Matt Carthy
Ceist:2008. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the afforestation target for broadleaf trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2144/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraForestry Sector
Ceisteanna (2008)
Freagraí scríofa
The Forestry Programme 2014-2020 (extended to end 2022) contains a target of supporting 30% broadleaf planting annually. An average of 27% broadleaves has been planted during the programming period to date.
The earlier years of the programme saw lower rates of broadleaf planting averaging 20% in 2015. I am pleased to say this figure has increased each year reaching 41% in 2021.
This increase has come about as a direct response to incentives put in place by my Department to encourage the planting of broadleaves. This includes increasing the financial supports available from 2018 onwards following the mid-term review of the Forestry Programme. My Department have also launched the Woodland Environmental Fund and the Creation of Woodland on Public Lands Scheme, both of which incentivise the planting of broadleaves and in particular native trees. We will continue to implement these.
The question of future targets for broadleaf planting will be considered as part of the development of the next National Forestry Programme which is currently underway.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (2009)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:2009. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of afforestation achieved by Coillte in each of the years 2014 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the percentage of which was broadleaf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2145/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Coillte is operationally independent of the Department and the management of their forest estate is a matter for the company. I have, therefore, forwarded this issue to Coillte for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Farm Inspections
Ceisteanna (2010)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:2010. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 10 November 2021, if persons (details supplied) were notified of the inspections taking place in 2010 and 2012 on their lands; if they were afforded to sign a control report; if a signed control reports exists in relation to these inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2146/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The requested information has been provided by my Department to a number of the named individuals. The relevant information can be provided directly to the other named individuals if they contact the Integrated Controls Division of my Department.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (2011)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:2011. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer is entitled to administer distomicide (details supplied) to cattle while the import licence expires on 27 January 2022; if not extended, the period that a farmer can continue to administer this remedy licence under SI No. 786 of 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2203/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The AR16 licence in question is due to expire 27/01/2022 and in general any unsold product must be returned after this date to the supplier. However, as stated on the licence itself, "Any product purchased by the end user may be used until the expiry date of the product". Therefore, the farmer in question may continue to use the distomicide product on their holding until the expiry date of the product itself without reference to the sale or supply licence date.
Product Labelling
Ceisteanna (2012)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:2012. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position of his Department on the proposed registration by an association (details supplied) of Irish whiskey in the United States of America as a certification mark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2290/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is aware that the association named has applied to register 'Irish Whiskey' as a certification mark in the United States under the US Trademark Act.
My Department is also aware that an opposition to the application has been submitted to the US Authorities; and that a time extension for the opponent to submit grounds of opposition has been extended to March 2022.
Officials from my Department have met with both parties in recent weeks. I am advised that the opponent and the applicant are currently engaged in discussions on the matter, and I hope that those discussions will result in a positive outcome for the parties involved and for other stakeholders.
Product Labelling
Ceisteanna (2013)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:2013. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are proposals to amend the Irish whiskey technical file; if so, the proposals for same; if it is planned to amend the regulations on barrel use; if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by some producers that this will stifle innovation in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2291/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy that requests have been submitted to my Department seeking various amendments to the Irish Whiskey Product Specification (formerly known as the Technical File) pursuant to Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No. 2019/787 (Spirit Drinks Regulation).
The existing Irish Whiskey Product Specification was subject to rigorous scrutiny by my Department and subsequently by the European Commission prior to its approval by the European Union in the Register of Geographical Indications.
Any amendments to the Product Specification must undergo detailed scrutiny to assess compliance with the EU rules for Geographical Indications and spirit drinks and will also require consultation with stakeholders.
The Deputy will be aware that the Geographical Indication for Irish Whiskey was registered on an all-island basis and that the UK's Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs [‘DEFRA’] is the Competent Authority for the Geographical Indication in Northern Ireland. In this regard, my Department is in consultation with its counterparts in Northern Ireland and DEFRA in relation to the requests for amendments and arrangements for consultation with stakeholders.
Any proposed amendments will be subject to a public consultation by my Department in due course, thereby providing all stakeholders with the opportunity to submit views.
Common Agricultural Policy
Ceisteanna (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
Brian Leddin
Ceist:2014. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers, the percentage of farmers and the land area for each of the eligible agricultural practices that will be eligible for under pillar 1 eco-schemes of the forthcoming CAP strategic plan in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2331/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrian Leddin
Ceist:2015. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers, the percentage of farmers and the land area for each of the eligible agricultural practices under pillar 1 eco-schemes of the forthcoming CAP strategic plan that will reach the requirements of that agricultural practice with no additional action required; the uptake expected for each of the agricultural practices in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2332/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrian Leddin
Ceist:2016. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and percentage of farmers and land area in hectares that are expected to reach the two minimum required agricultural practices in the pillar 1 eco-schemes with no additional action required from baseline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2333/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrian Leddin
Ceist:2017. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount available for payment to farmers for pillar 1 eco-schemes in the forthcoming CAP strategic plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2334/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 together.
