publications |
450 |
|
Dingle Peninsula Tourism |
Harbour Advertising (Dingle) |
300 |
|
Government Publications |
Advertising of Notices and Statutory Instruments in Iris Oifigiuil |
41,402 |
*Mediavest currently holds the central Government contract for the provision of the majority of advertising needs. Adverts typically included under this contract are afforestation notifications, aquaculture license applications, Department schemes and services.
2017
|
Company |
Event/Campaign |
Total € |
|
Agriland Media Ltd |
Basic Payment Scheme Campaign encouraging farmers to use www.agfood.ie. Backyard Poultry campaign in response to Avian Influenza Outbreak |
3,383 |
|
DOB Media Ltd |
BPS/apply online campaign |
2,500 |
|
Farmers Journal |
Basic Payment Scheme Campaign encouraging farmers to use www.agfood.ie. |
18,708 |
|
Irish Food Publishers Ltd |
Basic Payment Scheme Campaign encouraging farmers to use www.agfood.ie. |
13,069 |
|
Irish Horse Review |
Derogation advert for Equine Competitions |
160 |
|
Media Vest Ireland* |
62,219 |
|
|
Anglo Celt |
Basic Payment Scheme Campaign encouraging farmers to use www.agfood.ie. |
706 |
*Mediavest currently holds the central Government contract for the provision of the majority of advertising needs. Adverts typically included under this contract are afforestation notifications, aquaculture license applications, Department schemes and services.
Media Interview Training and Preparations 2012-2017
|
Year 2012 to date |
Workshop Training/Advice provided to staff in relation to Media interview preparation. |
Name of company/individual in receipt of payment |
Cost € |
|
2012 |
Nil |
||
|
2013 |
Nil |
||
|
2014 |
Nil |
||
|
2015 |
Nil |
||
|
2016 |
Media Skills Training: |
Carr Communications |
4,700 |
|
2017 |
Nil |
586. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animals that have escaped from fur farms here in the past five years. [32699/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is not aware of any animals escaping from mink farms in the past five years.
587. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the organic farming scheme will open again for applications for new entrants and for existing producers. [32701/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Organic Farming Scheme has proved extremely successful, attracting more new applicants than any scheme before, and encouraging a significant number of Irish farmers to convert to organic farming systems. This is a co-funded scheme, supported jointly through the Rural Development Programme by the EU and the Irish Exchequer.
At this point in time, the budget allocated to the new scheme in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme has been fully committed and all targets set for the scheme within the RDP have already been achieved. Any possible re-opening of the scheme could only be considered in the context of the available budget in the overall Rural Development Programme.
588. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision can be made on a review of the findings of a 2015 GLAS inspection in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32783/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe persons named were approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and have received a first payment instalment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
The holding was selected for an on-farm inspection which has been completed.
By letter dated 8 March 2016 the applicants wrote to the Department advising that they no longer wished to participate in the GLAS scheme. In light of this information an inspection outcome of rejected from the scheme was recorded.
589. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a basic payment scheme application was submitted for 2017 for a folio number (details supplied) in County Donegal; if there are entitlements allocated to this land; if persons claimed in 2017; if so, the number of farmers claiming on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32784/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe folio named in County Donegal is divided, for 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) purposes, into three land parcels per the Department's Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). In the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme, one land parcel is being claimed by two herd owners, the second is being claimed by a single herd owner and the third parcel is not being claimed. BPS Entitlements are not attached to specific land areas.
590. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if herd lesion testing can be facilitated faster than the current turnaround time of ten weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32829/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHerds containing animals in which tuberculosis is suspected at post-mortem examination are restricted in accordance with Directive 64/432/EEC which requires that “Appropriate post-mortem, laboratory and epidemiological examinations shall be carried out on the carcass of the suspect animal. The status of the herd will remain suspended until such time as all laboratory examinations have been completed”. These examinations can include culturing of the suspect samples.
In practice, it is not always necessary to proceed to the “culture” stage and, using figures from 2016, a histopathological examination in the laboratory was sufficient to confirm TB in 35% of lesions and the herdowner was informed that his herd remained restricted as required by the Directive. In 15% of submissions, histopathological evidence was sufficient to determine that the suspect lesion clearly was not a tuberculous granuloma and, in these cases, the restriction was lifted and the herd was de-restricted (9-14 days after receipt of the sample in the laboratory). In less straightforward cases, accounting for about 50% of cases, where histopathology does not suffice to make a final determination of the TB-status, the samples must be cultured. This culture begins on the day that the histopathological result is available. However, M.bovis is a particularly fastidious and slow growing organism in the laboratory and it can take up to 10 weeks from the time of slaughter of the animal until final culture results are available in conformity with OIE requirements. The culture interval of M Bovis in the National Reference Laboratory compares very favourably with international practices in both the medical and veterinary fields and a negative result is usually available within seven weeks of commencement of culture.
