Clare Daly
Ceist:167. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of young children and teenagers who have died in the past five years as a result of eating disorders. [47300/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEating Disorders
Ceisteanna (167)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Data
Ceisteanna (168)
Clare Daly
Ceist:168. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, units that have staff with specialist eating disorder experience. [47301/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (169)
Clare Daly
Ceist:169. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the optimum specialist staff numbers for the 20-bed unit in the planned new children’s hospital, of which eight will be dedicated for eating disorder patients. [47302/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (170)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:170. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding each of the sexual health strategy's priority actions, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47315/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Single Payment Scheme
Ceisteanna (171)
John McGuinness
Ceist:171. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the single farm payments entitlements that have been transferred from a person (details supplied) to another person; and if payments due to the person will be made. [47163/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named submitted two applications to my Department for 2017 Transfer of Entitlements. One application has been finalised and the other will be finalised shortly. The persons named will be notified as soon as the transfer applications are finalised and any payment due will issue shortly thereafter.
European Fisheries Fund
Ceisteanna (172)
Pat the Cope Gallagher
Ceist:172. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of grant aid provided through the European maritime fisheries fund programme or its equivalent programme in each of the years 2009 to date in 2017 to the fisheries sector here, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47225/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the deputy, in relation to the seafood sector as a whole, is set out in the tables below. The Seafood Development Programme, co-funded by the Exchequer and European Fisheries Fund, operated from 2008 to 2015, while the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme has provided grant aid since 2014.
Figures for 2017 will not be available until 2018.
|
EFF Programme |
2009 - € |
2010 - € |
2011 - € |
2012 - € |
2013 - € |
2014 - € |
2015 - € |
Total |
|
15,605,028 |
85,322 |
597,020 |
4,360,332 |
3,445,767 |
4,857,770 |
13,657,028 |
42,608,267 |
|
EMFF Programme |
2014 - € |
2015 - € |
2016 - € |
Total |
|
5,873,241 |
7,358,077 |
17,624,092 |
30,855,410 |
Fishing Industry
Ceisteanna (173, 174, 176)
Pat the Cope Gallagher
Ceist:173. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce by statutory instrument a penalty points system for fishing vessel licence holders; the way in which the penalty points system will operate; the rights of appeal he plans to introduce for the vessel licence holders; and the timeframe for the introduction of the statutory instrument. [47255/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPat the Cope Gallagher
Ceist:174. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of consultation he has had with the fishing sector over the past four months over the proposed introduction by statutory instrument of a penalty points system for vessel licence holders; the other organisations and groups he has consulted with on this issue for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47256/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPat the Cope Gallagher
Ceist:176. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the definition of serious infringements as contained in his written correspondence of 1 November 2017 to the members of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the points system for fishing vessel licence holders; the way in which he plans to deal with the definition and future interpretation of serious infringement; the person or body that will make such a determination and interpretation of the statutory instrument once introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47276/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 173, 174 and 176 together.
The European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 125 of 2016) establishes a point system, which will apply to the Licence Holder of a sea-fishing boat when a serious infringement of the Common Fisheries Policy is detected. It is intended that the new Statutory instrument which I intend to sign shortly will replace S.I. No. 125 of 2016 to change the make-up of the Determination Panel set up under the 2016 S.I. to determine if on the balance of probabilities a serious infringement occurred and whether it is a serious infringement. This will involve the appointment of three independent legal professionals nominated by the Attorney General, thereby completely separating the enforcement and the determination functions. The new SI will, to the extent possible, take on board the issues of concern in relation to procedures and processes highlighted in High Court judgments on this matter. It will also address certain minor technical and drafting issues arising in S.I. No. 125 of 2016 .
In June 2016, I advised the Oireachtas that subject to addressing some important legal and administrative issues, that I was hopeful of moving towards a system of sequential application of EU points in conjunction with the prosecution process, having consulted with the Attorney General’s office. I made it clear that this move was subject to addressing some important legal and administrative issues in order to ensure compliance with EU law.
