Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Wednesday, 27 Nov 2019

Written Answers Nos. 1-60

Organic Farming Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (41)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

41. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay of a year to get back to applicants for the organic farming scheme under tranche 2 if only 175 farmers applied; the number of applicants who were successful overall and in County Donegal, respectively; the amount of funding provided for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49078/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The current budget of €56m allocated to fund all Organic Farming Schemes during the period of the current Rural Development Programme is the largest allocation ever to an Organic Farming support scheme.

The area of land under organic production has expanded dramatically as a direct result of my Department's investment. Latest figures indicate that there are now some 72,000 hectares under organic production, an increase of nearly 50% on the position at the start of the Programme in 2014.

Indeed, the target for the RDP was to attract some 16,000 hectares of new land into production and to support 46,000 hectares of converted land. These targets have been more than exceeded

The Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) was re-opened in November 2018 on a targeted basis on foot of the recommendation of the Organic Sector Strategy Group. Following assessment by the Group and based on market demand and supply deficits in organic horticulture, cereals and dairy, the Group recommended the re-opening of the OFS targeting expenditure towards sectors in deficit. Selection criteria which would facilitate such a targeted reopening were agreed by the Group.

The eligibility process required applicants to submit a BPS application (by 15 May 2019) and a certificate of completion of an Approved Training Course. The determination of eligible applications and the ranking and selection process could only commence following the deadline for receipt of the mandatory educational certification which was 1 September, 2019.

A total of 225 applications were received by the closing date for applications. 58 applications were either withdrawn or deemed ineligible. Following the ranking and selection process, one applicant withdrew, 55 were successful and 111 farmers were unsuccessful. One of the successful farmers is from Donegal.

It is important to note that this is a targeted re-opening and that I would fully expect that there will be a new Organics scheme under the next CAP. I would encourage all stakeholders to make their views known on the shape of this future scheme as part of the wider CAP consultation process.

Questions Nos. 42 to 45, inclusive, answered orally.

Animal Welfare

Ceisteanna (46)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

46. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether China and Pakistan are among the countries that do not meet welfare standards here; if he and the Irish Greyhound Board are opposed to direct or indirect exports to these countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48989/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Bord na gCon continues to advise owners to only export to destinations that provide the expected levels of greyhound welfare in its Code of Practice. I fully endorse this view.

The rules covering the movement of all breeds of dogs, including greyhounds, between EU Member States are currently set at a European level rather than as a national measure in isolation.

My Department does not certify exports to China or Pakistan.

Bord na gCon has informed me that potential solutions to the indirect export of greyhounds to unsuitable destinations have been have been discussed through the International Greyhound Welfare Forum which includes national and international welfare agencies. This may require any further legislative changes to be sponsored at a European level.

Fish Landings

Ceisteanna (47)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Ceist:

47. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to recommence the weighing of pelagic species at point of landing; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the weighing of pelagic fish species at point of landing is a flawed approach; if his attention has been further drawn to the serious consequences for the quality of fish; if the sector has been consulted on the matter; if so, when such meetings took place; the discussions he has had with the control authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49071/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Commission asked Ireland to conduct a formal administrative inquiry to evaluate its capacity to apply the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This came as a result of “the severe and significant weaknesses detected in the Irish control system” during an audit carried out by the Commission in Killybegs, in 2018. Principally, the Commission identified shortcomings related to the effective control of pelagic fisheries, issues related to underreporting of catches of these species, the inadequate and ineffective sanctioning system for offences committed by operators and the lack of control and enforcement of bluefin tuna catches by recreational vessels.

The formal administrative inquiry requires Ireland to provide further substantial volume of information on these specific findings to enable the Commission to further evaluate Ireland’s capacity to apply the rules of the CFP and to assess the potential consequences of any failure to do so. The Commission will analyse the information provided by Ireland and identify any further steps or actions necessary. A similar type investigation in another Member State in relation to pelagic controls resulted in significant quota reductions.

As Minister, I have no role in the operational control matters which formed the Audit findings. The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Naval Service. The issues arising in the administrative inquiry are operational matters for SFPA and, as Minister, I am precluded from getting involved in these matters.

