Written Answers Nos 65-76
65. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the work of his Department in implementing the law on noxious weeds, including ragwort, on both public and private land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47091/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department actively seeks to enforce the provisions of the 1936 Noxious Weeds Act by issuing “Notices to Destroy” in all instances where it becomes aware of the presence of noxious weeds.
To date this year 21 such notices have been issued. This reflects a comparable level to that reported in 2016. These notices are issued as a result of inspections carried out by Department Field Officers or on receipt of reports made by the public. Follow-up action may be undertaken by departmental officials with the land owner to ensure that the notifications are acted upon and that the particular weeds have been dealt with as stipulated in the Notice to Destroy.
My Department seeks to engage with all County Councils, Local Authorities and the National Roads Authority to ensure a consistent programme of treatment and disposal of such weeds on an ongoing basis. In this regard, my Department was in contact with each of the County and Local Authorities in the Country earlier this year emphasising their statutory obligation and the importance of implementing measures for the treatment and safe disposal of ragwort in order to eliminate and prevent the spread of same.
On the issue of any impact of an infestation of ragwort on farmers’ area-based schemes payments, farmers are obliged to keep their lands free from noxious weeds under the cross-compliance measures set down for farming practices. Failure to do so can result in the application of a reduction of their payment entitlement. EU Regulations governing the various area-based Direct Payments Schemes, e.g. Basic Payment Scheme, Greening, and Rural Development measures, call for applicants to comply with Cross-Compliance requirements relating to the 13 Statutory Management Requirements (SMR’s) and the 7 Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) standards. GAEC Standard 7 requires applicants to ensure that they take appropriate measures to prevent the encroachment/proliferation of noxious weeds/invasive plant species onto land. While 2017 statistics are not currently available, during 2016, a total of 89 sanctions were undertaken which resulted in the application of 65 such penalties.
While the Noxious Weeds Act makes provision for taking prosecutions against offenders, this measure has not been resorted to in recent years. Modern farming has reached a level of specialisation and intensification which makes weed control a fundamental and automatic practice. However, the prevalence of ragwort found along the margins of roadways and in locations such as derelict sites regrettably appears to have increased.
66. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there has not been a specific move to target the 500,000 acres of non-commercially viable Coillte lands identified by the McCarthy report in 2010 for the development of mixed native woodlands (details supplied) in view of the problem of land availability for forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47042/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of its lands, are the responsibility of the company.
The matter was, however, raised with Coillte who advise that it has a systematic and detailed inventory of all of the lands under its management which equates to approximately 440,000 hectares, or over one million acres, of land. Coillte's core business is forestry and its ambition is to maximise the value of every hectare of land under the company’s stewardship. Coillte also advised that, of Coillte’s overall total land bank, approximately 120,000 hectares are classified by Coillte’s inventory as being other than commercial forests and that these lands consists of broadleaved forests, mixed forest, inaccessible areas, bare/swamp and open ground.
Coillte also confirmed that the majority of these 120,000 hectares is represented by relatively small blocks inter-mingled with commercial forest areas, with a significant portion of these lands classified by Coillte as biodiversity areas in line with the requirements of Coillte’s forest certification schemes, namely FSC and PEFC, and sustainable forest management practices. These biodiversity areas carry specific ecological management plans which may require the lands to remain unplanted to promote specific conservation values on site.
Coillte further confirmed that it is constantly and actively looking at its land resource and will plant trees where it is silviculturally appropriate and environmentally beneficial to do so.
67. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there is a looming fodder shortage in the west and north west of the country; the steps his Department is taking to assess the extent of the shortage; his plans to introduce financial aid for persons that are most affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47100/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been closely monitoring the situation. Weather conditions over the past number of weeks were challenging for farmers and this has created difficulties for farmers in the Western and North Western regions.
It would appear that there was abundant grass growth through the autumn time. Data from Pasturebase Ireland indicates that production is running about 1 tonne dry matter per hectare ahead of last year. However for those farming on heavier land grazing conditions deteriorated from mid-August. This created difficulties for these farmers in terms of hampering late cut silage making operations and also resulting in cattle being housed earlier than normal in places.
Currently it appears that there are reasonable supplies of feed and fodder available across the country for those farmers who may require to supplement their own fodder supply. However, I have asked Teagasc to work locally in areas with fodder difficulties to support good budgeting of fodder supplies on farms for the winter ahead.
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 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 1 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.
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.
68. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the amount of unspent funding in TAMS indicates scope for the inclusion of standby generators for dairy farmers affected by power outages. [46940/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TAMS II Scheme has been very successful to date in terms of uptake with the number of approvals that have issued to date exceeding 11,500. All of these approvals represent committed expenditure under the TAMS II measure of the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020. Until such time as these approvals are acted upon or expire the budget for TAMS must include provision for the potential expenditure involved.
Of the applications approved just under 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.
Approvals and payments continue to issue on an on-going basis for the comprehensive list of investments already included in the suite of seven existing TAMS measures. Change-over switches or generators are not part of the TAMS II schemes at present and there are currently no plans to include them.
69. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will write to the European Court of Auditors and request it to extend its upcoming audit on animal welfare measures to include companion animals also; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46933/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Court of Auditors’ (ECA) mission is to contribute to improving EU financial management, promote accountability and transparency, and act as the independent guardian of the financial interests of the citizens of the Union. The ECA’s role as the EU’s independent external auditor is to check that EU funds are correctly accounted for raised and spent in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations and have achieved value for money.
As an independent auditor, the ECA must remain separate from the influence of any Member State. It selects specific tasks at its own discretion and formulates its audit plan on the basis of criteria such as public interest, risk of irregularity or poor performance and potential for improvement. The ECA has recently made the decision to examine whether Member States have made effective contributions to the European Union’s animal welfare objectives and whether compliance has been achieved with animal welfare legislation. This move constitutes the first ever dedicated assessment of animal welfare measures taken by the EU Commission and Member States.
It is proposed that five countries - Germany, France, Romania, Italy and Poland - be assessed in this current programme, with audit reports from the ECA expected to issue in late 2018. These inspections will focus specifically on policies relating to farm animals, with scrutiny to be applied not only to on-farm conditions but also to other important components of the industry such as transport and slaughter. Legislation on pet animals, as distinct from farmed animals, has not been developed at EU level but is among the topics suggested for discussion at the EU Platform on Animal Welfare.
The European Union has always ensured that animal welfare issues are assigned the highest priority. It has reinforced policy objectives with significant Rural Development contributions under the Common Agricultural Policy, which will contribute €1.5 billion to animal welfare payments from 2014 to 2020. I feel that this proposed ECA audit plan is an important development and displays both to worldwide markets, and to our own citizens, that animal welfare is a cornerstone of the EU Agriculture model.
While Ireland has not been selected for an audit on this occasion, officials of my Department are ready to facilitate and engage with members of any ECA audit team which may be assigned to this jurisdiction at a future date.
70. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department is not adopting the full suite of agroforestry measures that are funded and provided for within the rural development regulation for farming and forestry; the further reason he is not actively encouraging the creation of linear riparian native woodlands on farms to act as buffers to collect nitrate and phosphate run off in view of the problem for farm sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47043/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAgroforestry is included under its own grant and premium category as part of my Department’s afforestation scheme. Applications for agroforestry are considered for silvopastoral systems for example, pasture/grazing/silage/hay. However, other systems may be considered on a site to site basis as long as the tree stocking rate is between 400-1000 trees per hectare, it is at least 0.5 of a hectare in area and at least 20 meters wide. The trees will be thinned out in time reducing numbers to between 160-250 trees per hectare, this will allow enough light to filter through the canopy enabling continued grass growth. Acceptable tree species include oak, sycamore and cherry. Other broadleaves and conifers will be considered on a site to site basis. Fruit and nut species can account for up to 15% of the trees planted.
Support for the establishment of demonstration plots for research purposes may also be considered under the afforestation scheme in the context of the Department’s research programme.
The Forestry Programme 2014 -2020 introduced a new requirement with regard to the planting of native woodlands alongside water courses. Native woodlands must be included alongside aquatic buffer zones in water sensitive sites such as aquatic Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and sensitive fisheries areas. This will provide a filtration buffer zone slowing down runoff from upland areas and helping to prevent sediment reaching rivers and streams.
The Department’s new environmental requirements also allows for limited planting within water setback areas. This comprises the planting of single, small groups and irregular belts of native species such as birch, rowan, oak and Scots pine, as site conditions allow. Strategic planting within water setbacks may help to deliver direct in-stream ecosystem services such as bank stabilisation, cooling/shading, and food drop into the aquatic ecosystem. Water setback planting must be agreed in advance with Inland Fisheries Ireland and (where relevant) the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
In addition, native woodland is actively encouraged and financially supported by my Department and this includes riparian woodland.
71. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the findings of the review of regional veterinary laboratories; if the Sligo laboratory will remain functioning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46941/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) Laboratories are an integral part of the Department, providing critical scientific evidence and expertise (in animal health, food safety and plant sciences) which allows the Department to function effectively as a regulator, to deal with new and emerging risks and to rapidly respond to disease outbreaks and food safety incidents. The laboratories also provide valued services and advisory support to the farming community, the food industry and wider society.
