Written Answers Nos. 2471-2489
2471. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to secure a tuna quota for Ireland in view of the fact that some EU partners are seeking an expansion to their existing tuna quotas; the tonnage of tuna caught within Ireland’s EEZ waters; the countries fishing for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18677/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra2533. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the migration research on Atlantic bluefin tuna being conducted by the Marine Institute over recent years can be utilised by his Department to make the case for a reasonable share of the EU quota and TAC of this species to be allocated to the Irish fleet. [20011/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2471 and 2533 together.
Ireland has a quota for Northern Albacore Tuna but does not have a national quota for Bluefin Tuna. A small Bluefin Tuna by-catch quota is available to Ireland, primarily for use in our important Northern Albacore Tuna fishery and Celtic Sea Herring fishery where there can be Bluefin Tuna by-catch. This by-catch quota is also available to other Member States which do not have a national quota for Bluefin Tuna.
The landings of Bluefin Tuna taken from the Irish EEZ are very small in relation to the total Bluefin Tuna landings, with the majority in the North East Atlantic coming from the Bay of Biscay area. The fisheries statistics on Bluefin Tuna do not specify catches on the basis of EEZ details. However, the Marine Institute has analysed the most recent publically available dataset on Bluefin Tuna catches and estimate that the landings taken from the Irish EEZ over the period 2015 to 2018 are as follows:-
|
Year |
Tonnes |
|
2015 |
37.8 |
|
2016 |
30.8 |
|
2017 |
3.0 |
|
2018 |
31.8 |
The average annual EU quota for the East Atlantic and Mediterranean, the management area for the stock, over this period was 12,470 tonnes.
The EU Member States with a national Bluefin Tuna quota are Cyprus, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Malta and Portugal. Under the EU/UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement, a share of the EU's Bluefin Tuna quota (0.25%) has been transferred to the UK.
Bluefin tuna is a highly migratory large pelagic species which spawns in the Mediterranean and then migrates over a wide area of the North East Atlantic to feed. This migration brings some of the fish into the Irish 200 miles zone for part of the year. At the time we see fish in the Irish zone, there are also fish being caught in the international high seas and over a wide area from Spain to Norway. There is no survey from which the abundance in Ireland's 200 miles zone may be determined.
In order to develop a deeper understanding of the movements of Bluefin Tuna in the waters around Ireland, the Marine Institute (MI) has developed a program to satellite tag Bluefin Tuna. Under the continuing research programme, the MI and partners, including Stanford University USA, University of Acadia Canada, Trinity College Dublin and the International Convention on the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), plan to apply up to 30 satellite tags and 10 accelerometer tags to Bluefin Tuna in 2021.
In 2018, Ireland was successful, for the first time, in securing agreement that allowed countries without a commercial quota to set up a catch-tag-release fishery to contribute to the collection of scientific data. A Catch-Tag-Release science-based fishery for authorised recreational angling vessels has been in place in Ireland since 2019 and supports the collection of valuable data on the migratory patterns of Bluefin Tuna in Irish waters. This data will supplement the ongoing research that is being undertaken by the Marine Institute.
The available Bluefin Tuna quota is allocated each year to Member States on the basis of relative stability as established in the late 1990s. At that time, Ireland did not have a track record of commercial fishing for Bluefin Tuna and, accordingly, did not receive a quota allocation.
The EU percentage share of the international TAC is set down and there is no likelihood that an international country will concede any share to the EU. The only way to obtain a share of the EU quota now would involve changing relative stability within the EU and would require a majority of Member States to agree under the qualified majority voting system. This means that EU Member States with a national quota would have to give up a share of their allocation to Ireland. Any change to relative stability would involve a loss for some other Member States and therefore poses particular challenges in a qualified majority voting context.
The CFP is reviewed every 10 years and the next review is scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2022 when the European Commission will report to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the CFP. The review is expected to be detailed and comprehensive. At EU level, it is expected that all stakeholders will have an opportunity to engage actively in the review work including the fishing industry, eNGOs and Member States.
I have previously stated that I am committed to doing all possible through the review of the CFP to secure additional quota where possible for Irish fishers. I will consider how Ireland will prepare for and participate actively and effectively in the review, including the interaction with stakeholders to prepare Ireland's case and identify priorities.
2472. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of French vessels inspected, detained, prosecuted and fined for fishing infringements within Ireland’s territorial waters EEZ from 2010 to date; the amount of fish quota French vessels caught in the same waters during the period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18678/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
2473. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the 2020 ANC payment in respect of a person (details supplied) will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18704/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been in correspondence with the person named in relation to his eligibility for payment under the 2020 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme. On foot of the most recent correspondence received, further detail was required from the person named in order to fully examine and process his application. Accordingly, an official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named in relation to this matter and further supporting information is now to be submitted.
