Written Answers Nos. 158-177
158. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in payment being issued to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal under the Inishowen flood relief measure 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3705/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application to receive financial aid under the Flood Damage Relief Measure was received in the Department on 25th September 2017. This application has been finalised and payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
159. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal under the Inishowen flood relief measure 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3706/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application to receive financial aid under the Flood Damage Relief Measure was received in the Department on 26th September 2017. This application has been finalised and payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
160. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the labelling of food in Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3707/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe general framework for the labelling of food products has been established under Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011.
This Regulation requires, under Article 15, that the labelling of food products be provided "in a language easily understood by the consumers of the Member States where a food is marketed.” Additionally, Member States can “stipulate that the particulars shall be given in one or more languages from among the official languages of the Union.
In the Irish context, S.I. No. 556 of 2014 (European Union (Provision of Food Information to Consumers) Regulations sets out, under Regulation 12, that labelling of food must be provided, at a minimum, in English with the option of additional labelling in the Irish language.
161. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the GLAS scheme will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3719/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015. Payments in respect of scheme years 2015 and 2016 have been made.
All GLAS claims must clear validation checks before payment can be made. Department officials are working proactively to complete the checks to allow for the issue of payments. Once this case clears the validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are issuing on a weekly basis.
162. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a matter (details supplied) regarding the testing of deer for tuberculosis will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3720/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe responsibility for the management of wild deer on public lands and the issuing of hunting licences to hunters and others lies with the Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DAHRRGA) under the Wildlife Acts. In addition, control of deer on private property is the responsibility of landowners. Of course, landowners who have concerns regarding deer may engage in hunting deer during the annual open season subject to securing appropriate licences. Permissions under Section 42 of the Wildlife Acts, offer a facility outside of the annual open season whereby a person can obtain a permit, on a case-by-case basis, to prevent serious damage caused by individual deer on specific lands. Permissions are issued by DAHRRGA where there is evidence of such damage.
My Department does conduct post-mortems of deer primarily for Veterinary Public Health reasons under EU Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 laying down rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption. In that respect, submissions are typically received involving a set of lungs or a head +/- lungs and in 2017 tissues were received as routine submissions from 101 wild deer, of which culture results are pending for 24 and of the 77 deer for which testing is complete, Mycobacterium bovis has been isolated from 14. The county breakdown for culture positive deer is Wexford (4), Wicklow (7), Waterford (1), Dublin (1) and Cork (1). I am informed that there have not been any submissions from wild deer in Kerry in 2015, 2016 or 2017.
The Deputy should be aware that no definitive link has been established between deer and TB outbreaks on farms. Research has demonstrated that the primary underlying drivers of bovine TB in Ireland are its spread within cattle populations, its spread within badger populations and cross-infection between these two populations. Therefore, as part of its TB Eradication Strategy my Department operates a wildlife programme which involves reducing the badger populations in infected areas, where badgers are deemed to be a risk factor, and vaccination of badgers now forms part of that programme. This Strategy is achieving results, given that there has been a significant improvement in the disease situation in Ireland where the incidence of TB in cattle has fallen by almost 40% since 2008 and is currently at record low levels. However given trends such as that in Kerry where herd incidence has risen from 2.06% this time last year to 4.08% which is higher than the national average of 2.58%, we cannot be complacent. My Department is continuing to seek the best methods available to assist in reaching our goal of eradicating TB by 2030.
163. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a matter regarding a cut to the BPS payment of a person (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3729/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application under the Force Majeure measure of the Single Payment Scheme on 05th February 2004.
Following examination of this application, my Department deemed this application unsuccessful as it did not satisfy the criteria laid down in Article 40 of Council Regulation EC No 1782/2003, determining Force Majeure/Exceptional Circumstances.
The person named subsequently appealed this decision to the Independent Single Payment Appeals Committee who having re-examined all aspects of the case recommended that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld.
As the person named has explored all avenues in relation to their Force Majeure application this case is considered closed.
164. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a matter (details supplied) regarding entitlements will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3736/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted three Transfer of Entitlement applications to transfer entitlements by way of lease under the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme. Two of the transfers have been fully processed but the third transfer remains outstanding as the transferee did not have a herd number and the transfer could not be processed. My Department has been in contact with this transferee and have been informed that the allocation of the herd number is in process.
