Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:954. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24405/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraGLAS Applications
Ceisteanna (954)
Freagraí scríofa
The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received all payments in respect of scheme years 2015 and 2016 including GLAS plus.
This applicant has not yet submitted the required Commonage Management Plan and is therefore ineligible for further payments. Both the participant and their advisor have been advised of the requirement to submit the Plan immediately to ensure further payments and indeed participation in the scheme.
Forest Roads Scheme
Ceisteanna (955)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:955. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24420/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Approval for the construction of a forest road was issued to the person named on 01/11/2017 by the Department. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant scheme, payment of the forest road grant is subject to the submission of a fully completed and signed Form 2 (Application for Payment) as well as required supporting documentation. The detailed requirements are outlined in the Forest Road Scheme Document. In accordance with the contract issued, payment is also conditional on the satisfactory completion of the works not later than 30/06/2018.
To date, a Form 2 has not been received by the Department from the person named.
Horse Racing Ireland
Ceisteanna (956)
Clare Daly
Ceist:956. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a foal may be registered without the foal levy being paid. [24448/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The current Foal Levy Scheme, which was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, applies to all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland. The foal levy is currently calculated with reference to SI 735 of 2011 which is the governing legislation.
The statutory scheme requires the owner of each thoroughbred foal born in Ireland, requiring registration, to register in the General Stud Book through the offices of Weatherbys Ireland GSB Limited and pay at registration time a levy to Horse Racing Ireland. The actual levy payable is related to the generally applicable (advertised) nomination fee of the foal's sire and varies between €35 (where the nomination fee is less than €1,001) and €650 (where the nomination fee is in excess of €30,001).
Horse Racing Ireland is a commercial State body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry
Horse Racing Ireland
Ceisteanna (957)
Clare Daly
Ceist:957. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of court cases taken by Horse Racing Ireland since the foal levy was introduced seeking recovery of unpaid foal levy charges. [24449/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Horse Racing Ireland is a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
I have made enquiries with Horse Racing Ireland and have been informed that court proceedings were issued in 20 cases and five of these cases are ongoing.
Animal Slaughtering Data
Ceisteanna (958)
Peter Burke
Ceist:958. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of kilos of beef killed per week in all factories and abattoirs here. [24496/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2017 there was a total of 586,182,300 Kg’s of beef slaughtered in all factories and abattoirs. This is on average 11,272,737 Kg’s per week. (See table below for breakdown)
Beef that is slaughtered in meat factories is categorised as follows:
A – Young Bull (<24 months)
B – Mature Bull (>24 months)
C- Steer
D- Cow
E- Heifer
The average weights are taken from Price reporting abattoirs (24) and the total numbers slaughtered is a total of all Department of Agriculture controlled factories and local authority controlled abattoirs.
|
- 2017 |
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
Total |
|
Numbers Slaughtered |
196,835 |
28,203 |
684,592 |
375,362 |
553,806 |
|
|
Average Weight |
365 |
450 |
354 |
314 |
312 |
|
|
Kg's |
71,610,533 |
12,683,042 |
240,971,730 |
117,323,611 |
143,593,384 |
586,182,300 |
|
Weeks / year |
52 |
52 |
52 |
52 |
52 |
52 |
|
Kg's / Week |
1,377,126 |
243,905 |
4,634,072 |
2,256,223 |
2,761,411 |
11,272,737 |
Herd Data
Ceisteanna (959)
Peter Burke
Ceist:959. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of recorded calf births in suckler herds from 1 June 2015 to date in 2018, by year in tabular form. [24497/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The number of recorded calf births in suckler herds from 1 June 2015 to 31 May 2018 is set down on a calendar year basis in the following table.
|
Birth Year |
Period |
Registrations |
|
2015 |
1 June 2015 - 31 December 2015 |
321,863 |
|
2016 |
1 January 2016 - 31 December 2016 |
976,078 |
|
2017 |
1 January 2016 - 31 December 2017 |
944,166 |
|
2018 |
1 January 2018 - 31 May 2018 |
568,929 |
The number of births registered in 2018 is not a true representation of calf births in May 2018 as a calf may be registered up to 27 days after birth and accordingly a number of births in May 2018 will be registered in June 2018.
Young Farmers Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (960)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:960. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a once a year young farmers payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24532/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named submitted an application to my Department for continued participation in the Young Farmers Scheme (YFS). The EU Regulations governing the YFS require my Department to carry out inspections to ensure compliance with the scheme eligibility criteria.
The 2017 YFS application of the person named was selected for inspection. This inspection was carried out on 28 March 2018 and it identified that the person named did not meet the scheme criteria in relation to being in financial control of the holding.