The information required by the Commission includes large amounts of primary data. I understand that the SFPA have had a number of meetings with DG Mare to keep them abreast of progress. Department officials have had regular meeting with the SFPA from a corporate governance and policy perspective. I am advised that the SFPA is also liaising with stakeholders on the issues arising from the inquiry.

Horse Racing Industry

Ceisteanna (48)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

48. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses injured and killed at racecourses and point-to-point events here to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48988/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland. The Board is a company limited by guarantee set up by the Turf Club and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee for the purpose of carrying out the regulatory and licensing functions for Irish horseracing.

The HRI and IHRB have informed me that 128 horses have been fatally injured racing at point-to-points and Irish racecourses to date this year. This figure represents 0.38% of the 33,746 runners in the same period and, given the mix of racing in Ireland (flat and national hunt) is consistent with other major racing jurisdictions.

The IHRB have also informed me that it is impractical to ascertain the number of injuries at racecourses/point-to-points. The timing of the injury will not always be obvious at the racecourse - for example, a horse could be injured when travelling to/from racecourses from the trainers yard. They may be withdrawn at a racecourse as a result of an injury sustained in previous days which is only apparent at a later time.

In common with other jurisdictions, the Irish racing authorities take equine welfare extremely seriously. The focus is to minimise the risk of injury to horse and jockey as much possible by ensuring that every link in the chain of care that surrounds our horses is a strong one.

On the race track, clerks of the course, employed by the IHRB and therefore, independent of the racecourses, work closely with the management of each track to maximise the safety of the course for horse and jockey. Many new initiatives have taken place in recent years in areas such as track surfaces, irrigation policies, hurdle and fence design and race surface maintenance.

Horses receive first class veterinary care at the track, from the vets providing first aid, from the Blue Cross and from the independent IHRB regulatory veterinary team. Every race meeting must have at least three veterinary surgeons present. There are pre-race risk-based inspections, appropriate and timely first aid in the event of an injury and careful follow up around each horse on the raceday itself.

I am satisfied therefore that adequate precautions are in place to protect horses as far as is practicable.

Beef Industry

Ceisteanna (49)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

49. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the work of the beef task force in addressing its objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49121/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, the inaugural Beef Taskforce meeting scheduled for 14th October was prevented from proceeding. However, since then the independent chair and my Department continue to engage proactively with Taskforce members with a view to both progressing the implementation of the provisions of the agreement.

My Department and its agencies continue to progress the commitments which they signed up to under the Agreement. The full text of the Agreement between beef sector stakeholders, along with an update on the progress made on the action points to date, is available on my Department's website: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/beef/beeftaskforce/

An immediate increase in a range of bonuses was announced as part of the 15 September Agreement. It has been confirmed to my Department that this bonus system is now in place.

Initiatives in the Agreement aimed at improving information along the supply chain included the commissioning of the following reports: an independent review of market and customer requirements; an independent examination of the price composition of the total value of the animal along the supply chain; and a summary of competition law issues as relevant to the Irish beef sector. My Department has issued the Request for Tender for these reports, with a deadline for receipt of Tender Responses of 12 noon on Thursday 5th December. This will enable award of the tender before the end of 2019.

In relation to market transparency initiatives, my Department:

- has published an expert report on mechanical carcase classification review;

- has introduced an appeals system for manual grading; and

- has initiated a consultation process on the transposition of the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive, with a deadline for submission of 13 December.

Bord Bia has developed a beef market price index model based on 3 components: cattle price index, beef market price index (retail and wholesale) and an offal price indicator. This is now available on the Bord Bia website: https://www.bordbia.ie/farmers-growers/farmers/prices-markets/beef-market-tracking/

Teagasc is significantly advanced in the first stage of the scientific review of the Quality Payment Grid(QPS).

My Department is also proactively engaging with several potential beef Producer Organisations, which have to potential to strengthen the bargaining power of beef farmers in the supply chain. Two beef producer organisations have been formally recognised by my Department in recent months.