Eco-Schemes were included in the EU CAP Strategic Plan Regulation for the first time as part of the next CAP (2023-2027).
Under the Regulation, they must be funded from within Pillar 1 of the CAP budget. In line with the CAP Strategic Plan Regulation, I have decided to allocate 25% of Ireland’s Direct Payments envelope to the Eco-Scheme annually, which equates to approximately €297 million per annum.
The Eco-Scheme is intended to reward farmers, from all farming sectors and levels of intensity, who undertake actions that are beneficial to the climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity. This annual scheme will be voluntary for farmers, and to qualify for payment they will have to undertake specific agricultural practices on their farms.
Farmers will apply for the Eco-Scheme at the same time as their application for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) from 2023 onward.
The Deputy will be aware that Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan was submitted to the EU Commission on 31st December 2021. This plan, including the details of Ireland's proposed Eco-Scheme, is now being considered by the EU Commission and is subject to Commission approval. My Department will continue to engage with the EU Commission over the coming months as part of this approval process.
Payment under the Eco-Scheme will be an annual payment for all eligible hectares covered by the commitments undertaken. Based on 2021 Basic Payment Scheme figures, an expected 129,000 eligible farmers could participate in the scheme and the payment per hectare will be impacted by the actual participation rate. If all 129,000 farmers participate in the Scheme and bring in all their eligible land and assuming all eligible hectares on a farmer’s holding receive the same payment rate, it is estimated the rate would be approximately €66 per eligible hectare. If uptake is lower, for example, with 85% of farmers participating in the Scheme, then it is estimated the payment rate would increase to approximately €77 per eligible hectare, assuming all eligible hectares on a farm holding receive the same payment rate.
The list of eight agricultural practices proposed in Ireland’s Eco-Scheme is set out below in Table 1, with a farmer having to undertake two agricultural practices to receive an Eco-Scheme payment. The number of farmers that are potentially eligible to apply for the various agricultural practices is also outlined in Table 1 below.
All Eco-Scheme agricultural practices must go beyond the conditionality requirements laid down in the EU Regulations and must also go beyond baseline requirements set out in national legislation. Therefore, for example, Agricultural Practice 3 (Limiting Chemical Nitrogen) will not be available to Organic Farmers as they are already prohibited from spreading chemical fertiliser.
Similarly, as the requirement for all farmers under Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) No. 8 is to have 4% of their land devoted to Space for Nature (non-productive areas and landscape features) in order to qualify for the Basic Income Support Scheme, the Eco-Scheme will require it to be at least 7% of their land where a farmer is selecting it as one of their two agricultural practices or a minimum of 10% where they are selecting it as both their agricultural practices. In no case, will a farmer get paid for doing nothing in Eco-Schemes, for example even if a farmer already has greater than 10% space for Nature on their holding, they must maintain it while they are in the Eco-Scheme.
Table 1: Farmer Eligibility for various Eco Scheme Agricultural Practices
|
Agricultural Practice |
Number of Eligible Farmers based on 2021 Data |
Percentage of Eligible Farmers |
Eligible Land Area (Ha) |
|
1 - Space for Nature |
129,000 |
100% |
4,516,000 |
|
2 - Extensive Livestock Production (excludes farmers who do not currently have livestock) |
112,000 |
87% |
3,928,920 |
|
3 - Limiting Chemical Nitrogen (excludes Organic Farmers) |
127,000 |
98% |
4,425,680 |
|
4 - Planting Native Trees/Hedgerows |
129,000 |
100% |
4,516,000 |
|
5 - Use of GPS controlled fertiliser spreaders/sprayers |
129,000 |
100% |
4,516,000 |
|
6 - Soil Sampling and Appropriate Liming (excludes Nitrates Derogation Farmers) |
117,000 |
91% |
4,109,560 |
|
7 - Planting of a Break Crop (includes only farmers with arable parcels) |
17,000 |
13% |
587,080 |
|
8 - Sowing a Multi-Species Sward |
129,000 |
100% |
4,516,000 |
Ireland's draft Eco-Scheme has been designed in accordance with guidance issued by the EU Commission, to encourage farmers to both modify their management practices to become more environmentally friendly and to maintain environmentally friendly operations and farming systems where they already exist.
As the application for Eco-Schemes will not open until early 2023, the uptake of each agriculture practice is unknown at this stage. However preliminary estimates using 2018 - 2019 Nitrates data, indicate that approximately 65,000 livestock farmers are currently stocked below the upper limit required for Agriculture Practice 2 - Extensive Livestock Production (1.5 Livestock Units per hectare) and would qualify for this practice by maintaining this level of stocking rate.