2474. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a basic payment penalty review appeal in respect of a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18757/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA 2019 BPS application was submitted by the named person on 19th April 2019. A field visit by a Department official to a commonage parcel included on this application resulted in a number of deductions being made to the eligible area of the commonage. The deductions resulted in an overclaim on the application and the person named received correspondence advising them of the overclaim.
The person named has appealed this overclaim to my Department. In order to complete the review of this case, further administrative checks and a further field visit are required. My Department will contact the named person on completion of these processes to advise him of the outcome.
2475. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person who purchases land that was previously in the hen harrier scheme can now qualify for entry into the hen harrier scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18826/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Hen Harrier Programme is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Hen Harrier Project team. €25 million has been allocated by my Department to this project under the RDP.
If a person purchased land in one of the SPAs designated for breeding Hen Harrier, they are eligible for the programme subject to the land having been declared by them on their Basic Payment Scheme application.
Almost 1,600 farmers are now participating in the Hen Harrier Programme. A decision will be made shortly by the Project Team on whether available funding will support additional participants. Pending that decision, a person who is interested in joining the Hen Harrier Programme should send an Expression of Interest Form to the Hen Harrier Project Office. This form is available on the Hen Harrier Project website (www.henharrierproject.ie). It can also be obtained from approved farm advisors or by contacting the project team.
2476. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an offer for a sea fishing licence (details supplied) was subsequently withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18871/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 transferred the function of sea-fishing boat licensing from the Minister to the Licensing Authority for Sea-Fishing Boats which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in section 3 of the Act and Ministerial Policy Directives. The Licensing Authority is the Registrar General of Fishing Boats, an official of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine or, under the superintendence of the Registrar General, the Deputy Registrar General of Fishing Boats.
The Act prohibits me as Minister from exercising “any power or control in relation to any particular case or group of cases with which the Licensing Authority is or may be concerned” .
I have made enquiries of the Registrar General who informs me that, relative to the case in question, the offer for a sea fishing boat licence has not been withdrawn.
2477. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the discussions that are taking place with the UK authorities to ensure the ending of the Brexit transition period particularly in relation to SPS requirements on the UK side will not impact adversely on Irish agriculture and food production; if any of these discussions are taking place on a bilateral basis or if all of the meetings are being conducted through the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18877/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UK is now operating outside the EU Single Market and Customs Union, and we are trading with the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) as we do with other non-EU countries.
The UK Government sets its own import policy, and has revised its timelines for the introduction of new controls on imports from the EU. The next phase of these controls comes into effect from 1st October 2021. This will impact on Irish exporters of products of animal origin, including, for example, meat, dairy, fish and composite products. Export certificates will be required to accompany these export consignments together with pre-notification to the UK authorities.
My Department has invested significantly in developing our IT systems to process documentation post-Brexit. Health certification will be provided through the Department’s existing systems - systems that have been specifically developed for Brexit - and through the EU Trade Control And Expert System (TRACES).
Ongoing consultation and communications are taking place with the industry in order to enhance its readiness. Nevertheless, seamless trade with Great Britain is no longer possible, and impacts such as delays, additional costs and, potentially, adjustments to supply chains, are unavoidable.
Bilateral engagement continues at technical level between my Department and the UK’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in order to clarify UK import requirements so that arrangements are in place to provide the necessary certification. EU-UK engagement is also taking place through relevant EU fora, as necessary, for example through the EU SPS Market Access Working Group, and in the context of the governance structures established under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
2478. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of relevant goods entering Irish ports from the UK that are subject to physical SPS checks; the percentage required under EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18876/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA physical inspection involves checking packaging, labels, temperatures of products and organoleptic tests (smell, colour, consistency, or taste of the goods). In certain situations, sampling for laboratory analysis may also be required.
The percentage of animals, plants, animal and plant products that are subject to physical inspections on entry into Ireland from GB, are the same as those that are laid down in EU legislation for countries that have not entered into an equivalence agreement with the EU. The rates vary depending on the nature of the commodity and the country of origin of the product. Not all products entering Irish ports from GB have been produced in GB. Some, for example, may have been brought into GB from other non-EU countries and as such the rates of physical inspection that apply to such products are those that relate to the source country rather than to GB.