I established the Beef Market Taskforce to provide the leadership to develop a sustainable pathway for the future of the beef sector in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability. As I have previously stated, it is in the interests of everyone involved in the beef sector that the work of the Taskforce goes ahead. I hope that all parties will agree to come together around the table as soon as possible in order to progress this important work.

Question No. 50 answered orally.

Artisan Food Sector

Ceisteanna (51)

James Browne

Ceist:

51. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to promote the local food trade here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49051/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Artisan and speciality food businesses can have a significant impact on local rural economies and their importance is acknowledged in the Food Wise 2025 strategy. Growth prospects for the sector are positive overall, driven by increased consumer interest in the provenance of food, environmental concerns, health and a desire to support the local economy.

A range of supports for this particular sector is available both from my Department and in links with other Government Departments.

I understand that approximately 500 artisan and speciality food companies with a turnover of between €100,000 to €3.5m are registered with Bord Bia for supports and services they offer, include marketing assistance, specialised training, capacity building and promotion.

Funding under the Rural Innovation & Development Fund is provided by my Department for initiatives designed to promote agri-food tourism in rural areas. Agri-food tourism broadly is the practice of offering an activity or activities in rural areas to visit areas of well-known agricultural produce and to sample and taste the local or regional cuisine or specialties. It also encompasses local food, farmer and artisan market schemes that support and are paired with local and seasonal food producers and artisan crafts. Following the 2019 call for proposals, I announced funding totalling €243,000 for twelve agri-food tourism projects in June this year.

Last year, together with my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development, I launched the ‘LEADER Food Initiative'. This funding is provided from my Department under the Rural Development Programme (RDP), and is delivered using the LEADER methodology via the Department of Rural and Community Development. It supports new and existing artisan, micro and small food producers to address emerging challenges through investment in areas such as capital equipment, market development, competitiveness and innovation. I understand that 34 projects with a total value of more than €1.9 million have been approved under the Scheme to date.

The Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation also provide funding for local food initiatives through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), thirty one dedicated teams located in the Local Authorities nationwide which provide expert advice and guidance to all small businesses.

Taken together, all of these initiatives support farm and local community diversification and help farmers and small food businesses to connect with the wider community. From a Government perspective, they provide a collaborative framework for different Departments and agencies to work together for the development of the Small Business food sector.

Alternative Farm Enterprises

Ceisteanna (52)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

52. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support the growing of biomass crops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48915/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Through the All-of-Government Climate Action Plan, my Department is working closely with other government Departments to ensure Ireland's transition to a low carbon economy and society. While agriculture contributes to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, the sector also has the means to be part of the alleviation process and has a key role to play in transitioning to a competitive, low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050.

Ireland's long-term policy vision for the agriculture and land use sector is 'an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise the capacity for sustainable food production'.

While carbon neutrality is yet to be fully defined, our policy approach is based on three principles:

- Reducing agriculture emissions;

- Increasing carbon sequestration; and

- The displacement and substitution of fossil fuel and energy intensive materials.

Indigenous renewable energy plays a vital role in our domestic fuel mix and will become even more important in the context of reducing our reliance on imported fuels and in meeting our challenging renewable energy targets for 2020 and 2030 and decarbonising our energy systems by 2050.

Ireland has a 16% target for renewable energy by 2020 and the production of indigenous biomass has a crucial role to play in helping us meet this renewable energy target and my Department has a key role to play in the supply of biomass materials in this regard.

Through the forestry programme, my Department is committed to increasing the supply of biomass from Ireland’s forests. In 2018, 40% of the wood fibre used in Ireland was used for energy generation, mainly within the forest products sector, up from 34% a couple of years ago. This represents over 1.5 million cubic metres of wood fibre and includes, roundwood, sawmill and residues such as bark, sawdust and woodchip. The new Support Scheme for Renewable Heat is creating additional demand for biomass particular since the second phase was launched during the summer which will provide operational support for biomass boilers.