Upon allocation of this herd number and following processing of the transferees 2017 Basic Payment scheme application the third transfer received from the person named will be processed. This will enable the activation of all the entitlements for the person named thus avoiding the risk of entitlements being lost to the National Reserve due to non-usage.
The person named has 51.67 entitlements in total. In 2017 he activated 29 and leased out entitlements under 3 transfer applications as follows
Transfer 1: 3.67 entitlements leased out for one year
Transfer 2: 5 entitlements leased out for one year
Transfer 3: 14 entitlements leased out for one year
165. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive outstanding GLAS payments for 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3743/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016 and has received the 85% advance payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
The Department is aware of an issue with this case regarding the payment of the 2016 GLAS balance and the 2017 advance. A solution has been identified and is being implemented. GLAS 2017 advance payments are continuing to issue on a weekly basis.
166. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a GLAS 2 payment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3768/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016. Payments in respect of the 2016 scheme year have been made.
Validation checks must be passed on all actions on GLAS claims and all cases must clear these checks before payment can issue. Department officials are working proactively to complete these checks on all claims to allow for the issue of payments. Once this case clears validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are continuing to issue on a weekly basis.
167. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the single farm payment for a person (details supplied) has not been issued; and when this payment will issue. [3770/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 28th April 2017. Advance and balancing payments issued on schedule to the nominated bank account in October and December 2017.
168. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a GLAS 2 payment for a person (details supplied) has not been issued in view of the fact that the person signed up in November 2015 and was informed that the issue pertaining to commonage had been waived. [3771/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
An issue arose with this application relating to a commonage action. The issue is being addressed at the moment. Payment will issue as soon as the case is finalised. Payments are issuing on an ongoing weekly basis.
169. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he plans to take to ban fox hunting. [3772/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requires persons to ensure that animals been hunted are not subject to unnecessary suffering and specifically prohibits the hunting of animals which have been released in an injured, mutilated or exhausted condition.
Voluntary codes of practice have been established by The Hunting Association of Ireland which detail the conduct to be adhered to in respect of the hunting of foxes and the treatment of the animal during the hunt. The Code prohibits the hunting of foxes where the animal is injured and advocates the humane disposal of a fox when captured. The code also takes into account local concerns and the concerns of the landowner(s) on which hunting takes place.
While I have no plans to ban fox hunting, I have however recently asked officials of my Department to engage with the Hunting Association to determine whether the existing Code needs updating.
170. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the loans made available to persons through the agriculture cashflow support loan scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3785/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of my priorities is to support the provision of lower-cost, more flexible finance for farmers. The “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme” was developed by my Department in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate arising from Brexit and lower commodity prices in some agriculture sectors during 2016. It made €150 million of flexible working capital funding available at low-cost interest rates of 2.95%. I launched the Scheme on 31 January 2017 and by the beginning of March, all of the participating banks had reported that their funds were committed.
The SBCI have reported that, to the 18th December 2017, there have been 4,200 loan drawdowns amounting to a total of €142,397,350. This is an average loan amount of €33,900. The last date for draw down of approved loans was the 31st December 2017 and the SBCI will report final figures for the Scheme shortly. I was pleased with the positive reaction to the Scheme by farmers, which among other things, allowed them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term debt, ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of viable farming enterprises.
This successful Scheme has provided a template for publicly-assisted loan schemes and I expect to launch the new “Brexit Loan Scheme” shortly with the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. This will make up to €300 million of working capital finance available to Irish businesses currently impacted by Brexit, or to those who will be in the future, with my Department's funding (€9 million out of the total €23 million in public funding) ensuring at least 40% of the Scheme will be available to food companies.
171. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the appointment process for the position of chairperson of Horse Racing Ireland which becomes vacant on 18 March 2018 should comply with the revised and updated Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3815/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if stateboards.ie will be used to source expressions of interest from persons when the position of chairperson of Horse Racing Ireland falls vacant on 18 March 2018 in order to ensure that the process of appointment meets and is in compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3816/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.
Horse Racing Ireland is a commercial state body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
On 30 September 2014 the Government announced changes to the system for appointments to State Boards including that all appointments should be advertised on www.stateboards.ie, operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
The Deputy will be aware that the Board has its own obligations in relation to compliance with corporate governance standards. My Department has arrangements in place to monitor the activities of State Bodies and ensure compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
It is my understanding that the position will be advertised on www.stateboards.ie in the coming weeks.
173. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the €300 million Brexit loan scheme fund announced in budget 2018 will open for applications; the length of time the fund will remain open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3876/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this week I welcomed the signing of the counter guarantee agreement with the European Investment Fund that will facilitate the launch of the “Brexit Loan Scheme”. The Scheme will provide affordable, flexible financing to Irish businesses currently impacted by Brexit, or those who will be in the future, and will make up to €300 million of working capital finance available. Given their unique exposure to the UK market, funding from my Department (DAFM) ensures that at least 40% of the fund will be available to food businesses; DAFM is providing €9 million out of the total €23 million in public funding. The working capital finance will be easier to access, more competitively priced and at more favourable terms than current offerings. This will give Brexit-impacted businesses time and space to adapt and to grow into the future.
The Scheme will remain open for up to two years or until it has been fully drawn down and will be delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI). They expect to announce their commercial lending partners shortly following an "Open Call" at the end of last year. Following the completion of administrative arrangements between SBCI and the commercial lending partners, I will be in a position to launch the new Scheme with my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
174. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the €25 million allocated in budget 2018 for the development of further Brexit response loan schemes for farmers, fishermen and food businesses in 2018 will open for applications; the length of time the fund will remain open for applications; the minimum and maximum amounts permitted to be loaned; the collateral requirements; if funds will be loaned to farmers for the purchase of livestock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3877/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe successful “Agriculture Cashflow Loan Scheme” has provided a template for publicly-assisted loan schemes. This includes the “Brexit Loan Scheme”, which I expect to launch shortly with my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
I also announced in Budget 2018 that I had secured funding of €25 million for my Department to facilitate the development of potential Brexit response loan schemes for farmers, fishermen and for longer-term capital financing for food businesses. These are currently under active consideration and I will announce more details as they become available.
175. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in receipt of GLAS 1, 2 and 3 that have received the 85% advance payment of their 2017 payment, by county, in tabular form; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 85% portion of 2017 payment; the number of GLAS recipients that have yet to receive this portion of payment, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3878/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy when it is available.
176. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on proposals to harmonise EU legislation on fishing gears, bycatch rules and small catches (details supplied). [3879/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposal referred to by the Deputy concerns the conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures.
Technical Conservation measures are rules on how, where and when fishermen may fish, also determining gear, catch composition and ways to deal with accidental catches. Up until now, these detailed and complex rules have been decided at EU level through a lengthy adoption process, and over the years this regulatory structure has become highly complex.
The aims of the proposal are to:
- Optimise the contribution of technical measures to achieving the key objectives of the new Common Fisheries Policy that came into force on 1 January 2014.
- Create the flexibility required to adjust technical measures by facilitating regionalised approaches (consistent with the objectives in Union law).
- Simplify the current rules in line with the Commission's REFIT programme (the European Commission's Regulatory Fitness and Performance programme). The new proposal replaces fully or partially nine co-decided Regulations, amends and simplifies five others, and repeals over 10 Commission Regulations.
The proposal largely retains the existing conservation standards, however it extends conservation to ecosystems (area closures and other technical limitations to avoid unwanted effects on the ecosystems or the sea bed), marine habitats (in particular in connection with environmental legislation such as the Habitat and the Marine Strategy Framework Directives), and non-commercial and sensitive by-catch species.
The proposal is being considered under the co-decision process whereby the Council and the European Parliament separately examine the proposal. Once both institutions have established their respective positions negotiations take place to try and agree a common final text. The Council agreed its general approach last summer – supported by Ireland- while the Parliament only concluded its deliberations last week.
Over the coming weeks and perhaps months, negotiations will take place between the two institutions on this very complex proposal.
We are analysing the EU Parliament amendments with a view to making clear the issues of concern and the elements that we can support.
My officials and I are working, in close consultation with industry stakeholders, to try to ensure that any final agreement is practicable, sensible and will facilitate rather than hinder the industry in reaching our common objective of sustainable and profitable fisheries.
177. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the systems in place to address the threat of sea lice to wild salmon on farms. [3880/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland the control of sea lice is managed by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State. These protocols are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:
- The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry.
- Data obtained as a result of inspection is published and made widely available.
- Treatment trigger levels are set at a low level.
The sea lice monitoring and control programme in Ireland has been acknowledged by the Environment Directorate (DG Environment) of the EU Commission as representing international best practice.