The ambitious targets of the 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 Prof. Alan Reilly to undertake a comprehensive review of the Department’s Laboratories. This review has considered both the central laboratory complex at Backweston and the eight regional laboratories located at Athlone, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo. The Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes recommendations on:
- Oversight and co-ordination of the laboratories activities
- Re-organisation of Divisions and support functions within the Central Laboratory complex
- Options for the future development of the Regional Laboratories – with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance capability but with the over-riding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmers and
- Human resources management within the laboratories - with a focus on grading structures, career development opportunities and workforce planning
To date no decision has been taken in respect of the options proposed for the Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs). My Department 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.
72. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department has been in contact with the various producers throughout the country that have been affected by Brexit; the extent to which he will be in a position to offer tangible support with particular reference to particular sectors in the food chain more likely to be severely affected in the short term; if the attention of his EU colleagues has been drawn to the seriousness of the implications for the agri food sector; if the attention of the UK authorities has been drawn to the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47092/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEver since the UK Referendum on Brexit, I and my Department have been actively engaged in assessing the impact of the vote on the Irish agrifood sector, consulting with appropriate stakeholders and engaging with the relevant politicians and institutions. This work is being done in conjunction with the overall Government response led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
One of the steps I undertook in the immediate aftermath of the vote was to establish 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.
This process was complemented by the All-Island Civic Dialogue process organised by the then Taoiseach. Under that process I hosted six sector-specific gatherings covering fourteen different sectors, including fisheries. These engagements afforded me and my Department the opportunity to hear, at first hand, the difficulties and concerns of the sectors; and given that the process was an all island one, I had an opportunity to engage with stakeholders from Northern Ireland also.
I have also engaged with my counterparts in many other Member States in an effort to raise their awareness of the potential impact of an unfavourable Brexit agreement - or no agreement - not only on Ireland but on the EU agrifood sector generally. In this regard there is regular engagement with the Commission, the UK, including Northern Ireland, and other member states both at political and official level. I have had specific bilateral meetings with my counterparts in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, Poland, France, Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium and Spain to seek to establish common ground on the Brexit issue.
I have had political engagement with the former NI Minister for Agriculture Michelle McIlveen, the former UK Secretary of State for DEFRA Andrea Leadsom and the UK Minister of State for Agriculture George Eustice. I have spoken by telephone with DEFRA’s current Secretary of State, Michael Gove, and am meeting him in Dublin shortly. In all of these engagements I have emphasised, and will continue to emphasise, the potential impact a hard Brexit will have on the historical trading relationships between the two jurisdictions.
While the main impact to date of the Brexit vote has been the effect of sterling volatility on those businesses that have a significant trading relationship with the UK, the medium to long term threats include the possible introduction of tariffs on trade between the EU and UK, potential divergences in regulations and standards between the EU and UK, and the implications of border controls and certification requirements.
I and my Department, in co-operation with Government and other Departments and Agencies, are attempting to mitigate the consequences through a range of activities under two distinctive pillars – Competitiveness and Product/Market Diversification.
Under Competitiveness my Department introduced a number of measures in Budget 2017 to help minimise farm gate and business costs, including the introduction of €150m low cost loan scheme for primary producers, new agri-taxation measures and increased funding under the Rural Development and Seafood Development Programmes. Under Budget 2018 I have provided exchequer funding to support a €300m Brexit loan scheme, at least 40% of which will be available to food businesses, and my Department is working with SBCI to develop a similar scheme for primary producers and small businesses.
Under Product/Market Diversification I continue to support Bord Bia in its investment in market prioritisation initiatives, which are aimed at identifying potential diversification opportunities. Since the final quarter of 2016 I have provided Bord Bia with more than €14 million in additional funding for a programme of marketing and promotional activity in international and EU markets, and also in the UK.
I have also allocated an additional €2m to Teagasc to allow them to commence work on an €8.8m investment in a new National Food Innovation Hub which will help Irish food businesses to innovate and expand.
I wish to assure the House that I and the Government remain 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 or burdensome customs and administrative procedures.
73. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to propose a lowering of the cap on basic payments. [47096/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2016 Programme for Government undertook to propose a lowering of the cap on basic payments from €150,000 to €100,000 during a mid-term review of the CAP. Due to the ongoing simplification and modernisation programme of the existing CAP, it is unlikely that a mid-term review of the existing CAP will now take place.
