Tuesday, 2 Nov 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1206-1223

Animal Diseases

Ceisteanna (1209, 1211, 1219)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which scientific evidence exists in his Department relating to the causes of the spread of bovine TB; the full extent of any samples taken from badgers, deer or other animals thereby identifying a means whereby the progress of the disease can be seriously challenged; if a deadline will be set within which cross-contamination between various species can be arrested in order to protect the human population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52547/21]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the persons or offices with responsibility for the implementation and the development of the bovine TB eradication scheme; the extent to which science continues to be employed in addressing the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52549/21]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department has identified the causes for the spread of bovine TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52873/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1209, 1211 and 1219 together.

I, as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, have ultimate responsibility for the development and implementation of the bovine TB eradication programme. In doing so I am supported, in my Department, by the ERAD, Ruminant Animal Health Divisions and by the 16 Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country whose work is overseen by 2 Area Management Teams.

Ireland's bovine TB Eradication Programme is in line with best national and international scientific research and advice. A large body of peer-reviewed research has been conducted into the spread of bovine TB (bTB) in Ireland and the risks underlying its transmission. This research has found that the principle causes of bTB spread include the movement of cattle with undetected infection, residual infection in cattle previously exposed to bTB, but not identified at that point as being infected, spread across farm boundaries, indirect spread through biosecurity breaches, and spread from infected badgers into cattle. This research has recently been reviewed in its entirety for the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum by its Scientific Working Group which is composed of a panel of internationally recognised experts in bTB research. The results of that review are available on gov.ie - TB Forum (www.gov.ie).

The Deputy raised earlier PQs (PQ41707/21 & PQ41708/21) regarding the full extent of testing, the replies to which are now attached. The scientific opinion from the Scientific Working Group concludes that the bTB programme should address, at both national and local levels, all relevant sources of transmission of bTB to cattle. Current relevant sources include all cattle sources that substantially contribute to herd infection, and all wildlife that are maintenance hosts, and particularly those with spillback to cattle. The Scientific Working Group concludes that:

o badgers do contribute to bTB in cattle in Ireland, which is addressed through my Departments badger vaccination and culling programmes operated under licence from the National Parks and Wildlife Service;

o deer-to-cattle spread is only likely to occur to any meaningful extent in Co Wicklow. My Department supports deer control by advising farmers to manage deer populations on their land, including through culling where necessary and by providing free testing of deer for bTB through the Regional Veterinary Laboratory network.

The bacteria, which causes bTB in cattle and badgers, can cause TB in humans but it is responsible for approximately 1-4% of human infections. In general, there are c.300-400 cases of human TB in Ireland annually, less than 10 of which are caused by the bacteria associated with bTB. Some may be associated with drinking unpasteurised milk but bTB infection in milk is rare because the Programme identifies and removes infected cattle. Additional surveillance is carried out though checks at post-mortem examination of all slaughtered cattle in Ireland. The programme is successful in minimising the threat to human health from bTB through early identification of infection and removal of exposed animals. Further reductions in bTB, envisaged by the implementation of the recommendations of the TB Stakeholder Forum through the new strategy which I introduced this year, will result in ongoing reduction of exposure to human health from the current very low levels. The strategy is available at www.bovinetb.ie

Table

Table

Question No. 1210 answered with Question No. 1172.

Question No. 1211 answered with Question No. 1209.

EU Funding

Ceisteanna (1212)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

1212. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown between EU versus Exchequer funding in the allocation of €180 million for the Leader programme in the indicative allocations for pillar II (rural development) measures. [52556/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An indicative allocation of €180 million has been made to the LEADER Programme for the 2023-2027 period under the CAP Strategic Plan. In conjunction with the funding of €70 million for the LEADER Transitional Programme announced earlier this year, this indicative allocation will result in total funding of €250 million being made available for LEADER over the seven-year period 2021-2027. This maintains the level of funding provided over the 2014-2020 programming period.