There has been extensive examination and consideration of all the issues in relation to meeting our EU obligations to implement the points system in the interim period. The firm legal view available to me is that it is not possible to deliver on an effective and dissuasive points system, as required under EU law, by assigning points to licence holders upon successful prosecution.
In relation to stakeholder consultation, I discussed with industry representatives my plans to bring forward a new SI at the Sea Fisheries Liaison Group meeting on 20 October 2017 and explained the amendments I am planning and the justification for these amendments.
Under the new S.I., the licence holder may appeal on a point of law a decision of the independent fisheries Adjudicator to the High Court. In the 2014 S.I. (which was struck down by the Courts and replaced by the 2016 SI), this appeal was “final and conclusive” – this aspect of the provision has been removed.
It should be noted in this context that Pilot Infringement proceedings by the EU Commission for non-implementation of the EU points system have been taken against Ireland. It remains an option for the EU Commission to proceed to formal infringement proceedings in respect of the licence holders system.
There are also serious implications with regard to the release of funding under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Implementation of the EU Points system was an ex-ante conditionality for the approval of Ireland’s European Maritime Fisheries Fund Programme, given that the programme is intended to facilitate implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy in Ireland. The EU Commission has signalled in writing that the delivery of funding under Ireland’s EMFF Operational Programme is firmly linked to the implementation of the points system. This programme is investing €241m of EU/Exchequer funding in total in the fisheries sector over the lifetime of the programme, which is crucial at a time of Brexit uncertainty. The immediate concern is with regard to the control and data collection funds. The EU Commission wrote in July 2017 advising that due to the non implementation of the Points system, EMFF funding allocated for control spend will be suspended.
Regarding the determination of a serious infringements, the S.I. (Regulation 3 of SI No. 125 of 2016) defines “serious infringement” as "...an infringement of the rules of the common fisheries policy mentioned in Annex XXX to the Commission Regulation that is determined by the Determination Panel, on the balance of probabilities, to be serious having regard to the criteria and guidance notes referred to in Regulation 6(3)."
Regulation 3 also provides that “Commission Regulation” means Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1962 of 28 October 2015.
Regulation 6(3) referred to above provides that "The SFPA may issue guidance notes, which shall be published on its website on the internet, for the purpose of providing practical guidance in identifying the criteria, for the purpose of these Regulations, the Control Regulation and the Commission Regulation, employed in determining whether an infringement is a serious infringement."
It is intended that the new SI will feature the same definitions. As stated above, it is envisaged that it will be for the new Determination Panel established under the new SI to determine if on the balance of probabilities a serious infringement occurred and whether it is a serious infringement.
Having an effective, proportionate and dissuasive system of points for all fishing vessels, Irish and non Irish, operating in our 200 mile zone is beneficial to maintaining the sustainability of fish stocks on which our seafood sector is dependant. This system will ensure that the vast majority of our law abiding fishermen are able to compete effectively and look forward to a sustainable future in the industry.
Fodder Crisis
Ceisteanna (175)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:175. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being put in place in view of the concerns, particularly in the north west, about a possible fodder shortage in early 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47271/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has been closely monitoring weather conditions, grass growth and feed supplies. It is clear that the weather conditions over the past number of weeks has been challenging and this has created difficulties for farmers in parts of the country, particularly in the Western and North Western regions.
Grass growth rates through September and October were ahead of recent years. Data from Pasturebase Ireland indicates that production is running about 1 tonne dry matter per hectare ahead of last year. Notwithstanding this, grazing conditions did deteriorate from mid August on farms in the Western regions and on heavier land. This has given farmers a number of challenging weeks managing livestock with animals having to be temporarily housed and difficulties with securing later cut silage. I note that there appears to be reasonable supplies of feed and fodder available across the country at present. However, I have asked Teagasc to work locally in areas with fodder difficulties, to support the need for good budgeting of fodder supplies on farms for the winter ahead and into 2018.
