Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department plans on publishing a green energy plan for renewable energy generation on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53253/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the recent Government decision on sectoral emissions ceilings as part of the Climate Action Plan, there was a firm recognition of the role that agriculture can play in renewable energy generation and as a positive contribution to decarbonising the energy system. The role of Irish farmers in renewable energy systems is three-fold through:
Establishing energy efficiencies on-farm.
Through deployment of renewable energy at farm level; and
As a supplier of biomass/ bio-energy feedstocks
To help encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided through TAMS to assist 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. The solar PV systems currently grant-aided under TAMS include Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels (Solar Thermal) for water heating under the Pig and Poultry Capital Investment Scheme. Grant aid for solar investments in TAMS is for on-farm consumption use only.
I was delighted to announce last month that the electricity consumption of the dwelling house can now be included with immediate effect on the solar survey as part of the holding for sizing the Solar PV installation. This is now open for application.
The maximum size of panel eligible for grant aid currently is 62kW for the Pig and Poultry Scheme (PPIS) and 11kW for all other eligible TAMS II schemes. To encourage further increased take up in solar applications I am proposing to make further changes to the scheme. This includes increasing the kilowatts for solar applications in TAMS 3 from 2023 onwards to 30 kilowatts from 11 kilowatts currently. This will bring in more high-energy intensive farms and cover their electricity usage through on-farm generation.
We are also retaining the current limit of 62 kilowatts remaining for the Pigs and Poultry Investment Scheme. Furthermore it is proposed that the grant rate will increase to a 60% grant and a standalone investment ceiling of €90,000 for solar panels on farms from 2023 onwards.
In a time of rising energy costs, the scheme will enable every farmer to generate their own power for their dwelling and holding and will help to achieve a more sustainable rural economy, assisting farmers in reducing energy costs on their holdings.
Imagine, by the end of the decade, our kettles and phones might be powered by electricity generated on farms. That is an exciting prospect for our farmers and our overall economy.
In the recent budget, I announced that TAMS funding would be increased to €90 million to facilitate these changes. These changes are subject to approval of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) amendment by the European Commission. The amendment is currently with the Monitoring Committee of the RDP for their views before its formal submission to the Commission.
It should also be remembered that there are other state supports for the installation of solar panels including from the SEAI and all farmers should be examining all options for support. These can be installed in tandem with the TAMs investment for those farmers who wish to do this at scale and are a further option for those keen to explore renewable energy generation.
I will continue to work in collaboration across Government, and in particular with the Department of Environment, Climate Action and Communications as the energy policy lead, to realise this opportunity within the agriculture sector in providing a diversification of activity and income for farmers, enhancing pour security of supply, and as a contribution to decarbonising our energy system.
122. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that Ireland’s agriculture sector will reach its emissions reduction goals. [53259/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the agriculture sector was assigned a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 based on a 2018 baseline of 23MT CO2 eq. This reduction in emissions will contribute to the economy wide reduction of 51% by 2030. It is a challenging and ambitious target but is one that farmers and the industry are committed to achieving.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 set out the core and additional measures the sector will pursue to live within its assigned carbon budgets.
Earlier this year, I established two Food Vision groups - a dairy group and a beef and sheep group. The final report from the dairy group is imminent, with the beef and sheep group to conclude its work in the coming months. The reports will contain a series of recommendations to reduce agricultural greenhouse gases, building on the Climate Action Plan 2021 core and further measures.
The challenge now is to have these measures taken up at farm level, this process is well under way. The Teagasc Signpost farm programme will play a key role in this objective.
One of the key measures will be a reduction in chemical nitrogen use, and a change in the type of chemical nitrogen applied. Significant progress has been made in 2022 and this will be positively reflected in the 2022 inventory when published next year.
Other measures include a focus on animal breeding, reduced finishing times for our prime beef animals, and increased levels of organic production. Finally, new technologies, as is the case for all sectors of the economy, and the development of diversification opportunities including Anerobic Digestion will be needed in order to bridge the final gap-to-target.
I am also confident with appropriate research supports that methane reducing feed additives will be developed and rolled out on farms by 2030.
Farmers and the agri-sector are leading out on their climate targets. Both I as Minister and the Government as a whole will continue to back and support them in the time ahead.
123. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding information relating to gas security for dairy processors in view of record gas shortages in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53254/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the past year, significant price rises have occurred primarily in the energy sector with natural gas and oil prices reaching record highs. These price rises have been amplified by the impacts of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine and have significant implications across all sectors, including the agri-food sector.
Dairy processing is a critical industry both for consumers in Ireland, our rural communities and our exports. As an industry with a high thermal load demand many dairy processing sites are currently gas dependent. The dairy industry in Ireland continues to work on its energy intensity reduction to cut emissions in line with the Climate Action target reductions and indeed for business costs reasons. In line with the seasonal nature of milk supply, energy demand in the industry will be lower during the winter period.
