Niamh Smyth
Ceist:59. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the progress of the knowledge transfer programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41665/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraKnowledge Transfer Programme
Ceisteanna (59)
Freagraí scríofa
The Knowledge Transfer Programme was launched in summer 2016 as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020. The Programme builds on the success of the previous discussion group model, and seeks to provide farmers with high quality training and advice on a wide range of issues which will equip them to deal more effectively with the challenges and opportunities in the agrifood sector.
Knowledge Transfer Groups are available to farmers across six sectors - beef, dairy, tillage, equine, poultry and sheep. Farmers are required to attend a number of group Knowledge Transfer meetings and also complete an individual Farm Improvement Plan, FIP, following one to one discussion with their Group Facilitator. The FIP also includes Animal Health Measures completed with an approved private veterinary practitioner.
Year 1 of the KT Programme ended on Wednesday 22nd August. Of the approximately 19,100 farmers currently registered for Knowledge Transfer Groups, some 18,400 KT Participants have now either fully or partially submitted the data submission requirements for Year 1 of KT. These participants are now subject to the standard administrative and verification checks in order to process them for payment, including verification of having attending the required number of Group meetings, etc.
The payment to farmers for successful completion for Year 1 of the Knowledge Transfer Programme is €750. The associated Knowledge Transfer Facilitator will be paid €500 per participant where he meets all the requirements of the programme, including holding meetings and the one to one time spent producing a tailored Farm Improvement Plan for his group participants.
In line with the commitment under the Farmers Charter of Rights, arrangements are currently being finalised to commence Year 1 payments under the Programme at the end of October.
Forest Fires
Ceisteanna (60)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:60. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the overall cost of the fire at Cloosh Valley, County Galway; the value of the timber lost and the reconstitution costs, bogland lost and the services involved in extinguishing the fire; the number of hectares of both forestry and bogland lost; the results of investigations carried out by Coillte, his Department or another body; if he will provide a copy of the investigation reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41672/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The forest fire on Coillte lands at Cloosh Valley started on Saturday, 6th of May and was brought under control on Wednesday, 10 May 2017. The fire spread across three separate fronts: a bog fire, a thicket fire and a tree crown fire. I understand that the fire was tackled by thirty five Coillte staff and contractors, three helicopters, two fire service tenders and thirty Defence Forces personnel.
As in any major fire damage incident, it takes some time to assess the full extent of the damage and the costs associated with it. The scale of the Cloosh fire was extremely significant with approximately eight kilometres of bog land fire and two kilometres of tree crown fires.
Coillte’s initial estimates are that more than 1,200 hectares of forest lands have been burnt and an additional 2,000 hectares of bog lands burnt. Coillte is currently conducting a full inventory on the area of its lands affected by the fire and expect to have the results of that inventory available in the next few weeks.
Evaluation of the costs involved is similarly ongoing. This evaluation will include the costs of fighting the fire itself to bring it under control, the costs of clean-up and additional cultivation requirements and the loss of the value of the standing timber. The reconstitution of forest lands damaged by fire can be very challenging as significant additional cultivation is required to remove burnt material and to prepare the lands for reforestation. Early indications from Coillte are that the cost of the Cloosh fire will run into the multi-million euro range.
Following the spate of wildfires in the first part of 2017 and in particular the two large forest fires in the Ox Mountains in County Roscommon and in Cloosh Valley, the Government Taskforce on Emergency Planning asked for a co-ordinated report on the lessons learned and recommendations from those Departments/Agencies involved in the response efforts.
Following a meeting of personnel from the relevant Agencies and Departments, a report was prepared and circulated to the members of the Government Taskforce. I understand that this report is available and lists a number of recommendations and actions for the various Agencies and Departments involved.
GLAS Data
Ceisteanna (61)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:61. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants in the GLAS scheme to date; the average annual payment per participant; the total paid out to date under the GLAS scheme since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41229/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In excess of 50,000 farmers have been approved into GLAS over three tranches. There are currently almost 37,000 active participants between GLAS 1 and 2. In addition, almost 13,500 have been approved this year into GLAS 3. This level of participation exceeds the target set in Ireland's Rural Development Programme.
