Written Answers Nos. 226-245
226. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the 2018 areas of natural constraint will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40124/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2018 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 2 April 2018.
Under 2018 Area of Natural Constraint Scheme, all eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. Stocking density can be satisfied by cattle, sheep, goats, deer and equines. My Department's records confirm that, while the person named had stock on his holding in 2018, he has failed to meet the minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per hectare required for a period of seven consecutive months.
227. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when advance areas of natural constraint and basic scheme payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40142/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2018 Basic Payments (BPS) and Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Schemes was received from the person named on 15 May 2018.
Payment under the ANC scheme issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 28 September 2018.
Advance payment under the Basic Payments Scheme are scheduled to commence on 16 October 2018 in respect of all cases that have been cleared for payment at that stage.
228. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when advance areas of natural constraint and basic scheme payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40169/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2018 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme was received from the person named on 26 March 2018.
Under 2018 Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme, all eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. Stocking density can be satisfied by cattle, sheep, goats, deer and equines.
While the holding of the person named has been confirmed as having satisfied the seven month retention period, it has not as yet satisfied the annual average requirement. Cases such as this are reviewed regularly and as soon as it is confirmed that this applicant has met these requirements, the case will be further processed, with a view to payment issuing at the earliest possible date thereafter, provided all other Scheme requirements have been satisfied.
229. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commonages that have not been allocated to planners under the GLAS scheme; the number of farmers affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40182/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll GLAS commonages have been allocated to a GLAS Commonage Adviser.
Commonage Management Plans are a core requirement for participants with a commonage action, within the GLAS scheme. I would encourage any GLAS applicant with outstanding obligations, including the finalisation of a Commonage Management Plan, to speak to their Commonage Adviser and ensure that this work is completed as a priority. Without the submission of all the required information, these applicants will remain ineligible for further GLAS payments.
230. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commonage framework plans that have not been submitted to his Department; the number of farmers whose GLAS payments are held up as a result; the steps he plans to take in order to ensure they are provided, in view of the fact that it was his Department that selected the planners to do this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40183/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommonage Management Plans are a requirement for participants with a commonage action, within the GLAS scheme. The GLAS requirement for commonages less than 10 hectares is the submission of an individual Commonage Framework Plan (CFP) prepared by the individual participants GLAS Adviser. There are currently 332 Commonage Framework Plans to be finalised involving 247 GLAS participants.
GLAS participants with outstanding CFPs have been contacted directly to contact their Advisers to ensure their plans are submitted immediately. The Department has also written to all GLAS Advisers with outstanding CFPs. I would encourage any GLAS applicant with outstanding obligations, including the finalisation of a Commonage Framework Plan to speak to their Adviser and ensure that this work is completed as a priority. Without the submission of all the required information, these applicants will remain ineligible for further GLAS payments.
231. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a íocfar an fuílleach den deontas GLAS do 2017 le duine (sonraí tugtha); cén fáth a bhfuil moill leis an íocaíocht; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [40185/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCeadaíodh an duine ainmnithe isteach in GLAS 3 agus an 1 Eanáir 2017 an dáta ar cuireadh tús leis an gconradh. Tá an réamhíocaíocht faighte ag an té sin i leith 2017 lena n-áirítear GLAS plus.
Tuigim nár cuireadh an duine atá ainmnithe san áireamh sa Phlean Bainistíochta Coimíneachta a cuireadh ar aghaidh dá choimíneacht. Tá Oifigigh na Roinne ag obair ar réiteach le go mbeidh an Comhairleoir Coimíneachta ábalta an duine atá ainmnithe a chur leis an bPlean seo. Ba cheart go mbeadh fáil air seo go luath. Bhí oifigigh na Roinne i dteagmháil leis an gComhairleoir Coimíneachta chun an staid a chur in iúl dó.
232. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the possibility of introducing a low-cost loan scheme at the European investment loan rate of 1.5% will be examined in order to support farmers who have had to expend significant funds to source and transport fodder and feed as a result of severe weather conditions (details supplied) in 2018 and reduced prices for produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40234/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of my priorities is to improve access to finance for the agri-food sector. I announced in last year's Budget that my Department is considering the development of potential Brexit response loan schemes for farmers, fishermen and for longer-term capital financing for food businesses. These schemes are developed and delivered in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland and take time to develop and operationalise. Consideration and discussions with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Finance are ongoing on a long-term investment scheme and an announcement in this regard is expected to be made shortly.
While continuing to explore additional funding mechanisms to address gaps in the market, I also liaise with the main banks on access to finance issues relating to the agri-food sector. I have had ongoing engagement with the banks on the cash flow pressures arising from the effects of the weather on grazing and fodder stocks and I welcome that they are following through on their commitment to support the sector. The delivery of last year’s Agriculture Cash Flow Loan Scheme is acting as a catalyst to encourage financial institutions to improve and develop new loan products for the sector. A recently announced initiative by one of the main banks mirrors the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme in offering a discounted interest rate with extended and flexible repayment terms. The ‘Milk Flex’ loan product developed by the Irish Strategic Investment Fund, with dairy co-op and private banking participation, is another good example of innovation in this regard.
I know that many farmers will be relying heavily on co-op and merchant credit to navigate the current situation. Therefore, I have also welcomed recent initiatives by co-ops in relation to credit facilities for their suppliers.
233. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing a subsidy for a high-fibre concentrate feed to mitigate the guaranteed fodder shortage in winter 2018 following the severe spring snowstorm and summer drought in 2018; the steps he has taken to examine all available risk management tools to determine which supports are most appropriate to the farming sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40235/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to give the Deputy a full background and account of some of the actions and measures I have put in place to meet the challenges of recent weather events. Following the fodder difficulties of last Winter and Spring I formed a representative group chaired by Teagasc, including stakeholders such as Co-ops, banks, farm bodies, amongst others, to co-ordinate advisory messages to farmers around replenishing depleted stocks of fodder. I requested the group to co-ordinate advice on managing grazing and fodder conservation through the subsequent extended period of extraordinarily dry weather.
Following a meeting with Commissioner Hogan I secured agreement to pay higher advance payments this autumn. As a result, advances for Pillar 1 and 2 payments will be increased to 70% and 85% respectively, resulting in €260 million in additional cash flow for farmers at a vital time of the year.
Furthermore on the 3rd August last I announced a €2.75 million Fodder Production Incentive for Tillage Farmers to encourage tillage growers to actively engage in the fodder market. This additional funding commitment aims to incentivise a doubling of the area currently under catch crops.
On the 22nd August I announced a €4.25 million Fodder Import Support Measure for Autumn 2018. The measure seeks to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage, that is: hay, silage, haylage, alfalfa and others from outside the island of Ireland. While the measure will operate through the Co-operatives/registered importers, the actual beneficiaries will be farmers who need supplies of fodder.
As the recent weather events have shown, farmers require access to measures that improve their capacity to respond to these occurrences and in this connection I have asked my officials, in the context of the upcoming CAP reform, to examine all available risk management tools to determine which of these may be most appropriate to the farming sector.
I am confident that the range of measures introduced by me to date, taken together and targeted at producing as much fodder as possible from our own land, provide the most effective response to a fodder shortfall and I have no plans to introduce a subsidy for a high-fibre concentrate feed. I can also assure you that I will continue to closely monitor and engage on this significant challenge during this difficult period.
234. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the possibility of reintroducing the fodder transport subsidy to assist farmers in transporting fodder which will be in demand due to the impending winter 2018 shortage following the severe spring snow and summer drought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40236/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the fodder difficulties of last Winter and Spring I formed a representative group chaired by Teagasc, including stakeholders such as Co-ops, banks, farm bodies, amongst others, to co-ordinate advisory messages to farmers around replenishing depleted stocks of fodder. I also requested the group to co-ordinate advice on managing grazing and fodder conservation through the subsequent extended period of extraordinarily dry weather. Fodder surveys conducted by Teagasc at my request as part of the group's work identified a substantial deficit in national fodder stocks, identified at 18% in June and falling to 12% in September.
