Written Answers Nos. 180-200
180. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person or body who designed and sanctioned the wording of the level 5 restrictions to include the measure that marts must operate online only; and if this can be amended for any future level 5 lockdown. [40562/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the beginning of the Covid19 global pandemic, my Department has worked intensively, in cooperation with marts representative organisations, to ensure that marts may remain in operation. I would like to commend the representative organisations for this good cooperation. I would like to commend also the marts themselves, and farmers around the country, for the resilience they have shown in the face of this pandemic, and the speed with which they have adapted to the new circumstances.
My Department has adapted the conditions under which marts must operate since April, to reflect the various measures introduced by the Government to stop the spread of Covid19 and to allow marts to continue to operate.
From April to June 8th, marts operated without public attendance at sales rings, with marts able to operate transactions online or facilitate the brokering of sales, including the weighing and viewing of stock and the safe processing of financial transactions for buyers and sellers. From June, as other public health restrictions lifted, public attendance at sales rings was again permitted in marts subject to strict compliance with Covid19-specific standard operating procedures in each mart, based on the HSE Covid19 rules.
On 19th October, the Taoiseach announced that the whole country would move to Level 5 of the Framework for Living with COVID-19 for a period of six weeks. Under the framework, sales at marts could be held online only.
Protecting the agri-food sector and people in rural communities by following this framework was at the centre of my Department’s direction, on 20th October, that sales rings must close and that all mart business may continue by conducting sales by brokering transactions or by using online platforms.
The framework was a Government decision, arrived at with NPHET advice, and following consideration by the Cabinet Commitee on COVID. In the event of a return to level 5, my Department will again be guided by their advices.
181. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to reopen the early farm retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40523/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent years, the priority of my Department has shifted to the encouragement of generational change for farmers by assisting the development of our young farmers. There is a range of supports in place including specific agri-taxation measures to incentivise this generational change. The agri-taxation measures specifically aimed at young farmers include 100% stock relief on income tax for certain young trained farmers and stamp duty exemption on transfers of land to young trained farmers.
Under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, there is also an enhanced capital investment Scheme for young trained farmers under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes. This Scheme provides them with grant aid at a rate of 60% of the cost of the investment, compared to the standard grant rate of 40%, and I believe it is an important support and encouragement to young farmers starting in agriculture for the first time.
Generational renewal continues to be a priority for my Department and will form an important part of the CAP post-2020. My Department and I are actively engaging with other Member States and the EU on these issues during the current negotiations on new CAP proposals. We can then consider in more detail when we have the final EU Regulations as part of the wider consideration of all proposals for the next CAP.
182. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason animals slaughtered in slaughter houses in Northern Ireland are not considered eligible for payment under the beef finishers payment scheme; if they will be made eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40525/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Beef Finisher Payment (BFP) scheme was launched on the 10th August 2020. The aim of the scheme was to provide income support for farmers finishing beef who have been impacted by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Payments are made based on the data contained on my Department’s Animal Identification and Movements (AIM) system. My Department issued €46.6m to 27,200 farmers under the BFP last month.
The Terms and Conditions of the BFP scheme defines an eligible animals as “those bovine animals identified on AIM on 15th July 2020 as aged eight months or over when presented for slaughter to a slaughtering establishment approved under the European Communities (Food & Feed Hygiene) Regulations (S.I. 22 of 2020) in the period of 1st February 2020 to 12th June inclusive”.
Only those animals slaughtered during the reference period in approved slaughter establishments located in the State can be considered for payment under the scheme. Robust verification of eligibility is essential for audit purposes and the Department's Animal Identification and Movement System provides slaughter data only in respect of Ireland. All live bovine animals that are moved out of Ireland are recorded as ‘Live Exports’ irrespective of the purpose for which they are exported. The status of such exported animals cannot be verified systematically.
