Written Answers Nos. 784-803
784. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department plans to take during the lifetime of this Government to reduce the emissions from the intensive pig industry; and if he will provide financial and other supports to assist and enable existing piggeries to convert to an extensive system of pig production in view of the overall policy to reduce CO2 emissions. [31035/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pig industry is an important part of the Irish Agri-food sector exporting in excess of €890 million worth of product in 2019, an 8% increase from 2018. The industry has invested heavily in the last decade which has allowed it to grow its exports by over €500 million in the period 2010-2019.
In line with Programme for Government commitments, the recently published Climate Action (Amendment) Bill sets out the Government’s ambition to transition to a climate neutral economy out to 2050. All sections of the economy will need to contribute to this national objective, including agriculture, and indeed the pig sector. Nevertheless, It should be noted that greenhouse gas emissions from the pig herd account for a very small percentage of overall agriculture emissions.
In terms of investments, the Department is currently focused on supporting animal health and welfare through industry programmes and capital investment. In TAMS we have the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme which is part of a suite of 7 schemes under TAMS II. Approximately 50 investment items are grant aided under this measure and to date 313 pig farmers have been approved to purchase investment items under this scheme. In relation to payments, 137 applicants have already been paid €1.4 million under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme. The principal objective of the Scheme is to assist farmers purchase new equipment for the upgrading of pig and poultry units on their farms thereby supporting farmers’ compliance with animal welfare legislative requirements under Council Directive 2008/120/EC of 18 Dec 2008 laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs.
In addition, supports are available for Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) technology, which will reduce ammonia emissions from the land spreading of organic manures. Over €32 million has been grant aided under the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme to date. Pig units tend to have high energy demands and supports for renewable energy technologies are also available under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme. In time, such technologies will help lower CO2 emissions.
A request for a revision to the ceiling for the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme of TAMS II has been received. The request is for an amendment to increase the upper investment limit under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme. The request to increase this investment limit will be considered in light of the available budget.
785. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a local authority applied for funding (details supplied) in 2018, 2019 or to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31038/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board.
Belderrig Pier is owned by Mayo County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter.
My Department does however provide limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. Since 2010, my Department has provided funding to the value of €4.8m to Mayo County Council under this programme, including €90,000 in funding for repairs to Belderrig Pier in 2014.
A key element in the determination of the projects to be funded under the Programme is the priority placed on them by the Council, and while an application was received for replacing the winch system at Belderrig Pier in 2018, the three approved Harbour Development projects received a higher prioritisation by the Council. In 2019 an application was also received in relation to the replacement of the winch system at Belderrig Pier, with the two approved Harbour Development projects having received a higher prioritisation by the Council.
Under this year’s programme, funding of €3.1m has been approved to assist 10 coastal Local Authorities undertake and complete 58 development and repair projects on harbours and slipways owned by them. Mayo County Council has secured €525,000 of funding to undertake four projects under this year’s programme
No application for funding in relation to Belderrig Pier was received under this year’s programme. Should any application be submitted by Mayo County Council in relation to Belderrig Pier under any future programme, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached by the Council and available funds.
786. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support the call for €30 per ewe for the sheep welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31040/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sheep Welfare Scheme was launched in December 2016, for a period of four years. The scheme reflected the commitment of the Government to the sheep sector in Ireland and was introduced as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, having been agreed with the European Commission.
The current rate of payment of €10 is based on the agreed costings underlying the actions to be undertaken in the scheme, and an increase in payments would thus require changes to the actions currently being undertaken by farmers. Any such changes to the detail of the scheme, such as the rate of payment, would require the agreement of the European Commission via the formal Rural Development Programme amendment process.
I am happy to confirm that as part of the recently announced Budget, I have secured funding to extend the current Sheep Welfare Scheme for another year, commencing in 2021. This ensures the provision of a further €17m in direct support to the sheep sector.
787. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a new GLAS (details supplied) in view of the fact that many farmers that were not already in the scheme cannot now get access to new REPS for at least a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31100/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s 2021 Budget estimate includes provision of €79 million in new funding for a range of new agri-environment initiatives. This funding includes a provision to contribute to the development of a pilot scheme to examine the implementation of results based environmental actions from farmers who are not currently in GLAS, and a number of pilot environmental actions that will be available to farmers on a broader basis.
I expect these pilot actions to inform the development of a major new environmental scheme for agriculture following on from GLAS.
788. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a foreshore licence application by a person (details supplied); and the expected timeframe for a decision. [31141/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department considers 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 advisors as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
The Public and Statutory Consultation phase in respect of the application referred to by the Deputy has concluded. Consideration of the application by my Department is ongoing and every effort is being made to expedite a determination in respect of the application having regard to the complexities involved.
As this licence application is under active consideration as part of a statutory process, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.
789. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application (details supplied) will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31203/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department Officials in the Regional Veterinary Office Tipperary are currently dealing with this Ovine herd number application, including seeking to clarify and resolve some legal complexities that arise in respect of the application.
It is not possible to give a definitive date on when the matter will be finalised but it is being actively progressed.
790. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a late BEEP application will be accepted from a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31235/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Suckler is to further increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd through better quality data on herd performance, supporting decision making on farm and support of best practice in welfare management.
Applications were made via my Department's online application system at www.agfood.ie. The scheme opened for applications on 12th March 2020 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 15th May 2020. As with many other payment schemes that are applied for on-line, applicants may lodge the application themselves or alternatively they may authorise an agent to lodge the application on their behalf. The system keeps a record of all attempts to lodge an application and it gives the applicant or agent confirmation when the application is fully submitted.
There is no record of any attempt to create or lodge a BEEP-S application in respect of this named person. The only record on file is where an agent was authorised by the person named in respect of BEEP-S on 9th October 2020, well after the closing date of 15th May 2020. The same agent successfully applied on behalf of the named person for both the 2019 Beef Exceptional Aid Measure and the 2020 Basic Payment Scheme using the Agfood portal.
As the person named did not submit an application before the closing date, it is not possible to accept the application at this stage.
791. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has a system in place to commence providing beef market price transparency data and information from January 2021 onwards; the way in which such a system operates; the various headings under which data will be provided; the timeframe this information will be submitted to the Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31296/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome initiatives at EU level to improve market price transparency. The establishment of Market Observatories for the various commodities has resulted in a significantly improved market overview in terms of increased transparency, dissemination of market data, and analysis, for the EU as a whole and by Member State.
The EU Commission Implementing Regulation EU 2017/1185 aims to further increase market transparency by collecting more detailed price data at various points along the food supply chain. While the timeline for collection and publication of data under this new initiative remains January 2021, discussions are ongoing at the various EU sectoral committees with regard to product definitions and timelines for submission of data to the Commission.
Under the new measure, Ireland will have an obligation to report additional price information across certain products in the dairy and meat sectors. In terms of beef, additional reporting requirements will be required for certain types of cuts.
At national level, as the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to the establishment of a new office of a National Food Ombudsman, which will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland. The legislative requirements for the establishment of this new Office are currently under consideration by my Department and the 2021 Budget includes an initial provision of €1 million to assist with start-up costs.
792. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the case of a BEEP appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31317/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Suckler is to further increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd through better quality data on herd performance, supporting decision making on farm and support of best practice in welfare management.
Applications for this programme were made via my Department's online application system at www.agfood.ie. The opening date for applications was 12th March 2020 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 15th May 2020.
A letter issued from my Department to the person named on 24th August 2020 advising that his late application could not be accepted and that it was open to him to seek a review. To date, no further correspondence has been received from the person named in this regard.
793. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when preparations will begin on a new Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31440/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe preparation of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) has been under way for some time in the Department. Development of the plan involves a number of stages, including SWOT analysis, needs assessment, intervention design, financial allocations, target setting (including monitoring) and governance systems. The draft CSP will also be subject to an ex-ante evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment.
The Department held a public consultation on the draft SWOT in September and October 2019 as well as a stakeholder workshop in October 2019, and more recently, in June 2020, stakeholders considered the needs arising from the SWOT. The Department also hosted a number of townhall events on the CAP negotiations, including the SWOT analysis.
As required, the draft SWOT analysis for the CAP Strategic Plan post 2020 focuses on 9 specific objectives, including 3 objectives that are directly related to climate and the environment and a cross cutting objectives of Agriculture, Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).
Consultations on the CAP negotiations and development of the CSP will continue through the CAP Consultative Committee, which comprises representatives of the main stakeholders including farm bodies, NGO’s, industry representatives and academia. It also includes Government Departments and Agencies, including DPER, DRCD, DCCAE, DPHLG, DCHG (NPWS), Bord Bia, Teagasc and the EPA.
The Committee has met on eleven occasions, with further meetings planned. The current focus of activity (Q4 2020) is on moving from the SWOT analysis phase to the identification of needs which will inform the intervention logic.
794. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the PGI application for grass fed Irish beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31441/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDesignation of a food product as a PGI (Protected Geographical Indicator) enables consumers to trust and distinguish quality products while also helping producers to market their products better.