In accordance with Article 92(1) of the draft CAP Strategic Plan regulation, “At least 5% of the total EAFRD contribution to the CAP Strategic Plan as set out in Annex XI shall be reserved for LEADER”. The €180m financial allocation for LEADER over the 2023-27 period will consist of €77.9m (43.28%) funding from EAFRD with the remainder funded by the National exchequer.

The annual financial allocation to LEADER is the same as for the 2014-2020 RDP and while the EAFRD co-funding rate has reduced, the national exchequer funding has increased in order to maintain the budget for LEADER.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (1213)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

1213. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the meetings that he held with the Minister for Social Protection in respect of the allocation of LEADER funding as per the indicative allocations for pillar II (rural development) measures. [52557/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department of Rural and Community Development has delegated responsibility for the LEADER programme on behalf of my Department.

The LEADER programme will continue to be a key component of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from 2023, and my colleague Minister Humphreys is committed to ensuring that the programme continues to play a central role in delivering on the Government’s vision for rural Ireland as set out in Our Rural Future.

Indeed, the widespread public consultation undertaken by her Department in the preparation of Our Rural Future clearly highlighted the vital role that LEADER continues to play.

Officials from both Departments have engaged frequently, and with the European Commission, on the structure and design of the new LEADER programme. In addition, I understand that Minister Humphreys and her officials have engaged extensively with the Irish Local Development Network and with the Local Government Management Agency as part of this process.

It is essential that the new CAP, and the LEADER programme, are firmly rooted in stakeholder consultation and, to that end, I understand that Department of Rural Community Development recently initiated an external review of the current LEADER programme, which has involved extensive engagement with all its stakeholders. The outcome of this review will help to inform the design of the new LEADER programme, and will be completed in the coming weeks.

Recently, I announced the indicative funding allocations for the new CAP schemes, including the next LEADER Programme.

The implementation of a new CAP Strategic Plan and a new LEADER programme from 2023 remains a key priority, and I will continue to work with my colleague Minister Humphreys to progress this significant body of work over the coming months, starting with the submission of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan to the European Commission by the deadline of 1 January 2022.

Coillte Teoranta

Ceisteanna (1214)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

1214. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52664/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

This is an operational matter for Coillte. As advised directly to the Deputy by Coillte, if this position changes, Coillte will be in contact with the third party who has expressed an interest in buying these lands.

I am satisfied that Coillte are in compliance with the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies.

Data Protection

Ceisteanna (1215, 1216)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

1215. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the information from farmers that is compiled by an organisation (details supplied); the role of his Department in the use and protection of this information; if his Department contributes financially to this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52739/21]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

1216. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legal basis on which farmers are obliged to provide data to an organisation (details supplied); if individual farmers are entitled to receive all data held by the organisation which relates to the data that they provided without paying a financial contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52740/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1215 and 1216 together.

The Department provides calf registration data and slaughter data to the organisation named on the basis of a ‘Permission Form’ signed by the farmer. Such data is used by the named organisation in its National Breeding Programme. Personal data is protected under GDPR legislation and, in this regard, the named organisation signs a Data Protection Agreement with the Department.

The organisation named has advised that any animal data that was provided by the farmer for its cattle breeding programme is available to the farmer. There is no fee payable for the provision of this data to the farmer. The same applies to any personal data stored in the named organisation's database.

This Department provides a grant on an annual basis to the named organisation for operational / research activities.

Question No. 1216 answered with Question No. 1215.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (1217)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

1217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an organisation (details supplied) will be assured fixed funding into the future to allow farmers, participants and administrators to plan for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52743/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department announced a competitive public procurement procedure under the 2021 Rural Innovation and Development Fund seeking service providers to develop a social farming model project in March of this year.

Following an evaluation of proposals received, the organisation named, together with three other organisations, was successful in securing funding for 2021 for the development of a social farming model with an option for an extension to this contract for a further four years. This is the maximum number of extensions allowed for under the current contracts.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (1218)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1218. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the three band system for dairy cows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52783/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Ireland's Nitrates regulations are reviewed on a four-yearly basis as required by the Nitrates Directive. These reviews are led by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage as the competent authority for water legislation and involve negotiations with DG Environment.