In addition, the basis for additional exchequer funding was the market disturbance experienced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The R3 Steer price for the reference period relating to the measure was consistently higher in Northern Ireland than in Ireland. Based on these considerations, the BFP was designed to not include animals slaughtered in Northern Ireland.
183. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry did not receive payment under the beef finisher payment scheme for animals that were slaughtered in the European Union; if these animals will be made eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40529/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Beef Finisher Payment (BFP) scheme was launched on 10th August 2020. The aim of the scheme was to provide income support for farmers finishing beef who have been impacted by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Payments are made based on the data contained on my Department’s Animal Identification and Movements (AIM) system. My Department issued €46.6m to 27,200 farmers under the BFP last month.
The Terms and Conditions of the BFP scheme defines an eligible animals as “those bovine animals identified on AIM on 15th July 2020 as aged eight months or over when presented for slaughter to a slaughtering establishment approved under the European Communities (Food & Feed Hygiene) Regulations (S.I. 22 of 2020) in the period of 1st February 2020 to 12th June inclusive”.
Only those animals slaughtered during the reference period in approved slaughter establishments located in the State can be considered for payment under the scheme. All live bovine animals that are moved out of Ireland are recorded as ‘Live Exports’ irrespective of the purpose for which they are exported. The status of such exported animals cannot be verified systematically.
The person named lodged a BFP application under appeal on 8 September as it was determined that he had no eligible animals. A review of the movements from the herd in the reference period was carried out and a letter upholding the Department's position issued on 5 October as it was determined that all animals in question had been exported to Northern Ireland. The letter also advised the person named of their right to appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
184. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which an auctioneer can get on the panel of independent valuers that carry out live valuations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40557/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraValuers are appointed as contractors to my Department via a multi-supplier tendering framework advertised on the e-tenders website in line with relevant Irish and EU public procurement regulations.
The most recent request for tender (RFT), completed in 2016, required prospective tenderers to provide evidence of at least three years' experience in the evaluation of bovine livestock in one or more of the following six areas:
- expertise in livestock auctioneering/mart management.
- expertise in live judging.
- expertise in live weight assessment.
- expertise in projecting carcass grade at slaughter.
- expertise in projecting kill-out weights and
- expertise in analysing market trends/market requirements and in a minimum of two of more of the following four categories:
- Pedigree beef cattle.
- Commercial beef cattle.
- Pedigree dairy cattle and
- Commercial dairy cattle.
Applicants successful this round of the process were then invited to a secondary stage where they are required to demonstrate their expertise in evaluating of bovine livestock at a live assessment session and are assessed in terms of their ability to evaluate a broad range of categories relating to pedigree and non-pedigree beef and dairy animals, breeding and non-breeding. Tenderers are also required to demonstrate their overall knowledge relating to livestock breeding and the bovine livestock industry.
The current contract is due to expire on 1st November 2021. In line with procurement rules, a new RFT, following the format outlined above, will be published in the first quarter of next year in order to have a new contract in place for November.
185. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will contact a person (details supplied) in County Kerry whose herd has been restricted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40559/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis herd was restricted on 2nd October 2020 as a result of an animal, which was exported to Northern Ireland for direct slaughter, having suspect lesions. The lesions were sent for laboratory analysis to confirm the presence or otherwise of bovine TB. The results are awaited and they generally take around 11 weeks.
According to my Department's records, the herdowner contacted the Regional Veterinary office on 11 November when he spoke with a Veterinary Inspector (VI). The herdowner also spoke to a VI on 27 November.
The VI over the herdowners' area contacted the herdowner again on 30th November and discussed through the options available to him. My Department will continue to engage with the herdowner as we await the laboratory results for this animal.
186. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of tonnes of barley, oats, wheat, soya beans and maize imported in each of the past five years; the origin of the imports by country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40608/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproximately 5 million tonnes of compound feed is manufactured in Ireland annually. This production comprises 3.5 million tonnes of feed ingredients imported from EU and Third Countries, with the remainder supplied from home-grown cereals.