The European Commission agreed to my request for an advance payment of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme. This has been prompted by the protracted inclement weather conditions and also market difficulties caused by currency fluctuations. This means an increase from 50% to 70% in the advance payment rate for the BPS to those applicants whose applications were confirmed fully clear. These payments were recently issued, and balancing payments will be made with effect from early December. There will also be an increase permitted to the advance for Pillar II Rural Development schemes.
These payments and the payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, are injecting up to €800 million into the Irish rural economy and will provide a very welcome boost for Irish farm families, and also funding for fodder and feed purchase where required.
Taking account of this, there are no plans at this time to establish a fodder aid scheme. My Department will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Question No. 176 answered with Question No. 173.
Agriculture Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (177)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects all agricultural support payments to be made on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47279/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department administers a wide range of schemes which provide vital support to underpin the continued sustainability and growth of the agrifood sector. I am very aware of the importance of these supports for farmers, and accordingly the issuing of payments under these schemes is a matter of priority for my Department.
The main schemes are delivered under the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, and each year approximately €1.5bn issues under these schemes. My Department has a strong record in the efficient delivery of these payments, as evidenced by the fact that we perform very favourably compared to other EU Member States in terms of both the dates on which payments are delivered and our ability to maximise the drawdown of available EU funding.
In terms of the individual schemes, the main Direct Payment scheme is the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). Advance payments commenced on 16 October this year, which is the first date permissible under the EU Regulations. In all, an advance payment worth some €700 million issued to 111,000 farmers on the first pay run, representing an increase from the 109,000 farmers paid at the same stage in 2016.
The Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme commenced payment on schedule again this year. In the week beginning 18th September, payments in excess of €160 million issued to over 75,000 farmers, representing a significant increase over the 65,000 paid at the same stage in 2016.
In both the BPS and ANC schemes, payments have continued to issue as additional cases have become clear for payment and the current position with those schemes is that for BPS 116,500 applicants have now been paid €755 million and for ANC over 86,600 applicants have been paid €186 million.
With regard to GLAS, all applications must pass regulatory controls and validations before payment can issue. Payments are due to commence issuing to applicants in the coming weeks. I do not expect any payment delays where everything in the application is found to be in order.
The TAMS II Scheme has been very successful to date in terms of uptake with the number of approvals that have issued to date exceeding 11,600. All of these approvals represent committed expenditure under the TAMS II measure of the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020.
Of the applications approved just over 2,500 payment claims have been received to date, representing 21% of approvals. Payment claims submitted have been paid in over 75% of cases and these continue to be paid on an on- going basis. However, until such time as the works applied for and approved have been completed and payment claims submitted, payments cannot issue.
All participants who have completed approved works are urged to submit their payment claims immediately to facilitate early payment.
Organic Farm Scheme payments in 2015 and 2016 amounted to €8m each year. Projected expenditure for 2017 is €13m and the average payment is approximately €6,500. It is expected that 2016 balancing payments will issue this month.
Payments have now commenced on the Knowledge Transfer Programme. The initial payment runs relate to cases where all Year 1 requirements have been fully met by the farmer – cases where all requirements have been only partially met or where inspections are ongoing will follow shortly. Given the structure of the scheme, farmer payments are now rolling out on a sector by sector basis as follows:
|
SECTOR And PAYEE |
|
KT Sheep – farmer payment - Payment issued |
|
KT Beef – farmer payment - Payment issued |
|
KT Dairy – farmer payment November 2017 |
|
KT Tillage – farmer payment November 2017 |
|
KT Equine – farmer payment November 2017 |
|
KT Poultry – farmer participant November 2017 |
In addition to the above schemes, advance payments at a rate of 85% are due to issue later this month to participants in the new Sheep Welfare Scheme.
