Seán Sherlock
Ceist:41. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the online auction for mart sales is working to full capacity. [41619/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLivestock Issues
Ceisteanna (41)
Freagraí scríofa
I am satisfied that the online mart system is working successfully in the context of the necessary Public Health restrictions we have applied. I am not aware of any restrictions on capacity.
The vast majority of livestock marts now have systems in place to conduct online auctions. Livestock throughput from 22nd October to 30th November - when Level 5 measures were in place - give a good indication of how well marts and farmers have adapted to Covid measures.
Cattle throughput in this period is at 84% of the comparable period for 2019 (186,000 versus 221,000 head). Sheep throughput is at 83% of the comparable period for 2019 (136, 000 v 164,000 head).
Since the beginning of the Covid19 crisis, my Department has worked intensively, in cooperation with marts representative organisations, to ensure that marts may remain in operation. I would like to commend marts and farmers around the country, for the resilience they have shown in the face of Covid, and the speed with which they have adapted to the new circumstances.
Online sales are reaching a much higher number of farmers and agents than sales on marts premises did, even prior to the start of Covid restrictions. The online service providers have reported to my officials that on occasions more than 40,000 individual daily users have logged in to online mart sales. The majority of marts are reporting good clearance rates and robust prices.
From 1st December, marts have once again been operating under Level 3 measures. Potential buyers can attend the sales ring subject to adhering to 2-metre social distancing, and can view stock in the pens without prior appointment, maintaining 2-metre social distancing.
In recognition of the ongoing investment by marts in IT infrastructure, and subject to receiving the necessary approval, I will be bringing forward a grant scheme for marts early in 2021.
I thank mart managers and farmers for engaging so well durinf the Level 5 restrictions and palying their part in keeping each other safe.
Fishing Industry
Ceisteanna (42)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:42. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on bringing forward a statutory instrument to restrict inshore pair trawling while awaiting the appeal of the High Court ruling that overturned Policy Directive 1 of 2019. [41696/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, in 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 1st 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 Policy Directive was issued by the Minister to give effect to these changes. A Judicial Review to the High Court was taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy.
On 6th October 2020, the Judge held in summary that the High Court’s final order should be, among other matters, a declaration that Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect.
The breach of fair procedures as referenced above related to a failure with obligations to consult with the applicants in accordance with, and to the extent required by, the consultation process and in particular by failing to consult with them once a preferred option had been identified.
The High Court’s ruling has been appealed by the State to the Court of Appeal and a stay is being sought on the orders granted therein. The date for the Court hearing directions is set for 11th December.
As this matter is sub judice, I am not in a position to comment until the matter can be resolved before the Courts. However I would like to assure you that I am committed to delivering the promises made in the Programme for Government that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and pair trawling be prohibited inside the six-mile limit.