I have been clear in the need to have a straightforward, practical Eco-Scheme that will ensure that my Department will be in a position to make payments on an annual basis to farmers, while also ensuring the Eco-Scheme delivers on its objectives in relation to climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity.
Question No. 2015 answered with Question No. 2014.
Question No. 2016 answered with Question No. 2014.
Question No. 2017 answered with Question No. 2014.
EU Regulations
Ceisteanna (2018)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:2018. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the derogations from European Union regulations that his Department has availed of for the years 2016 to date; the reason for availing of such derogations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2472/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is set out in the attached table.
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (2019)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:2019. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of ex-gratia funding for animal welfare organisations allocated in 2020, 2021 and 2022; if the allocation of €3.7 million allocated in December 2021 meets the Programme for Government commitment to double the 2020 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2473/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government commitment to double the funding allocated to animal welfare organisations over a two-year period was based on the 2020 budget allocation of €2.435m. Savings elsewhere in my Department's vote contributed to the eventual awarding of €3.2 million to 101 organisations in 2020.
In December 2021, I announced the record allocation of over €3.7 million in grants to 98 animal welfare charities throughout the country. In line with the Programme for Government commitment, this was the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made by my Department.
It remains my intention to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to award funding that will double the 2020 €2.435 budget allocation subject to my Department's policy objectives and financial resources available.
The attached spreadsheet provides information on awards granted to the individual animal welfare organisations for the years in question.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (2020)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:2020. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full-time equivalent staff available within the forestry unit by function, role and week from December 2021 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2474/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have provided in the attached table the current level of full time equivalent (FTE) permanent staff of the three forestry divisions in my Department. This includes one additional appointment (HEO) since the end of 2021.
Please note that the number of ecologists refers only to those employed directly by the Department at the end of 2021. The Department also contracts in ecology services from external service providers and we currently have 27 FTE ecologists working on forestry files.
In addition to the staff listed in the table below, we have also appointed a Director of Forestry who was appointed to the position on 15th November 2021.
|
Role/Grade |
Forestry Admin Division |
Forestry Inspectorate Division |
Forest Sector Development Division |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
|
|
Assistant Principal |
3 |
|
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
10 |
|
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
25 |
4 |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
37 |
|
|
|
Senior Inspector |
|
1 |
1 |
|
Forest Inspector Grade 1 |
|
9 |
3 |
|
Forest Inspector Grade 2 |
|
10 |
|
|
Forest Inspector Grade 3 |
|
31 |
3 |
|
Ecologist |
|
8 |
|
Animal Slaughtering
Ceisteanna (2021)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:2021. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle slaughtered from controlled finishing units for the months of October, November and December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2475/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Controlled Finishing Units (CFUs) as part of the bovine TB Eradication Programme are subject to enhanced biosecurity measures and can only sell direct to slaughter.
Data in respect of animals from CFUs slaughtered, as well as other data, are published and regularly updated on my Department's section of the gov.ie website. See the link below for the current figures available.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/f55f2-bovine-birth-and-movements-monthly-reports/#kill-numbers-at-eu-approved-slaughter-plants-originating-in-controlled-finishing-units
The following table shows the number of cattle and percentage slaughtered at EU approved slaughter plants originating in Controlled Finishing Units for the months of October, November and December 2021 when compared with total kill number at EU approved slaughter plants.
|
Month |
Total Kill Numbers at EU Approved Slaughter Plants |
Kill Numbers at EU approved slaughter plants originating in Controlled Finishing Units |
|
|
October |
149,708 |
27,000 |
|
|
November |
160,590 |
31,500 |
|
|
December |
132,786 |
33,000 |
|
Horticulture Sector
Ceisteanna (2022)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:2022. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the report into the horticulture industry; when he expects to receive it; when he expects the report to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2476/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My colleague Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for the sector, commissioned a report on growth opportunities in the horticulture sector. The report will form the basis of a road map for the sector outlining the support and approach required to take advantage of these opportunities. The report’s outputs will sit within our new 10-year strategy for the agri-food sector – Food Vision 2030.
The report on the horticulture sector being prepared by KPMG is in progress and is due to be submitted to Minister Hackett on the 31st March 2022.
Publication of the report will follow without delay.
Livestock Issues
Ceisteanna (2023)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:2023. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position of his Department on GWP* v GWP100 with regard to the global warming impact of methane from livestock production systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2536/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I thank the Deputy for this question, this indeed is a topical issue within the climate debate globally. At the outset, it is important to highlight that the international accountancy framework is a matter for my colleague, Minister for Energy and Climate Change Eamon Ryan, T.D.