In relation to all these EU funded schemes, it is important to note that EU regulations stipulate that payments can only issue when the required validation checks have been carried out and passed. I am very anxious to ensure that my Department continues to issue these important payments to farmers in the most efficient and timely manner possible, and this remains a key priority for me.
Beef Imports
Ceisteanna (178)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which beef or other meat imports from third countries have been evaluated with particular reference their impact on Irish and EU producers; if steps are being taken to safeguard Irish and EU agrifood producers in view of current or potential imports from third countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47280/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland has a small open economy and relies to a significant extent on international trade for its economic well-being. This is particularly true in the agrifood sector, given its overwhelming dependence on export trade. Against this background, Ireland is broadly supportive of balanced trade liberalisation, provided our most vulnerable sectors, including beef, are protected.
Where agri food products are imported from third countries, such imports are governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by Member States in the first instance, and audited by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (formally the FVO), to ensure compliance with all of the relevant food safety standards. The legislation imposes health and supervisory requirements designed to ensure that imported products meet standards equivalent to those required for production and trade between Member States. Import control procedures on products of animal and fish origin are highly prescriptive and strictly audited by the Directorate to ensure compliance. Inspection finding reports are published on the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety’s website. Veterinary checks are carried out on consignments of foods imported from Third countries outside the EU. Consignments are subject to documentary, identity and physical checks, including sampling of products, carried out in accordance with European regulations at Border Inspection Posts.
Any evaluation of future trade deals should take account of the EU Commission’s assessment of the cumulative impact on the agri food sector, and of the potentially negative impact of Brexit on EU agriculture. In the context of discussions on a potential trade deal with Mercosur, I have worked with a number of other member states to mobilise opposition to the inclusion by the Commission of a beef tariff rate quota in its recent offer to Mercosur countries, and in this context will continue to ensure that the interests of Irish beef farmers are protected.
Agrifood Sector
Ceisteanna (179)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that standards in the agrifood sector relating to husbandry, production, processing and traceability as applicable throughout the EU will not be compromised by imports from third countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47281/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Food products placed on the marketplace are covered by a range of legislation designed to ensure that products supplied to consumers are of the highest safety standards. My Department plays a part in the enforcement of this legislation along with other Government Departments and State Agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Health Service Executive, and Local Authority Veterinary Inspectorate, Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency. The FSAI is the body responsible for enforcement of regulations governing traceability, labelling and provision of food information to customers.
Primary responsibility under EU law for the safety and traceability of food placed on the market lies with food business operators. The role of National Competent Agencies is to verify compliance with this requirement. This is done via a combination of inspecting establishments and auditing the food safety management systems which operators have in place. These controls are applied at different stages in the food supply chain. Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002 sets out the general principles and requirements of EU food law and stipulates that food business operators must, at all stages of production, processing and distribution within their business, ensure food law requirements are satisfied. In regard to traceability, the regulations require that food business operators have what is referred to as the ‘one step forward, one step backward’ traceability system. There are additional requirements for certain fishery and aquaculture products under the Control Regulation (Regulation 1224/2009 and Implementing Regulation 404/2011) from first sale to subsequent stages of production, processing and distribution up to retail.
My Department has a permanent veterinary presence at all its approved slaughter plants. Controls at plants only engaged in secondary processing are carried out at a frequency based on an annual risk assessment. An annual audit of imported products is carried out in each Department-approved plant, including checks on physical identity, labelling and documentary checks.
Extra veterinary checks are carried out on selected consignments of foods imported into DAFM-approved establishments from other EU Member States or from Third Countries outside the EU. These checks include physical checks of product condition, checks of accompanying documentation and checks of labelling and health markings.
The import of products of animal origin from third countries is governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by Member States in the first instance, and audited by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety, to ensure compliance with all of the relevant food safety standards. The legislation imposes health and supervisory requirements designed to ensure that imported products meet standards equivalent to those required for production and trade between Member States. Border Inspection Posts are operated by my Department. Import control procedures on products of animal and fish origin are highly prescriptive and strictly audited by the Directorate to ensure compliance. Inspection finding reports are published on the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety’s website.