The main feed ingredients imported are protein supplements, maize and maize by-products, soyabean meal and rapeseed meal, much of which originates in the USA, Brazil, Argentina and Canada.
Feed producers have indicated a clear interest in sourcing reliable and consistent supplies of home-produced proteins. This would require provision of further processing infrastructure and a commitment from both producers and processors to work together on this.
The requested information on imports attached is from data supplied by the CSO. The figures set out the imports of barley, oats, wheat, soya beans and maize imported into Ireland during the period 2015 – 2019 and include figures up to the end of Quarter 3 for 2020. The figures do not distinguish between imports of these commodities for feed or food use.
187. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the length of the approval process for PGI applications to the Europe Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40609/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a common application procedure across Member States for PGI applications in the form of a specification document and a common single document to be completed by the applicant.
My Department, as the Competent Authority, assesses whether the application dossier fulfils the necessary criteria and, if and when satisfied, publishes it on the Department website for a national opposition procedure, considers any oppositions received and where satisfied it is in order, forwards the application dossier to the European Commission.
There is no specific regulatory time limit for the approval process by my Department. The time period depends on a number of factors, including but not limited to the complexity of the application, the detailed information provided by the applicant, and the time taken to follow up on issues arising.
Once an application has been sent to the European Commission, the EU Regulation provides that the scrutiny by the Commission should not exceed a period of six months. However, the Regulation also provides that where this period is exceeded, the Commission shall indicate in writing to the applicant the reasons for the delay. Where, based on the scrutiny carried out, the Commission considers that the requirements are fulfilled, it shall publish the single document in the Official Journal of the EU. Oppositions may be lodged with the Commission by a Member State or a third country within three months from the date of publication in the Official Journal.
In light of the foregoing, it is not possible to give a precise length of time for the approval process for a PGI application.
Howver, I believe that the PGI application, should it be successful, can be very beneficial for our beef sectors and our farmers. Helping to add value to the qulaity food our farms produce is a key priority of this Government.
188. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average processing time for a joint jurisdiction PGI application to be approved by the Europe Union; the number of joint jurisdiction PGI applications rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40610/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date, there have been no all-island PGI applications for food received by my Department.
Separately, Ireland's three PGI Spirit Drink GIs are recognised on an all-island basis. The Technical Files detailing the product specifications for the Spirit Drink Geographic Indications were submitted to the EU Commission in February 2015 and registered in March 2019.
189. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of tonnes of antibiotics added to rations in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 from records kept by compound feeders; the sectors those rations were designated for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40611/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not currently have data on the overall volume of antibiotics added to rations by compound feeders or the sectors that such rations are designated for.
The Department has, however, introduced an antimicrobial consumption database for pigs (AMUpig) in November 2019 and, so far, has achieved approximately 45% coverage of the Irish pig population. My Department is furthermore working to develop a National Secure Veterinary Digital Prescription System which will address this knowledge gap and provide granular sector specific data to identify where the antibiotics are being used in line with requirements of Regulation EU 2019/6.
The Department does, however, have access to reports from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) which collates data on overall antibiotic sales for the previous year - data is provided to the HPRA by the marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) that market the various veterinary antibiotics. This provides a high level overview of antibiotic usage in animals in Ireland. The data provided covers both the farmed animal and companion animal sectors. The most recent HPRA report relates to sales of veterinary antibiotics in Ireland in 2019. The sales figures for 2020 will not be available until Q4 2021 due to a lag period between sales occurring and reporting of sales data to the HPRA from MAHs.
These reports detail the total amount of veterinary antibiotics sold in Ireland - in 2018, total sales were 99.4 tons, of which premixes incorporated into compound feed accounted for 29 tons which represents 29.2% of overall sales. Premixes describe those antibiotics that are presented for incorporation into feed.
