Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 October 2017
170. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the compensation fund for biotoxin events in aquaculture provided by the State can be accessed for the recent mortalities through jellyfish strikes on salmon farms; and the extent, duration and rationale of the fund. [44186/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme 2014-20 provides €29.6 million to support the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector, in accordance with the 2015 National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development. This includes a €2 million fund to aid mollusc farmers affected by suspension of harvesting of molluscs during periods of raised biotoxin levels.
In accordance with article 36 of the EMFF Regulation (508/2014), aid is available only for losses suffered by mollusc farmers arising from harvesting suspensions due to toxin-producing plankton that have persisted for more than 4 consecutive months. The loss resulting from the suspension must amount to more than 25% of the annual turnover of the business, calculated on the average turnover over the 3 preceding calendar years. Aid is prioritised for operators affected by the longest suspensions and is limited to a maximum total aid to all farmers of €500,000 per year. Bord Iascaigh Mhara administers the Scheme through targeted calls for applications in areas affected by closures lasting more than 4 months. It is a matter for BIM to determine if a call for applications is to be initiated. No calls have been initiated to date.
As the Scheme applies only to mollusc farmers, it is not available to salmon farmers for losses howsoever arising.
