Written Answers Nos. 271-283
271. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the regulations on the keeping, breeding, sale or supply of exotic pets, following the commitment in the programme for Government to introduce regulations; if there will be a public consultation; and when the regulations will be introduced. [47652/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter that falls for consideration across a number of Departments and bodies. In line with the Programme for Government and the action identified in the the Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 - Working Together for Animal Welfare, I have asked my officials to take the lead in establishing an inter-departmental group to ensure a coherent national approach to policy and regulation related to exotic animals.
Initial meetings of the group have taken place and the focus will be on regulating the keeping, breeding and trading of exotic animals. All aspects of these areas and models for best practice will be considered by the group in developing regulations including the possibility of a public consultation process.
A timeline for the introduction of legislation will become clear as the group continues its progress.
272. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will approve a lime product (details supplied) for use by organic farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47650/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEgg shells originating from factory farming (commercial flocks) may not be used on organic farms. Authorised products are set out in Annex II of Commission Implementing regulation (EU) 2021 1165 of 15th July 2021 authorising certain products and substances for use in organic production.
Currently, liming materials are provided for under fertilisers legislation. However, criteria including particle size, moisture content and neutralising value must be met. Further information would be required on the specific product to determine compliance with Irish and EU legislation and the company should engage with my Department on these requirements.
273. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the up-to-date position of an appeal within his Department for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; when this appeal will be finalised; the reason it is taking a prolonged time for a decision to be reached on this appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47668/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appeal in relation to the named applicant's 2020 Basic Payment Scheme payment is ongoing. My Department is awaiting further documentation from the applicant. His representative has been advised that a decision will be made on the appeal within the next 14 days and should they wish this further documentation to be considered as part of this appeal it must be submitted within this time frame.
274. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the correspondence from a group (details supplied) with regard to the building of Ros a'Mhíl deepwater pier; if he will provide details of the engagements, if any, he or officials from his Department have had with this group on foot of this correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47669/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the decision was made to seek tenders to dredge to a depth of -10 m in relation to the building of the deepwater pier at Ros a'Mhíl harbour, particularly given the existing planning permission is for a deepwater pier of a depth of -12 mat low tide; the basis on which the decision was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47670/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra276. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis his Department has carried out into updating the terms of the current tender process for the deepwater pier development project in Ros a'Mhíl harbour in order that tenders may be sought for dredging to a depth of -12 m, rather than -10 m, in light of reports and design work over the past 20 years which conclude that a depth of -12 m in the berth pocket is optimal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47671/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 274 to 276, inclusive, together.
On 1 February this year I announced that I had decided to proceed with the development of a Deep Water Quay at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre. The context for this decision is provide additional quay side and greater depth to accommodate larger fishing vessels, and attract additional landings from both Irish and non-Irish fishing vessels.
In line with the Public Spending Code, a cost benefit analysis report which considered the costs involved in a number of options for delivering the new development formed an important basis for the decision to proceed with the project. That report, which my Department published online contemporaneously, identified the option estimated to cost €25m ex VAT at the time. Since then, detailed design has been procured and a tender competition to deliver the works is underway. The full costs of the project will not be known until that tender competition closes. My Department is working hard to ensure that the project is delivered within the timeframe of the existing planning permission.
Having regard to the size and scale of fishing vessels frequenting our Fishery Harbour Centres I am more than satisfied that the development which is being procured is appropriate to the needs of the sector. In addition, the development will also be accessible to large vessels such as the Irish Naval fleet, Marine Institute Research Vessels, marine survey vessels, marine leisure craft and others.
In relation to the correspondence identified by the Deputy, I understand a reply issued last week. I myself met with some of the individuals concerned on my two visits to Ros an Mhíl late last year and in February this year and they very much welcomed the decision to proceed with the project. My officials most recently met with some of the individuals concerned earlier this month at Ros an Mhíl.
277. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if mink farmers received compensation for the closure of mink farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47717/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, will provide for the statutory prohibition of fur farming.