In 2019, 88.8 tons of veterinary antibiotics were sold and premixes accounted for 32 tons or 37% of the overall total. Although there was an increase in the tonnage of premixes sold in 2019 overall, the 2019 HPRA report showed a significant reduction in sales of antibiotics on the previous year. The data available provides the overall volume of veterinary antibiotics sold in Ireland in a given year, but not sector specific usage data.
One of the key factors in reducing antibiotic use is improvement in animal health. My Department continues to fund research that focuses on disease prevention and other ways of reducing the overall usage of antibiotics in the pig sector. Farming and veterinary stakeholders on the iNAP Animal Health Sector Committee have worked together to develop a “Code of Good Practice for the Responsible use of Antibiotics' guidelines for various sectors. These guidelines provide a valuable reference for farmers as they work with their veterinary practitioner to reduce their overall level of antibiotic use.
My Department had adopted a “One Health One Welfare” approach and the recently launched National Farmed Animal Bio security Strategy outlines key measures in the overall approach to reducing the use of antibiotics through improved animal health thereby address the public health threat of AMR.
190. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of livestock movements, that is, sales of cattle and sheep, between buyer and seller from farm to farm including marts for 2019; and the number to date in 2020. [40638/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMovements of cattle and sheep within the State are recorded on my Department's Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) database. AIM does not record sales data.
The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the Table attached. It should be noted that the 2020 figures are those recorded on the AIM database as at 27th November 2020.
|
CATTLE AND SHEEP MOVEMENTS RECORDED ON THE ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION AND MOVEMENT DATABASE Full Year 2019 and in 2020 (up to 27/11/2020) |
||||
|
Cattle |
Sheep |
|||
|
2019 |
2020 (to 27/11) |
2019 |
2020 (to 27/11) |
|
|
Movements from |
||||
|
Farm to Mart |
1,669,138 |
1,429,970 |
1,409,360 |
1,409,105 |
|
Farm to Farm |
1,301,334 |
1,524,475 |
578,291 |
632,399 |
191. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the term mart as defined in the Animal Health and Welfare (Livestock Marts) Regulations 2018 could also apply to an online market place; the requirements that such a venture would have to comply with in an effort to be able to operate as such; and his views on the matter. [40639/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder our current understanding of legislation, livestock marts need a suitable physical location and infrastructure to conduct the business of a livestock mart. Livestock marts are licenced and regulated under the Animal Health and Welfare (Livestock Marts) Regulations 2018 (SI 128 of 2018). My Department has, since April, and with the cooperation of the marts representative organisations, put in place measures to allow marts to continue to operate with due regard to public health and safety in relation to COVID-19.
While livestock marts do facilitate online bidding and sales, the animals being auctioned are physically present in the mart premises, and the actual movements of the animals- from the farm of origin, to the mart and onwards to their destination, must all be fully recorded on the Department's Animals Identification and Movement (AIM) system. For example, during level 5 restrictions, the sales rings of marts were closed. However, farmers or their representatives were permitted to deliver livestock to the mart by appointment and potential buyers were permitted to view or collect livestock by appointment.
Whether the sale is online or in person, marts must display information as to whether a bovine presented for sale has been tested for tuberculosis, if the bovine is offered for sale by or on behalf of a dealer as defined in Council Directive 64/432/EEC and a statement as to eligibility of the bovine animal for live export to an EU member state. Marts facilitating online bidding are subject to the same record keeping and animal identification requirements as if they were facilitating sales via buyers physically present at the sales ring.
In addition, it should be noted that auctioneers conducting sales in marts must be registered and licenced by the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA).
192. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedure for dealing with animals that have been removed from a farmer due to welfare concerns following their removal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40640/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, animals seized and detained are treated by rehoming if they are not commercial animals. Otherwise, these animals are either sold or processed. This is done promptly to mitigate animal welfare concerns.