Physical inspection rates vary from 100% for live animals and plants for planting, to 30% for meat and meat products of GB origin, to 1% in the case of hay, straw and highly refined products of human consumption of GB origin. The rates of physical inspections are not intended to be applied to individual freight units, rather they are rates that apply over time, usually over the course of a calendar year. Consignments not selected for physical inspection are subject to documentary and identity checks.
2479. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén dul chun cinn atá beartaithe a dhéanamh i mbliana maidir le forbairt na céibhe domhainmhara ag Ros an Mhíl; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [18891/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBunaíodh coincheap cuanta iascaigh sa Stát san Acht um Lárionaid Chuanta Iascaigh agus rinneadh a mbainistíocht a infheistiú san Aire Talmhaíochta agus Iascaigh. Ghlac an Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara le freagracht as na hIonaid Iascaigh Cuain (IICanna) i nDeireadh Fómhair 2007. Tá Ros an Mhíl ar cheann de shé Ionad Iascaigh Cuain, tá na cinn eile lonnaithe ag Baile Chaisleáin Bhéarra, Daingean Uí Chúis, Dún Mór, Binn Éadair agus na Cealla Beaga.
Cuireann mo Roinn maoiniú ar fáil gach bliain do na IICanna, Ros an Mhíl san áireamh, tríd an gClár Forbartha Caipitiúla Iascaigh Cuain agus Bonneagar Cósta. Cuireadh clár céimnithe chun cinn d’fhorbairt bhonneagrach IIC Ros an Mhíl le roinnt blianta anuas, ina ndearnadh infheistíocht shuntasach. Rinneadh thart ar €31.6 milliún, ar an iomlán, a infheistiú i bhforbairtí caipitil ag IIC Ros an Mhíl idir 2000 agus 2020.
Tá plé á dhéanamh le tamall anuas ar an bhféidearthacht tionscadal feistithe domhainmhara a chur ar siúl ag IIC Ros an Mhíl agus ní dhearnadh aon chinneadh chun infheistiú a dhéanamh ina fhorbairt. Bheadh aon chinneadh chun leanúint ar aghaidh chuig céim mhionsonraithe dearaidh den tionscadal seo bunaithe ar chinneadh foriomlán chun leanúint ar aghaidh leis an tionscadal ina iomláine.
Faoi mar a bhíonn i gceist le gach forbairt sna sé Ionad Iascaigh Cuain go ginearálta, ní dhéanfar aon mhachnamh ar aon chinneadh a dhéanfar amach anseo maidir le tús foirmiúil a chur leis an tionscadal seo in IIC Ros an Mhíl ach má bhíonn maoiniú ar fáil ón státchiste agus más don tionscadal seo a thugtar tús áite, seachas do thosaíochtaí eile náisiúnta.
2480. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is funding available to goat farmers that wish to establish a society (details supplied). [18952/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been proactive in terms of its engagement with breed societies and pedigree breeders and is currently assisting Irish breeders including representatives of the Boer Goats explore their options so they can continue to enter their purebred breeding animals in breeding books now that the UK has left the Union. These options include establishing a breed society in Ireland, entering their animals in another EU recognised breed society for the same breed in Ireland or another member state.
My Department has recognised and approved a significant number of new breed societies under Animal Breeding legislation without providing specific funding for this exercise.
The Department has provided support to native endangered rare breeds under the Genetic Resource Grant Aid scheme for costs associated to specific herdbooks arising from Brexit.
2481. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason representatives for crewmen and women are absent from the recently established Seafood Sector Taskforce; if he will commit to expanding the current taskforce to ensure the views of crewmen and women are represented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18969/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February 2021, I announced the establishment of a Seafood Sector Taskforce to examine the implications of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and make recommendations to me on appropriate mitigation measures. The Taskforce has been working since 10th March and has now met on three occasions.
There are 28 members of the Taskforce, including representatives of the fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors and of coastal communities. While the fisheries sector is not the only sector impacted by the departure of the UK from the European Union and by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, I recognise that it is the most impacted and so 10 of the members of the Taskforce are nominees of representative bodies in the fisheries sector.
Given that the work of the Taskforce is well underway and given the scale of representation of the fisheries sector, I do not propose to add any further members to the Taskforce.
2482. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 358 of 16 December 2020, if he will clarify and address matters in relation to the Court of Auditors Report dated 22 December 2006 referenced (details supplied). [18984/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the European Commission Regulation (EC) 1782/2003, payment entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme, were established by farmers who farmed during the reference years of 2000, 2001 and 2002. These payment entitlements were not attached to land.