The Bord Bia PGI application for "Irish Grass Fed Beef", drafted on behalf of producers, focuses on the reputation of high quality beef product produced through Ireland’s grass-based production system. Successful registration of the name would endorse and build on the already identifiable reputation and image of Irish beef products in the marketplace.
In accordance with the National Opposition procedure required by the EU Regulation, the PGI application and specification document were published on 14 August 2020. The period for submissions ended on 11 September 2020. I can confirm that 22 submissions were received. My Department is currently assessing those submissions. The PGI application is also the subject of discussions with farming representative bodies at the Beef Task Force. Consequently, the matter is still the subject of a deliberative process.
795. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will delay the decision to change nitrate regulations to allow farmers to adjust to the proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31444/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the lead authority for the Nitrates Regulations (SI 605 2017). The purpose of these Regulations is to give effect to Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme for the protection of waters against pollution caused by agricultural sources. The set of measures in these regulations provides a basic level of protection against possible adverse impacts to waters arising from the agricultural sources.
A review of Ireland’s nitrates derogation was undertaken in 2019. The review examined further opportunities for derogation farmers to improve efficiencies and continue to reduce their environmental footprint with particular regard to water, climate, biodiversity and air quality. It is accepted that compliance of a higher standard is required from more intensive derogation farmers to ensure a greater level of environment efficiency is achieved. One of the conclusions of the review highlighted inter alia, that “In addition, the Commission has requested Ireland to review some of the technical aspects of the Nitrates Action Programme and ........the annual excretion rates for livestock as per Table 6 of SI 605 2017 be reviewed based on most recent scientific research”.
The current excretion rates for livestock are specified in Table 6 of Schedule 2 (Annex 1) of Statutory Instrument 605 of 2017. The excretion rates for livestock were last evaluated in 2003. In 2019, Teagasc reviewed the excretion rate for the Dairy Cow following the recommendations of the Review group.
The outcome of the review was that the most accurate excretion figure for the average Irish dairy cow is 89kgs of nitrogen. This reflects the higher average milk yields that farmers are achieving now compared to when the figure was first calculated over 25 years ago. It is important that Ireland demonstrates its ongoing commitment to managing the environmental impact of agriculture on the environment including applying the latest science.
All farmers are required to comply with stocking rate limits, 170kgs N/ha or in the case of derogation farmers 250 kgs N/ha. Farmers can comply with limits by reducing stock numbers, exporting slurry or renting extra land.
796. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the approval for protected geographical indication status for natural Irish beef submitted by a group (details supplied); when it is estimated that a decision will be made on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31458/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Protected Geographical Indication emphasises the relationship between the specific geographic region and the name of the product, where a particular quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.
The PGI application for "Natural Irish Beef" referred to was submitted to my Department on 14 September 2020 by the group named. My officials are examining the draft documentation submitted. When this examination has been completed, they will contact the applicant group. It is not possible to state when a decision will be made on the application but I am assured that efforts are being made to finalise the examination as soon as possible.
797. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking as a result of the High Court ruling that overturned Policy Directive 1 of 2019 which banned over 18 metre vessels fishing inside the six mile limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31463/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2018, following a public consultation process in which over 900 submissions were received, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine announced that vessels over 18m will be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. A transition period of three years for vessels over 18m targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone.
A Judicial Review was taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy. An unapproved judgement was issued on 31 July 2020 and the key points to come out of that Judgement is that while the applicants did not succeed on four of the five grounds of challenge, the challenge was made against the entire Policy Directive and was successful.
The findings on the grounds of challenge were:
1. The Policy Directive 1 of 2019, which gave legal effect to the policy, was not ultra vires,
2. The Directive did not impinge the applicants constitutional rights.
3. Given the impact on the applicants there was a particular duty on the Minister to provide a fuller explanation and engage in further talks with the applicants. On this ground the applicants succeeded.
4. The policy directive was not disproportionate to what was to be achieved.
5. The Policy directive did not breach EU law.
On 6th October 2020, the Judge held in summary that the Court’s final order should be, inter alia, a declaration that Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect.
I am currently considering, on an urgent basis, the implications of the judgment in consultation with my Department officials and legal advisors.
798. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are legislative or policy definitions for the minimum mesh size of netting relating to fishing sprat; if there are technical measures or restrictions on the nets that can be used in the context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31464/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe minimum mesh size requirements for fishing for sprat and other fish stocks are set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, also known as the Technical Measures Regulation. Technical measures are rules on how, where and when fishers may fish and also include gear, catch composition and ways to deal with accidental catches. Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 sets out the technical measures for the North Western Waters area, which includes the waters around Ireland.
