Written Answers Nos. 1-58
38. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to undertake a full review of live exports of farm animals to EU countries and third countries (details supplied); his further plans to prohibit the transport of livestock in view of the fact that morbidity and mortality during transport can be high; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41659/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLive exports are an important component of Ireland’s livestock industry and provide essential competition in the beef market place. I have no proposals to ban or suspend this vital element of the cattle trade.
The EU Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on animal transport provides for the application of stricter rules by Member States than those set down at EU level. Ireland has availed of this provision and, therefore the current Irish legislation, made possible by powers conferred under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, sets higher standards relating to the approval of ships for livestock transport than those which apply generally in the EU.
Only ships approved by My Department, which involves assessment from independent Marine Surveyors in the process, can load cattle for export from Ireland. Livestock being exported are monitored by my Department’s veterinary inspectors during the prescribed isolation period, with the loading of cattle also supervised by Department officials. All animals are inspected and must be certified as regards health status and fitness for travel and cattle on board a livestock ship departing from Ireland are typically bedded and penned in conditions very similar to cattle in any feedlot or cattle shed. In addition, due regard must be taken to weather conditions in respect of long distance transport and these measures contribute to maintaining Ireland’s reputation as an exporter of livestock of high health status.
Department veterinary inspectors accompany cattle shipments on occasion to monitor travelling conditions. The most recent of these assessments occurred last month when a Department veterinary inspector accompanied livestock exported from Ireland to Turkey and Lebanon which confirmed that the cattle were well treated en route and the Turkish and Lebanese authorities were very satisfied with the condition of the animals they received.
With a view to improving slaughter and transport standards in Third Countries, my Department, along with our EU partners, works closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health, OIE. The OIE is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health and welfare worldwide. Ireland has once again proved its ongoing commitment to animal welfare by recently approving additional OIE multiannual financial assistance to support its activities to enhance animal welfare worldwide.
The preservation of Ireland’s animal health status and the international reputation of veterinary certification services and the existence and application of a regulatory framework ensures that high standards and welfare considerations are taken into account during transport and are essential components to safeguarding Ireland’s live export trade.
The Deputy can be assured that my Department will continue to promote and maintain an environment in which live exports can continue in both an economic and sustainable manner, with strong emphasis on the welfare of all animals being exported.
45. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the information he can provide as to the accuracy of reports that the EU is preparing to offer a tariff rate quota of 85,000 tonnes of beef in the Mercosur trade negotiations; the maximum level of quota that he will accept in the interests of beef farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41649/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are now firm indications that the question of a Tariff Rate Quota for beef is under discussion with Mercosur.
My information is that a Tariff Rate Quota of 70,000 tonnes is under discussion. A coalition of Member States, led by Ireland and France, signed a paper opposing such a move, and opposed such a proposal at last week's Trade Policy Committee. It should be understood, however, that some Member States support a deal.
I and my officials have been very active in highlighting the potentially very damaging impact of a Mercosur deal on the European beef sector.
At political level, I have raised the issue with my Member State colleagues and with Commissioners Hogan and Malmström. These efforts have been reinforced at official level through similar contacts with Member States and the Commission, and the Taoiseach raised the matter with President Juncker in Talinn last week.
I also continue to monitor the situation closely in co-operation with my Government colleagues, particularly the Tanaiste, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Taoiseach.
The Commission responded to the strong lobbying by Ireland and others by excluding a beef Tariff Rate Quota, TRQ, from the offers exchanged with Mercosur on 11 May 2016. I am very concerned at this new proposal.
Any consideration of this matter must take into account the findings of the Commission’s recent assessment of the cumulative impact of trade deals on the agri food sector, and the potentially very damaging impact of Brexit on an already delicately balanced EU beef market. I can assure the House that I will continue to work with like-minded Member States to ensure that the interests of the Irish and European beef sectors are protected.
46. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has identified new opportunities for the export of beef, dairy, lamb and pigmeat; if there are particular opportunities in this regard arising from changing global trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41670/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of my key priorities is to further increase the market opportunities for Irish food and drink internationally. We are an exporting nation, with 90% of our food produce leaving the island. Only through further increasing our footprint internationally will we help to mitigate the effects of Brexit and develop our agrifood sector to realise its full potential.