The Government is monitoring the gas supply and needs of industry as part of a wider review of national gas security needs in an effort to mitigate against supply concerns and the burden of increasing energy costs. Budget 2023 includes a number of measures aimed at mitigating these cost increases.
124. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of basic payments that have been issued to farmers to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53126/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Basic Payment Scheme and related area-based scheme opened for applications in February 2022. 128,360 applications were received by 16th May deadline, which is in line with the number of applications in previous years. Applications submitted within amendment and late application deadlines brought the total number of applications submitted for 2022 to 128,747. However, the number of eligible applications received was 120,662.
To be eligible for the BPS, applicants must have a Payment Entitlement and an eligible hectare of agriculture area to accompany each Payment Entitlement. The Greening payment is a top-up of the BPS and amounts to approximately 44% of the total value of entitlements activated.
Advance payments commenced on 17th October at a rate of 70%, which is an increase on the 50% normally allowed under EU regulation. 17th October was the first working day that advance payments could be paid, which demonstrates my Department’s commitment to issue scheme payments as quickly as possible. To date 114,929 applicants have been paid over €740m. As a result, over 95% of all eligible applications have received an advance payment.
The Department will continue to process, as a matter of urgency, all remaining cases for payment as they meet scheme criteria.
126. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers leaving the sector on an annual basis over the past ten years. [53056/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) carry out a census of agriculture every 10 years, with the last census held in 2020. Since the census held in 2010, the total number of farm holdings dropped by 4,823, or 3.4%, from 139,860 to 135,037.
The census provides data on the number of family farm holders who regard farming as their 'sole', 'major' or 'subsidiary' occupation. Since the census held in 2010, the number of family farm holders who indicate that farming is their sole occupation or major occupation has risen from 95,481 to 96,153, an increase of 672 farm holders or 0.7%.
However, those farm holders indicating farmwork as a subsidiary occupation, fell by 10,012 or 23% over the 10-year period from 44,075 to 34,063.
Table1 - CSO Census - Significance of Farmwork on Family Farms 2010 and 2020
|
- |
2010 |
2020 |
||
|
Significance of farmwork on Family Farms |
Number |
% |
Number |
% |
|
Sole occupation |
75,223 |
54% |
69,456 |
51% |
|
Major occupation |
20,258 |
14% |
26,697 |
20% |
|
Total Sole or Major occupation |
95,481 |
68% |
96,153 |
71% |
|
Subsidiary occupation |
44,075 |
32% |
34,063 |
25% |
|
Total Family Farms |
139,556 |
130,216 |
||
|
Non-Family Farms |
304 |
- |
4,821 |
4% |
|
Total Farms |
139,860 |
135,037 |
127. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made in implementing the working paper to address challenges related to peat supply in the horticultural sector; and his proposals to ensure an adequate supply of horticultural peat to the mushroom sector. [53091/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe working paper, the Deputy refers to, outlined a series of actions to support horticultural growers who are dependent on peat as a growing medium. The aim of these actions is to address the short-term issue of supply, the medium-term issue of future access to peat and also the longer-term issue of replacement with alternatives for all sectors within horticulture, including mushrooms.
Short term actions
Mr. Séamus Boland was commissioned to carry out a report on peat supply. A final version of his report has been recently received by my Department and is due for publication shortly.
Addressing a separate short-term action, a guidance document on the regulatory framework for peat extraction has been published by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The Guide can be found on gov.ie.
Medium term actions
Mr. Des Johnson and Padraic Thornton were commissioned to carry out a report on the planning requirements regarding sub-30 hectare bogs. A final report of this work has been received by my Department and will be published shortly.
Longer Term Actions
My Department continues to support and facilitate research in the development of alternatives to peat for horticulture and €1.69 million was awarded in funding for research into peat alternatives last year. This is a significant step in assisting the horticulture sector transition from peat as a growing media. The project is progressing well and to schedule.
Separately, my Department continues to approve funding for research projects on peat alternatives under the EU Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables. Trials are ongoing and the results are promising.
128. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the maximum number of applicants who will be accepted into the agri-climate rural environment scheme; the closing date for the scheme; the circumstances under which it is intended to reopen the scheme for further applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53169/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027.
It is the successor to the Green Low Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) which was available under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It is a voluntary scheme whereby farmers, when approved into the Scheme, undertake certain actions on their land for at least five years. It is the largest agri-environment scheme ever run by my Department, as well as the best funded with a budget of €1.5 billion.
There are two approaches available to farmers under ACRES, namely the ACRES General approach, or the ACRES Co-operation approach depending on the location of their holding. The Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES over its duration, which will facilitate the participation of 50,000 participants in ACRES overall.