The legislation provides that these businesses are paid compensation for income losses, non-income losses and costs incurred as a direct result of the ban. I have consulted with the farm businesses as to the loss categories that should be included in the Bill.
The compensation Regulations being prepared at the moment will specify and set out the framework for the income and non-income compensation and provide the basis of valuation. They will also provide detail on compensation for costs involved in disposing of breeding mink, demolition and clean-up costs, a training fund redundant workers, and professional fees incurred by the businesses.
Compensation payments will be made in due course following closely and detailed communication with the mink farmers.
278. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the minimum and maximum livestock unit values per hectare and the values per individual type of livestock for the organic farming scheme, areas of natural constraint scheme and the ACRES scheme in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47746/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (gov.ie/en/publication/76026-common-agricultural-policy-cap-post-2020/), farmers’ stocking rate in terms of livestock units will be used to determine eligibility for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, the Eco-scheme Agricultural Practice on Extensive Livestock Production and the Organic Farming Scheme. Farmers may also use their stocking rate to satisfy the ‘Active Farmer’ check.
It is proposed that the minimum stocking requirement check in the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) will be largely based on the current ANC livestock requirements.
From 2023, the livestock unit coefficients to be used will be based on the Eurostat livestock coefficients. Based on these new Eurostat coefficients, the minimum stocking requirement will be set at 0.10 Livestock Units per hectare, reduced from the current minimum requirement of 0.15 livestock units per hectare. The minimum stocking rate is still equivalent to at least 1 ewe per hectare (see table for information on calculating the number of livestock units (LU) on the farm).
Stocking rate may influence the tierage that an ACRES applicant will be eligible for, but there is no minimum or maximum livestock-unit values per hectare requirement for entry to the scheme (see table). However some individual actions will have their own specific requirements. Further details are available in the ACRES Specification on the Department website.
|
Scheme |
Min |
Max |
|
Active Farmer |
0.10 LU/ha |
n/a |
|
ANC |
0.10 LU/ha |
n/a |
|
ACRES |
Refer to Spec |
|
|
Organic Farming |
0.10 LU/ha |
n/a |
Livestock Production Payments: Payment will be computed based on a minimum stocking level of 0.1 LU per hectare (6.5kg Organic Nitrate per ha/per annum) of the forage area declared on the associated BISS application. 1 LU = 65kg Organic Nitrogen = 1 suckler cow. Farmers not reaching this level will receive payment on a pro rata basis to their level of production.
Livestock Unit (LU) Equivalents & Computation: When calculating the number of livestock units (LU) on the farm, the following LU equivalents should be used:
|
Species |
Age |
Coefficient LIVESTOCK uNIT per hectare (lu/ha) |
|
Bovine |
Under 1 year old |
0.4 |
|
1 but less than 2 years old |
0.7 |
|
|
Male, 2 years old and over |
1 |
|
|
Heifers,2 years old and over |
0.8 |
|
|
Dairy cows |
1 |
|
|
Other cows, 2 years old and over |
0.8 |
|
|
SHEEP |
0.1 |
|
|
goat |
0.1 |
|
|
DEER* (red) |
0.3 |
|
|
DEER* (Fallow/sika) |
0.15 |
|
*While deer may be included in the stocking rate calculations, they are only considered eligible subject to an on-site inspection by the Department.
|
SOW (farrow to finish) |
1.0 |
|
SOW (farrow to weaner) |
0.8 |
|
FINISHING PIG |
0.1 |
|
LAYING HEN |
0.006 |
|
GOOSE |
0.01 |
|
TURKEY |
0.01 |
|
BROILER |
0.003 |
|
DUCK |
0.003 |
279. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry licence applications predating 2021 that remain to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47768/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date in 2022, there is an overall significant increase on all licensing categories compared with last year. Up to 23rd September, 2022, 3,520 licences have issued as compared to the projected of 3,838 licences. In fact in the 12 month period to the end of August 2022 we have issued over 5,100 licences.