The average GLAS basic contract payment is €4,250 per annum. In the case of scheme year 2015, 99.5% of claims have been paid. With regard to scheme year 2016, 98.2% of advance payments have been made and 73% of balance payments. As of the week ending 29 September, the total expenditure on the scheme amounted to almost €164 million.
All GLAS applications must pass regulatory controls and validations as is the case with all EU co-funded schemes. Outstanding cases are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis to resolve the individual issues in each instance.
The main issue holding up the payment of outstanding 2016 claims is the fact that some participants have not yet submitted a Nutrient Management Plan, NMP. This is a core requirement of participation in GLAS. As of 29 September, there were 8,278 NMPs outstanding. I urge all GLAS participants to attend to this urgently so that outstanding balancing payments and future payments can issue and to ensure ongoing participation in the GLAS Scheme.
The Department has contacted and is continuing to contact applicants to inform them if they need to address outstanding issues. Every effort is being made in order to ensure that outstanding payments are issued without delay. Further payment runs will be made on a weekly basis as cases are cleared. The aim now is to pay as many participants as possible their 2017 advance payment in November of this year.
I firmly believe that this level of participation in GLAS demonstrates the commitment of Irish farmers to the sustainable growth of the Irish agrifood sector into the future. It clearly shows that Irish farmers recognise that future growth must be based on the principle that economic benefits are compatible with environmental protection and enhancement of the resources needed to produce high-quality agricultural products.
Bovine Disease Controls
Ceisteanna (62)
Martin Kenny
Ceist:62. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persistently infected bovines with BVD here; his plans for same; the number of herds currently restricted due to BVD; and the length of time he plans for the eradication programme to continue in view of the fact that it was initially indicated in 2013 to last for three years of tissue tagging and three years lower-intensity surveillance. [41668/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I should emphasise that the National Bovine Viral Diarrhoea, BVD, Eradication Programme is an industry led programme delivered by Animal Health Ireland, AHI. A BVD Implementation Group (BVD IG) was formed in 2011 to take forward the planning and delivery of this programme. This group is comprised of Animal Health Ireland personnel, Veterinary Ireland nominees, farmer representatives and representatives of my Department.
The compulsory phase of the programme was introduced on 1 January 2013, the legislative basis for this is set out in S.I. No. 30 of 2017 the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Regulations 2017. This requires that all animals born on or after 1 January 2013 must be tested for the presence of the BVD virus.
Excellent progress has been made on the programme to date and the incidence of the disease has declined with the number of persistently infected, PI, animals falling from 0.66% in 2013 to 0.16 % 2016. The numbers of PI calves fell from 13,877 in 2013 to 3,804 in 2016. The incidence has fallen further this year to date to 2,078 representing just 0.1% of calves born in 2017.
While the programme is industry led, my Department provides financial supports to farmers to encourage early disposal of PI animals within approved timeframes.
Testing to date has been by tissue tag as agreed by the BVD Implementation Group. A decision on future testing arrangements is a matter for this Group. The most recent outputs from modelling work indicates that eradication is achievable by 2020, subject to the early disposal of PI animals.
TB Eradication Scheme
Ceisteanna (63)
Martin Kenny
Ceist:63. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the bovine TB eradication, badger vaccine trial which was reported to have taken place in County Kilkenny; and the expected date of the publication of the report of the trial. [41626/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can inform the Deputy that the study in question has been completed and the findings were published in January 2017. The findings can be found at: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0168851.
The objective of the trial was primarily to provide information as to the efficacy of an individually delivered oral vaccine in reducing the level of TB infection in the wild badger population. The results demonstrate that oral BCG vaccination confers protection to badgers and could be used to reduce incident rates in tuberculosis-infected populations of badgers.