The initial findings of the inspection were notified on 9 May 2018 and the person named was afforded the opportunity to submit comments on the findings. Comments were submitted by the person named and these were examined and the final outcome of the inspection, which upheld the original inspection findings, was notified by letter of 30 May 2018. This letter advised the person named that they could seek a review of this decision by submitting new facts or fresh evidence with supporting documents, within 28 days of the date of this letter. My Department has no record of receiving a review request at this time.
If the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of any such review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
Programme for Government Implementation
Ceisteanna (961)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:961. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the implementation of A Programme for a Partnership Government as it applies to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24569/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government will shortly be publishing the second annual progress report on the Programme for Partnership Programme. Some of my Department's highlights for year two are:
Food Wise 2025: Total agri-food exports in 2017 were €13.6bn, an increase of 11% over 2016. Among the achievements in market access included the opening of the Chinese market for beef and that Irish beef sold in the US can now carry the USDA quality mark.
Sustainability: Under the Rural Development Programme, the GLAS (some 50,000 farmers participating), BDGP (some 25,000 farmers participating) and TAMS programmes have all continued to make real contributions to the common goal of Irish sustainability. To date, 337 food and drink companies are verified members of Origin Green.
Brexit: Preparations, including close engagement with stakeholders, are continuing and I provided €50million in supports in Budget 2018. I have also been engaged in an intensified round of bilateral meetings with other Member States.
Access to finance: Following the successful €145 million 'Agriculture Cashflow Loan Scheme' in 2017, I and my colleagues launched a new €300 million 'Brexit Loan Scheme' for Brexit-impacted SMEs and mid-caps. My Department’s funding ensures that at least 40% of the fund will be available to food businesses.
Payments: Advance payments of €704 million issued to over 111,000 applicants on the earliest date permissible under EU regulations (16 October), with balancing payments commenced again on the earliest possible date, bringing the total paid to €1.106 billion to 120,700 (98% of all eligible applications). The application process for the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme opened on the 7 February 2018, which is the earliest the application process has opened and is over a month ahead of the opening of the 2017 application process. This is to provide additional time for farmers and their agents to submit their application online as, under EU regulations, all applications must be submitted online in 2018.
New CAP: Following on from the European Commission’s public consultation on CAP in early 2017, and the CAP Communication on 29 November 2017, my Department commenced its own public consultation on CAP post 2020 with six public meetings, which Minister of State Doyle and I hosted by during February 2018. The public meetings were held regionally throughout the country and were well attended. The submissions are now available on my Department’s website. The Commission published its proposals on 1 June.
Trade: In the past year, I led successful trade missions to the USA & Mexico, to Japan & South Korea, Turkey, the USA & Canada and China & Japan. I travelled to the UK as part of the annual series of Irish Government engagements to mark St Patrick’s Day, especially significant in the context of Brexit.
Forestry: Increases in afforestation grant and premium rates have been introduced as part of the Forestry Programmes midterm review. A series of promotion activities have been undertaken to highlight forestry as a land use option for farmers.
National Farm Animal Health Strategy: I launched The National Farmed Animal Health Strategy 2017-22 in July 2017. The Strategy sets out a comprehensive set of actions for all stakeholders in the agri-food industry to work in partnership to achieve optimal animal health in Ireland.
Seafood: Seafood exports to 72 countries increased by 16% in 2017 to €645 million. Some €28 million was invested in Ireland’s seafood sector through a suite of 16 schemes under the EMFF Operational Programme.
GLAS Appeals
Ceisteanna (962)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:962. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24588/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person in question was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017.
An issue presented with the application during the prepayment validation checks and an action was rejected from the application. As this was the only Tier 1 action on the application the entire application was rejected. A review of this decision was requested and the person has been informed in writing that the review was unsuccessful, setting out the option of submitting an appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
Young Farmers Scheme
Ceisteanna (963)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:963. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a payment will be issued in respect of 2017 to a farmer (details supplied) in County Cork who has submitted the necessary documentation under the specific scheme. [24748/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named submitted an application to my Department for continued participation in the Young Farmers Scheme (YFS). The EU Regulations governing the YFS require my Department to carry out inspections to ensure compliance with the scheme eligibility criteria.
The 2017 YFS application of the person named was selected for inspection. This inspection was carried out on 22 March 2018 and it identified that the person named did not meet the scheme eligibility criteria in relation to being in financial control of the holding.
The initial findings of the inspection were notified on 18 April 2018 and the person named was afforded the opportunity to submit comments on the findings. Comments were submitted by the person named and these were examined and the final outcome of the inspection, which upheld the original inspection findings, was notified by letter of 25 May 2018. This letter advised the person named that they could seek a review of this decision by submitting new facts or fresh evidence with supporting documents, within 28 days of the date of this letter. My Department has no record of receiving a review request at this time.