Therefore my overall priority was to support the conservation of as much fodder for the coming Winter as possible when the opportunity to do so arose and to supplement this with necessary imports as required.
On the 3rd August, I announced a €2.75 million Fodder Production Incentive for Tillage Farmers to encourage tillage growers to actively engage in the fodder market and there has been positive engagement with this measure. This additional funding generated significant additional forage area currently under catch crops.
On the 22nd August I announced a €4.25 million Fodder Import Support Measure for Autumn 2018. The measure seeks to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage, that is: hay, silage, haylage, alfalfa and others from outside the island of Ireland. While the measure will operate through the Co-operatives/registered importers, the actual beneficiaries will be farmers who need supplies of fodder.
Additionally, I also secured agreement from Commissioner Hogan to pay higher advance payments this autumn. As a result, advances for Pillar 1 and 2 payments will be increased to 70% and 85% respectively, resulting in €260 million in additional cash flow for farmers at a vital time of the year.
I am confident that the range of measures introduced by me to date, taken together and targeted at producing as much fodder as possible from our own land, provide the most effective response to a fodder shortfall and ensure adequate supplies ahead of the coming winter. I have no plans to introduce a national fodder transport subsidy. However I can assure you that I will continue to closely monitor and engage on this significant challenge during the coming period.
235. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the areas of natural constraint, ANC, review with regard to redesignation using a set list of biophysical criteria; if the new approach must be introduced from January 2019; if mapping of all ANC lands has been completed; the actions that have been completed to date by officials; the actions that remain outstanding; the timeframe for remaining actions; when the final ANC data will be submitted to the European Commission in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40237/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder EU regulation, Less Favoured / Disadvantaged Areas were to be replaced by newly designated Areas of Natural Constraints from 2018, with eligible areas being designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria such as soil drainage, texture and slope. However, as part of legislative amendments at EU level, a proposal was made to extend the 2018 deadline to 2019 on an optional basis. This proposal has been approved at EU level, along with a number of other regulatory changes in what is referred to as the “omnibus proposal”.
My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently working on analysing the data in relation to the new biophysical criteria. This process has involved ongoing engagement with the Joint Research Centre, and a number of iterations of data have been submitted and discussed with them. This is the standard approach across Member States.
In addition to the technical work on the biophysical criteria, the Regulation allows for two linked processes designed to enable further targeting of support under the Scheme. These processes are called fine tuning and the identification of areas of specific constraint. These three processes are well underway and being examined in parallel to each other and, once complete, will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas in the ANC scheme from 2019 onwards.
In order to progress this work, my Department is in on-going communication with both the EU Commission and the JRC in relation to the accepted parameters and technical aspects of this project. Any change to the ANC scheme on foot of this process will require formal agreement with the EU Commission via an amendment of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020.
236. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the review and cost-benefit analysis of the regional veterinary lab in County Kilkenny, which serves the farmers of the entire region of the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40238/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has commissioned a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of options that have been proposed for the future development of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs). The team conducting the CBA includes internationally-recognised, independent experts in economic analysis and animal disease surveillance. It is currently finalising its work, after which a report and recommendations will be presented to me.
My Department completed an initial consultative process with all relevant stakeholders on the options for the RVLs during the course of last year and the consultants undertaking the CBA have also consulted with stakeholders. Any decision that is made on the RVLs will be informed by both those consultative processes and the outcome of the CBA.
237. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the possibility of increasing the €10 subsidy cap per ewe under the sheep welfare scheme will be examined in advance of budget 2019 in view of the underspend of €5 million in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40239/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sheep Welfare Scheme was introduced in December 2016 to contribute to the continuing viability and sustainability of the sheep sector in Ireland. The Scheme is funded through Ireland's Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 - 2020 and it complements the range of other RDP supports available to sheep farmers under schemes such as GLAS, TAMS, Knowledge Transfer and the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme.