Article 46(2) of Regulation (EC) 1782 of 2003 this Article sets out the rules surrounding the transfer of payment entitlements, with and without land. Under the Single Farm Payment, payment entitlements were not attached to land. The regulations in relation to the consolidation of payment entitlements on owned and leased land were originally set out in Commission Regulation (EC) No 795/2004 which was repealed by commission regulation (EC) No 1120/2009.
Article 33(3) of Regulation (EC) 1782/2003 refers to the eligibility of farmers that were in a new partnership (mergers) or a partnership that ended (scissions) during the reference period for the Single Payment Scheme. Payment entitlements under the Single Payments Scheme were not attached to land.
The EU Court of Auditors report of 22 December 2006 is an initial letter of findings following an audit. During an audit process, it is customary that there are many initial findings at the beginning of the auditing process. These initial findings are then subject to further discussion. Some of these findings remain and others are found to be non-issues; the consolidation process within Ireland under the Single Payment Scheme was one such item. In fact, the report itself states “The audit findings...are of a preparatory nature at this stage of the proceedings”. This initial finding did not appear in the final report, and was dismissed during clarifications during the audit process.
2483. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to a herd owner who lost a significant proportion of their herd due to TB prior to the reference dates for the organic nitrogen reduction for BEAM 2019, if force majeure can be implied as the herd is already significantly reduced prior to the commencement of the reference period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18995/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarmers who joined the Beef Exceptional Aid Scheme (BEAM) agreed to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on their holding by 5% for the period 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021 as compared with the reference period of 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019.
There may be certain circumstances where the removal of animals due to TB prior to the reduction period can be taken into account by the Department when calculating the nitrates reduction target that BEAM participants must reach. Each case is looked at individually.
If the individual concerned wishes to have the nitrates reduction figure reviewed, they should write to the Beef Schemes Division of my Department without delay setting out all the circumstances and the matter will be examined. Where a participant fails to meet the 5% reduction target, penalties will be applied in accordance with section 10 of the BEAM Terms and Conditions.
2485. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department is refusing licences as the employment is of vital importance to a locality and community (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19013/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable National and 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. In addition, the legislation governing aquaculture licensing provides for an appeals mechanism. Appeals against licence decisions are a matter for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB).
Decisions in respect of the aquaculture licence applications in Castlemaine Harbour referred to by the Deputy were made in 2018. ALAB has now notified my Department that it has confirmed the decisions to refuse to grant the licences.
ALAB is an independent Statutory Body established for the purpose of determining appeals against aquaculture licensing decisions; queries in respect of ALAB decisions are a matter for ALAB who can be contacted at info@alab.ie.
2486. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on recent reports that up to 15 million bees from Italy may be released in Northern Ireland later in April 2021; if he has been in contact with beekeepers across the country who are very concerned at this proposed release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19045/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully acknowledge the important contribution bees make to agriculture and biodiversity as both pollinators and honey producers. In this regard, my Department provides a range of supports and initiatives to encourage and assist beekeepers and the national beekeeping associations. These supports include funding to carry out applied research through the National Apiculture Programme, grants to national beekeeping associations, grants under the Genetic Research Grant Aid Scheme and grant aid to fund capital investments for beekeepers. My Department is also a partner in the All Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021 – 2025 and is a member of the All-Ireland Honeybee Strategy Steering Group.
In relation to the importation of honeybees into Ireland, this is allowed under regulations governing intra-Community trade with other EU Member States. The specific health requirements for trading in bees are laid out in Council Directive 92/65/EEC. All imports of bees must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the country of export. This is to ensure that imported bees are healthy and do not harbour pathogens or parasites that may be harmful to our native bee stocks.
My Department liaises on an ongoing basis with the three National Bee Associations that represent beekeepers in Ireland, The Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations, Irish Beekeepers Association and The Native Irish Honeybee Society in relation to all matters that may concern beekeepers.
2487. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department imposed a 15 km buffer zone on all forestry projects without having the necessary resources in place to process screened in files, which has resulted in a backlog in the ecology section of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19058/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Habitats Directive and the transposing legislation SI 477 of 2011 require, inter alia, that an appropriate assessment is undertaken where screening identifies a likelihood of the project having a significant effect on a European site(s). This is true regardless of the separation distance between the project and the European site(s).
A likely zone of impact is used in order to identify those European Sites to be specifically addressed during screening. In making a decision regarding the likelihood of a project having a significant effect on a European Site(s), all European Sites within a certain radius (or ‘likely zone of impact’) should be considered at screening stage, in addition to hydrologically-connected European Sites.
