Written Answers Nos. 1274-1292
1274. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress in establishing a food ombudsman; if the position will be approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16926/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to:
Ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain by establishing a new authority called the National Food Ombudsman (NFO) to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. This new authority will enforce EU-wide rules on prohibited unfair trading practices in the food supply chain and will have powers to enforce this Directive, penalising those who breach regulations.
My Department is taking a two-step approach to the establishment of the NFO (or equivalent office). Firstly, a statutory instrument will be drafted to transpose the UTP Directive by the deadline of 1st May 2021. This will provide for an Enforcement Authority which will have the powers as currently provided for in the Directive. The legislative and operational requirements for establishing a new Office of a Food Ombudsman, or equivalent, that might provide for functions other than those provided for in the UTP Directive are being examined. Primary legislation will be required both to establish this new authority, and to provide for any further powers which may be given to that office. It is intended that there will shortly be a national consultation process on the possible functions of the NFO. I am not in a position to say at present what will be provided for in any new legislation regarding the appointment of a Food Ombudsman or equivalent, until such legislation is finalised.
1275. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to irregularities in relation to a forestry application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16929/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received the application referenced in December 2019. A site notice must be erected at the entrance of the site onto the public road and, as part of the application documentation, a photo of the site notice in situ was received. Further, the standard application map indicated the location of the site notice. A Forestry District Inspector made a site visit on 30th January and the site notice was in place at that time. As for all applications, it was advertised on my Department’s website on 20th December and was open for public consultation from that date.
The licence issued on 3rd March, 2020 and 28 days were provided for appeal to the independent Forestry Appeals Committee. The decision was advertised on my Department’s website. No appeal was received.
I am satisfied therefore that the application procedures were followed in full from application to the issuing of the licence.
The site was planted between October and December 2020. Documentation submitted to the Department confirmed the number of broadleaves planted on the site which are in line with that required as part of the conditions on the licence. I understand that some trees were planted within the 60m setback from a nearby dwelling house and that the forestry company concerned have now removed these trees.
1276. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports available from his Department to those affected by flooding at Lough Funshinagh, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17031/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoscommon County Council and the OPW, are in the first instance leading the engagement in relation to addressing the issue of flooding at Lough Funshinagh. The Department are in ongoing interaction with this group who are investigating technical solutions to address the issue.
There are currently no dedicated supports for land that is seasonally flooded. The Deputy should be aware that areas subject to temporary flooding but that become available for grazing during the summer are considered eligible for support under the Basic Payment Scheme and Agri-Environmental schemes.
1277. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of timber imported to Ireland in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17054/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1278. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has carried out an analysis on the additional timber imported to Ireland as a result of the ongoing forestry licensing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17055/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1277 and 1278 together.
While the Department holds information in relation to regulated wood and wood products subject to phytosanitary controls, it does not hold information on total wood imports.
The COFORD Connect series “Woodflow and the forest – based biomass energy use on the island of Ireland” provide a range of forestry statistics on harvesting and exports across a number of different forest products. A detailed breakdown of figures for 2015 to 2018 provides information of the net log imports minus log exports for this time series. The data currently available is outlined in the table below:
|
Log imports less log exports (in m3) |
|
|
2018 |
- 205, 000 |
|
2017 |
- 65,000 |
|
2016 |
- 16,000 |
|
2015 |
40,000 |
|
*A negative figure means there was a net outflow of logs from the Republic of Ireland exported (which includes logs moving to Northern Ireland) |
Detailed figures for 2019 and 2020 are not yet available. Detailed information on all COFORD Connect series are available on www.coford.ie. The weblink to the published Woodflow and the forest – based biomass energy use on the island of Ireland 2018 can be assessed at http://www.coford.ie/news/woodflowandforest-basedbiomassenergyuseontheislandofireland2018.html. These also provide detailed information on harvesting levels against projected timber forecasts. Trade data is also included along with information on the use of forest based biomass for energy.
In relation to the importation of sawlog from Scotland, the Department can confirm that in the four months September to December 2019, the average monthly importation of logs was 5,245 tonnes. In the year 2020, this figure was 10,488 tonnes/month and year to date in 2021, the average monthly importation of logs from Scotland is 17,896 tonnes/month. Even with these higher import figures this year, it still represents less than 10% of overall consumption by Irish sawmills.