Annex VI of the Technical Measures Regulation provides that the baseline mesh size for directed fishing of small pelagic species, including sprat, is at least 16mm for towed gear and at least 50mm for static nets and driftnets. In addition, the bycatch of cod, haddock and saithe may not exceed 20% of the total catch.
Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 simplified the rule structure for technical measures as it replaced a range of different regulations that had previously been in place. In addition, the Technical Measures Regulation facilitates a regionalised approach. The regulation sets out the minimum standards for a seabasin, such as the North Western Waters region, and Member States in that area, in consultation with stakeholders, may propose additional measures through a Joint Recommendation. The Technical Measures Regulation is therefore one of the key elements contributing to the conservation and sustainability of fish stocks and ensuring the long-term sustainability of fishing in the waters around Ireland and throughout EU waters.
799. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority in ensuring compliance with regulations concerning the minimum mesh size of nets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31465/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra808. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the systems in place to monitor landings of sprat to assess if the catch is clean in line with landing declarations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31729/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 799 and 808 together.
I should advise the Deputy that the monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as those referred to by the Deputy.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
800. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the need to re-establish the Irish wool council to address a series of matters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31501/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWool production is an important component of agri-industry and Ireland produces excellent quality wool. In an industry such as the wool industry where prices tend to move in cycles, it is imperative that the players ensure and promote a diversity of options for the product in the market place. The current market uncertainties should provide an impetus for the industry players to come together to see what business opportunities are out there and try to promote the excellent product in as many markets as possible.
As set out in the Programme for Government, I propose a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool-based products such as insulation and fertilisers. I will publish further details of the format of this review in the coming weeks.
In addition, €100,000 has been allocated for a feasibility study on the wool market.
801. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that inadvertently lost out on an ANC payment in the past five years as they did not tick the ANC box on their SPS application form; the number that appealed this to his Department; the number that appealed this to the agriculture appeals office; the percentage of each of the respective appeals which were successful; his plans to improve the application process in order that the ANC question is more readily apparent; if the SPS application form has been assessed in terms of plain English; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31503/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to be eligible for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, farmers must apply for the scheme by completing the relevant section of the Basic Payment Scheme application form. Farmers may choose not to apply for the ANC scheme in any given year for a number of reasons such as changes to their farming practice, loss of eligible ANC land through the ending of lease agreements or as a result of retiring from farming.
The application process is reviewed and refined annually to ensure that it is as clear and straight forward as possible. In line with EU Regulations, all applications for the scheme are now completed using the Department’s online application system at www.agfood.ie.
When completing the Basic Payment Scheme online application, under a heading of “Other Schemes and Activities”, individuals are requested to tick a box to confirm if they wish to apply for the ANC scheme.
With regard to requests for reviews submitted to the Department, my Department does not maintain records which would readily identify the number of requests from applicants who failed to tick the ANC box.
The Agriculture Appeals Office has provided statistics concerning the total number of ANC appeals by year since the 1st of January 2016. However, the records kept by Agriculture Appeals Office do not provide a breakdown of the reasons why ANC cases are appealed and therefore it is not possible to identify how many of these cases involved a failure to tick the ANC box at application stage.
|
ANC Scheme Year |
Total number of ANC Appeals received by the Agriculture Appeals Office |
|
2016 |
52 |
|
2017 |
43 |
|
2018 |
28 |
|
2019 |
40 |
|
2020 |
86 |
|
Total |
249 |
802. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of portal inspectors and plant health inspectors recruited by his Department in each of the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31537/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department's Human Resources Division are currently collating the material for this PQ response. To ensure the accuracy of the information, it is necessary to liaise with a number of DAFM Divisions.
My Department commits to submit the information directly to the Deputy within five working days.
803. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the inordinate delay in processing freehold title queries relating to the Land Commission within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31542/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the system that is in place for dealing with queries relating to the activities of the former Irish Land Commission has obviously been impacted to some extent by the public health restrictions arising from the Covid19 pandemic, given that many staff are working remotely.
However, I am confident that every effort is being made to ensure that all queries are dealt with as expeditiously as possible. All of the 8 million or so records held by my Department relating to the former Commission are paper based. Consequently, the research required to resolve title issues can be time consuming and, in the current circumstances, may take longer than usual.
If the Deputy is referring to a specific case, I would request that he supplies the details so that I can have the matter examined and ensure that a response issues as soon as possible.
