Tuesday, 4 Dec 2018

Written Answers Nos. 514-535

TAMS Applications

Ceisteanna (514)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

514. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps to be taken with regard to funding approved for works in TAMS II applications that has yet to be drawn down and which will expire by the end of 2018; the number of applicants in this position; the counties they reside in; the value of moneys approved not drawn down to date; the steps to be taken with regard to moneys approved but not drawn down; if these funds can be carried forward; and if not, if they must be returned to the Exchequer or the EU budget. [50206/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The budget for TAMS II for the duration of the Rural Development Programme (2014-2020) is €395m. Payment claims continue to be received and processed on an ongoing basis as is the case with applications for approval. The Scheme will remain open for applications up to the end of 2020 and it is expected that the Scheme budget will be used in full.

TAMS is a demand-led Scheme and expenditure is dependent on the volume and value of payment claims received. To date, grant approvals in the amount of €280.5m have issued of which payments to the value of €94.8m have been made, with the Department continuing to pay out an average of €1.5m every week in claims.

To date 17,516 farmers have received approval to undertake investment works on their holdings. Of these, 7,408 farmers have submitted a payment claim. The remaining unclaimed commitments must be honoured until their approval expires.

It is not possible at this point to determine how many applicants will submit a payment claim between now and the end of the year and therefore a county breakdown can not be supplied.

Teagasc Administration

Ceisteanna (515)

James Browne

Ceist:

515. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of an address for Teagasc if a farmer wishes to provide survey feedback without using a website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50223/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The information requested by the Deputy is an operational matter for Teagasc.

Accordingly, the Deputy’s question has been passed on by my Department to Teagasc who have been requested to respond to the Deputy within 10 days.

Horse Sport Ireland

Ceisteanna (516)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

516. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grant supports available to assist the breeding of sport horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50229/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department is fully committed to maximising the potential of the Sport Horse industry and continues to provide support to it both financially and with policy initiatives, particularly in the sport horse breeding area. I have demonstrated my commitment to the industry by increasing the budget allocated to Horse Sport Ireland from €2.0m in 2017 to €2.5m in 2018 and I have approved a further increase of €500,000 to €3.0m in 2019. This is an increase of 50% on the 2017 allocation. One of the organisation's major objectives is to promote the breeding by owners of horses with good athletic prospects. Alongside the grant allocation to HSI my Department also operates an Equine Infrastructure grant scheme with a grant fund of €850,000 which supports initiatives by various organisations and horse studbooks in areas such as breeding.

Forestry Grants

Ceisteanna (517)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

517. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who are participating in State funded forestry schemes can receive grant and premium aid supports when clear felling or replanting trees due to damage caused by wind and adverse weather; his plans to extend such supports for such scenarios; if there is an obligation on forestry scheme participants to replant forested areas damaged by adverse weather; and if no grant and premium supports are available in such scenarios. [50232/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following the adverse weather conditions experienced in the winter of 2013/2014, culminating in Storm Darwin, my Department provided a Reconstitution Scheme for storm affected plantations. That particular winter, there was a series of extreme wind events coupled with water-logged soils, which resulted in the loss of some six million trees. The Reconstitution Scheme opened in 2017 and payments have now been finalised. I do not intend to reopen this scheme.

There is an obligation on all land owners with forestry, whether grant-aided or not, to replant where forestry is felled during normal tree felling operations or following damage by adverse weather. Indeed, following wind blow, felled or partially felled trees will be dangerous and it is imperative that a forester or a person experienced in dealing with blown trees fells and removes timber to minimise any danger to other trees, people and property.

It is efficient to manage normal thinning and tree felling operations over time in order to spread both the income from the felled timber and the replanting costs evenly. The proceeds from clear-fell are more than sufficient to cover the costs of replanting while still providing profit which of course is tax-free to the beneficiary.

The purpose of the State’s main grant-aid schemes is to promote forestry by providing initial start-up incentives. These schemes were not developed to provide indefinite assistance to land owners within a viable industry. Hence, replanting operations do not attract subsidies under the schemes as it is considered that the land owner is well-placed to sustain their investment.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (518)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

518. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment for 2017 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50244/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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 and also the 2017 Advance (85%).

The payment of the 2017 balance has been delayed due to an outstanding Commonage Management Plan (CMP). The CMP was only submitted this week. The case will now move forward for processing of the 2017 balance and the 2018 advance payments. Once all validation checks are cleared the outstanding payments will issue.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (519)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

519. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commonages in County Donegal that have not received agricultural payments to date; the commonages in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50257/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are 834 Donegal commonages in GLAS. A Commonage Management Plan (CMP) must be submitted for all GLAS commonages before payment can issue to the GLAS participants farming the commonage. CMPs have been submitted for 759 of the Donegal GLAS commonages. The CMP check is one of many validations to be satisfied before payment can issue.

