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Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1067-1083

Bord na gCon

Ceisteanna (1067)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

1067. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 269 of 21 March 2018 (details supplied), if he will address the fact that a greyhound which he reportedly co-owned was used in both hare coursing and greyhound racing. [15420/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Bord na gCon is a commercial State Body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.

The Irish Coursing Club is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon.

Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

I wish to confirm that I do not own nor have I ever owned the greyhound Swift Starlet as stated in the Deputy's question.

The issue raised regarding the racing of greyhounds, be they track-bred or coursing-bred greyhounds, is a matter for Bord na gCon.

Question No. 1068 answered with Question No. 1057.

Inshore Fisheries

Ceisteanna (1069, 1070)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

1069. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the consultation document which is under preparation regarding inshore waters is likely to be published and put on public display; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15456/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Clare Daly

Ceist:

1070. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he plans to take to protect the inshore boats which operate within the six nautical mile coast line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15457/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1069 and 1070 together.

This Government has committed to the development of the inshore sector in the current Programme for a Partnership Government. The programme identifies a number of methods for supporting the sector, such as ensuring smaller inshore boats are given new opportunities for commercial fishing. Support is being provided under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme (EMFF OP) for enhanced management and conservation of inshore stocks, including v-notching of lobster, more selective fishing gear and preparation and implementation of management plans for a sustainable inshore fishery. Funding of some €6 million has been earmarked under the programme for the Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme.

I meet regularly with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF). The NIFF and its supporting network of six Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums (RIFFs) cover the entire coast. The Inshore Forums provide a platform for the discussion of problems facing the inshore sea-fisheries sector and have been making recommendation to me on issues of concern for their sector.

The NIFF is taking the lead in setting priorities for the inshore sector, including developing for the first time a dedicated strategy. From my meetings with the NIFF, I have introduced a number of industry-led initiatives, developed through the forum structures, following extensive consultation. These include conservation measures for inshore stocks such as velvet crab and scallop off the coast of Wexford. Public consultations were also held earlier this year (2018) on proposed management measures recommended to me by the NIFF in respect of brown crab and razor clam in the North Irish Sea.

The issue of limiting access to different categories of vessels in inshore waters and within 6 nautical miles has been raised by a number of stakeholders. My department is currently in the final stages of preparing a formal paper to include possible measures. I hope to be in a position to present this paper for a full public consultation in the coming weeks.

The potential impact of limiting access to different categories of vessels in inshore waters and within 6 nautical miles has been the subject of scientific and economic reports by the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara. There has also been preliminary engagement with fisheries representative groups in respect of these reports. The forthcoming consultation paper will set out possible measures and their potential impacts.

Let me reassure the Deputy that once the public consultation begins, adequate time will be provided to ensure that the diverse interests of all stakeholders are considered and any possible measures will be fair and balanced.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1071)

John Brassil

Ceist:

1071. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farm payments for persons (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15467/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

All GLAS payments in this case are fully up to date.

Farm Assist Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (1072)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

1072. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farm income supplement payment for a person (details supplied) for February 2018 will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15608/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The movement of any animal into a restricted holding is prohibited, except with written permission of the RVO and following a movement permit. Payment of or eligibility for Income Supplement and Hardship Grants will cease for the remainder of the restriction from the date animals are moved into the herd and Depopulation Grants will not be paid in respect of animals moved in during the restriction period other than the following exceptions: (where permission is also required)

 (i)  Introduction of a replacement stock bull(s). A 30 day pre-movement test is required

(ii)  Emergency replacement suckler calf (notified on relevant NBAS 31F form - where a calf to a suckler cow dies).

In this case the person named moved animals into his holding during his restriction and is therefore ineligible for payment of income supplement. The RVO will contact the person named in relation to the date of movement of his animals to request proof of the error and following receipt of same a decision will be made in relation to this case.

Fodder Crisis

Ceisteanna (1073, 1146)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

1073. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to roll out a meal voucher scheme to enable farmers to purchase feed for their livestock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15769/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

1146. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a meal voucher scheme in view of the ongoing fodder shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16801/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1073 and 1146 together.

In 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. Together these two measures address remaining issue around fodder availability and it is not planned to introduce meal vouchers.

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 in the near future.

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.

Question No. 1074 answered with Question No. 1047.

Fodder Crisis

Ceisteanna (1075, 1077, 1124, 1128, 1137)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

1075. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on lifting the 100 km restriction on the transport subsidy scheme for the collection and distribution of fodder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15771/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

1077. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on recommendations by an association (details supplied) to address the growing number of farmers experiencing fodder shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15787/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

1124. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16414/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

1128. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16467/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

1137. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ease the fodder crisis in counties Cavan and Monaghan and nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16752/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1075, 1077, 1124, 1128 and 1137 together.

In 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, reduced the minimum distance to 50 km 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 already 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.

Fodder Crisis

Ceisteanna (1076)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

1076. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on putting on hold all non-emergency farm inspections by his Department in view of the fact that the fodder crisis is putting undue pressure on farmers and a farm inspection will only add to this pressure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15772/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The EU regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development measures require my Department to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with scheme eligibility criteria and Cross Compliance requirements. These inspections are mandatory and there are minimum numbers and types of inspections that must take place annually. In the case of scheme eligibility inspections, the inspection must be completed before payments under the schemes can be finalised and issued to applicants.

 All of my Department's inspecting officers are very experienced and fully aware of the difficulties being encountered by farmers due to the adverse weather conditions and the fodder issues. Each inspected case will have all factors, including the poor weather conditions, taken into account when arriving at any decision on the outcome of an inspection.