According to the All Ireland Roundwood Forecast 2016 – 2035, output from Irish forests is expected to double over the coming decades to around 8 million cubic metres. Most of this increased production will come from private forest owners. In fact, during 2018 total timber production from private forest owners exceeded 1 million cubic metres for the first time. In order to address the barriers that exist in mobilising this resource, my Department supports a number of targeted measures including the construction of forest roads to provide access to the timber, knowledge transfer groups to assist forest owners in managing their forests and grants for second thinning of broadleaves which provides an important source of local firewood.

The Department did previously operate a bioenergy scheme to facilitate the establishment of energy crops (including willow and miscanthus) for use in renewable energy production. However, due to a low uptake, the scheme was suspended from 2016 and there are currently no plans to re-introduce support. On-going support for the production of biomass will continue to be provided under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 which funds private afforestation and includes a specific “forestry for fibre” scheme.

My Department continues to consider all opportunities for further developments in the area of biomass in the context of the next Forestry Programme and the next CAP Strategic programme, which is currently being developed.

Food Promotion

Ceisteanna (53)

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

53. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support local food production with particular reference to small farms and facilitating the production of vegetables. [49104/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department supports vegetable producers by means of grant aid provided through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector. This scheme provides grant aid towards capital investments in specialised plant and equipment as well as emerging technologies specific to commercial horticulture production. Under this scheme, aid at a rate of 40% (or a maximum rate of 50% in the case of young farmers) is payable on the accepted cost of approved capital investments or equipment. This Scheme is 100% funded by the Irish Government.

My Department has just received EU approval to continue this valuable and important grant aid scheme in 2020 and monies have been provided in my Department’s budgetary allocation for this.

At a broader level, the EU Producer Organisation Scheme which my Department also operates, contributes important support for the fruit and vegetable sector. This scheme which is 100% EU funded provides an important mechanism for producers to achieve a more sustainable balance in the supply chain through collaboration and enhancing bargaining power by becoming part of a larger supply base. Producer members can claim 50% EU aid on approved actions and investments implemented through Producer Organisations, including fruit and vegetable production.

Animal Disease Controls

Ceisteanna (54)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

54. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his forthcoming TB eradication strategy; the way in which it proposes to reduce the incidence of the disease here while continuing to support farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49120/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department’s TB eradication Programme aims to drive bovine TB (bTB) disease levels down towards the target of eradication by 2030. It is focussed on measures which will further reduce transmission of bTB. In the coming weeks, I will be launching a renewed strategy underpinned by the principle of supporting and empowering farmers to reduce the bTB risk to their cattle by making informed choices to protect their herd and their neighbour’s herds. Equally, there is a particular focus on assisting herdowners whose herds are affected with bTB and to clear their herds of infection.

Stakeholders have recognised that further preventative measures are required if the ambition of eradication by 2030 is to be achieved. Steadily reducing the risk of disease transmission is the best way in which support can be provided to all Irish farmers – those whose herds are impacted by bTB and critically those whose herds are clear and who wish to remain free of the disease. The recommendations made by the bTB Stakeholders Forum will inform the development of this strategy, and stakeholder involvement and leadership will continue to be critical to successfully eradicating bTB.

The risks associated with each potential transmission channel will be reduced through a series of coordinated measures, which will be applied in addition to the existing programme and in full compliance with the EU requirements for bTB eradication.

While the strategy is still be being finalised, some of it central themes will be:

1. Reducing the spread of bTB via cattle to cattle transmission.

2. Reduce transmission at the cattle/wildlife interface

3. Improving farmers' understanding of risk with clearer communication

4. Greater stakeholder leadership, ownership and involvement; and

5. Continually improve programme effectiveness through review and amendments

info

Bord na gCon Funding

Ceisteanna (55)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

55. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will direct Bord na gCon to increase its funding to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48912/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Bord na gCon contributed €106,000 to the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust’s total income of €242,000 in 2018, with 2% of all winning prize money also going towards the IRGT. 1,021 retired greyhounds were rehomed with IRGT assistance in 2018, both here in Ireland and abroad.