Until the CMP has been submitted, these GLAS participants are ineligible for further GLAS payments.

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (520)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

520. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50260/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) was received from the person named on 13 May 2018.

An advance payment issued to the person named on 16 October. Balancing payments under the 2018 BPS commenced on schedule this week, and the balancing payment in this case has also issued to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (521)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

521. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the public events he attended by county since 1 May 2018 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50275/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I refer the Deputy to the following table containing details of the public events I attended in a Ministerial capacity during the relevant period.

Public Events

Aquaculture Licences

Ceisteanna (522)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

522. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address matters (details supplied) regarding aquaculture licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50354/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.

Determinations on these licence applications were made on 5 October 2018. These determinations are published on my Department’s website and the applicant was informed in writing. In addition, the legislation governing aquaculture licensing provides for an appeals mechanism. The applicant was advised in writing of his right to appeal the determinations within the statutory period set out in the legislation.

Appeals against licence decisions are a matter for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) which is an independent statutory body. Full details of the appeals process can be obtained at: http://www.alab.ie/appealsprocess/.

Departmental Contracts

Ceisteanna (523)

Kate O'Connell

Ceist:

523. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of contracts and-or tenders that have been awarded to a company (details supplied); the value of these contracts, that is, the amount the company has been paid; the services the contracts were for; and the number of public sector and-or publicly funded catering facilities being run by the company. [50355/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department primarily engages with the named company through the Office of Public Works Optimising Power at Work programme, for which the Commissioners of Public Works are the contract holders.

Earlier this year, my Department directly awarded a contract with the named company, for our offices in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim for Facilities Management Services. This contract came into effect on 26 March 2018, following a procurement competition which was notified in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). The contract will run until 26 February 2021 at a cost of €91,970.09 per annum. The duties include security, reception duties, grounds maintenance, general maintenance, health and safety, key holding and cleaning duties. The amount paid to date under this contract is €63,303.46 (excl VAT).

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (524)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

524. 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. [50399/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on 4th May 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 inspection. The inspection outcome has been finalised and any payments due will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (525)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

525. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process required to apply for EU exceptional adjustment aid via CAP regulations for primary producers in agriculture at European level by a member state; if he will list each of the steps that would be necessary to seek introducing another low cost loan scheme per the 2016 cash flow support loan scheme that would avail of exceptional adjustment aid and the state aid approval process; and the details of governing EU regulations in this area. [50404/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

EU exceptional adjustment aid is provided by the EU Commission where the normal measures available under Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products) appear to be insufficient and as per Article 219(1) thereof, “in order to react efficiently and effectively against threats of market disturbance caused by significant price rises or falls on internal or external markets or other events and circumstances significantly disturbing or threatening to disturb the market, where that situation, or its effects on the market, is likely to continue or deteriorate”. Article 227, provides that the power to adopt the delegated acts is conferred on the Commission, assisted, as per article 229, by the Committee for the Common Organisation of the Agricultural Markets.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1613 provided €350 million to Member States, including €11.1m to Ireland, as the milk sector was confronted with a market disturbance due to a worldwide supply-demand imbalance, as well as difficulties in other livestock sectors. Ireland made the decision to allocate this funding, along with €13.9m in national funding, towards the development of the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme, in cooperation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland.

Food Imports

Ceisteanna (526)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

526. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding allocated each year and expended since June 2016 on upgrading infrastructure at Dublin and Rosslare ports to prepare for the possibility of the UK becoming a third country with the EU and increased export certification in addition to the sanitary and phytosanitary or SPS controls required. [50444/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has been engaged in extensive consultations with the Office of Public Works to identify additional infrastructural requirements in ports and airports. This engagement process is ongoing and includes facilities for sanitary and phytosanitary checks.

To date my Department has had no expenditure in relation to this process.

Food Imports

Ceisteanna (527)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

527. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of SPS and fisheries control officials that will be operational on 29 March 2019 out of the planned recruitment of 116 staff for SPS and fisheries controls for 2019 as agreed on 18 September 2018; and if he cannot provide this information, the reason therefor in view of the fact that the Minister for Finance has indicated the number of additional customs officials that will be operational on 29 March 2019. [50445/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department is working closely with colleagues across the Public Sector as part of the whole of Government approach to preparations for Brexit.

