Written Answers Nos. 1135-1152
1135. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether in the interests of public safety and legal compliance the business of farm and agricultural contracting should be licensed or regulated. [16750/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe safety of both the public and farmers is of paramount importance in all areas of agricultural activity. I would draw your attention to the implementation of the Machinery Directive and the on-going work in the area of workplace safety, both of which are the responsibility of the Health and Safety Authority under the aegis of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. That Department also has responsibility for the regulation of businesses.
1136. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce grant aid for land drainage for farmers due to severe wet weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16751/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe budget for the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation scheme (TAMS) of €395m under the Rural Development programme is fully committed at this stage. Support for land drainage is not included as an eligible item in the current programme. It is not possible to include additional investment items within the available budget.
1138. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of plans to introduce reform of the forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16755/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current forestry programme was introduced in January 2015 and has recently been subject to a midterm review (MTR). The aim of this MTR was to compare targets against outturn, identify why targets were not achieved and propose measures to help address barriers to achieving these targets. The MTR process itself encompassed a public call for submissions and a series of consultation meetings with stakeholders and the European Commission. Draft proposals were then subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment screening exercise. My Department is currently in the process of implementing the changes introduced as part of this review.
In the recently launched National Development Plan 2018 -2027, the Government has stated that a publicly funded capital programme for afforestation will be supported beyond the lifetime of the current programme.
1139. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received from counties Cavan and Monaghan and the rest of the country under the fodder transport scheme in tabular form. [16762/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date 22 applications have been received for the Fodder Transport Support Measure.
No applications have been received yet from counties Cavan or Monaghan.
1140. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan waiting for GLAS payments; the number of part payments issued; and his plans to process the outstanding payments. [16763/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1141. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of delayed GLAS payments to persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16764/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1140 and 1141 together.
A 2017 GLAS advance payment has issued to 1,793 farmers in Cavan with 68 cases continuing to be processed. For County Monaghan 1,021 farmers have been paid with 26 continuing to be processed. The majority of the outstanding cases are the responsibility of the applicant and the payment is delayed due to the applicant failing to meet his or her obligations under the scheme. I would encourage all applicants to ensure that any outstanding issues are resolved in order to allow the Department to make the payment as soon as possible.
1142. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to offset the impact of Brexit on farmers in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16765/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrexit has the potential to have a very significant impact on the agri-food sector throughout Ireland, including in counties Cavan and Monaghan.
As the Deputy will be aware, the agri-food sector is of critical importance to the Irish economy, and its regional spread means it underpins the socio-economic development of rural Ireland, and of the border region in particular.
The primary means through which the Government is seeking to minimise the impact of Brexit is through the negotiated outcome. In a border context, and in terms of mitigating the impact in counties Monaghan and Cavan, the UK commitment in the Joint EU-UK Report of last December to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland was extremely important. At the Government insistence this commitment is now being translated into legal form in the draft of the Withdrawal Agreement, and we are currently working closely with our EU counterparts and the European Commission Task Force to achieve progress in the actions necessary to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.
During my recent visit to London on St Patrick’s week I met with my UK counterpart, Secretary of State Michael Gove and stressed the importance of avoiding a hard border on the island in order to facilitate bilateral trade post Brexit, without undermining the Single Market.
Since the Brexit vote, the Government has introduced a range of measures to help the agri-food sector navigate the short-term impacts. In Budget 2017, I introduced measures to help reduce farm gate business costs, including a €150 million low-cost loan scheme, new agri-taxation measures and increased funding under the Rural Development and Seafood Development Programmes.
In 2018 Budget I announced a €50m Brexit support package, which will comprise a number of initiatives. Firstly, in cooperation with my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I have recently announced a new Brexit Loan Scheme aimed at providing affordable, flexible financing to Irish businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit or who will be in the future, at least 40% of which will be available to food businesses.
I am also considering the development of a separate loan scheme similar to the 2017 low-cost scheme, based on €25m funding from my Department to the Scheme. These measures are aimed at enhancing competitiveness within the sector.