Recently, in an effort to increase and promote domestic greyhound rehomings, the IRGT, supported by Bord na gCon, confirmed an increase in financial support to private rehoming agencies for the rehoming of retired racing greyhounds in Ireland. Rehoming agencies will now be offered an additional €100 per retired greyhound rehomed in Ireland to encourage and further facilitate domestic rehomings. This support assists with the veterinary costs involved in preparing a retired greyhound for rehoming, neutering/spaying, a rabies shot and other vaccinations and inoculations.

In August 2019, Bord na gCon announced the establishment of a separate Care Fund dedicated to funding a variety of initiatives for the care and welfare of the greyhound, including various rehoming initiatives in conjunction with the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust.

It is estimated that a sum of €740,000 will be generated for the Care Fund in 2020, with a percentage of admission and restaurant entries, Tote income and existing sponsorship money accruing the total sum. This combined with the funding generated in the latter part of 2019 will ensure a dedicated fund in excess of €1 million for care and welfare initiatives throughout next year.

Animal Welfare Bodies

Ceisteanna (56)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

56. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase funding to an organisation (details supplied) to enable it to expand its mobile veterinary clinic services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48913/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Since 1995, my Department has provided ex-gratia funding to animal charities to assist in their work in animal care and welfare. This funding is in recognition of the valuable work being done by these organisations.

In December 2018, I announced record funding awards of €2.75m to 108 animal welfare organisations throughout the country, including to the organisation named. The organisations supported and the amounts allocated for each of the past 4 years are available on the Department's website.

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/animalwelfare/fundingtoanimalwelfareorganisations/

Since 2009, the organisation in question has received significant levels of ex-gratia funding from my Department, which has assisted them in their work in providing care and veterinary assistance to animals in need, and also towards the costs incurred in recent improvements to their facilities which are due to officially open shortly.

An advertisement was placed in the national press earlier this year inviting applications from welfare bodies for funding in respect of their activities in 2020. These applications are assessed and awards made on the basis of certain criteria, including the level and type of assistance provided by the organisation in the delivery of care and welfare services to animals and the level of funding raised from other sources to support welfare activities.

Organisations applying for funding must sign up to a strict set of guidelines, be in existence for two years or more, be registered with the Charities Regulator and provide detailed accounts. Organisations with income in excess of €100,000 must submit audited accounts.

To date, 110 applications have been received. The organisation named has submitted an application for funding this year setting out their current and future plans for promoting animal welfare and this is currently being processed by my officials. A decision on funding levels for all applicants will be made shortly.

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (57)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

57. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in making BPS payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49008/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has received over 122,000 applications this year from farmers with entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), which is funded by the EU and is worth approximately €1.2 billion annually.

Under EU Regulations, all applications must be subjected to robust administrative checks prior to payment. The main element of the administrative check is an area assessment. This is achieved by using the detailed database of individual land parcels - the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). The LPIS database currently holds details relating to one million individual land parcels and must be kept fully updated in order to underpin payments.

The Department’s systems in this critical area must meet demanding EU and national audit requirements. Only valid applications under the BPS that fully comply with the requirements of the EU legislation are paid. Consequently, all applications under the schemes are subject to extensive administrative checks including Ground or Remote Sensing (Satellite) inspections.

Cases that do not pass the validation process go into error and cannot be paid pending a resolution of the error concerned. Examples of these errors include over-claims, dual claims, commonage errors and issues relating to herd number ownership changes. My Department enters into correspondence, mainly through the issuing of query letters to farmers, in order to resolve these error cases.

The EU Regulations prescribe the minimum number of inspections that must take place annually. These inspections can be undertaken by means of field visits on the ground or by means of Remote Sensing using up-to-date satellite imagery. The Regulations further prescribe that, for inspection cases, the process must be fully completed before any payments can issue. Where an application is selected for inspection under any of the area-based schemes, the outcome of that inspection applies to all schemes for which the applicant has applied.

Approximately 8,000 applications are subject to an inspection in 2019 under the various area-based schemes. As of 25 November, my Department had received inspection results for over 93% of these inspections, of which 92% had been advanced to payment stage.