193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appeal will be examined favourably in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40662/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 16th September 2020, my Department notified the person named of the loss of 5.66 entitlements to the National Reserve in 2020 as these entitlements had not been used over the two year usage period (2019 and 2020). On 20th October 2020, my Department received a late 2019 Transfer of Entitlements application to transfer these 5.66 entitlements, by way of gift, from the person named to the new owner of this Herdnumber. On 22th October 2020, my Department issued a letter to both parties to the Transfer to state that the signature of the person named had not been witnessed by the appropriate witness and provided them with the opportunity to rectify this position. On 12th November 2020, the Transfer Signature Confirmation was received witnessed correctly.
The 2019 Transfer of Entitlements application form has now been processed. As a result, the 5.66 entitlements have been transferred from the person named and are no longer deemed to be unused .
194. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he and his Department officials became aware that 4,600 forestry licence applications are backlogged in the Forestry Service; the specific dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40675/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department concluded that there were circa 2,000 forestry licence applications backlogged in the Forestry Service; the developments that led to the determination that the correct number of backlogged licence applications is 4,600; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40676/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.
My Department receives forestry applications and issues new licences every week of the year. This means there is a constant turnover of applications and a worklist which has these applications at various stages of processing. We update our weekly licencing output to stakeholders through a dashboard.
There are approximately 4,700 forest licence applications currently in the system and at various stages of processing.
Of these, approximately 2,000 have been referred to ecologists for an appropriate assessment, and a backlog has built up over the last 18 months. This worklist of approximately 2,000 files is being dealt with by means of a dedicated project plan which was shared with the stakeholders on its publication in July.
Generally, the remainder of licence applications that do not require an appropriate assessment are not subject to the delays currently being experienced with licences requiring ecology input.
To date this year, my Department has issued 2,042 licences. 550 of these licences have issued since the introduction of the new Forestry legislation at the beginning of October.
My Department's overall approach to tackling the backlog of applications is subject to continuous improvement and review with the aim of increasing the output of licences on a weekly basis. At the beginning of the year, there were just two ecologists working on the backlog of applications referred to ecology but this figure is now sixteen. Additional forestry inspectors have also been hired to support this work. This delivered increased output in October and November compared to other months this year. While this still has some considerable way to go, I am encouraged by this progress and intend to sustain and build on this output of licences issued each week.
196. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether it is appropriate that An Taisce is appealing applications for forestry licences in view of the ongoing crisis in the forestry and timber sector rather than consulting directly with his Department and in view of the fact that An Taisce receives significant public funding. [40679/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra197. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of days each of the four divisions of the Forestry Appeals Committee is sitting; the number of hearings each division has heard since it has operated in four divisions since 9 November 2020; the number of hearings each division will hold between now and the end of 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40674/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.
The FAC is independent of my Department and reports separately on its output on its own website. The information below has been sourced from the FAC.
With the introduction of the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 on 7th October 2020, four sub-divisions of the FAC have been established to deal with appeals in an increase from the previous single Committee. The three additional divisions commenced hearing cases on Monday 9th November 2020. All four committees are currently hearing appeals remotely due to Covid-19 restrictions and the hearings are conducted five days per week.
The FAC hear both oral and non-oral hearing appeals and since the introduction of the additional committees, sixty-one cases have been heard with a further forty-two hearings scheduled to take place in December.
The following table outlines the position:
|
Committee No |
Number of Days Sitting |
Number of hearings assessed since 9th of November |
Number of Hearings Scheduled until 31/12/2020 |
|
Committee 1 |
2 |
24 |
16 |
|
Committee 2 |
1 |
12 |
8 |
|
Committee 3 |
1 |
12 |
8 |
|
Committee 4 |
1 |
13 |
10 |
With regard to appeals by An Taisce, the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) is operationally independent of my Department and therefore has sole discretion on the validity of any appeal received. Similarly, it is open to any individual or group in the state to submit an appeal.
198. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the consideration that has been given to altering existing or introducing new supports with regard to ash dieback including broadening the base of eligible applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40687/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra199. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the monitoring his Department carries out with regard to the prevalence and effects of ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40688/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra200. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his Departments attempts to ensure that the ash species is maintained and restored as a result of the effects of ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40689/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 to 200, inclusive, together.