It is currently envisaged that the split will be 30,000 participants in ACRES General and 20,000 participants in ACRES Co-operation. This will, however, be subject to the level of interest in each approach.
While the overall number is similar to the number in GLAS, the higher maximum level of payment should be noted. There is a maximum annual payment of up to €7,311 to a participant in ACRES General while a participant in the ACRES Co-operation approach may receive up to €10,500 in a given year.
The intake into the scheme will be phased, with at least two tranches. This will help to spread the workload on advisors and enable them to allocate sufficient time for the preparation of applications, the completion of the Farm Sustainability Plans and selection of appropriate actions.
The system opened on Monday 17th October 2022 for the submission of applications under Tranche 1 of the Scheme. Prior to this the system had been open since mid-August for advisors to start preparing their draft plans. The closing date for such applications is Monday 21st November 2022. The contracts for those approved into the Scheme will commence on 1st January 2023.
129. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to increasing the number of farmers allowed into the ACRES programme given that there are currently only 50,000 places available between the co-operation entry route and the general entry route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53079/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023 – 2027 and is the successor to the Green Low Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) which was available under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.
The EU budget agreement provides a certain level of funding to Ireland over the five year period from 2023 to 2027, with this funding split between Pillar I (Direct Payments and Sectoral Interventions) and Pillar II (Rural Development).
An allocation from the National Exchequer is also required to co-fund the Rural Development element of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. The CSP seeks to address a number of objectives and needs over the next CAP period, with the Government committing €1.5 billion to ACRES over its duration.
Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through both prescription and results-based actions, ACRES will contribute to improving biodiversity, climate, air, and water quality outcomes.
This commitment of €1.5 billion will facilitate the acceptance of 50,000 participants into the Scheme.
Farmers may apply for one of the approaches available under ACRES, namely the ACRES General approach, or the ACRES Co-operation approach depending on the location of their holding.
It is currently envisaged that the split will be 30,000 participants in ACRES General and 20,000 participants in ACRES Co-operation. This will, however, be ultimately subject to the level of interest in each approach.
While the overall number is similar to the number in GLAS, the higher maximum level of payment should be noted. There is a maximum annual payment of up to €7,311 to a participant in ACRES General while a participant in the ACRES Co-operation approach may receive up to €10,500 in a given year.
The system opened on Monday 17th October 2022 for submission of applications under Tranche 1 of the Scheme. The closing date for such applications is 23.59pm on Monday 21st November 2022. The contracts for those approved into the Scheme will commence on 1st January 2023.
130. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the UK-Australia beef trade deal; and the effect that it will have on Ireland. [53257/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 16th June 2021, the UK and Australian Governments announced that they had reached a political agreement in principle for a new UK-Australia trade agreement. The agreement has not yet been ratified or entered into force.
I note that the agreement provides for significant new market access for Australian goods exports to the UK. This is also the case for the most sensitive agriculture products, including beef and lamb, in respect of which there will be full tariff-free access at the end of 15 years, preceded by significant tariff-free quotas for these products in the interim.
As a large exporter of agri-food products, including to the UK market, the provisions of this new agreement have the potential to create increased competition for Irish exports to the UK, which could result in knock-on impacts on EU markets.
I have been urging the European Commission, including through the EU Agriculture Council of Ministers, to take into account in EU trade policy development the potential cumulative impacts of these new UK trade agreements.
At the recent Council meeting in Luxembourg, the Commission committed to carrying out an analysis of the potential impacts of the new UK agreements with Australia and New Zealand on EU markets, in particular impacts which could result in the displacement of EU products, including Irish products, from the UK market.
I will receive and assess this Commission analysis, which will help to inform any actions we need to take at EU level to address potential negative impacts for EU and Irish producers from new UK third country trade agreements.
We must do all we can to protect and enhance the markets for Irish beef in order to best support our beef farmers who produce a world-class product.
131. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts that have been made to form a sheep industry group recommended in the wool feasibility study published in July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53204/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the independently compiled wool review was published in July of this year. A main recommendation of the review was the establishment of an independent Wool Council by industry.
Once established, this Council will lead the development and promotion of Irish wool domestically and internationally. It will also act as a forum to bring together multiple stakeholders in order to foster collaboration, innovation and scaling activities in the wool sector.
I am very supportive of the establishment of this independent industry-led Wool Council which can use the findings of the wool review as a roadmap to develop pathways towards maximising the true potential of Irish wool into the future.
I understand that stakeholders in the Wool industry have taken the initial steps towards the formation of the Wool Council. Once established, my Department has committed to providing €30,000 in financial assistance towards the initial set-up costs.
132. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a report of the reconstitution and underplanting ash dieback scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53241/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, my Department has provided support totalling over €7 million to owners of ash plantations impacted by ash dieback disease through the ash dieback reconstitution scheme (introduced in 2013) and more recently the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) introduced in July 2020.