I am satisfied that the controls and checks in place and enforced by my Department ensure that European consumers are protected and correctly informed when they purchase and consume food products.
Fishing Industry
Ceisteanna (180)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the future of families depending on the fishing industry will not be jeopardised, post Brexit, and that adequate arrangements are in place to ensure that the fishing sector here remains in a good position to develop now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47282/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
A key element in protecting the interests of our fishing industry will be ensuring that fisheries does not become isolated from the wider negotiations. I am glad to say that Michel Barnier and the relevant Member States are as 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. I see no basis whatsoever for the kind of reordering of the current arrangements apparently sought by some in the UK.
I will be meeting UK Secretary of State Gove at the end of this month and I will be setting out our position.
My position is absolutely clear – I will not accept any change in the current access and sharing arrangements to the detriment of Ireland's and the EU’s fishing communities.
We would all like higher quotas but the way to achieve that is to grow the stocks through sustainable management for the benefit of all.
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 discussions on the totality of the future relationship between the EU and the UK. I will 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.
Fishing Industry
Ceisteanna (181)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the growth and development of the fish processing sector, including landings, over the past ten years; the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the future development of the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47283/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2016, there were 156 seafood processing enterprises providing close to 4,000 jobs in peripheral coastal communities. Some 24 of these enterprises (16%) had revenues over €10 million, 52 (33%) had revenues between €1 million and €10 million and 80 (51%) had revenues of less than €1 million. The growth and increasing scale of the processing sector can be seen when comparing this to 1999, when only 11 enterprises had revenues of over £5 million, 8 had revenues of between £3 - £5 million, and 6 enterprises had revenues of between £1 - £3 million.
Our seafood sector (domestic and export) was valued at €945 million in 2016. This figure represents a 33% increase from a value of €712 million in 2010. The value of our seafood exports increased by 47%, or €180 million, to €559 million in the same period. Underpinning this growth is the value-add of seafood, which has seen the average unit price of seafood exports increase from €1.67 to €2.71 over the period from 2010 to 2016.
To assist our seafood processing sector in achieving its growth potential in the years ahead, and informed by Food Wise 2025, the Government is focussed on encouraging the sector to add value to fish raw material through increased innovation and development of new consumer products, encouraging the sector to further enhance its scale to make it more competitive on world markets, and encouraging the development and diversification of our export markets. My Department’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme is providing the development funding for these objectives and Bord Iascaigh Mhara is delivering those EMFF supports through the Seafood Innovation, Seafood Scaling and Seafood Capital Investment Schemes, while Bord Bia is significantly expanding its seafood promotion programme.
Food Safety Standards
Ceisteanna (182, 184)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the European Union in general continues to uphold the highest quality, hygiene and health standards in the food sector and that imports from third countries do not undermine such standards to the detriment of European food producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47284/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the agrifood sector here has been or is likely to be threatened by imports into the EU from third countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47286/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 184 together.
Food products placed on the European marketplace are covered by a range of legislation designed to ensure that products supplied to consumers are of the highest safety standards. My Department plays a part in the enforcement of this legislation along with Competent Authorities in other Member States, other Irish Government departments and State Agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the Health Service Executive.
The importation of products of animal origin from third countries is governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by Member States in the first instance, and audited by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (formally the FVO), to ensure compliance with all of the relevant food safety standards. The legislation imposes health and supervisory requirements designed to ensure that imported products meet standards equivalent to those required for production and trade between Member States. Border Inspection Posts are operated by my Department. Import control procedures on products of animal and fish origin are highly prescriptive and strictly audited by the Directorate to ensure compliance. Inspection finding reports are published on the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety’s website. Veterinary checks are carried out on consignments of foods imported from Third countries. Consignments are subject to documentary, identity and physical checks, including sampling of products, carried out in accordance with European regulations.