If the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of any such review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within three months.
Aquaculture Regulation
Ceisteanna (964)
Clare Daly
Ceist:964. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason fish from a company’s (detail supplied) hatchery at Lough Altan, County Donegal has been awarded organic status despite the fact that his Department determined that the company had breached licence conditions at the hatchery. [24752/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In the case referred, I determined that a breach of the general aquaculture licence conditions did occur. However, I also determined that the circumstances were such that the licence itself should not be revoked in this instance.
With regard to the organic status of the operation, which is subject to a separate approval process, the relevant Organic Control Body undertook a comprehensive audit of all sites operated by the company in question earlier this year. This found that the specific requirements governing organic production were being complied with.
That said, and as with the performance of all operators, my Department is keeping the matter under close review to ensure that the highest standards are maintained.
Fish Farming
Ceisteanna (965)
Clare Daly
Ceist:965. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the procedures operated by his Department for organic designation of salmon farms are so flawed that the organic label is nothing more than a greenwash marketing tactic for inducing the public to pay higher prices for farmed salmon. [24753/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At the outset, I wish to make very clear that the procedures operated by my Department are designed to ensure that the highest standards apply to all areas of Irish organic production. The award of organic status is secured by a formal certification process delegated by my Department to various Organic Control Bodies in accordance with the relevant EU regulations. The certification process involves regular inspection of all organic operators, production techniques and sampling of organic produce to ensure compliance with all EU requirements.
The inspection process for producers of organic salmon is extremely detailed and includes adherence to a range of core organic principles, as well as stocking levels, feeding practice, caging standards, traceability and fish-welfare & husbandry amongst other things. Organic aquaculture sites are also subject to the standard inspection regime applying to conventional producers by the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. In addition, all Organic Control Bodies are independently accredited by an external accreditation body.
In 2016, the certification system for organic salmon in Ireland was included in a comprehensive audit by the EU of the controls applied by Ireland in the Organic Sector generally. The EU audit team made some recommendations which have been implemented and which further strengthened our control system across the board. I am satisfied therefore that the integrity of the organic label in Ireland is fully intact.
Fish Farming
Ceisteanna (966)
Clare Daly
Ceist:966. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the failure of a salmon farm operator to notify his Department of an outbreak of disease as required by the licence conditions would preclude that operator from holding the organic status label. [24754/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Organic operators are required to implement systems to manage health and disease outbreaks in accordance with governing regulations. Such operators are also required to notify their relevant Organic Control Body of disease outbreaks including notification of treatments of stock.
Depending on the circumstances, any breach of such requirements may possibly impact on the organic certification of an organic operator. However, such breaches would have to be assessed on a case by case basis by the Organic Control Body in the first instance.
Organic Farming
Ceisteanna (967)
Clare Daly
Ceist:967. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the policy oversight and management of the organic labelling system should be transferred to a body that is independent of his Department in view of the many failures of his Department to properly regulate the organic labelling system. [24755/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At the outset, I wish to make very clear that the procedures operated by my Department are designed to ensure that the highest standards apply to all areas of Irish organic production. The award of organic status is secured by a formal certification process delegated by my Department to various Organic Control Bodies in accordance with the relevant EU regulations. The certification process involves regular inspection of all organic operators, production techniques, labelling and sampling of organic produce to ensure compliance with all EU requirements.
I am unaware of the 'many failures' mentioned by the Deputy but presume the reference is to the findings of an EU audit of the sector carried out in 2016, which did identify a number of areas where controls could usefully be strengthened. This audit, which was extremely detailed, was one of a series undertaken in Member States and designed to harmonise controls across Europe.
Overall, the audit team concluded that Ireland had a control system in place which laid down a clear division of tasks between competent authority and the various control bodies. The EU audit team made some recommendations for further improvements, recognising that some of these had already been identified by my own Department as part of its ongoing management of the sector.
All recommendations made by the audit team have been fully implemented by my Department and this has been formally recognised by the EU audit team. I am satisfied therefore that the organic label in Ireland is fully intact and that our current control system is robust.
Aquaculture Licence Appeals
Ceisteanna (968)
Clare Daly
Ceist:968. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contacts, formal and informal and written and oral, made by his Department with the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board in advance of the board's recent decision to amend the licence held by a company (details supplied) for its salmon farm at Inishfamard, County Cork. [24756/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In furtherance of its consideration of an appeal against a Ministerial decision to amend the licence referred to by the Deputy, the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) requested specific documentation from my Department relating to the original amendment. This request from ALAB was in written form and was received by my office in January 2018 and forwarded to the relevant Division of my Department in the normal way.