A dedicated Brexit Unit comprising of nine staff has already been established within my Department and my officials are engaged in an on-going exercise to identify further resource and business needs arising from Brexit. This Unit is supported across the Department by a large number of sectoral staff with responsibility for Agri-Food sectors that will be impacted by Brexit.

The Government Decision of 18th September 2018 details the Government's approach to Brexit requirements for the central case scenario (a Withdrawal Agreement, transition period up to 31st December 2020 and a Free Trade Agreement without tariffs or quotas in place from 1st January 2021) up to the end of 2019. This Government Decision provides for the assignment of up to 116 additional staff in 2019, depending on timing of engagement.

Such additional resources will be focused on facilitating both Brexit preparation and key initial staffing requirements regarding implementation of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks at point of import (hereinafter called "import controls").

A number of veterinary and plant health experts and Portal Inspectors are already deployed at points of entry carrying out import controls on agri-food products. My Department will continuously assess resource requirements as the negotiations progress and as the position becomes clearer.

Horse Sport Ireland

Ceisteanna (528)

Seán Barrett

Ceist:

528. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for separate funding to be made available specifically for the sport horse industry in view of recent successes by those competing in the sport horse industry and the prospects for greater development and success in this sector, with Ireland having qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50549/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department is fully committed to maximising the potential of the Sport Horse industry and continues to provide support to it both financially and with policy initiatives. I have demonstrated my commitment to the industry by increasing the budget allocated to Horse Sport Ireland from €2.0m in 2017 to €2.5m in 2018 and I have approved a further increase of €500,000 to €3.0m in 2019. This is an increase of 50% on the 2017 allocation. That funding is dedicated specifically for that sector.

I remain committed to the sport horse industry and I am confident that this additional Government support will help the sector increase its economic and social contribution into the future. In addition, it should be noted that funding for the high performance equestrian sport sector is provided by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport headed by Minister Shane Ross.

Greyhound Industry

Ceisteanna (529)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

529. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the impact the recent ban on greyhound racing in Florida will have on the Irish greyhound industry; if he will carry out a formal impact assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50558/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. It is also separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Bord na gCon has informed me that the cessation of greyhound racing in Florida will have a minimal impact on the Irish greyhound industry.

Fish Farming

Ceisteanna (530)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

530. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the name and site locations of salmon farm companies using wild wrasse as cleaner fish on salmon farms here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50579/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The specific detailed information requested by the Deputy, including operators’ names and site locations, may be considered commercially sensitive information. My Department is currently examining this issue in conjunction with its legal advisors. A further response will issue to the Deputy as soon as possible.

GLAS Appeals

Ceisteanna (531)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

531. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in respect of GLAS. [50629/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received payment for the scheme years 2016 and 2017.

This case was selected for an inspection and the participant concerned has requested a review of the inspection findings. This request is currently being examined and the Department will notify the applicant of the outcome once the review has been completed.

Achomhairc Talmhaíochta

Ceisteanna (532)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

532. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar achomharc faoi scéim na híocaíochta bunúsaí agus faoi scéim na limistéir faoi shrianta nádúrtha atá déanta ag feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe; an fáth go bhfuil moill cinneadh a dhéanamh ar an achomharc seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [50643/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Rinne an té atá ainmnithe iarratas ar Scéim na hÍocaíochta Bunúsaí agus ar Scéim na Limistéar faoi Shrianta Nádúrtha in 2017 ar thalamh coimíneachta. In 2017, thug mo Roinnse isteach an t-uasmhéid limistéir atá cáilithe ar na coimíneachtaí sin. In 2018, rinne an té atá ainmnithe iarratas ar an dá scéim ar na limistéir laghdaithe sin agus íocadh é ar an mbunús sin. Chomh maith leis sin, tá achomharc déanta ag an té atá ainmnithe maidir leis na laghduithe a cuireadh i bhfeidhm in 2017. Déanfaidh oifigeach as mo Roinnse teagmháil go pearsanta leis an té atá ainmnithe chun achoimre a thabhairt dó maidir le staid an cháis mar atá i láthair na huaire.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (533)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

533. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [50663/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

A ground inspection under the Agri Environment Options Scheme was carried out on this case in 2017, which resulted in the identification of an area of ineligible land. The results of this inspection have an impact on the eligible area declared under the Basic Payment Scheme, and the corresponding reduction has led to the removal of entitlements.

Officials in my Department have reviewed this case to ascertain whether an exemption could be applied under Article 32 of EU Regulation 1307/2013. However, the relevant requirements have not been satisfied in this case for such an exemption.