Since the 16th October 2015, the maximum amount payable to any one applicant under the Basic Payment Scheme in Ireland (excluding the Greening Payment) is capped at €150,000 per annum and this option is set down in Regulation 1307/2013, which establishes the current rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the current CAP. Ireland actively supported the concept of a maximum level during the current CAP negotiations back in 2013. A further lowering of the limit would require a legislative change of the Basic Act 1307/2013 (Direct Payments Regulation) in Council.
I am however committed to addressing this matter in the context of the future reform of the CAP, with the Commission scheduled to publish a communication on CAP post 2020, on 29 November 2017.
74. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the additional €25 million of ANC funding; the way in which it will be allocated; and the rationale behind the allocation. [46938/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme is a very important source of financial support for farmers across the country, paying over €200 million each year to over 95,000 farmers. In view of this, the Programme for a Partnership Government included a commitment for a €25 million increase in funding for the Scheme in 2018. I am happy to confirm that this commitment was delivered in the recent budget.
There are a number of options in relation to how this additional €25 million can be allocated in 2018. These options are currently being examined, with a view to being in place for payment under the 2018 Scheme. Changes to payments under the scheme will require formal agreement with the EU Commission via a formal amendment of the Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020.
The 2017 ANC payments commenced on 19th September and to date over €187 million has been paid to some 87,000 farmers. Payments are continuing on a rolling basis as more farmers satisfy eligibility and stocking rate requirements.
I am pleased to note that 2017 payments are ahead of where they were this time last year.
75. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to re-open the GLAS scheme for new entrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46930/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe target set out in the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020 to approve 50,000 GLAS participants before the end of 2018 has already been achieved. The fact that the RDP target has been achieved almost two years ahead of schedule is a significant achievement on the part of both farmers and my Department and is evidence of the commitment of Irish farmers to the sustainable growth of the Irish agr-food sector into the future.
There are no plans to re-open the scheme. My focus now is on ensuring that payments to these participants are processed and my Department is working hard to begin making these 2017 advance payments in the coming weeks. The GLAS scheme is one of a suite of many RDP schemes and the re-opening of any scheme can only be considered within the overall RDP budget which is currently fully committed.
All GLAS applications must pass regulatory controls and validations as is the case with all EU co-funded schemes. Each application must pass the full suite of checks before it can be approved for payment.
The main issue holding up the payment of outstanding 2016 claims which will also hold up 2017 advance payments 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 November 3rd there were 5,275 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.
Every effort is being made in order to ensure that payments are issued without delay. Further payment runs will be made on a weekly basis as cases are cleared including when NMPs are submitted. The aim now is to pay as many participants as possible their 2017 advance payment.
76. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the latest Mercosur talks at EU level; and the steps he is taking to protect Irish beef farmers by ensuring that beef does not form part of the final Mercosur deal. [47098/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was deeply disappointed that the Commission decided to offer a significant tariff rate quota for beef of 70,000 tonnes during the last round of negotiations. I believe that this could not be coming at a worse time for the EU beef sector.
I and my officials have been very active in highlighting the potentially very damaging impact of a Mercosur deal on the European agriculture sector, and on the beef sector in particular. We continue to monitor the situation closely and respond as appropriate to developments in order to defend the interests of Irish farmers, working in close co-operation with my Government colleagues, particularly the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and the Taoiseach.
At political level, I have continuously raised the issue with my Member State colleagues and with Commissioners Hogan and Malmström, both within the Council of Agriculture Ministers and in written form. These efforts have been reinforced at official level through similar contacts with Member States and the Commission, particularly through the Special Committee on Agriculture and the Trade Policy Committee. The Taoiseach has also raised the matter with Presidents Juncker and Macron.
Most recently Ireland made the latest in a series of very strong interventions on this matter at the Trade Policy Committee in Brussels on 27 October, and I raised the matter at the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg in October and again in Brussels this week. I have also worked very closely with a number of other Member States, most notably France, including in the production of a joint paper that was submitted to the European Commission on 26 September outlining our shared concerns. And I wrote to Commissioner Malmström in early October reiterating my concerns in relation to the tabling of a beef tariff rate quota offer by the EU during the most recent round of negotiations.
I believe there is a need for continued vigilance in relation to the conduct of these trade negotiations, and I will continue to insist that they are handled appropriately, and in a manner that safeguards the interests of the Irish and European beef sector. In this regard I believe full account must be taken of the findings of the Commission’s own assessment of the cumulative impact of trade deals on the agrifood sector, and the potentially very damaging impact of Brexit on an already delicately balanced EU beef market.