I am pleased to confirm that the BPS advance payment commnced as scheduled on 16 October. This is the earliest that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations. The advance payment issued at the increased rate of 70% again this year.

In all, an advance payment worth some €747 million issued to 114,500 farmers on the first pay run, representing an increase of 1,500 farmers paid at the same stage in 2018. Some 94% of eligible applicants for the 2019 BPS received their advance payment at the earliest date possible.

Payments have continued to issue as additional cases have become clear for payment and 119,135 applicants have now been paid €786 million under the 2019 BPS. This represents 97.5% of eligible applicants. Where a farmer has not yet responded to a query letter from my Department, I would encourage them to reply at an early date in order to facilitate payment.

Preparations are currently well underway to facilitate the second instalment of BPS payments, which will commence on 2 December.

Organic Farming Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (58)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

58. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the various changes made to the minimum qualifying score for admittance into the organic farming scheme; the minimum qualifying score; the reason for the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49079/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Organic Farming Scheme is one of the most successful schemes under our current Rural Development Programme. The Scheme has more than achieved its targets in terms of new land converted and the maintenance of organic land.

As a further vote of confidence in the organics sector by this Government, my colleague Minister Doyle established an Organic Sector Strategy Group last year, comprising relevant stakeholders and state bodies. The Group recommended re-opening the Scheme but on a targeted basis. The sectors targeted were those for which there is a clear market demand, and which are critical to the further development of the Organic Sector, namely horticulture, cereals and dairy. Selection criteria with revised marking, which would facilitate such a targeted reopening, were agreed by the Group. In assessing the case for re-opening the Scheme, the Group recognised that the budget was very limited given the success of the current scheme and the overall spending within the RDP.

The terms and conditions of the Organic Farming Scheme state that an applicant must reach a minimum ranking of 25 marks to be deemed eligible for consideration for inclusion in the Scheme. They further state that the number of applications to be accepted into the Scheme will be determined by funding; the submission of a valid application does not guarantee entry to the Scheme. No changes were made to the minimum ranking of 25 marks - it is the same as in previous OFS under the current RDP. Once applicants reached the minimum ranking of 25 and met the other eligibility criteria, they were then assessed under the Ranking and Selection system in accordance with the criteria agreed by the Organic Sector Strategy Group.

It is important to note that this was a targeted re-opening and that I fully expect that there will be a new Organics Scheme under the next CAP. I would encourage all stakeholders to make their views known on the shape of this future scheme as part of the wider CAP consultation process.

Organic Farming Scheme

Ceisteanna (59)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

59. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the approval rate for applications to the organic farming scheme when it re-opened for 30 days in November 2018. [49060/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) was re-opened in November 2018 on a targeted basis on foot of the recommendation of the Organic Sector Strategy Group. Following assessment by the Group and based on market demand and supply deficits in organic horticulture, cereals and dairy, the Group recommended the re-opening of the OFS targeting expenditure towards sectors in deficit. Selection criteria which would facilitate such a targeted reopening were agreed by the Group.

The Organic Strategy Group, comprising a range of stakeholders, in assessing the case for re-opening the Scheme, focussed on the current production profile of the Irish Organic Sector and market opportunities. The Group concluded that while the area under organic production has increased, production patterns are not fully aligned with market opportunities. Most organic farmers are engaged in beef and/or sheep production with a relatively low number engaged in tillage and dairy. However, market demand and supply deficits were in the areas of dairy, horticulture and cereals.

Based on this research and analysis of the current profile of the Irish Organic Sector, the Organic Strategy Group therefore concluded that the key to long term sustainable growth is to ensure that the development of organic production is aligned to market requirements and consumer demand. To this end, it was decided that the sectors to be targeted in a re-opened Organic Farming Scheme should be horticulture, dairy and tillage.

Of the 55 applications that were accepted, almost 70% have one of the three targeted areas as their main enterprise. The other applications that were accepted all have land under one of the targeted areas albeit not as their main enterprise. Of those that were unsuccessful, 95% come from outside of the targeted sectors.