My Department makes every effort to ensure that the culturing process in the laboratory is completed as expeditiously as possible in order to ensure that herds are not restricted for longer than necessary.
The performance of tests which offer a shorter time to results is currently being evaluated by the European Reference Laboratory. Our National Reference Laboratory is contributing to this study.
591. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will issue a TAMS 2 payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32937/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named received approval for an application for grant-aid under the Young Farmers' Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II. However the applicant has never submitted an application for payment and therefore there is no payment to process until this is complete. The applicant has been advised of the position.
592. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the existing state aid de minimus rules to provide support to persons up to a maximum amount of at least €15,000 over three fiscal years per person under Regulation (EU) No. 1408/2013 can be fully used up over one fiscal year; if there is an annual ceiling under this regulation; if there is a measure to stop giving aid of up to €15,000 per person in one fiscal year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33071/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAgriculture De Minimis Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 allows limited amounts of aid to be given for activities related to the primary production of agricultural products (e.g. live animals, meat, fruit, vegetables, etc). It does not apply to the processing and/or marketing of these products.
The individual threshold limit which a single recipient can receive under the Agriculture De Minimis Regulation is €15,000 over any consecutive three year fiscal period. Applicants under any proposed Agriculture De Minimis Scheme may receive an aid amount of €15,000 in one fiscal year.
However, the individual threshold limit shall not be exceeded over any period of three fiscal years e.g. for any new grant of Agricultural De Minimis Aid, the total amount of Agricultural De Minimis Aid granted in the current fiscal year (e.g. 2017) and the two previous years (e.g. 2016 and 2015) must be taken into account.
Ireland’s national threshold limit is set at €66,280,000 over any consecutive three year fiscal period. All Agricultural De Minimis Aid awards must be registered with the State Aid Unit at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The individual and national threshold limits are applicable from 1/1/2014 to 31/12/2020.
Member States are required to monitor the amount of Agricultural De Minimis Aid paid to each recipient under each scheme to ensure that the individual and national thresholds are not breached.
593. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding relocating his Department's labs; and the projected timeframe for completion [33075/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) Laboratories are an integral part of the Department, providing critical scientific evidence and expertise (in animal health, food safety and plant sciences) which allows the Department to function effectively as a regulator, to deal with new and emerging risks and to rapidly respond to disease outbreaks and food safety incidents. The laboratories also provide valued services and advisory support to the farming community, the food industry and wider society.
The ambitious targets of the Agri-food industry for growth and development over the next decade, as set out in Food Wise 2025, must be underpinned by robust systems which protect and enhance our reputation as a producer of safe and wholesome food and one of the ways in which we must respond to this challenge is by developing a long-term strategy for the laboratories - building on existing capability and expertise in animal health, food safety and plant sciences, and ensuring we achieve both operational and scientific excellence.
This was the primary reason for tasking a Working Group led by Prof. Alan Reilly to undertake a comprehensive review of the Department’s Laboratories. This review has considered both the central laboratory complex at Backweston and the eight regional laboratories located at Athlone, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo. The Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes recommendations on:
- Oversight and co-ordination of the laboratories activities
- Re-organisation of Divisions and support functions within the Central Laboratory complex
- Options for the future development of the Regional Laboratories – with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance capability but with the over-riding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmers and
- Human resources management within the laboratories - with a focus on grading structures, career development opportunities and workforce planning
To date no decision has been taken in respect of the options proposed for the Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs). My Department has recently completed an initial consultative process with all relevant stakeholders on the Working Group report (including on the options for RVLs). A cost-benefit analysis of the various options proposed will be undertaken shortly. Any decision I make on the RVLs will be informed by the consultative process and the outcome of the cost-benefit analysis.
594. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the review of the qualifying areas for the areas of natural constraint scheme; when he expects this review to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33083/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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. This analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints. The analysis will also be subjected to a refinement process.
As part of the discussion on amendments to Regulations at EU level a proposal has been forwarded to extend the 2018 deadline on an optional basis. This proposal is currently being considered through the relevant approval process at EU level, along with a number of other regulatory changes in what is referred to as the omnibus proposal.
595. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be an appeals process for persons that are unhappy with the review of the qualifying areas for the areas of natural constraint scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33084/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. The designation of eligible areas under these schemes to date has been based on a range of socio-economic factors. Under the new designation eligible areas must instead be designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria.
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.
The technical work to underpin this new designation is now underway. While it is not possible to pre-empt the outcome of this work, it is envisaged that there will be an appeals process in place in relation to the redesigned ANC scheme.