As I stated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 30 November 2016, it is my Department's intention to deploy a full badger vaccination strategy as soon as robust scientific evidence becomes available to demonstrate that such a programme is practicable and will deliver an outcome equivalent to the existing wildlife programme. Given the findings of this study, and the preliminary results of a number of other field trials involving vaccine delivered by injection that are coming to a conclusion and are currently being evaluated, I expect to make an announcement on the roll out of a badger vaccination programme before the end of the year.
Laboratory Facilities
Ceisteanna (64)
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:64. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the ongoing review of his Department's regional veterinary laboratories, including the Sligo laboratory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41663/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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 agrifood 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 Professor 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 completed an initial consultative process with all relevant stakeholders on the Working Group report (including on the options for RVLs) earlier this year. A cost-benefit analysis, CBA, of the various options proposed will be undertaken shortly. My Department has tendered for independent economic expertise to carry out this CBA and a tender award notice has issued. Any decision I make on the RVLs, including Sligo, will be informed by the consultative process and the outcome of the cost-benefit analysis.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (65)
Mick Barry
Ceist:65. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will revise the requirement for greyhound owners to register with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40720/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish Coursing Club, ICC, is the competent authority with regard to the maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book. The objects of the ICC are set out in the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, and among these objects is, "the promotion of the breeding of thoroughbred greyhounds (including maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book)".
The ICC has been responsible for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923, and this was further reinforced by the enactment of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958.
I have no plans at present to alter this arrangement.
Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme
Ceisteanna (66)
Martin Heydon
Ceist:66. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for another phase of low-cost loans for farmers in view of the success of the previous scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41616/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
One of my priorities has been to address the impact of the volatility in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some agriculture sectors. I see lower-cost finance as an effective way of doing this and we developed the “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme” with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, SBCI.
The Scheme made €150 million available to farmers at interest rates of 2.95%. Distributed and administered through AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank, the Scheme provides farmers with a low-cost, flexible source of working capital, allowing them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term debt, ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of viable farming enterprises.
The SBCI have recently reported that, to the end of August 2017, there have been 3,920 loan draw-downs amounting to a total of €128,199,316. This is an average loan amount of €32,704. Some 57% of the loans are for terms of three years or more. The participating banks have advised 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 to the Scheme, which has proved that significant demand exists for low-cost flexible finance.
I have met with the chief executives of the participating banks to discuss this and other access to finance issues relating to the agrifood sector. I have asked the banks to respond positively to the demand that has been demonstrated by reducing interest rates and providing more flexible terms for cash-flow loans in the future.
I believe that this scheme demonstrates the importance of lower-cost and more flexible finance as a response to competitive pressures, and I hope that it will be a model for possible future measures.
State Aid
Ceisteanna (67)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:67. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Government has formally submitted an application to the European Commission for EU State Aid to help the agricultural sector and farmers following Brexit related currency changes; and if an application has been made for CAP funding under market disturbance provisions following the UK referendum to leave the EU. [41682/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is important to clarify from the outset that State Aid is aid funded by a Member State, not by the European Commission. Such aid is subject to common EU rules designed to avoid distortion of competition within the European Union.
It is already possible to provide aid for farmers subject to a cumulative maximum limit of €15,000 per farmer over three years. Such aid is called de minimis aid, and is designed to permit member states to provide assistance to primary producers at a level which does not distort competition across the Union. Ireland already provides such aid to farmers under a number of headings, in addition to the aid it provides under its Rural Development Programme, which is subject to a separate legal basis to that of State Aid.
In addition, the Common Market Organisation Regulation of the CAP provides for a number of market support mechanisms, for example intervention, when beef falls to threshold levels which are well below current market prices, or for butter and Skimmed Milk Powder between the months of March and September. More flexible measures against market disturbance can be made available when the conditions warrant it. These are not measures that will be deployed regularly, and in practice their deployment is very exceptional and requires the support of Member States.