The details of the Sheep Welfare Scheme, including the amount of payment to participants, were approved by the European Commission in 2016. The payment rates are based on the agreed costings underlying the actions to be undertaken in the scheme, and any increase in the funding allocated to existing actions would thus require changes to the actions currently being undertaken by farmers, or the addition of new actions. Any such changes to the details of the scheme would require the agreement of the European Commission via the formal Rural Development Programme amendment process.
238. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on increasing the payments under the suckler cow scheme from the current low level to a much more sustainable level in view of the decrease in the number of suckler cows here in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40242/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This scheme is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit within the herd.
My Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the €4 billion Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014 - 2020. In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler and sheep farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmers also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.
I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers, together with ensuring market access to as many markets as possible, both for live animals and beef exports, are appropriate supports for the continued development of the sector. National Farm Survey data suggests that suckler farmers receive support equivalent to approximately €500 per suckler cow on average.
Examination of appropriate measures to support all agrifood sectors, including the suckler sector, is under way in my Department in preparation for the next iteration of the CAP. The measures adopted will be informed by stakeholder consultation on the needs of the sector to develop in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, as well as the available budget and structure of the new CAP when it is finalised.
I will continue to argue for as strong a CAP budget as possible, post-2020. In particular, I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP. My view is that such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system.
239. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the TB forum; the funding he expects to provide for the programme to eliminate TB; the amount of extra funding expected to be required for this task over the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40243/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the first meeting of the TB Forum was held on 5th September 2018. It was attended by a wide range of stakeholders from the agrifood sector and the Chairman, Mr Michael Cronin, has informed me that the establishment of the Forum was welcomed by all.
In relation to funding, clearly over the next 10-12 years our expectation is that together we will build on the significant progress in reducing TB incidence that has been made over recent times and that over the time period very significant savings and benefits to farmers, stakeholders generally and to the economy as a whole will accrue.
I will consider all evidence based policy proposals from the Forum that relate to the overall objective of eradication of TB by 2030. As outlined in the Terms of Reference, I request that any such proposals respect the principles outlined in the National Farmed Animal Health Strategy, which includes reflecting costs and benefits.
Any recommendations emanating from the Forum that involve likely or potential increases in expenditure, will be considered on merit along with any and all other recommendations, bearing in mind the ultimate goal of eradication of TB by 2030.
240. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to problems with issued knowledge transfer payments, particularly for partnership farms; the steps he will take to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40251/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraKnowledge Transfer (KT) is one of a suite of measures included under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and involves the formation of knowledge transfer groups across the beef, dairy, equine, sheep, tillage and poultry sectors. Farmer participants attend group meetings and produce a Farm Improvement Plan in consultation with their KT Facilitator. For each year of the three year programme participants receive a reimbursement in the amount of €750 for a primary sector and €375 for a secondary sector where all requirements of the programme have been met.
Payments for Year One of the knowledge transfer (KT) programme commenced in late October 2017.
In the initial stages of the payment phase for this programme an issue arose in relation to participants who were in Registered Farm Partnerships. This issue related to the requirement to match the data in the Farm Improvement Plan to the individual farmer participants in the Registered Farm Partnerships. Officials in my Department have since rectified this issue.
To date, over 18,780 out of approximately 19,100 farmer payments, amounting to approximately €12.3m, have issued across all 6 KT Sectors. Work is ongoing to clear outstanding cases.
241. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications that have been received from counties Cavan and Monaghan and nationally under the fodder transport scheme in tabular form. [40252/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of 610 applications have been received under the Fodder Transport Support Measure of which 19 were received from County Cavan and 2 were received from County Monaghan. The full county breakdown is set out in the following table.
Payments under the Measure commenced on Tuesday 17 July.
Fodder Transport Support Measure
|
County |
Number of Applicants |
|
Cavan |
19 |
|
Clare |
51 |
|
Cork |
211 |
|
Donegal |
52 |
|
Galway |
28 |
|
Kerry |
47 |
|
Kildare |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
20 |
|
Limerick |
14 |
|
Longford |
2 |
|
Louth |
2 |
|
Mayo |
20 |
|
Meath |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
31 |
|
Sligo |
16 |
|
Tipperary |
82 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
|
Total |
610 |
242. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to protect farmers in Border counties from a hard Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40253/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrexit has the potential to have a very significant impact on farmers and on the agri-food sector throughout Ireland, including farmers in the border counties.