Primary responsibility under EU law for the safety and traceability of food placed on the market lies with food business operators. The role of National Competent Agencies is to verify compliance with this requirement. This is done via a combination of inspecting establishments and auditing the food safety management systems which operators have in place. These controls are applied at different stages in the food supply chain. Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002 sets out the general principles and requirements of EU food law and stipulates that food business operators must, at all stages of production, processing and distribution within their business, ensure food law requirements are satisfied.
I am satisfied that the controls and checks in place and enforced by my Department ensure that European standards are not detrimentally affected by imports from third countries.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (183)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has had discussions with the farming sector with a view to identifying issues that have caused concern in the course of the past 12 months; if particular provisions are likely to be made to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47285/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I engage with representatives of the farming organisations on a very regular basis and my Department engages closely with them virtually daily, on a range of policy and practical issues.
These include the impact of Brexit on the agri food sector, the impact of international trade agreements including Mercosur, the shape of the CAP post 2020, and a wide range of sectorial issues.
In shaping policy responses I have regard to the views of stakeholders, and also to a variety of other factors, including the constraints of the relevant legal framework, the available economic analysis, the funding available and value for money considerations.
For example the shape of schemes available under the €4 billion Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 is generally the product of consultation with farm and other representative bodies, but also subject to a comprehensive EU legal framework and approval by the European Commission.
In relation to Brexit, I have established a Consultative Committee of Stakeholders in order to ensure a full exchange of information on the potential implications of a UK exit from the EU for the agrifood sector in Ireland. I convened the first formal meeting of the Committee on 7 July 2016 and I have held three subsequent meetings.
In the 2017 Budget I provided seed funding for a €150m loan scheme for primary producers and in the 2018 Budget I am supporting new €300m loan scheme for SMEs, at least 40% of which will be made available to food businesses. I have also secured funding of €25 million for 2018 to allow my Department develop a low cost loan scheme for farmers, fishermen and food businesses similar to the 2017 scheme.
I have also provided an additional €14m for Bord Bia since the end of 2016 and my department has intensified its efforts, including through a programme of trade missions, to ensure that Irish food products have access to as many international markets as possible.
In relation to Mercosur, I have been very active in highlighting the potentially very damaging impact of a bad deal on the European beef sector. At political level, I have raised the issue with Member State colleagues and with Commissioners Hogan and Malmström, and within the Council of Agriculture Ministers as recently as yesterday, and the Taoiseach has raised the matter with Presidents Macron and Juncker.
On CAP, Ireland will continue to argue for a strong budget and continued commitment to the provision of support for family farms.
I wish to assure the House that I will continue to engage closely with stakeholders, including farm bodies, and remain focused on supporting the agrifood industry through the challenges ahead.
Question No. 184 answered with Question No. 182.
Agrifood Sector
Ceisteanna (185)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the targets set in Food Harvest 2020 and Foodwise 2025 continue to be met; the areas which have raised concern; the proposals arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47287/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The main targets set out in the Food Harvest report published in 2010 were, by 2020, to increase the value of primary output by 33% and agrifood exports by 40% (both from a 2007-09 average baseline); and to increase value added production by 40% (from a 2008 baseline). In addition to these value increases, a target was set for a 50% increase in milk production by 2020, to be progressed following the abolition of milk quotas in April 2015.
Progress on those targets is monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis. The latest data available show growth of 36% for both primary production and exports (based on 2016 data), and 47% for value added (latest available data 2014), versus the baseline period, demonstrating excellent progress.
Food Wise 2025, the latest ten year strategy for the agrifood sector published in July 2015, is the successor to the Food Harvest strategy. It identifies the opportunities and challenges facing the sector and provides an enabling strategy that will allow the sector to grow and prosper. Food Wise includes more than 400 specific recommendations, spread across the cross-cutting themes of sustainability, innovation, human capital, market development and competitiveness, as well as specific sectorial recommendations.