At the time of Kyoto, policymakers accepted the principle of GWP100, this would mean all gases, both long lives gases such as nitrous oxide, and short lived climate pollutants such as methane would have their global warming potential compared to carbon dioxide over a 100 year time horizon.
The Paris Agreement is clearly focused on temperature goals and, therefore, many scientific experts feel that GWP* better reflects the global warming potential of each individual greenhouse gas. However, GWP100 is the universally accepted accounting system used by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and it will be difficult to achieve global consensus on the most appropriate metric in the short-medium term. The sixth Inter-govenmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report, published last year, indicated that GWP100 overstates the warming impact of methane by a factor of 4 or 5. For this reason, I have worked to ensure that, in line with the Programme for Government commitment, that the distinct characteristics of methane, combined with the social and economic importance of Irish Agriculture were recognised in the range outlined for the sector in the 2021 climate action plan. As you will be aware, the sector will need to reduce emissions by 22-30% from 2018 levels.
Finally, and this is very important, regardless of what metric is used in the national inventory, methane emissions from the livestock will need to fall to avoid continued impact on global warming.
Organic Farming
Ceisteanna (2024)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:2024. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for non-payment of the organic farming scheme payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2537/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All applicants in the Organic Farming Scheme are subject to annual validation checks to ensure the correct payments are made. In 2021, the person identified declared an organic parcel on their Basic Payment Scheme application that was not on their OFS application. This issue has now been resolved and I would expect payment to issue to the applicant within the next month.
Question No. 2025 answered with Question No. 1976.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (2026)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:2026. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all official engagements and meetings attended by him and Ministers of State within his Department during the period 1 December 2020 to date. [2539/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
During the period requested Myself and the Ministers of State attended numerous meetings, events, launches and media interviews relating to our official duties.
These meetings were either in person, virtual or via phone. The attached lists of engagements and meetings are for the sought period.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (2027)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:2027. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 785 of 15 September 2021, the results of his engagements to date with maize growers, producers of plastic film and his counterparts in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications arising from SI No. 326 of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2540/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware my ministerial colleague Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Communications Eamonn Ryan T.D, is responsible for the provisions contained in the Council Directive 2019/904, known as the Single Use Plastic Directive. These Regulations prohibit the marketing of single use plastics from 3rd July 2021 and includes films of the type used to sow covered maize up to that time. However, maize growers may use existing stocks of maize plastic that were purchased prior to the commencement of this legislation.
I, and my officials have continually engaged with the sector and producers of plastic film and will continue to do so as necessary. The producers of plastic film continue in their efforts to develop alternative products that will be compliant with these new Regulations. Significant progress has recently been reported in developing new compliant plastic films. The effectiveness of these new compliant films has not yet been independently verified and my Department has impressed upon the producers of maize plastic the need for independent research to show their effectiveness.
In addition officials in my Department have had several engagements with officials in the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Communications regarding the regulation and the impact on maize growers.
In parallel, in terms of support for the sector, my Department re-commenced Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) trials for uncovered maize, in 2020 to identify varieties better suited to Irish growing conditions and which do not require plastic covering. This work will build on the 2015 Uncovered Recommended List in which a high performing variety was identified, and which is currently available on the Irish market for growers.
Inshore Fisheries
Ceisteanna (2028)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:2028. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he is taking to address the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and recreational fishers and that pair trawling will be prohibited inside the six-mile limit. [2560/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As you are aware, in December 2018, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced that vessels over 18 metres length overall will be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside six nautical mile zone from 1st January 2020. A transition period of three years for vessels over 18 metres length overall targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone. Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was introduced in March 2019 to give effect to the changes.
A Judicial Review was taken by two applicant fishers challenging the validity of the Policy Directive. On 6th October 2020, the High Court judgment held that the Policy Directive was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect. I appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal and a full hearing took place on 22nd June last. Judgment on the case is reserved.
I also sought an extension on the stay on the order of the High Court, which was granted by the Court of Appeal on 19th March last, reinstating the Policy Directive, and which was extended by the Court of Appeal following the full hearing by on 22nd June. On 23rd September last, the Court of Appeal refused my application to continue the stay further. This refusal means that the decision of the High Court stands and the Policy Directive is no longer valid, meaning vessels over 18 metres in length overall have resumed trawling in the waters inside 6 nautical miles.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring 'that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and recreational fishers and that pair trawling will be prohibited inside the six-mile limit.' I am fully supportive of this objective.
As the Deputy will also be aware, I am awaiting the decision of the Court of Appeal to inform next steps. As the matter is sub judice, I cannot comment further until the matter can be resolved before the Courts.