July, August and September have shown significant signs of improvement in afforestation licensing and we intend to maintain this momentum.
There are currently 516 licences remaining to be processed of the 1,683 licences predating 2021 that were on hand at the start of 2022. In many of these cases, further information was required from the applicant. We are embarking on an intensive effort over the next few weeks to prioritise clearing older files ahead of the new forestry programme.
In the interest of full transparency details of all licences issued by category are available on the weekly dashboard. This is published on the Departmental website and is made available to all interested parties as well as being submitted to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine each week.
The Department's forestry dashboard is available here: gov.ie/ga/bailiuchan/15b56-forest-statistics-and-mapping/
280. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be mandatory professional forester involvement in the small-scale tree planting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47769/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, an amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 has passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas through the vehicle of the Animal Health and Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022.
On 4th April 2022, the new legislation was signed into law by the president. This amendment was necessary to remove the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is my objective to increase and encourage interest in small scale planting and I am confident that this change to the Act will remove a barrier to such planting.
The exemption for the creation of up to one hectare of native woodland would be available through a scheme which my Department now intends to design and implement. The involvement of a professional forester is something that will be considered in the design phase. The development of the scheme will be undertaken following the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, subject to the findings of both assessments and be subject to a public consultation.
281. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected allocation under the targeted agriculture modernisation schemes for solar equipment for the period 2023 to 2027, as per his indicative allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47770/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently provides grant aid through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) to assist our farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
Solar energy for on-farm use is grant aided under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage and Safety Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme measures under TAMS. The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels for water heating under the Pigs and Poultry scheme.
Following a review of power requirements, I have recently increased the maximum size of PV panels eligible for grant aid for the Pig and Poultry scheme to 62kw. I have also made changes to include the farm dwelling in solar panel investment applications and is now eligible for inclusion in TAMS.
It is also proposed that support for renewable energy investments will continue under the new Capital Investment Scheme from 2023 onwards.
There is €404m available for grant aid under TAMS for 2023-2027 with an increase in funding to €90 million in 2023 for TAMS. This will include funding for on-farm renewables for farmers subject to the approval of the European Commission. Monies will not be allocated to specific investments until the investment list is finalised. Changes to the support for capital investments including renewable energy and Solar investment are subject to a Rural Development Plan amendment and Commission approval.
282. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give detailed consideration to the pre-budget 2023 submission by an organisation (details supplied), particularly its call for measures to tackle generational renewal and the need for greater income support at the level of taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47799/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Finance, I work closely with him to ensure that it is consistent with the Government's priorities for the agri-food sector.
My Department engages with stakeholders on an ongoing basis and I met with the organisation named earlier this month to discuss their pre-Budget submission. The issues raised were considered in the context of Budget 2023 deliberations.
The challenge of generational renewal is widely recognised at national and EU level, and is a priority for my Department. National taxation measures, together with the support available under the CAP, represent a substantial commitment to young farmers. I was therefore pleased to secure the Minister for Finance's agreement in Budget 2023 to renew 100% Stamp Duty Relief for Young-Trained Farmers and Stock Relief Young-Trained Farmers and Partnerships.
283. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has received a valid application from a community organisation (details supplied) in County Tipperary under the community centres investment fund; when is it expected that applications will be validated and funding allocated to successful applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47646/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Centres Investment Fund is a €15m capital fund to support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with the upgrade of their community centre facilities.
The application closing date was Thursday,14th July 2022 and the appraisal process is currently ongoing. All applications will be subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines.
Due to the high level of applications to the fund, it is expected to be quarter 4 of 2022 when applicants are notified of the outcome of the application and appraisal process.
My Department has not received an application from the group referred to by the Deputy under the Community Centres Investment Fund. However, I understand that an application to the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme has been received in respect of the aforementioned group.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The programme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of "Our Rural Future - Ireland's Rural Development Policy 2021 - 2025".
All applications received under the Scheme are subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the Scheme guidelines. I expect to be in a position to announce the successful applicants later this year.