The Department has invested heavily in both ecologist and forestry Inspector resources over the last 18 months in order to meet the needs of the licencing system. We now have 21 full-time equivalent ecologists where previously we had one just 18 months ago. This has resulted in a significant improvement in the licencing output with, for example, almost three million m3 of felling licences issuing from last October to January. Similarly, roads licences have improved considerably compared to the same months last year and 50% of the target for 2021 has already been licenced by mid-March.
We acknowledge that the progress that has been made needs to be improved and sustained. Consequently, we are implementing internal changes to improve output including training, increased assistance to ecologists in the preparation of files, improved IT resources for ecologists and other system improvements. In addition, we are engagement intensively with the sector who also have a role to play by is focusing on improvement in the quality and consistency of applications and subsequent information including NISs.
Through Project Woodland, there is now a dedicated working group around the Backlog and establishing KPIs and a separate working group is charged with examining our internal processes that includes an end-to-end review of systems to ensure that they are made more efficient and are environmentally robust. We are recruiting project management and systems analyst expertise to assist in this process.
Overall, we have set ourselves a target of issuing 4,500 new licences this year which would be a 75% increase on last year. This is a massive undertaking but I believe it is possible to achieve with the collaboration of all.
1279. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of his Department’s engagement with the World Organisation for Animal Health; if his Department is working with the organisation to improve the conditions of slaughter in third countries to which live animals are exported; the level of funding provided to the organisation by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17057/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, in cooperation with our EU partners, works closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The OIE is the global standard setting body relating to animal health and animal welfare.
Ireland has been a member of the OIE European Platform Steering Committee on Animal Welfare since its creation in 2013 and has offered technical inputs for the development of the OIE Platform action plans. In July 2017, Ireland contributed financial support to OIE activities and initiatives on animal welfare and planned under the framework of the OIE Platform. These specific areas are (a) slaughter of animals in the regions of Eastern Europe, Middle East and Northern Africa, and (b) long-distance transport, including "whole journey scenario" by land and/or sea in inter-regional journeys.
To support these activities, Ireland has provided three annual instalments of €75,000 (€225,000 in total). On the basis of this collaborative agreement, Ireland receives annual technical and financial progress reports on activities conducted in the specific areas and proposed future activities to be implemented.
While these activities have been curtailed recently by COVID-19, I am satisfied with the progress made to date on these initiatives.
1280. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria by which stakeholders will be selected for the high-welfare pig and poultry stakeholder consultation announced in the animal welfare strategy 2021-2025; the intended duration of this consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17058/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to establishing and supporting a stakeholder consultation to explore the development of high-welfare outdoor-reared pig and poultry sectors.
The Department is currently developing plans for the consultative process with a view to full engagement later this year. No timeframe has been placed on the duration of the consultation.
1281. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds born from information recorded when owners make a declaration of litter submission in each year since 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17059/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) 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. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) has been the keeper for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923.
The ICC has informed my Department that the data requested by the Deputy is not available for the years 2009 to 2020 as their reporting system covered the total number of litters born but did not report the individual number of pups per litter. The ICC registration software system has now been amended to incorporate the capture of specific details relating to each greyhound from 2021 onwards.
1282. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the means by which the education referred to in the animal welfare strategy report to transfer an increase in awareness of animal welfare issues will be delivered; when the education will be delivered; if primary and secondary schools will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17060/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new established Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare, which will convene is the coming weeks, will be asked to advise on the most appropriate content and ways of educating companion animal owners about caring for their animals. The Council will explore the feasibility of extending animal welfare awareness into the broader educational system, including primary and secondary schools, which will be considered through inter-departmental and broader stakeholder discussions. No timeframe has been placed on these consultations.
In addition, Teagasc, Ireland’s Agricultural Training and Advisory body continues to provide well developed courses and training opportunities for the farming community with a strong emphasis on animal husbandry. Teagasc courses will continue to evolve, ensuring that clear consistent animal welfare considerations are promoted across all its teaching and advisory services for farmers.