As outlined in Foodwise 2025, and has been demonstrated by the OECD and FAO, there is a rising demand globally for animal proteins, particularly in emerging economies in Asia and Africa and we are looking to build on and to further develop opportunities in these regions. We are also aware of the potential to grow Irish market share in countries which consume significant animal protein already, such as Canada, the United States and Mexico. The current uncertainty about Brexit brings home the importance of diversification and this is also driving our efforts to develop alternative outlets for our major commodities.
Earlier this year I developed the seven-point action plan to increase market access and exports and work under these actions is underway. These actions have included an intensification of the programme of Trade Missions. Following on from a very successful Mission to the USA and Mexico in June, planning is underway for another Trade Mission to Japan and South Korea in November. These are key potential meat and dairy markets and market access is being pursued for beef in South Korea and sheepmeat in Japan.
To further guide activities Bord Bia was tasked with identifying priority new markets for Irish food and drink. This work is underway and the initial results are feeding into the Department now. More detailed analysis will follow and the output of this exercise will provide valuable market intelligence both for industry operators and policy makers.
Furthermore, as part of a major market diversification drive I recently announced additional funding of €6.7 million to Bord Bia. This is additional to previous funding granted in 2016 and 2017. This includes a programme for market promotion and supports in international, UK and other EU markets.
In addition, my Department is actively pursuing increased market access for a range of products across a range of countries, including China and South Korea. To this end, we have had inspection visits from both China and South Korea in recent months. The feedback from both inspection teams was broadly positive as we move closer to having access for beef approved for these markets. My Department is also working to broaden existing Market access and has a number of successful outcomes recently including changes to the veterinary certification for beef to South Africa and Singapore which has broaden access and opportunities for export.
My Department will continue to work with the meat and dairy industry, Bord Bia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Embassies in pursuit of new opportunities internationally.
47. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation in the rural development plan for the TAMS scheme 2014-2020; the amount of funds approved to date for projects since its inception; the payments made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41230/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the TAMS II scheme, support is provided under a suite of seven measures:
- Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme;
- Dairy Equipment Scheme;
- Organic Capital Investment Scheme;
- Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme;
- Low Emission Slurry Spreading;
- Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme;
- Tillage Capital Investment Scheme.
A wide range of investment items are available under each of these measures to help Irish farmers to improve their farms.
The scheme is co-funded by the National Exchequer and the EU's European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development under Ireland's Rural Development Programme. The total allocation for the TAMS II Scheme in the 2014-2020 Rural Development Plan is €395 million.
The online payment claim system for TAMS II opened in July 2016. Payment claims for approved investments continue to be submitted to this system and processed for payment. These claims were received and processed at an average rate of €1 million per week in the past few weeks following the busy construction period over the summer months.
To date 11,400 approvals have issued since the Schemes were launched in 2015 with an estimated commitment value of €172 million. Payments amounting to over €23.7 million have issued in respect of 1,682 payment claims received from the approved applicants. The total number of payment claims received to date is over 2,300. This means that there are 9,000 approvals out there with farmers under this scheme where payment applications have not been received by my Department. It is only when these applications are received that we can make payments. I would strongly urge all approved participants in the Scheme who have completed their approved works to submit their payment claims to the online system so that payments can issue without delay.
48. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a floor milk price margin or a floor ceiling milk margin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41666/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously stated to the Deputy (PQ35321 of 2016), as Minister for Agriculture, I have no role in setting the price of any market commodity.
Income support is provided at EU level through the Basic Payment Scheme and the EU's Common Market Organisation Regulation provides a legal basis for market supports such as intervention for Butter and Skimmed Milk Powder, and Aids for Private storage for butter, cheese and skimmed milk powder. That regulation also provides for exceptional market measures when circumstances warrant it, and when other measures are not sufficient to deal with market shocks.
The processing sector also has a critical role to play in insulating farmers from the worst impacts of price volatility, including through fixed price and margin contracts which have become a feature of the relationship between farmers and their co-ops. My role is to work with industry and other stakeholders to ensure that the sector develops in a way that best serves the consumer, the producer and the economy.
After a prolonged period of downward price volatility in dairy markets, 2017 has shown significant recovery. At present, the Irish raw milk price is 2.2% above the EU average and there has been strong increase in butter prices across the EU bloc in recent months. Production for the first half of 2017 was up by over 10% on the same period in 2016.