During negotiations about Ireland's new nitrates action programme DG Environment raised the question of the appropriateness of Ireland's system which uses a single figure for dairy cows, irrespective of milk output, while other Member States have a banding system based on milk yield.

Teagasc were asked to examine this issue and published a report detailing the rationale behind the figures proposed as part of the Nitrates review (www.teagasc.ie/publications/2021/the-impact-of-nitrogen-management-strategies-within-grass-based-dairy-systems.php )

The basis of the proposal is therefore the application of best available science as it relates to Ireland's dairy production profile in line with addressing the EU request.

Question No. 1219 answered with Question No. 1209.

Animal Diseases

Ceisteanna (1220)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received information to the effect that bovine TB is being spread by way of other animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52874/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bovine TB is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium bovis (M bovis), with infection endemic in cattle and badgers in Ireland. I am acutely aware of the emotional financial burden put on farms as a result of a breakdown and I am committed to tackling the problem.

While many mammalian species may become infected with M bovis (including humans), these are generally spillover infections rather than the result of ongoing circulation within these other species. In Wicklow, surveys have found levels of TB in deer to be consistently of the order of 10% prevalence, while outside Wicklow the detection of TB in deer is rare, at around 2% of deer examined in laboratories.

Infections with M bovis have been recognised in other species such as sheep, goats, pigs, and alpacas. It is important to note that infections in these species are identified at a very low rate each year, with comprehensive surveillance through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s (DAFM’s) Veterinary Laboratory Service (VLS) and Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVL).

When M bovis infection is identified, actions are taken to manage any risks to public and animal health. This may include advice to the owner, additional testing of any bovines co-located with the infected animals, or additional testing of any cohorts of the infected animal, as appropriate to the situation, in addition to biosecurity advice.

The premises may be restricted pending the resolution of the incident to prevent spread to other holdings.

Ireland’s bTB Eradication Programme (the Programme) is in line with best national and international scientific research and advice. A large body of peer-reviewed research has been conducted into the spread of bovine TB (bTB) in Ireland and the risks underlying transmission of TB.

This has recently been reviewed in its entirety for the TB Stakeholders Forum by the Scientific Working Group of the TB Forum by a panel of internationally recognised experts in TB research. It is available on gov.ie - TB Forum (www.gov.ie).

The bovine TB eradication programme continues to be based on science and informed by ongoing research into this disease. The Department has for many years provided funding for TB epidemiological research and continues to do so.

The new TB eradication strategy, launched in January 2021, sets out the actions which, together with stakeholders, the Department will take to reduce TB transmission, drive towards eradication, prevent cattle from infection and protect farm families from the stress of a TB breakdown in their herd.

Common Agricultural Policy

Ceisteanna (1221)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

1221. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the elements of the CAP programme which have as a key objective the reduction in carbon equivalent emissions from agriculture; the targeted reduction in CO2 equivalents in respect of each; the overall cost of the programme; and the system of verification of carbon reduction that will be established at farm level or at programme level. [52899/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department is currently working with other Government Departments and agencies to finalise Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027, in respect of which an overall budget of €9.83 billion has recently been agreed. As such, it is too early to state the specific targeted reduction in CO2 equivalents that each proposed measure will achieve.

However, the measures are designed to achieve multi-functional benefits in the areas of climate, biodiversity, and water, soil and air quality, and will align with, and directly contribute to, achievement of Government policy in these areas.

Proposed measures with the key objective of reducing carbon equivalent emissions include the following:

- Under baseline Conditionality, new requirements from 2024 will help to reduce emissions from peat-based agricultural land.

- New Eco-Schemes will encourage and reward tree planting, expansion of non-productive areas and landscape features, extensive livestock production and lower chemical nitrogen usage.