I have asked Teagasc, to mainstream animal welfare considerations across its teaching and advisory services for farmers and my Department will further support research and education through our research calls and by supporting the establishment of a Chair in Animal Welfare and Veterinary Ethics in University College Dublin.
1283. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the Howth Harbour dredging project; and when work will commence on this project. [17068/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHowth Fishery Harbour Centre (FHC) is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.
The situation in Howth Harbour has been recognised as an issue for some time, and the requirement for a dredging project to restore adequate depth in the entrance channel and within the harbour is accepted. The Harbour was last dredged in the early 1980s. The possibility of a dredging project has been under consideration for some time.
The project will involve the dredging of circa 240,000 cubic meters of dredge material and reuse of material in land reclamation. The land reclamation area will provide a mix of recreational public access green areas, slipway access to the water for small craft and provide areas for business, harbour operations and transport.
My Department tendered for a Consulting Engineering practice on 3rd October 2018 to bring the project through the planning, environmental permitting and design phase and should a decision be made to progress the project, this consultant will also be responsible for the supervision of onsite works.
The project will require Planning Permission, an Environmental Impact Statement and a Waste License. A variety of factors will impact on the cost of a potential dredging project, including the disposal options, overall scale of the project, and market factors.
As part of the planning process, my Department is currently engaged in a Public Consultation process the closure date for submissions is Friday 9th April 2021.
Following the collation of information raised in the consultation process, the intention is to commence the planning phase of the project in May 2021, with the required EPA licencing process to follow after grant of Planning Permission. It is expected that the planning and permitting phase could take at least 12 months.
As is the case with all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, any future decision with regard to initiating a full dredging project in Howth FHC will only be considered on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing national priorities.
1284. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the interim standards for felling and reforestation October 2019 were converted to actual standards; when the industry was notified of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17302/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1285. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of submissions that were received by his Department during the consultation period on the interim standards for felling and reforestation October 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17303/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1286. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of submissions received by his Department on the interim standards for felling and reforestation October 2019 during the consultation period that pointed out impracticalities and operational impossibilities and unrealistic requirements in the standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17304/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1287. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department take notice or regard of the submissions received during the consultation period in relation to the interim standards for felling and reforestation October 2019 which appear to have been converted to actual standards following a consultation period; the way this notice or regard was translated into the standards that now prevail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17305/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1284 to 1287, inclusive, together.
New interim ‘Standards for Felling and Reforestation’ were circulated in October 2019. These Standards immediately replaced measures relating to felling set out in the existing standards ‘Forest Harvesting & the Environment Guidelines (2000)’. The ‘Standards for Felling and Reforestation’ from October 2019 is still the current document today.
This new standards document sets out the standards that apply to all felling (thinning and clearfelling) and reforestation projects on all sites throughout Ireland, undertaken under a felling licence issued by the Department under the Forestry Regulations, 2017 (S.I. No. 191/2017).
When released in October 2019, comments on the document were sought from stakeholders and I understand 10 submissions were received. Some the comments suggested textual changes to improve the practical implementation of various measures set out in the document.
The stated intention at the time was that the consultation submissions would be considered and a revised version of the document would issue in due course. This unfortunately did not happen due to pressure of work and to date the document has not been revised to take account of the comments received.
The Department is committed to updating this document and the Mackinnon Report has made specific recommendations on the review of these types of standards and documents. Under the Implementation of the Project Woodland plan, the updating of Forest Standard documents is a key deliverable for consideration by one of the Working Groups. It will now be considered in this context.