A number of steps have been taken in recent times by industry, my Department and at EU level, to provide a buffer against market volatility in as far as is possible. These steps include:
- Fixed price and margin contracts adopted by processors;
- Access to increasingly flexible forms of credit, notably the flexible loan fund for dairy and other farmers which I announced in Budget 2017;
- Market diversification efforts, through trade missions which I have led and research that my Department commissioned from Bord Bia on potential new and growth markets. Access to a range of third country dairy markets is a critically important element in mitigating the impact of market volatility;
- Ongoing efforts within industry, supported by Government, to move dairy production up the value chain wherever possible. These are supported by investment by my Department and its agencies in research and innovation;
- Intervention and aids to private storage;
- Two financial aid packages. The first of €500 million for liquidity assistance was agreed at the Agriculture council in September 2015, with Ireland topping up its allocation to provide a total assistance package of approaching €27 million to Irish farmers in late 2015 and early 2016;
- A further €500 million support package for EU farmers was announced in July 2016. The first €150 million was reserved for the Voluntary Supply Management Scheme. This was very well subscribed to in Ireland and was worth €6.5 million to Irish dairy farmers in 2017;
- The Super levy instalment Scheme was implemented in 2015 to ease the financial burden on farmers during the expansionary phase;
- A further measure that had assisted in reducing the burden on farmers was the negotiation and agreement of advanced payments for the Basic Payment and the RDP schemes, allowing us to pay out 70% and 85% respectively in 2016.
- These supports are of course additional to the many schemes available to dairy farmers under the Rural Development Programme including GLAS, TAMs and Knowledge Transfer;
- Price volatility will continue to be a feature of international markets. I will continue to work with industry, with other Member States and with the EU institutions to consider how we can refine and improve mechanisms to help farmers cope with downward price cycles when they arise.
49. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place to support young farmers; his plans to improve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41652/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme were introduced under the reform of Direct Payments in 2015. These schemes were designed to provide financial support to young farmers and new entrants to farming during the crucial early years immediately following the setting up of a farming enterprise.
Under the EU Regulations governing these schemes, a young farmer is defined as a farmer aged no more than 40 years of age in the year when they first submit an application under the Basic Payment Scheme and who commenced their farming activity no more than five years prior to submitting that application. A new entrant to farming is defined as a farmer who commenced their agricultural activity during the previous two years and did not have any agricultural activity in their own name and at their own risk in the five years preceding the start of the present agricultural activity.
The National Reserve provides for an allocation of entitlements at the national average level or a top-up on existing entitlements that are below the national average to the two mandatory categories of "young farmer" and "new entrant to farming". In 2015 the National Reserve fund was based on a 3% cut to the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling and this cut provided some €24 million in funding. Some 6,250 applicants were allocated entitlements under the 2015 National Reserve.
In 2017, approximately 1,300 young farmers and new entrants applied for an allocation of entitlements under the National Reserve. Funding of some €5 million has been made available from a linear cut to the value of all Basic Payment Scheme entitlements. The 2017 National Reserve will provide for an allocation of entitlements at national average value to young farmers and new entrants who are deemed eligible under the scheme.
The question of a National Reserve for 2018 will be considered following an analysis of the funding available when all eligible applicants under the 2017 National Reserve have been catered for.
The Young Farmers Scheme is a separate scheme that provides for an additional payment to young farmers based on activated entitlements. Over €24 million is allocated to the Young Farmers Scheme each year from 2015 to 2019. Payment is made to approx. 9,000 young farmers annually under the Young Farmers Scheme.
The closing date for receipt of applications under the 2017 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme was 15 May, 2017. My Department is at an advanced stage of processing applications submitted and payments are due to commence in early December 2017.
The TAMS II Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme which is co-funded under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 has a broad range of investment items available for qualifying Young Farmers.
Young Farmers can avail of the enhanced grant rate of 60% as compared to the standard rate of 40%. To date, 2,466 approvals have issued to Young Farmers and approvals continue on an ongoing basis.
There are a number of taxation measures specifically aimed at young farmers, specifically "100% Stock Relief on Income Tax for Certain Young Trained Farmers" and "Stamp Duty Exemption on Transfers of Land to Young Trained Farmers".