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 in particular.
In the first instance, the Government is seeking to minimise the impact of Brexit through a negotiated outcome which permits trade along the border regions to continue without impediment. In this regard, 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.
Ensuring that the UK gives effect to this commitment is now a significant focus of the Irish Government, and we have the full support of our EU partners and of the European Commission Task Force in this regard.
Additionally, the Government has introduced a range of measures to deal with the short-term impacts of Brexit. In terms of dealing with Competitiveness issues, my Department introduced a €150 million low-cost loan scheme, new agri-taxation measures and increased funding under the Rural Development and Seafood Development Programmes in the 2017 Budget. In Budget 2018 I, along with my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Business and Innovation, introduced a new €300m “Brexit Loan Scheme” to provide 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.
Under Market Diversification, my Department is supporting Bord Bia in its investment in market insight (through its ‘Thinking House’) and in market prioritisation initiatives which are aimed at identifying and developing potential diversification opportunities. Indeed, I have increased funding to Bord Bia by €14.5m since the UK referendum.
As regards Product Diversification, I am supporting Teagasc in the development of a new National Food Innovation Hub in Fermoy (€8.8 million funding announced by An Taoiseach and myself last October).
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 the border region or in any other part of the country. The Government will be firm in arguing that any agreement reached between the EU and the UK must take account of the very serious challenges presented by Brexit for the sector, particularly given the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland and the importance of our economic relationship with the UK. And, of course, ultimately Ireland's objective in the negotiations is to have a trading relationship with the UK which is as close as possible to the current arrangements.
243. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40276/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on the 19th February 2018. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection has now been completed and the results have been processed to finalisation. Payment due under Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme will issue very shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
244. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to examine the issues raised in correspondence with a view to allowing a person (details supplied) to retire from farming without penalty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40329/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016 and received all payments in respect of scheme years 2016 and 2017.
GLAS commitments are generally for a minimum period of five years. Where the GLAS contract is withdrawn before completion of the full term all monies paid are subject to recoupment.
However section 20 of the GLAS terms and conditions allow a participant to withdraw without recoupment where force majeure is deemed to apply.
The person named must write directly to the GLAS section in Johnstown Castle Wexford outlining their request to withdraw under section 20 and providing full details of their case.
245. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 26 September 2018 (details supplied), if rigid plastics that are coloured black are recycled following kerbside collection in view of the difficulties for sorting machines identifying black plastics in the sorting process and in circumstances in which they are not generally recycled following collection; if advice to the public on avoiding the purchase of such material will be updated; the actions he plans to take to prevent such material entering the waste stream; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40156/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe processing of rigid plastics, including separation and segregation, continues to improve across the industry.
More recently, major investment in advanced optical separators by significant processors has improved the separation of black rigid plastics enhancing the potential for ultimate recycling of this material.
The processing industry is also actively collaborating with the manufacturers of rigid black plastics to ensure that these materials are increasingly visible to the available optical technologies.
In some circumstances where processing capability is incomplete, rigid black plastics may pass through the processing plants, however in these situations the material is more likely to be recovered rather than disposed of.
While the primary objective is to prevent waste arising in line with the waste hierarchy, the on-going advice, with regard to rigid black plastic waste, is to segregate and place in the recycling bin in accordance with Recycling list Ireland (www.recylinglistireand.ie).
The Government has funded a range of measures to support better recycling so that more plastic which is suitable for recycling is diverted from the residual bin, waste to energy plants and landfill, including:
- the development a national standardised list of items that can go into the recycling bin, including rigid plastic items, which is available at http://recyclinglistireland.ie/;
- a public education campaign on the recycling list rolled out by the regional waste management authorities, comprising radio advertisements, social media, billboards/posters, etc., to promote the list; and,
- a ‘master recycling’ programme, also run by the regional waste management authorities, in partnership with environmental NGOs, to roll out 650 workshops across the country training recycling ambassadors to bring the recycling message to a wide variety of communities.