I have also introduced supports for Bord Bia for investment in market insight and market prioritisation initiatives, which are aimed at identifying and developing potential diversification opportunities. I had already increased funding to Bord Bia by €10 million since the Brexit vote, and a further €4.5 million is allocated in Budget 2018. Following on from the successful trade mission to the USA and Canada in February of this year I will, as part of the marketing effort, lead further trade missions in 2018 to promote Irish food and drink in key markets. I will lead a trade mission to China and Hong Kong next month to develop our relationship further, which takes on additional importance now that we have succeeded in opening this market to beef exports from Ireland.
To enhance product diversification, I have also allocated funding to support the development of the new National Food Innovation Hub, which will be located in the Teagasc Moorepark complex.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government remains very focused on supporting farmers and the agri-food industry through the challenges ahead, whether they are based in Cavan, Monaghan or any other part of the country.
1143. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the percentage of lands in counties Cavan and Monaghan and the entire country used for a purpose (details supplied); the way in which this is monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16768/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the National Forest Inventory (NFI) 2012 total forest cover in Counties Cavan and Monaghan is 8.7% and 4.3% respectively - information is set out in the table below.
National Forest Inventory
|
Cavan |
16,830 ha.s |
8.7% |
|
Monaghan |
5,598 ha.s |
4.3% |
|
Total for Country |
731,652 ha.s |
10.5% |
The National Forest Inventory (NFI) is the principal means of monitoring national forest cover in Ireland. The NFI records and assesses the extent and nature of Ireland’s forests, both public and private, in a timely, accurate and reproducible manner. The NFI is a detailed periodic survey of permanent forest sample plots based on a randomised systematic grid sample design. The exercise is repeated every 5 years with the most recent NFI available for 2012. Work on the next NFI is currently underway. Results from this NFI are expected to be published this year.
1144. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a farm (details supplied) has not been assessed; the status of the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16769/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to PQ13611/18 answered on 27th March 2018, the laboratory result from the animal referred to previously has been received and it is negative. As required, a further herd test was carried out on 7th April 2018 and 5 further reactors were disclosed. Blood samples were taken from these 5 animals on 9th April 2018 and sent to the laboratory for analysis. My Department is continuing to engage with the herdowner.
1145. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the transport subsidy will be applicable to all fodder sourced from outside our jurisdiction including Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16800/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the problems experienced in parts of the West and North-West in the late autumn and winter I took a number of steps to address issues around the availability of fodder.
I asked Teagasc from an early stage to work locally with affected farmers in areas with fodder difficulties and support them on fodder budgeting for the winter ahead.
I prioritised the payment of farm supports to assist farmers with cash flow. In this regard my Department has paid out over €1.6bn to Irish farmers under Pillar I and Pillar II and will continue to make residual payments.
As a further early intervention, and to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the issue of fodder availability in affected areas, I convened a fodder group chaired by Teagasc, and comprising of all the main stakeholders including feed merchants and co-ops, banking, farm bodies etc.
I introduced a targeted ‘Fodder Transport Support measure’ on 29th January 2018 to provide additional assistance to those livestock farmers in parts of the West and North West severely affected by on-going fodder shortages. The main purpose of the measure was to support the cost of transporting fodder between those areas where it was plentiful and those where it was scarce. It is operated primarily through the Co-operative structure.
The continuation of cold wet weather throughout March resulted in a serious delay to the onset of spring. Grass growth remained negligible, ground stayed wet and livestock had to remain housed in many cases. This resulted in the fodder problem extending countrywide with a consequent tightening of fodder availability nationally.
In response I extended the fodder transport measure to all counties and also introduced a Fodder Import Support Measure, to ensure that there was adequate fodder available to feed the national herd. This measure was introduced on 5th April to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage etc.) from outside the island of Ireland. Northern Ireland is excluded. The measure is operated through Co-operatives and other importers approved by the Department. It covers forage imported up to 30th April 2018. Support under the measure will substantially reduce the cost to farmers of imported fodder by approximately one third. This initial allocation will support the importation of up to 20,000 tons of fodder into the country and this will be kept under on-going review until the current crisis is over.
In other supports, planning continues with a view to commencement of balancing payments under certain Pillar II schemes including the Sheep Welfare Scheme followed by the GLAS scheme.