The Agri-taxation Review which was published as part of Budget 2015 set out the main policy objectives for continuing support to the sector through agri-taxation measures including increasing land mobility and the productive use of land: Budget 2015 included the doubling of the existing relief for income from long-term leasing of land and introduced a package of new measures to incentivise long-term leasing, which has a number of advantages over the conacre system. It allows progressive farmers to enlarge their farm holdings and increase productivity and also allows young farmers and new entrants to the sector gain access to land by providing a cheaper means of long-term access to land, as opposed to the relatively high cost of land purchase. Leasing also provides security of tenure and the certainty required to encourage lessees to maintain and make investments in improving land and it provides a route to retirement for older farmers, assisting in generation renewal. There is already evidence of a significant increase in long-term leasing due to these changes.
A second objective of the Agri-taxation Review was to assist with succession and the transfer of farms: the age profile of Irish farmers is increasing and it is recognised that there are many social and economic reasons why succession management is a challenge for farmers. Assisting succession and the transfer of farms has been a central part of the Government’s agri-taxation policy and Budget 2015 included a number of measures to maintain and strengthen that support, specifically the retention of Agricultural Relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax, Retirement Relief from Capital Gains Tax and the stamp duty exemptions on transfers of land. There were a number of new measures to make these reliefs more effective, including targeting Agriculture Relief at active and trained farmers.
In addition, in June of this year, I launched the "Succession Farm Partnership Scheme". The Scheme provides for a €25,000 tax credit over five years to assist with the transfers of farms within a partnership structure, promoting and supporting the earlier intergenerational transfer of family farms. It also encourages important conversations within farm families about succession planning.
50. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the ongoing information technology problems and delays in relation to GLAS and AEOS payments will be resolved; the reason the information technology software is not able to recognise anomalies or changes in a person's circumstances which is adding to further delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41660/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 my Department has delivered over 20 new schemes that were supported by IT capability. In the first two years of the current RDP programme, my Department has already implemented substantially more RDP schemes than were implemented over the entire ten-year lifetime of the previous RDP programme.
This rate of delivery and draw-down would not have been possible without the availability of high quality complex IT software systems to support the business units in operating these schemes. Since 2014, my Department has adopted a policy of implementing fully digital end-to-end support for all but the smallest of schemes.
My Department has an excellent record in the delivery of high-quality ICT systems. We have been consistently among the first to make payments in the EU.
Currently the biggest delay in paying 2016 GLAS balance payments is caused by the delay by participants in submitting their outstanding Nutrient Management Plans, NMP. The NMP is a core scheme requirement and I urge all GLAS participants and advisors to attend to this urgently so that outstanding balancing payments and future payments can issue and to ensure ongoing participation in the Scheme. As of 29 September, just over 8,000 NMPs remained outstanding. As soon as the NMP is received, the applicant will be paid.
Our focus now is on making significant 2017 advance payments in November of this year, and significant work is ongoing to out in place the systems for achieving this.
In the case of AEOS, IT related cases were worked through systematically and cases were paid on a weekly basis as they were finalised. I am happy to announce that all of these cases have now been finalised and that there are no ongoing information technology problems in relation to AEOS.
51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the inter-agency gorse fire group has been established; the specific objectives and term of the group; the number of times the group has met; the names and positions of each of the members; if an interim report has been published; if so, if he will provide a copy of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41671/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not aware of any proposal to establish an inter-agency gorse fire group.
My colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has responsibility in relation to fire prevention measures, fire response and emergency planning. As the Deputy will be aware, the Fire and Emergency Services in Ireland are managed at local authority level, with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government playing an advisory, legislative and policy-making role. In addition, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, NDFEM, which is a section in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, co-ordinate emergency responses and give support to the Irish Fire Service.
The burning of vegetation is controlled by the Wildlife Acts, which is the responsibility of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemption, from 1 March to 31 August. Individuals who are found to burn vegetation within that prohibited period are liable to prosecution by An Garda Síochána or by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
While cognisant of the wide-ranging impacts of wildfires, there are two aspects which fall within the remit of my Department. Firstly, the risk to the national forest estate (including that of Coillte) and forest owners’ eligibility for forestry premiums and secondly, land eligibility for farmers under the Basic Payment Scheme.
In this regard, my Department continues its efforts in the area of fire awareness and education among farmers and forest owners, including advising farmers of the legal position in relation to burning vegetation. Forest Fire Danger Notices are issued during the main wildfire risk season from February through to September. These notices provide forest owners and managers with advance warning of high-risk weather conditions, and permit appropriate readiness measures to be taken in advance of fire outbreaks.