- A new Agri-Environmental and Climate Measure will help to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions through appropriate management of grassland (especially on peat-based soils), appropriate peatland drainage management, and the planting of trees and hedgerows.

- A significant increase in the land area under organic production, and under protein crop production.

In addition, the proposed Straw Incorporation Measure will enhance the carbon pool in arable soils.

In due course, information on uptake levels for specific measures will be made available for scheme evaluation and to the Environmental Protection Agency. This will ensure effective monitoring as well as allowing national greenhouse gas inventories to be updated to reflect progress to reduce emissions.

There will also be a requirement to complement CAP support through other Government and industry initiatives, and, where appropriate, through enhanced regulation.

Common Agricultural Policy

Ceisteanna (1222)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

1222. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the new CAP proposals provide specific enhanced supports to diversification of land use or land management in the period ahead to activities with a lower carbon equivalent; the detail of the enhanced supports; and the projected uptake of each. [52900/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan is still under development. However, it is proposed that it will provide specific enhanced supports to diversification of land use/land management to activity with a lower carbon equivalent. It is intended to achieve this through a coherent approach across several areas, as set out below.

The proposed definition of land eligibility for Direct Payments under the CAP will reduce the incentive for farmers to clear features beneficial for biodiversity and climate from their land.

This revised definition is expected to make an additional 55,000 hectares of land eligible for Direct Payments. The definition will also allow land used for paludiculture, or involved in national or EU-funded schemes for biodiversity or greenhouse gas reductions, including State-funded forestry, to continue to qualify for Direct Payments.

The new Eco-Scheme will encourage farmers to devote more land to non-productive areas and landscape features, as well as to the planting of native trees. The aim is to engage as many farmers as possible in this voluntary scheme.

Support for organic farming will increase, with a view to achieving 7.5% of utilised agricultural land under organic production by 2027.

The flagship Agri-Environmental and Climate Measure is proposed to engage 50,000 farmers. It will support various sub-actions including a number promoting diversification of land use/land management.

These include reduced management intensity of peatland under agricultural use, appropriate drainage management on peatland, appropriate tree and hedgerow planting as well as sub-actions contributing to reduced fertiliser use.

There will also be support to maintain arable land use, particularly arable land contributing to environmental outputs.

This is intended to be complimented by a Straw Incorporation Measure which will operate on an annual basis to enhance the carbon pool in arable soils. In addition, it is proposed to increase support for domestic production of protein crops.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (1223)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

1223. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the type of activities which can qualify for farm payment from the new programme funded from carbon tax; and the projected impact they will have on carbon equivalent emissions. [52901/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The new CAP Strategic Plan will run from 2023 to 2027, and each Member State's Plan is due to be submitted to the European Commission by 1st January 2022 for approval.

Working in consultation with other Government Departments, as well as State Agencies, my Department is coordinating the development of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. Carbon tax funding over the period will be used to fund our flagship Agri-Environmental Climate Measure (AECM), in keeping with the Programme for Government commitment to spend €1.5 billion over the period to 2030 to help farmers to farm in a more environmentally sustainable way.

The AECM will deliver a range of environmental, climate and biodiversity benefits by supporting farmers to undertake appropriate actions. The nature of the actions will be determined by the needs of each farmer's land and environs. Many of these actions will have co-benefits for biodiversity, water, soil, and air quality as well as contributing to climate objectives.

A key climate-related sub-action is reduced management intensity of grassland on peat soils. This will help to reduce emissions and protect the peat carbon pool. Other sub-actions such as low input grassland and planting of trees and hedges will also help reduce emissions.

The AECM is still at the design stage. In addition, uptake of actions in this voluntary scheme will be demand-led. Taking these factors into account, it is too early to project the specific impact the AECM will achieve. However, it will align with, and contribute to, Ireland’s climate objectives.

In due course, information on uptake levels for specific measures will be made available for scheme evaluation and to the Environmental Protection Agency. This will ensure effective monitoring as well as allowing national greenhouse gas inventories to be updated.