The GLAS Traditional Hay Meadow grazing date has been extended to 1 May 2018, and this makes available an additional 27,000 ha of grazing for livestock which would not otherwise be available.
Furthermore, I am presently engaging in a series of meetings with the CEO's of the main banks to discuss any cash flow issues arising from the recent bad weather and access to finance for the sector generally. During these meetings I continue to stress that in the context of the current situation the banks should be flexible and put measures in place to support their customers.
Through my officials I am monitoring the fodder situation on a daily basis and engaging with all stakeholders in addressing the remaining challenges around fodder supply this spring. The next step will be to prevent this situation arising again, through supporting farmers to effectively plan and manage their grass and fodder supplies for the coming winters.
1147. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will seek measures to be implemented at EU level to support pig producers in view of ongoing downward pressure on prices and increasing costs of feed stuff and other input costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16818/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrice volatility has been a significant challenge for the pig meat sector and developments over the last few years emphasising the cyclical nature of prices in the sector. Current prices stand at €139.2/100kg which is 15% below prices at the same time in 2017 (an exceptional year for pig prices), but remain above the price at the same stage in 2016.
My Department and I have made a substantial effort to encourage market diversification. The importance of this is illustrated by the significant expansion in Ireland’s pig meat exports to East Asia, and to China in particular. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit lends an even greater importance to expansion of access to international markets.
In June of 2017 I visited Mexico, the fourth largest importer of chilled and frozen pork in the world. With Mexican demand continuing to grow I have made access to that market a top priority. I also travelled to Japan and the Republic of Korea last autumn to promote the development of further opportunities for Irish producers in these markets as I want to continue the diversification of markets to which Ireland has access. Exports to Japan more than doubled to €22m in 2017, putting it in second place in international markets. We can also expect that the new free trade agreement with Japan (JEEPA) will further enhance trade opportunities. Growth in the Philippines was also strong, up 54%, making it the third-largest international market for Irish pigmeat exports. China is now the largest third country market with exports of €102m last year and I will lead a trade mission to China next month visiting Beijing and Shanghai. This visit will include events, in association with Bord Bia, to promote Irish pork to further develop export opportunities.
With Irish production up 1.2% in 2017 and export value increasing by 8% to €790m, I will continue to work closely with the sector and, by focusing on insight-led growth strategies, take advantage of opportunities for Irish pig meat exporters on international markets.
1148. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the €75 allowance for households with medical waste will come into effect; the way in which persons will apply for the allowance; the documentation that will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15259/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the commitments set out in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, published in 2012, and in the interest of encouraging further waste prevention and greater recycling, flat-rate fees for kerbside household waste collection are being phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018, as customers contracts come up for renewal. The necessary regulatory steps have been put in place to give effect to this measure. It is worth noting that this measure is not ‘new’ for about half of kerbside household waste customers, who are already on an incentivised usage pricing plan, i.e., a plan which contains a per lift or weight related fee.
As announced in mid-2017, mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging is not being introduced. Allowing for a range of charging options, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste, provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Consequently, a pure kilogramme charge for waste collection may not be selected by some households. Instead, some households may use a ‘per lift’ type charge or a ‘weight allowance’ collection service.
An annual support of €75 per person will be made available for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence. This will help people meet the average annual cost for the disposal of medical incontinence products. My Department is currently in discussion with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive with a view to finalising the details and arrangements of the support.
1149. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an energy roadmap document from a person (details supplied) will be examined; if he will relay the document to the relevant officials in his Department; if his officials will contact the person to meet and discuss the roadmap in more detail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15471/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a request from the Deputy to my Office, officials from my Department met the individual referred to on 1 February last during which the energy roadmap proposals prepared by the individual were presented. In this meeting, my officials took the opportunity to set out information on the background to, current position on, and pending developments in relation to national climate and energy policy and officials agreed to retain the contact details of the individual for use in future relevant consultations by my Department.
I also understand that the individual’s proposals had previously been submitted to the Citizens’ Assembly public consultation on how the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change. I understand that over 1,200 submissions were made to this consultation and that these submissions informed the Assembly’s subsequent deliberations and recommendations on this module. I understand that the Citizens' Assembly expects shortly to submit its final report on this module to the Oireachtas for further consideration.