Regarding CAP market disturbance funding, emergency measures were introduced by the Commission in accordance with Articles 219 and 220 of 1308/2013 in recent years in direct response to the market difficulties being experienced by farmers and producers during this time. Such measures included exceptional adjustment aid to milk producers and farmers in other livestock sectors, with €350 million in emergency funding allocated to Member States. Ireland's allocation of €11.1 million from this fund (topped up by 100% national funding) was used to leverage a greater fund of €150 million to provide low-cost loans to the livestock and tillage sectors.
At present in Ireland, dairy prices are strong, year to date average pigmeat and sheepmeat prices are close to the EU average, and while beef prices dropped back significantly since they peaked in June, they appear to have stabilised and are currently running at 97% of EU 15 average prices.
Nonetheless Brexit poses a very significant risk, and its impact is already being felt in some sectors through the prism of currency fluctuations. Sterling values dropped considerably in recent weeks, but have rallied somewhat, since reaching a trough of 92p per euro.
I am concerned about the potential impact of sterling volatility and Brexit more generally on the Irish agrifood sectors. It is clearly a significant risk, and I have been in regular contact with the Commission and with counterparts in other Member States to sensitise them to the threat posed by Brexit, including the more immediate risk associated with currency volatility, and to indicate that there may be a need for a community response at the appropriate time. I intend to raise these matters again at the Council of Ministers this month.
Fishery Harbour Centres
Ceisteanna (68)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:68. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be provided in the budget 2018 Estimates for his Department to enable the dredging of Howth Fishery Harbour in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41228/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.
Regarding a possible dredging project in Howth Fishery Harbour Centre, preparation work has been underway for some time. A report from site investigation works, which was commissioned in 2015, was received by my Department in March 2016. The report included vital information on the nature of the material to be dredged in any future dredging project.
The information revealed from the Site Investigation Report indicated that some of the dredge material would not be suitable for conventional disposal at sea.
In June 2016, a firm of consulting engineers were engaged to prepare a report on a potential dredging project at Howth, to include the possible scope of the project, various disposal options for the dredged material at Howth and permitting requirements.
An initial draft of this report was received by my Department in February 2017 and the final report was received on 14 March last. This report was reviewed by my Department's Marine Engineering Division and they raised a number of concerns. The Marine Engineering Division met with the consulting engineers on 28 June 2017 to review those concerns. The concerns were accepted and a revised report is due imminently.
Depending on the outcome of a review of the revised report, and as is the case for all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, any decision with regard to progressing this project further under the 2018 Capital Programme will be considered on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing priorities.
Live Exports
Ceisteanna (69)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:69. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to assist getting more cattle exported live especially in view of doubts regarding whether Turkish demands for weanlings will endure at the level seen in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41651/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am pleased that the cattle export trade in 2017 is flourishing, after two years of decline. Exports of live cattle have increased by nearly 48% in the period January to mid-September, compared to the same period last year. Exports of cattle to Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain have risen significantly this year compared to 2016.
My Department’s role is to create the conditions in which live exporters can secure contracts - to agree sanitary conditions with non-EU countries under terms as favourable as possible for Irish exporters whilst in keeping with the country’s own requirements.
To date, my Department has secured agreement on access for Irish cattle to nine non-EU markets, including most recently agreement on a health certificate for fattening cattle to Egypt.
The prospects for live cattle exports remain very good. Irish exporters have been successful in securing contracts for the export of fattening and breeding animals to Turkey and there is continued strong interest from Turkish buyers. Demand for livestock in North Africa and the Middle East is influenced by the political environment and our relative cost competitiveness.
In February, I reduced the vet inspection fee payable on live exports of calves under three months of age to €1.20 per animal, to bring greater equity in fees payable per consignment in respect of calves, weanlings and adult cattle. The year 2017 has seen a 40% increase in the export of calves from January to mid-September, compared to the same period last year.
I called a meeting with live exporters in April, at which I stressed that my Department considers the live export sector to be of great importance, particularly given the expansion of the dairy herd.
Earlier this year, I announced the allocation of additional resources in my Department to deal with market access. This will include dedicated veterinary and other expertise to target current markets of interest to Irish food exporters, and to ensure that exporters meet the conditions laid down by third countries. It will provide continued support for the live export trade.