My officials also work closely with a small number of local groups around the country such as the Cork Wildfire Cooperative Group. Similar groups exist in Kerry and Laois and I understand that they are normally chaired by the respective Chief Fire Officers.
Following the spate of wildfires in the first part of 2017, and in particular two large forest fires in the Ox Mountains in County Roscommon and in Cloosh Valley, County Galway, the agencies involved in the response efforts were invited to a meeting of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning on 24 May 2017.
My colleague, the Minister for Defence, Paul Kehoe TD, who chairs the Government Task Force, asked that a coordinated report be prepared on the lessons learned and recommendations from those Departments/Agencies involved in the response efforts.
My Department convened a meeting which took place between relevant Departments and Agencies involved in the response efforts on 29 August 2017. Those present included staff from the Department of Defence, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government - National Fire and Emergency Planning Directorate, the Defence Forces - Air Corp, the Defence Forces – Current Operations and Plans Branch, Coillte, Kerry Fire Services, Roscommon Fire Services, Galway Fire Services, and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment.
Following the meeting a report was prepared and this report was circulated to the members of the Government Task Force and presented at its meeting of 27 September. I understand that this report is available and lists a number of recommendations and actions for the various Agencies and Departments involved.
52. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he has put forward at EU level in relation to the need to protect the CAP budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41644/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe future of the CAP is an issue of enormous importance for the European and indeed Ireland’s agrifood sector. The CAP has demonstrated its capacity to evolve very effectively in response to changing market, consumer and environmental demands in recent years, to the point where it now plays a central role in delivering the smart, sustainable and inclusive growth sought under the Europe 2020 strategy.
The shape and funding of the future CAP is inextricably linked with the Multi Annual Financial Framework, MFF, post-2020. The Commission was expected to come forward with proposals for the new MFF for the period 2021-2027 by 1 January 2018, however, due to Brexit and other pressures this is not likely to happen now until mid 2018. While formal discussions on the MFF have not yet commenced, I support the retention of a strong and well-funded CAP and my position on this matter has been articulated at official and political level and is well understood in by Commissioner Hogan, my counterparts in other Member States and in the Commission.
That said, the CAP budget post-2020 will face budgetary challenges, arising not only from the UK decision to leave the EU, but also from the need to address other EU policy challenges, such as security, migration and growth. In this regard, it will be important for the case to be made to Member States and European taxpayers for a strong CAP budget to be based on strong public good arguments.
This is already evident in the fact that the CAP provides vital support for the rural economy and society for a range of environmental benefits and for an EU farming model that support the production of high quality, safe food on family farms. It will however be important to ensure that we maximise the public good, for example, by supporting environmental measures, or those encouraging generational change in farming, or those that can help to improve farm efficiency through investment and innovation.
I will be working hard with my European counterparts to ensure that the CAP budget post-2020 provides a solid and effective foundation for the development of the sector into the future, when discussions do commence. In addition, officials in my Department are also working closely with the Department of Finance on the next MFF.
53. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure viable suckler and tillage sectors into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41658/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the importance of both the suckler and tillage sectors to Ireland's rural economy and the challenges currently facing both sectors.
My Department is providing a number of supports to the suckler herd. The Beef Data and Genomics Programme is the main support for the suckler sector and provides farmers with some €300 million of funding over Rural Development Programme period.
In response to significant demand, earlier this year I reopened the BDGP programme for new entrants, reflecting the success of this programme, which targets both the environmental footprint and the profitability of the suckler herd through improving the genetic merit in participating herds. There are currently 25,669 participants.
There are a number of challenges facing the beef sector including the suckler sector in the short and medium term, particularly exchange rate volatility and Brexit. One of my priorities now is to further increase the market opportunity for Irish food and drink internationally. We are an exporting nation, with 90% of our food produce leaving the island. By further increasing our footprint internationally, we can make a contribution to mitigating the effects of Brexit and develop our agrifood sector to realise its full potential.
I am acutely aware of the importance of facilitating as many third country markets for beef as possible in addition to our traditional European markets. My Department and state agencies such as Bord Bia will continue to work to ensure that any increase in production from the Irish beef herd can deliver a viable return to the primary producer.