This re-opening was targeted at certain production areas and I am satisfied that the successful applicants will help ensure further sustainable growth in the organic sector.

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (60)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

60. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if payments under the basic payments scheme and areas of natural constraints scheme are delayed; if so, the way in which he plans to address delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49122/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has received over 130,000 applications this year from farmers under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC), Scheme which are funded or partially funded by the EU and are worth in excess of €1.4 billion annually.

There are no delays in the issuing of payments to applicants with clear and validated applications under either scheme. Ireland remains to the forefront of Member States in relation to the early payment of monies under the BPS and ANC schemes.

Under EU Regulations, all applications must be subjected to robust administrative checks, including Ground or Remote Sensing (Satellite) inspections where applicable, prior to payment. The main element of the administrative check is an area assessment. This is achieved by using the detailed database of individual land parcels - the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). The LPIS database currently holds details relating to 1 million individual land parcels and must be kept fully updated in order to underpin payments.

The Department’s systems in this critical area must meet demanding EU and national audit requirements. Only valid applications under the BPS and ANC that fully comply with the requirements of the EU Legislation are paid. Consequently, all applications under the schemes are subject to administrative checks.

Cases that do not pass the validation process cannot be paid pending a resolution of the error concerned. These errors include over-claims, dual claims, commonage errors and issues relating to stocking density requirements. My Department enters into correspondence, mainly through the issuing of query letters to farmers, in order to resolve these error cases.

The EU Regulations prescribe the minimum number of inspections that must take place annually. These inspections can be undertaken by means of field visits on the ground or by means of Remote Sensing using up-to-date satellite imagery. The Regulations further prescribe that, for inspection cases, the process must be fully completed before any payments can issue. Where an application is selected for inspection under any of the area-based schemes, the outcome of that inspection applies to all schemes for which the applicant has applied.

Approximately 8,000 applications are subject to an inspection in 2019 under the various area-based schemes. As of 25 November, my Department had received inspection results for over 93% of these inspections, of which 92% had been advanced to payment stage. The balance of these cases falls into a number of categories, namely, where applicants have been notified of the inspection outcome where an area over-declaration has been identified and a response is awaited; and where applicants have chosen to submit comments on notified inspection outcomes. These cases are currently being examined with a view to final processing. The remaining, outstanding inspection results are currently being finalised and will then be advanced through the final stages of processing promptly.

In relation to the BPS, I am pleased to confirm that advance payment issued as scheduled on 16 October. This is the earliest date that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations, and the increased advance rate of 70% was paid again this year.

A total advance payment worth some €747 million issued to 114,500 farmers on the first BPS pay run, representing an increase of 1,500 farmers paid at the same stage in 2018. In all, some 94% of eligible applicants for the 2019 BPS received their advance payment at the earliest date possible.

Advance payments under the ANC Scheme also commenced on schedule this year. In the week beginning 16th September, payments in excess of €168 million issued to almost 79,000 farmers, which is an additional 2,000 farmers compared to the same date last year.

Further to changes in EU Regulations from 2019, payments under the ANC scheme must be delivered in two instalments, with 85% advance payments issuing initially and a 15% balancing payment issuing from early December.

I am conscious of the many challenges currently faced by farmers and, with this in mind, I secured additional funding of €23 million in Budget 2019 to bring the overall annual budget for the ANC scheme up to €250 million. This is the second year in a row that the allocation for the ANC Scheme has been substantially increased, and the increased funding has again been targeted at the areas of highest constraint.

In both the BPS and ANC schemes, payments have continued to issue as additional cases have become clear for payment. Under the BPS, 119,135 applicants have now been paid €786 million and for ANC almost 92,000 applicants have been paid in excess of €195 million. Where a farmer has not yet responded to a query letter from my Department, I would encourage them to reply at an early date in order to facilitate payment. It should also be noted that, in relation to the ANC scheme, many farmers will not yet have met their stocking density requirements and will thus not become eligible for payment until they do so later in the year.

The balancing payments for both the ANC and BPS schemes are due to commence in early December, and preparations in this regard are well underway.

Barr
Roinn