If these recommendations are implemented, the expert committee, which drew up the Food Wise 2025 Strategy, believes that the following growth projections are achievable by 2025: increasing the value of agrifood exports by 85% to €19 billion; increasing value added in the sector by 70% to in excess of €13 billion; and increasing the value of primary production by 65% to almost €10 billion. With regard to employment, Food Wise foresees the creation of 23,000 additional jobs in the agrifood sector all along the supply chain from primary production to high value added product development.
In July this year, I launched the second annual progress report of Food Wise 2025: Steps to Success 2017. This showed that, of the 368 detailed actions which were due to commence by 2017 or are ongoing actions: 46% have been achieved or substantial action has been undertaken; and a further 49% have commenced and are progressing well.
I will host a Food Wise Conference in Croke Park on 4th December which will acknowledge the achievements of the Irish agrifood sector in terms of innovative, sustainable growth over recent years; and consider how the Food Wise process can lead a dynamic, collaborative response to future opportunities and challenges.
Dairy Sector
Ceisteanna (186)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which growth in the dairy sector can continue; the extent to which new markets are being identified and or are identifiable; the progress in relation to such markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47288/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that Ireland’s plans for growth in the dairy sector are formally set out in Food Wise 2025, Ireland’s blueprint for the overall agrifood sector, where an all of sector agreed approach is set out including actions, benchmarks and targets for the dairy and other sectors. Notwithstanding challenges on the horizon, amongst which Brexit is paramount, stakeholders in the Irish dairy sector are well placed to benefit from expanding global demand.
In 2016, Ireland exported in the region of €4bn in dairy products to approaching 130 countries. Against the backdrop of EU agreed trade deals such as those completed with Canada and Japan, my Department continues to prioritise efforts to gain access to new 3rd country markets and, equally importantly, to deepen existing markets for Irish dairy products. In many instances such efforts are on foot of trade missions at Ministerial level. Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agrifood exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region. In addition, against the background of Brexit, I have asked Bord Bia to conduct a market profiling exercise to identify opportunities in new and more mature markets, and the output of this exercise will provide valuable market intelligence both for industry operators and policy makers.
Most recent CSO data available for the year to end August showed that growth in Irish dairy exports is in excess of 20% ahead of the same period in 2016, on foot of factors such as improving global prices, particularly evident in sectors such as butter, but also increases in volumes exported across a range of product categories. This demonstrates that our aforementioned efforts are contributing positively to Irish dairy sector exports.
While global demand for dairy products remains strong, the quality of Irish sourced milk is a key competitive advantage in our promotional efforts in new and existing markets. Investment in research and innovation, improvements in on-farm practices, and the development of added-value products are key priorities for Ireland’s dairy sector. My Department will continue to review opportunities for growth in the sector, in collaboration with industry stakeholders.
In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025, I and Minister of State Doyle led trade missions to China, Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea in September 2016. In November 2016 I also led a trade mission to Morocco, which was extended at senior official level to include Algeria. Earlier in 2016, senior officials accompanied a Bord Bia trade mission to Iran.
In February 2017 I also led a very successful Trade Mission to the Gulf Region. This covered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. More recently, in June of this year I led an extensive Trade Mission to the US and Mexico, and will be leading a trade mission to Japan and South Korea later this week.
Such missions serve to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in these destinations. They also promote Ireland's reputation as a producer of high quality, safe and sustainably produced dairy products.
Ireland is strongly positioned as a competitive producer of dairy. It has enviable natural resources, adaptable and resilient producers, a strong international reputation, an effective dairy processing sector and a strong core of research infrastructure and expertise. My Department and I will continue to work with our partners in the dairy sector and with EU colleagues and international counterparts to ensure the development and maintenance of a sustainable dairy sector in Ireland.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (187)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the cost of farm inputs with a view to maintaining a livelihood for farm families into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47289/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2013 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was a useful and progressive reform making the CAP fit for purpose to 2020. It provided Irish farmers and the agrifood sector with policy certainty for the years to come and with strategic financial support to increase sustainability and enhance competitiveness. I will continue to work with my EU colleagues to ensure that we engage in policies that promote the interests of the EU agricultural sector.