The national response to Ash Dieback has moved away from eradication of the disease in light of experience and scientific evidence that such an approach is no longer feasible. The Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) launched in June this year focuses on ash plantation management. This approach categorises plantations in to three groups based on the plantation age and tree size. Different support options are available, depending on the category into which the ash plantation may fall.
The objectives of the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) are to encourage the active management of ash plantations in the context of the control and spread of the disease. The scheme aims to promote the vigorous growth of ash through thinning to realise as much potential value of the crop as possible and where appropriate in young plantations and in cases of high disease infection, to support the removal of the affected ash crop and replacement with alternative species.
Depending on the age and tree size of the ash plantation, the reconstitution option allows for the entire site to be cleared and replanted with an alternative species. Support available for this option covers the cost of establishment and includes a site clearance grant. The underplanting option is also available where a percentage of the crop is retained while the remainder is cleared to make way for planting a new crop of trees. The Woodland Improvement Scheme may also be an option for some forest owners impacted by ash dieback. This scheme supports two thinning interventions. Transitioning to Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) is also available which consists of three separate interventions.
My Department has received around 200 applications and there are no plans to amend it or to introduce additional supports.
As regards the background to the assessment and monitoring of the disease, following the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback disease in October 2012, on imported trees used in forestry plantations, intensive surveys for the disease have been conducted year on year since. The surveys conducted in 2019 included a targeted survey of forestry plantations and a systematic survey of National Forest Inventory points across the country.
By the end of 2019, there had been findings in ash in over 650 locations in various settings – forests, nurseries and garden centres, on farm planting, roadside planting, hedgerows and private gardens in all 26 counties. In 2019, due to the wide distribution of Chalara Ash Dieback Disease reports of the disease from the general public in non-grant aided ash trees, for example garden trees and hedgerow trees, were not routinely sampled for laboratory analysis and are not accounted for in the figure of 650. Systematic surveys for ash dieback have continued during 2020.
The Department is actively supporting a number of research projects into the control and management of Ash Dieback disease, in particular projects with a key long-term focus of developing an ash tree breeding programme to identify trees that show strong tolerance to the disease and the genetic basis for tolerance. In this regard, a five-year project was begun in 2013, the aim of which has been to identify individual trees of ash which show tolerance to Ash Dieback and to use them for possible future breeding work and DNA screening by other institutes.
The project, which was part funded by the Department, was carried out by Forest Research, an agency of the Forestry Commission in the UK. The project involves 48 hectares of trial plantings over fourteen sites in the east of England and the mass screening of some 155,000 ash trees with fifteen different provenances from continental Europe, the UK and Ireland. Over 14,000 Irish ash plants from two distinct seed lots were included in the trials. These trials continue to be monitored by Forest Research, while scion material showing early signs of tolerance has been repatriated back to Ireland and incorporated into the Teagasc research effort.
The Department continues to closely follow similar work in Europe. Teagasc has collaborated with a number of European research agencies and has acquired and propagated ash genotypes which have been selected as putatively tolerant to ash dieback disease, having been observed as healthy over several years in infected locations with high tree mortality.
In 2020, with support from this Department under the Forest Genetic Resources Reproductive Material: Seed Stand & Seed Orchard, a collaboration between Teagasc and Coillte resulted in the establishment of the first conservation collection of putatively tolerant ash plants at a forest site in Co. Kilkenny. This planting will be monitored over the coming years in order to assess how tolerance of each genotype holds up.
Also in 2020, officials in this Department contributed to a COFORD Connect Note on ash dieback disease. This note provides a comprehensive background on the state of the disease in Ireland, and a strategy for generating sources of tolerant ash seeds and plants, and for mobilising this material for field planting. This note can be found at http://www.coford.ie/media/coford/content/publications/cofordconnects/CCNRM22BreedintoleranceAshDiebackDisease160620.pdf