For example, in relation to a Special Protection Area (SPA), it is important to consider whether the project area lies within the foraging distance of bird species for which that SPA was designated, and many of these foraging distances exceed 3km. This was one of the reasons why 3km was not deemed appropriate. Prior to the change in mid-2019, the Department was advised by environmental consultants engaged to advise on the matter that our appropriate assessment screening decisions would be vulnerable to challenge if we continued to consider at screening stage only those European Sites within 3km.
Results on individual cases heard by the Forestry Appeals Committee also indicate that the 3km radius was not appropriate. The Department was advised that a radius of 15km, which had its origins in guidance provided by the National Parks & Wildlife Service, was the standard practice for other land-use sectors and that this distance would be more robust. This coupled with feedback from the FAC prompted the change from 3km to 15km.
The Department must at all times comply with the law, and it would be inappropriate to delay compliance with the law. However, the more important change that led to a much higher number of files being screened in was compliance with European Court of Justice and National case law that determined that it is not appropriate, at the Appropriate Assessment screening stage, to take account of the measures, intended to avoid or reduce the harmful effects of the project on a European site.
In relation to resources, 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 licensing 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 licensing output and we have set ourselves a target of 4,500 new licences this year which would be a 75% increase on last year.
2488. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of engagement his Department has with the nursery sector on species required to meet the climate action targets given the three year lead in time involved to produce saplings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19059/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department meets with the forestry sector and stakeholders on several different forums to discuss matters of relevance to forestry. The Climate Action Plan target is to establish an 8,000ha annual afforestation programme. The achievement of this target will depend on a number of factors such as the willingness of landowners to avail of the afforestation scheme and land available for afforestation. The availability of planting material is also crucial, particularly where a lead in time is required to have plants ready for planting to match demand in any given year.
The COFORD Council and its working groups are key stakeholder platforms for Irish forestry. The COFORD Council is an advisory body appointed by the Minister to advise on matters relating to forestry and includes a wide range of stakeholders including representatives from the two largest forest tree nurseries.
The COFORD Council has established a sub-group called the Forest Genetic Resources Working Group and its membership includes forest tree nurseries, Teagasc, National Botanic Gardens, University College Dublin, Woodland of Ireland, Northern Ireland Forest Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service and is chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In December 2020, the COFORD Council published their work in their report called “Sustainable Development and Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources 2020-2030”. This report identifies key recommendations, including a detailed analysis of the existing forest reproductive material supply needs of the forest sector across several key commercial species and identifies barriers to future supply for the period 2020 - 2030. The work of the Forest Genetic Resources Working Group is now focused on the implementation of the Report’s recommendations and continues to meet, most recently in March 2021.
Seed production and availability will depend on the management of existing seed stands and orchards and future afforestation and reforestation programmes. The Department provides funding through the Forest Genetic Resources Reproductive Material: Seed Stand and Seed Orchard Scheme which includes a number of objectives such as increasing the self-sufficiency in tree seed production and to provide breeding populations of designated broadleaf species.
The two main forest nurseries are also represented on the Forest Policy Implementation Group that meet regularly with Minister Hackett and both nurseries are also represented on the working groups for Project Woodland. Separately, the Department regularly meet with IBEC's Forest Industries Ireland of which both nurseries are members.
2489. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to examine the feasibility of creating organic-only canteens and food provision within public services such as hospitals as proposed by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19108/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the proposals contained in the European Commission's Organic Action Plan to integrate organic produce into our food service through public procurement within our canteen services across the public sector.
An overarching action contained in the Strategy for the Development of the Organic Sector 2019 - 2025 is to develop a pilot project under public procurement to demonstrate advantages of the use of organic food and this is currently under consideration.
I am fully committed to the further development of the organic sector. Before we embark on a major organic public procurement initiative, however, I believe we need to ensure continuity of supply and develop the critical mass required to meet such demand.
The reopening of the Organic Farming Scheme, which my colleague Minister of State Hackett announced last month, is targeted at areas currently in deficit. This, I believe, will assist in developing a critical mass of nationally produced organic food, which is critical for the success of a meaningful organic procurement process within our public service.
While organic farming falls within the remit of my Department, green public procurement is a matter for the wider public sector which has a responsibility to promote green procurement, in order to support Ireland’s environmental and wider sustainable development objectives.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications continuously encourages public procurement officers to incorporate green criteria into their tender processes using the EPA Green Procurement Guidance which promotes the use of organic products in the food and catering services contract area. The current EPA Green Procurement Guidance was prepared in 2014 and the EPA have been revising and updating same. A finalised revised Procurement Guidance document is expected to be published this year.