Live exports also play a vital role in providing an alternative market outlet for Irish farmers, including weanlings from the suckler herd at this time of year. It is an area that I have paid particular attention to since taking up office. Live exports for the year to date are up by over 50,000 head, or 48% compared to 2016. I remain actively committed to ensuring that Irish beef producers have the option of exporting to as many markets as possible.
Turning to tillage, this is a very important sector to the agricultural economy, and the Deputy will be aware of a number of measures I introduced in this regard to underpin the tillage sector and promote its growth into the future.
Among these was a targeted crop loss support measure to assist growers most affected by the wet weather harvest conditions of September 2016.
In addition to the support measure for those worst affected, I also introduced the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme, which I specifically extended to include the Tillage and Horticulture sector. I have been advised by the banks that all of the remaining €150 million is committed and is in the process of being drawn down. I am pleased at the very positive reaction by farmers, including tillage farmers, to the Scheme, which has proved that significant demand exists for low-cost flexible finance.
As a further support to tillage farmers, I also introduced the Tillage Investment Scheme under TAMS II, which opened for online applications earlier this year. The second tranche is open and runs until 6 October 2017. There was a significant level of interest in investments under this measure particularly in relation to precision equipment to improve profitability at farm level, with a total number of 490 applications received in the first tranche for the tillage sector alone. Some 450 approvals have now issued in respect of these and payments and approvals are issuing on an ongoing basis.
Additionally, a range of other supports provide vital income and investment support to both sectors including BPS, ANC, GLAS and TAMS.
54. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position the Government will take in relation to suggestions that the European Commission will offer significant tariff rate quota concessions for beef to South America in the Mercosur trade negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41648/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is a small open economy and Irish Government policy is generally supportive of trade liberalisation. Sensitive products must be protected however, and in the case of any prospective deal with Mercosur countries, our position has been that the EU beef sector must be protected.
With this in mind our focus in recent weeks has been to build alliances with Member States who consider that no offer should be made on beef in circumstances where the cumulative impact of current and future trade deals and the possible impact of Brexit have not been assessed.
I also continue to monitor the situation closely in co-operation with my Government colleagues, particularly the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and the Taoiseach.
While the Commission responded to the strong lobbying by Ireland and others by excluding a beef Tariff Rate Quota, TRQ, from the offers exchanged with Mercosur on 11 May 2016, there is a need for continued vigilance in relation to the conduct of these trade negotiations.
I am strongly of the view that any EU offer to Mercosur requires further careful analysis and full discussion with Member States, and that the timing and content of any future offer is handled appropriately, and in a manner that safeguards the interests of the Irish and European beef sector in particular.
55. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) in particular the recommendation that Horse Racing Ireland should have no role in the negotiation of pay, terms, conditions and representation for stable and stud staff involved in Irish horseracing. [41495/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my officials received the report titled, "A Preliminary Report into the Pay, Terms Conditions and Representation for Stable and Stud Staff in the Horseracing Industry in Ireland", as commissioned by "Independents4Change" on 26 September.
Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, is a commercial state body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
While the report has been passed to HRI for their consideration, this is a matter ultimately for the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
Horse Racing Ireland has informed me that they have had two meetings to date at Chief Executive Officer level with the Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission, which is under the aegis of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and a further three working meetings at HR Director level.
Horse Racing Ireland and the Workplace Relations Commission have agreed to undertake a joint initiative of education and information on employment law for employers in the sector. I understand that, working with Teagasc, similar exercises have been carried out for other sectors within Agriculture. Work on this project has commenced and has already involved the employer groups within the industry, with a view to being completed by Quarter 1, 2018.
Horse Racing Ireland has also been appraised by the Workplace Relations Commission of the current status of its programme of inspections within the sector.
56. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to introduce income averaging over three years when calculating income eligibility for farm assist. [41624/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarm Assist is a means-tested payment to low income farmers and is the responsibility of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. It is administered by her Department and I am informed that in order to qualify for Farm Assist, an applicant must be a farmer, be aged between 18 and 66 and satisfy a means test. Those in receipt of Farm Assist receive a weekly payment, which varies according to the number of dependents. In 2016, an average of 8,200 farmers received the payment every month, representing 5.9% of the 139,600 farms in the State. Estimated expenditure on Farm Assist in 2016 was €79 million. I am further informed that since 8 March 2017, 70% (down from 100%) of farm income and other income from off-farm self-employment is assessed for means test purposes. There is considerable flexibility afforded as the assessment of income can be repeated, acknowledging the potential significant variations in income from farming from year to year.
57. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to combat the problems Brexit poses for the fisheries sector; the actions he has carried out to date to ensure that the fisheries negotiations and the wider trade negotiations are fully linked; if the seafood sector will not lose out in the final agreement in terms of access arrangements and the percentage share of the stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41517/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have stated before, fisheries is, and will remain, a high priority for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations. I am determined to ensure that fisheries remain high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that the interests of Ireland's fishing communities are fully protected.
I fully agree with the Deputy on the importance of ensuring that fisheries does not become isolated from the wider negotiations and I am glad to say that Michel Barnier and the relevant Member States are as equally determined as Ireland in that regard.
Existing access arrangements and percentage shares of fish stocks have been agreed by all EU Member States, including the UK, over many years and were most recently affirmed in 2014 when the current Common Fisheries Policy came into force. Let me be absolutely clear; I see no basis whatsoever for the kind of reordering of the current arrangements apparently sought by some in the UK.
If and when the UK finally leaves the EU they should equally retain their current shares and entitlements. We are not asking that they lose their rights of access to EU waters or face any reductions in their current shares and see no reason why we should lose ours.
As the Deputy will be aware, there has been an enormous amount of work on this issue in terms of analysing potential impacts for our fishing industries under the various possible scenarios since well before the UK referendum. This work has been carried out by my Department, the Marine Institute and BIM in close cooperation with the fishing industry.
At EU level there have been, and will continue to be, regular contacts with the Barnier Task Force, Fisheries Commissioner Vella and like-minded Member States at all levels. In all of these contacts, I have stressed the importance of a unified EU front and our determination to maintain all of our current rights. This is a view shared by all of those Member States that have rights in the UK zone.
In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy 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.
58. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is proposing to limit the impact of Brexit on farmers in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41662/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrexit will have an impact on the outlook for Irish agriculture including in Wexford.
Farming is an essential part of the social, cultural and economic fabric of Ireland. It is also part of a wider EU dispensation that values a Common Agriculture Policy built on family farming, food security, high standards of food safety and environmental sustainability. These are values that we hold dear, and so it is critically important when we consider the impact of Brexit that the positive contribution of agriculture to the rural and national economy, and to society in Ireland, and indeed elsewhere in the European Union, is to the forefront in our deliberations.
Brexit poses enormous challenges for the sector by virtue of its reliance on the UK market, and the most immediate challenge has been the impact caused by the significant drop in the value of sterling against the euro.
Some of the anticipated longer-term challenges may include tariffs and trade, divergence in regulations and standards, border controls with NI, and certification (including animal and plant health certification).
I am fully aware of the potential impact on the sector and I have undertaken a series of steps to help mitigate the more serious effects.
With Government support, I introduced measures in the last Budget that included a €150 million low-cost loan scheme, new agri-taxation measures, and increased funding under the Rural Development Programme and Seafood Development Programme.
In order to support Bord Bia’s marketing strategy, I allocated €3.6 million to the Agency to enhance the 2016 and 2017 programmes to support businesses that have strong trading relationships in the UK. More recently, I allocated an additional €6.7 million to allow them undertake a market prioritisation programme which I have requested.
My Department is also participating in an interdepartmental group, chaired by DBEI, and consider what further actions may be needed. I have also secured permission from the commission to pay higher rates of advances of the Basic Payment and Rural Development schemes to assist farmers with cash flow issues this year.
In order to retain the hard won markets within the UK, I met with the CEOs of the major UK retailers to impress upon them the value of their trade to the Irish agrifood sector. Next month, I will lead a further Trade Mission to South East Asia, this time to Japan and Korea where I, along with Bord Bia, hope to enhance existing markets and develop new markets.
I have also held a series of bilateral meetings with my EU counterparts which are aimed at building alliances to ensure that agri-food and fisheries issues are at the top of the EU negotiation agenda. Building common ground with other Member States will be critically important in the context of the negotiations.
In all of these engagements I am making clear our demand for continued unfettered access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures, as well as keeping the UK market viable for Irish producers by minimising the risk from UK trade agreements with third countries.
I wish to assure the House that the Government remains very focused on supporting the agrifood industry through the challenges ahead. I will continue to consult with the industry as the negotiations develop, and press Ireland's case for continued free access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures.