ALAB’s request was in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act. My Department forwarded the relevant documentation to ALAB in the normal way.
In March 2018 my Department met with the Chair of the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board to discuss, in broad terms, a number of routine corporate matters. The appeal referred to by the Deputy was not discussed.
Aquaculture Licence Appeals
Ceisteanna (969, 970)
Clare Daly
Ceist:969. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the environmental studies carried out by the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board before deciding to increase the production limit of the salmon farm operated by a company (details supplied) at Inishfamard, County Cork. [24757/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:970. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board has breached the Aarhus Convention by amending the salmon licence operated by a company (details supplied) at Inishfamard, County Cork without consulting the public and environmental bodies. [24758/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 969 and 970 together.
The Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) is an independent body established by statute for the purpose of considering appeals of Ministerial decisions in respect of aquaculture.
The matters referred to by the Deputy are operational matters for ALAB and my Department has no function in that regard. The Deputy’s questions have been referred to ALAB for its attention and response directly to the Deputy.
Aquaculture Licences
Ceisteanna (971)
Clare Daly
Ceist:971. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department has not yet concluded its investigation into the licence breaches at various salmon farms operated by a company (details supplied); and if this delay is due to the conflict of interest that arises for his Department between the proper regulation of salmon farming and the development of the industry. [24759/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware my Department is currently examining possible breaches of licence conditions in respect of a number of aquaculture licences held by the Company referred to by the Deputy. My Department is also examining a possible breach of licence conditions in respect of a licence held by a third party and operated by the Company referred to by the Deputy.
There is always a strict separation between my Department’s regulatory function in respect of aquaculture and its duty to promote the sustainable development of the industry. This separation of duties is strictly observed.
Every effort is being made by my Department to bring these examinations to a conclusion as soon as possible having regard to the complexities involved. As these examinations are part of an ongoing statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.
Aquaculture Licences
Ceisteanna (972)
Clare Daly
Ceist:972. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consistent breaches of licence conditions by a salmon farm operator are taken into account by his Department when processing new licence applications from that same operator. [24760/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and the relevant National and EU legislation. The legislation provides for a period of statutory and public consultation in respect of each application.
Licensing decisions are made following the fullest consideration of all aspects of each application including scientific, technical, legislative and public interest aspects.
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (973)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:973. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 432 and 433 of 23 January 2018, the powers that are available to ensure the enforcement of welfare standards of horses in the ownership and or care of individuals; his plans to bring forward legislation to prevent owners that have had horses seized on the grounds of neglect or cruelty from acquiring or providing care for other horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24768/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The questions of 23 January 2018 to which the Deputy refers related to steps being taken in order to deter horse owners from using canals, public fields and sides of roads to keep horses, and related matters.
The legal framework within which issues relating to animal neglect/abuse are addressed is provided by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This is a modern Act and is the main legal instrument available to my Department to enforce animal welfare standards. The basic rule may be summarised by stating that the person having possession or control of an animal, including a horse, has responsibility for the care and welfare of that animal; it is this person’s duty to take all necessary steps to protect the animal from unnecessary suffering and neglect, and not to be reckless regarding the animal’s welfare. There is a specific requirement to ensure that an animal has access to an adequate supply of wholesome food and water.
The Act is enforced by authorised officers of my Department based at regional offices around the country, members of an Garda Síochána, officers of Customs and Excise and authorised officers of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In addition, the Chief Executive of a local authority may appoint officers of the local authority to be authorised officers within the administrative area of the authority.
The main powers availed of under the Act are contained in section 38 which provides for extensive powers of inspection and investigation, including in appropriate circumstances, seizure and detention of animals and their retention for use in evidence. Section 42 provides for a system of legally binding notices, the breach of which constitutes a criminal offence.
The Act provides for a range of penalties that may be imposed. On summary conviction, an offender may be fined up to €5,000 (a Class A fine) and/or be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of up to 6 months. On conviction on indictment, a fine of up to €250,000 and or a term of 5 years imprisonment may be imposed. The Court may also, in particular circumstances disqualify a person from owning, keeping, having charge or control (directly or indirectly) of an animal, or being involved with activities relating to animals for a period, including, where appropriate, for the life of the person. The determination of any particular case is, of course, a matter for the trial court.
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (974, 975)
Clare Daly
Ceist:974. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the property requirements needed by horse owners who apply for a trainer's licence. [24784/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:975. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an organisation (details supplied) issued a trainer's licence to an individual in the past 12 months that is not the owner or lease holder of a suitable property to keep horses. [24785/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 974 and 975 together.
The issuing of trainers licences is a matter for the Turf Club. I will request officials in my Department to refer both questions to the Turf Club for direct reply to the Deputy.