Food Wise 2025, the ten year strategy for the agrifood sector published in July 2015, identifies the opportunities and challenges facing the entire sector and provides an enabling strategy that will allow it to grow and prosper. Food Wise includes more than 400 specific recommendations, spread across the cross-cutting themes of sustainability, innovation, human capital, market development and competitiveness, as well as specific sectorial recommendations. The implementation process is driven by a High Level Implementation Committee, which I chair.
My Department continually monitors the cost of farm production inputs via the most recent data available from national and international sources. These include the Central Statistics Office's Agricultural Price Indices, Teagasc publications, EU level data from Eurostat and international equivalents from bodies such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation and OECD.
Cereal Sector
Ceisteanna (188)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has had discussions with the cereal growing sector with a view to possible alleviation of difficulties arising from a difficult harvest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47290/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am very aware of the needs of the cereal sector and have continued to engage actively with the stakeholders on the needs of the sector, particularly through the Tillage Stakeholders Forum. As Minister I am most conscious that the maintenance of an efficient and viable cereals sector in Ireland is clearly very important to the well being of the agrifood industry. Indigenous production of cereals is of course an important part of primary agriculture production. In addition to generating an income for our tillage farmers, the cereals sector is a key source of seed production, grain for the milling and malting industry and feeding stuffs for the livestock sector. The long-term average cereal production in Ireland is in the region of 2.2 million tonnes per annum and it is desirable to sustain this level of production in order to avoid over-dependence on imported cereals.
The 2017 harvest is estimated by Teagasc to be in the region of 2.1 million tonnes, despite a decrease in the area devoted to tillage. This is mainly due to the availability of new improved varieties capable of higher yields and thereby helping to sustain a viable tillage sector. Cereal prices are highly sensitive to global supply and demand and volatility in prices is likely to remain a constant feature of Irish cereal prices in future; grain producers should factor such fluctuations into their planning and marketing strategies. I nonetheless acknowledge the continued tight margins experienced by growers and the challenges facing the sector, as global production due to higher yields continues to outstrip demand.
The Deputy may be aware of a number of measures I introduced in this regard to sustain the tillage sector and promote its growth in the future. Among these measures was a targeted crop loss support measure to assist growers most affected by the wet weather harvest conditions of September 2016.
In addition to this measure I also introduced the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme and extended it to cover the tillage and horticulture sectors. I have been advised by the banks that all of the €150m is committed and is in the process of being drawn down. I am pleased at the very positive reaction of farmers, including tillage farmers, to the Scheme, which has proved that significant demand exists for low cost flexible finance.
I am pleased to have secured funding of €25 million for my Department to facilitate the development of a new Brexit response loan schemes for farmers, fishermen and food businesses in 2018. Further details will be announced in due course.
As additional support to tillage farmers I also introduced the Tillage Investment Scheme under TAMS II earlier this year. The specific areas of investment include Minimum Disturbance Tillage Equipment, Sprayers, Rain Water Harvesting, Grain Storage and Grain dryers. This Tillage Scheme is the latest of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS II) to be launched under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The closing date for applications under the second tranche of the new scheme was Friday 6th October 2017. There was a significant level of interest in investments under this measure with a total number of 687 applications received to date. 457 approvals have now issued in respect of the first tranche and payments and approvals are issuing on an ongoing basis.
My Department operates a range of services aimed at improving the level of production, quality and viability of the Irish cereal sector. These services include seed certification, seed testing, crop variety testing and the publication of recommended lists of varieties, research funding through the ‘Stimulus’ competitive research programme and funding for the quality assurance scheme. In addition, Teagasc provides research, training and advisory services for cereal producers. The value of all these support services is reflected in the fact that Irish cereals producers have consistently achieved some of the highest yields in the world.