The results of a further review of the land eligibility will be available shortly and the person named will be notified of these results accordingly.

Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme

Ceisteanna (534)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

534. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated amount in Exchequer funding required to counter guarantee a cash flow loan scheme to make available a similar loan fund as provided in the 2016 agriculture cash flow support loan scheme in the scenario in which no EU exceptional adjustment aid was available. [50667/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme (ACSLS), was developed by my Department in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and made €145million available to farmers throughout Ireland at interest rates of 2.95%. My Department contributed €25 million in total, which included €11.1 million from the EU’s ‘exceptional adjustment aid for milk and other livestock farmers’ under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1613 and €14 million in national funding. The SBCI used the €25 million to leverage the Scheme, funding an interest subsidy and guaranteeing first losses.

SBCI did not provide funding but, along with the EU’s ‘COSME’ (the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs, administered by the European Investment Fund), provided the guarantee required to underpin the loan’s flexibility and lower the cost of the loans. The loans were distributed and administered through AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank.

The delivery the ACSLS has acted 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 that 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.

In addition, many farmers rely heavily on co-op and merchant credit and I have welcomed initiatives by some of the co-ops in relation to credit facilities for their suppliers.

In relation to the other loan schemes in which my Department is involved:

- The Brexit Loan Scheme, launched in March 2018, provides affordable, flexible working capital to Brexit-impacted businesses, including food businesses,

- The Future Growth Loan Scheme, expected to launch early in 2019, will make competitively priced, long-term investment loans available to eligible Irish businesses, including the primary agriculture, agri-food & seafood sectors.

Each loan scheme is bespoke and it is not possible to estimate the cost of a scheme until it is under development.

In addition to funding sources, compliance with EU State Aid provisions is another key factor in developing any loan scheme. For example, in the case of the ACSLS, the use of EU exceptional aid funding for the scheme meant that loans to livestock farmers were State Aid free, whereas loans to the non-livestock sector were operated under de minimis State Aid limits for primary agriculture.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (535)

Bobby Aylward

Ceist:

535. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a townland (details supplied) in the DED of Ballyvool, County Kilkenny, has been removed from the area of natural constraint scheme in the latest review; his plans to re-examine this decision; the appeals mechanism in place for farmers affected by the recent review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50674/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the current Rural Development Regulation (and subsequent amendments under the Omnibus Regulation) Member States are required to change the approach to the designation of land under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme. To date my Department had been identifying eligible areas using a range of socio economic indicators such as family farm income, population density, percentage of working population engaged in agriculture, and stocking density.

From 2019, eligible areas must instead be designated using the following list of bio-physical criteria:

- Low temperature

- Dryness

- Excess soil moisture

- Limited soil drainage

- Unfavourable texture and stoniness

- Shallow rooting depth

- Poor chemical properties

- Steep slope

This process has now been completed and in recent weeks I have published details in relation to the outcome and have completed a series of consultation meetings with key stakeholders.

The outcome of the review project can be summarised as follows: The vast majority of land that was eligible under the existing Scheme will remain eligible under the new approach. Some 700 townlands that would have previously been eligible are not eligible under the new designation. Farmers impacted financially by this change will receive a degressive phasing out payment in 2019 and 2020. Over 2,000 townlands will now be eligible under the new approach and will be eligible to receive a payment for the first time in 2019.

The townland in question has not met the thresholds set out in the EU Regulations in relation to the above bio-physical criteria. In such cases, it is also possible for townlands to be deemed eligible as "areas of specific constraint". In Ireland's case, we have agreed an approach with the EU Commission to identifying such areas by reference to criteria pertaining to areas of specific environmental importance, townlands facing structural issues relating to farm size and farm fragmentation, and townlands facing constraints relating to the level of permanent grassland cover and field size. The townland in question did not, however, satisfy any of the thresholds in this regard.

In many cases where townlands are not eligible for the 2019 ANC scheme, there may be no direct financial impact on a farmer's 2019 scheme payment. For example, this will be the case where a farmer still holds enough eligible land in other townlands to draw down a full payment under the Scheme. This is the case in this instance.

For any farmer who wishes to appeal the status of a particular townland in the 2019 ANC scheme, an independently chaired appeals process is available. Should a farmer wish to make such an appeal, my Department will provide full information in relation to the data underpinning the status of the townland in order that an appeal can be based on full information. My Department is currently writing to impacted farmers and this letter includes a form to instigate an appeal. The appeals form is also available on www.agriculture.gov.ie.