1150. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when salmon fishing licences will be issued to those that were not part of the salmon hardship fishing group and have been waiting for the recovery of stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15612/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommercial fishing licences issue each year in respect of Rivers and estuaries which have harvestable surpluses and where such fisheries exist. Harvest fisheries are only permitted on individual rivers which are sufficiently exceeding their individual conservation limit and in estuaries where all contributing rivers are also exceeding their conservation limits.
Management is based on the fact that each of Ireland's 147 salmon rivers, river sections etc. has a genetically unique stock of fish. The conservation limit is the number of adult spawning fish required to sustain a healthy population in the individual river Management advice from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is supported by the annual assessments by, and advice from, the Standing Scientific Committee comprised of scientists from a range of organisations.
In light of the scientific advice of the Salmon Standing Scientific Committee for the 2018 season and determined by IFI as ensuring sustainable exploitation and avoiding indiscriminate harvesting in line with the conservation imperative, 105 licences are available for issue to commercial fishermen in those fishery districts where waters are open for harvest. The Commercial fishing season opens on 12 May.
The Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, S.I. 83 of 2018 regulates the issue of commercial salmon fishing licences for the 2018 season. The licences will be allocated on the basis of the criteria provided for in the Order. I am providing a copy of the Order for the Deputy's information.
In 2007, the indiscriminate mixed stock fishery at sea was closed for conservation reasons.
1151. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the categories of licence issued for eel fishing. [16225/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1152. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the difference between the licences issued for salmon fishing and licences issued for eel fishing. [16226/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1151 and 1152 together.
The licencing of fisheries species is part of the management regime which reflects the make-up and characteristics of each stock.
The European Eel is a panmictic species which is a single spawning stock spread over the entire European continent. Eels migrate as adults from European waters to spawn in the Saragossa Sea and the juveniles return to Europe in a random fashion.
Management of salmon is based on the fact that each of Ireland's 147 salmon rivers, river sections etc. has a genetically unique stock of fish. Salmon migrate as juveniles and return as adults to spawn in the river of their birth. Each individual salmon river has its own conservation limit which is the number of adult spawning fish required to sustain a healthy population in the individual river.
Management advice from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) for both stocks is supported by the advice from Stranding Scientific Committees comprised of scientists from a range of organisations.
The licences issued for eel fishing were commercial licences only, no licences were issued for recreational eel fishing. The following were the types of licence available:
- Eye, gap or basket for taking eels in or on a fishing weir or a fishing mill dam;
- Eel trap as used under licence in Drogheda and Ballyshannon Fishery Districts;
- Long Line for eels;
- Coghill net for eels; and
- Fyke nets for eels.
Ireland’s Eel Management Plan (EMP) under EU Regulation 1100/2007, which included a closure of commercial fishing, was approved by the European Commission in 2009.
I have provided funding to IFI for a collaborative research initiative involving IFI scientists and a number of former eel fishermen to further develop national knowledge of the species and its medium to longer term potential for recovery. This 3 year scientific fishery was commenced in 2016.
The latest advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) for 2018 (published November 2017) is that “the status of eel remains critical and that all anthropogenic mortality (e.g. recreational and commercial fishing, hydropower, pumping stations, and pollution) affecting production and escapement of silver eels should be reduced to – or kept as close to – zero as possible. There is no change in the status of the stock as being critically endangered".
No licences for Eel fishing have been issued since 2008.
Officials of the Department have written to the European Commission outlining Ireland’s intention to fund a support scheme for former eel fishermen.
In relation to salmon, recreational angling licences are issued as a national licence or specific to a Fishery District on an annual, twenty one day or one day basis.
The commercial fishing licences issued are Draft Net, Draft Net (Special tidal waters) and Snap Nets. 105 licences are available for issue to commercial fishermen in those fishery districts where waters are open for harvest. The Commercial fishing season opens on 12 May.
Commercial Salmon fishing licences issue each year in respect of Rivers and estuaries which have harvestable surpluses and where such fisheries exist. Harvest fisheries are only permitted on individual rivers which are sufficiently exceeding their individual conservation limit and in estuaries where all contributing rivers are also exceeding their conservation limits.