 Inspecting Officers are fully trained to maintain a positive engagement with farmers and also to take account of any situation where it is evident that a farmer may be under stress. Every effort is made by inspecting officers to minimise this and to ensure that a reasonable approach is maintained.

Question No. 1077 answered with Question No. 1075.

GLAS Data

Ceisteanna (1078)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1078. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in counties Mayo and Galway who were in GLAS in 2017; the number in each county who have received their 85% payment for that year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15797/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

5,096 participants in County Mayo have received a 2017 advance payment with 405 cases continuing to be processed. For County Galway 5,573 have received a 2017 advance payment with 311 cases continuing to be processed. The majority of unpaid cases at this stage are due to the applicant not completing all the requirements to trigger the payment. These include the non-submission of documentation including commonage management plans, low emission slurry spreading forms, rare breed’s forms and 2017 BPS application issues that remain to be resolved

Payments continue to issue on a weekly basis as cases are cleared.

Animal Welfare

Ceisteanna (1079)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

1079. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department will take to ensure that the welfare of animals is maintained and protected during spells of extreme weather as recently experienced (details supplied); if additional funding and resources for State agencies charged with animal welfare to combat neglect and abuse during future spells of cold or other extreme weather will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15817/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 the primary duty for ensuring the welfare of an animal including horses lies with the person having possession or control of the animal.  A person who fails to comply with this commits an offence.

In order to assist the work of animal welfare charities, my Department funds a scheme of ex-gratia payments . In December 2017,  111 animal welfare organisations received funding  of €2.56m which represents  the largest amount allocated to date. This record allocation together with the fund raising efforts of the animal welfare charities will greatly assist their work in course of 2018 including the excellent work conducted by the charities during the course of the recent adverse weather events.

I should add that my Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty and neglect for investigation:

Call Save 0761 064408

01 6072379

Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie. All calls received are followed up as appropriate. 

European Court of Justice Rulings

Ceisteanna (1080)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

1080. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the amounts payable to individual farmers following the 2017 judgment of the European Court of Justice on the excess levies paid in respect of sugar beet have been finalised. [15831/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On 9 February 2017, the European Court of Justice delivered a judgment declaring invalid the EU Commission Regulations fixing the production levies and the coefficient for calculating the additional levy in the sugar sector for the marketing year 1999/2000 and for the marketing year 2000/2001. The Court ruled that the EU Commission was incorrect in calculating the annual levies set for the period in question. The Court also found that the method used by the EU Commission to fix the levies was incorrect because it led to an over-estimation of the costs to be covered and consequently overcharged to Greencore and the former beet growers. The levies for the marketing years in question, set by EU Regulation, provided for a self-financing system for the sugar sector by means of flexible production levies. Under EU Regulations the common organisation of the markets in the sugar sector was based on the operation of a quota system on the principle that producers should bear full financial responsibility for the losses incurred each marketing year due to disposing of surplus sugar over the production quota allocated.

In this connection a new Council Regulation (EU)2018/264 signed into law on the 19 February 2018 fixed the production levies and the coefficient for calculating the additional levy in the sugar sector for the 1999/2000 marketing year and fixing the production levies in the sugar sector for the 2000/2001 marketing year, giving effect to the Court decision. The principle amount to be re-imbursed to the former sugar processor Greencore and the sugar beet growers for the years in question will be €933,435 (plus interest to be added). No further details are available at this time on the level of refund or the number of recipients.

European Court of Justice Rulings

Ceisteanna (1081)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

1081. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request a company (details supplied) to consider foregoing the compensation payment due to it under the 2017 judgment of the European Court of Justice on the excess levies paid by sugar processors and in turn pass on this compensation payment to the sugar beet growers. [15833/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I know the Deputy will already be aware that the repayment of sugar levies fall due to be repaid to Greencore and the former beet growers as a result of a court case brought to the European Court of Justice however and for the Deputy’s information I wish to restate the current position.

On 9 February 2017, the European Court of Justice delivered a judgment declaring invalid the EU Commission Regulations fixing the production levies and the coefficient for calculating the additional levy in the sugar sector for the marketing year 1999/2000 and for the marketing year 2000/2001. The Court ruled that the EU Commission was incorrect in calculating the annual levies set for the period in question. The Court also found that the method used by the EU Commission to fix the levies was incorrect because it led to an over-estimation of the costs to be covered and consequently overcharged to Greencore and the former beet growers. The levies for the marketing years in question, set by EU Regulation, provided for a self-financing system for the sugar sector by means of flexible production levies. Under EU Regulations the common organisation of the markets in the sugar sector was based on the operation of a quota system on the principle that producers should bear full financial responsibility for the losses incurred each marketing year due to disposing of surplus sugar over the production quota allocated.

A new Council Regulation (EU) 2018/264 signed into law on the 19 February 2018 fixed the production levies and the coefficient for calculating the additional levy in the sugar sector for the 1999/2000 marketing year and fixing the production levies in the sugar sector for the 2000/2001 marketing year, giving effect to the Court decision. The former sugar processor, Greencore and the sugar beet growers for the years in question will be reimbursed in due course.

You will appreciate as Minister, I must fully comply with the judgement of the European Court.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1082)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1082. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15861/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The GLAS payments due to person named are fully up to date.

The TAMS application referenced has also  been finalised and payment has issued to the person named.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1083)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1083. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15863/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

All GLAS payments in this case are fully up to date.

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