1288. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle slaughtered that originated in feedlots in each of the years 2015 to 2020, inclusive; the proportion this represented of the total State-wide kill in each respective year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17329/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no legal definition of a feedlot herd. The Department defines certain herds as Controlled Finishing Units (CFUs) in the context of the Bovine TB Eradication Programme. This definition is unique to that programme and does not necessarily mirror the use of the term "feedlot" by the public and/or other institutions. CFUs are subject to enhanced biosecurity measures as part of the TB Programme and can only sell direct to slaughter. Please see below two tables as follows:
Kill numbers (rounded) at EU approved slaughter plants originating in Controlled Finishing Units and percentage of total state kill for years 2015 to 2020.
|
Year |
Animals slaughtered in EU approved plants, originating from TB restricted CFUs |
Percentage of Total State Kill |
|
2015 |
198,000 |
11.89% |
|
2016 |
238,000 |
13.64% |
|
2017 |
263,000 |
14.20% |
|
2018 |
295,000 |
15.56% |
|
2019 |
288,500 |
15.57% |
|
*2020 |
299,000 |
15.91% |
* The figures provided in respect of 2020 are provisional and may be subject to minor modification.
The above figures are published on a monthly basis here in respect of Controlled Finishing Units
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/f55f2-bovine-birth-and-movements-monthly-reports/#kill-numbers-at-eu-approved-slaughter-plants-originating-in-controlled-finishing-units
1289. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a BEEP application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17417/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
I have been advised, however, that the records of the Agriculture Appeals Office indicate that a letter of appeal was received on behalf of the person named in December 2020. The Appeals Office wrote to the person named in relation to his appeal and the submission of further documentation, which was received in January 2021.
The Appeals Office requested the file and a statement on the grounds of appeal from my Department and the file and statement were recently submitted to the Appeals Office. The appeal will be shortly assigned to an Appeals Officer for examination and I have been assured that the appeal will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
1290. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17420/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State recognises the right of Irish Sign Language users to use Irish Sign Language as their native language and the corresponding duties of all public bodies to provide Irish Sign Language users with free interpretation services when availing of or seeking access to statutory entitlements and services.
The Irish Sign Language Act, 2017 clearly sets out the legislative responsibilities of all public bodies to provide interpretation services to an individual who is seeking to avail of or access statutory entitlements or services provided by that Public Body.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is in a position to provide sufficient interpretation services in Irish Sign Language to meet all obligations and duties as set out in the Act.
As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
1291. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the Acts falling under his Department which have been signed into law but have not been commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17438/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has overseen the drafting and enactment of nine Bills in the past 10 years. Information requested on these enactments can be found in the table below. All of the Acts have been enacted to some extent; the extent of the commencement is indicated in column three.
|
No. |
Title of Enactment |
Sections Commenced. |
|
1 |
Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 No. 29 |
Whole Act |
|
2 |
Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Act 2012 No. 25 |
Whole Act |
|
3 |
Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 No. 15 |
All sections other than sections: S4: partially commenced; S26/29: partially commenced; S65/71: not yet commenced; |
|
4 |
Forestry Act 2014 No. 31 |
Whole Act |
|
5 |
Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Act 2014 No. 10 |
Whole Act |
|
6 |
Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 No. 2 |
Whole Act |
|
7 |
Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2019 No. 9 |
Whole Act |
|
8 |
Greyhound Racing Act 2019 No. 15 |
All sections other than sections: S7 not yet commenced; S9/10 not yet commenced; S20/34 not yet commenced; S42/54 not yet commenced; |
|
9 |
Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 No. 15 |
Whole Act |
1292. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure rules on the prescription and sale of veterinary medicines are aligned here and in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17490/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNew EU Regulation 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal products comes into effect in January 2022. This Regulation is binding in full and has direct effect on all Member States, which includes Northern Ireland.
Across every sector and economic activity, there are different laws and regulations that apply in Northern Ireland and Ireland. This is the case in the agricultural sector as well. Authorities on both sides of the border however work in a cooperative manner to ensure national laws are respected.
In Ireland, it is only legal to buy and use prescribed veterinary medicines obtained from suppliers who are licensed in accordance with national legislation. To buy or use 'prescription only' veterinary medicines obtained from outside Ireland - including Northern Ireland - is breaking EU and Irish law and anyone doing so is subject to financial penalties and prosecution.
Through recently enhanced engagement with UK/NI authorities and complete oversight of prescribing data which will be facilitated by a newly proposed National Veterinary Prescribing System, the State’s regulatory resources can be targeted more effectively to address risks of imports of veterinary medicines not in compliance with EU or national legislation.
Any reports of illegal activity received by my Department will be investigated.