The current scheme provides 100% grant aid to landowners to clear their ash crop, replant with an alternate species and manage their forest until successfully established.
This year to date nearly €850,000 has been paid out in site clearance and replanting grants under the RUS Scheme. We received 833 applications in total for 3,161 hectares. Of these 327 for 1,083 hectares have been approved, with one refusal. This means that there remains 505 applications for 2,068 hectares on hand, and I assure the Deputy that we are focussed on dealing with these.
We continue to process to approval those cases which are not affected by the requirement for planning permission. The legislation to remove the requirement for planning permission for Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme projects less than 10 ha in size is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and concerns projects where broadleaves are replaced with conifers.
That Department has completed the first stage in the Strategic Environment Assessment screening process and notified the prescribed statutory consultees on 22nd September 2022. Those statutory consultees have 4 weeks to respond to the notice. An Appropriate Assessment screening process is also currently being undertaken in parallel by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Ecological Assessment Unit. I am hopeful that this legislative change will be put in place once these processes are finalised.
Even where planning permission is not required i.e. in cases where broadleaf replaces broadleaf, we need complete applications and we have in recent weeks sent out 168 further information requests to applicants, predominantly for harvest plans and reforestation maps. These are being submitted and we will process those not in need of planning permission as we receive them.
It is intended to continue to offer the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme through the next Forestry Programme which will cover the period from 2023-2027, and as Deputies will be aware the Programme is currently undergoing public consultation as part of the SEA/AA process. I have of course met with landowners whose forests have ash dieback and I am more than aware of their concerns and I will continue to work to address them.
It may be of interest to the Deputy that my Department is currently preparing a report entitled "Origins of Ash Dieback Disease in Ireland, Lessons to be Learned and Research Update" in response to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Marine report on "Issues Impacting the Forestry Sector in Ireland". This will completed shortly and will include a section on the supports given to ash plantation owners.
133. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact that the targets relating to the issuance of forestry licences have been missed by over 62.5% in the first half of 2022; and his proposals to ensure that yearly targets are met. [53093/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise that this year we have seen considerable improvements in the issuance of forestry licences.
To date this year, we have issued 3,914 licences which is 92% of our expected output at this point in the year and there are currently 953 approved afforestation licences with just under 7,000 hectares ready for planting.
The backlog has reduced from 6,000 in August 2021, to 3,700 in January of this year and now stands at 1,639. We are issuing more licences than applications received and this means that the backlog continues to drop, with faster turnaround times for new applicants.
When we published our Forestry Licensing Plan for 2022, we set an ambitious target of 5,250 licences, an increase of 30% on 2021.
In terms of our targets in the year-to-date, as of 21st October, we are at 94% of the target for roads, 89% for private felling and over 100% for Coillte felling. I acknowledge that afforestation figures are not quite keeping pace with other categories and are at 69% of year-to-date target .
However, my Department received 339 fresh afforestation applications, while 578 afforestation licences have issued.
Furthermore, the pace of processing of these applications has picked up significantly, since increased ecological specialist resources have come online with 238 licences processed in the 3rd quarter of this year, compared to 131 in the second quarter.
These improved outputs have been achieved through a commitment to continuous improvement as well as through the implementation of measures recommended under Project Woodland.
Work is ongoing with the implementation of the 57 recommendations arising from a business process review carried out under Project Woodland, with 71% of the recommendations either complete or in progress.
This builds on earlier improvements to our processes. These improvements have facilitated the preparation of Appropriate Assessment Reports by the Department, which removes this burden from applicants in most cases.
Associated with this and in order to assist foresters in submitting quality applications, we provided habitat map training and training for ecologists. Furthermore, a pre-application discussion pilot has been completed and we now intend to deliver this at a national level, along with the new Forestry Programme. All of these measures are aimed at improving the quality of applications received and optimising the time of those assessing applications.
We have substantially increased the resources available to process forestry licences, and the positive impact of this can be seen in the increased number of licences issuing.
In addition, a legal and regulatory review of forestry licensing was carried out by Philip Lee Consultants and, following extensive stakeholder engagement, their Report was published in June. The Project Board for Project Woodland has responded to these recommendations and my Department will now finalise a plan for the implementation of the Report, with a certain number of actions already underway
I look forward to maintaining the positive momentum on the issuing of licences, continuing to develop a licencing system that is fit for purpose and that will underpin the shared vision for our forestry future.
135. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to resolve the unfair situation regarding the group of farmers known as the so-called ‘forgotten farmers’. [53092/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government ‘Our Shared Future’ contains a commitment to seek to resolve the issue of support for the category of farmers known as Forgotten Farmers.
I have asked officials in my Department to examine options to address the issue of forgotten farmers with a view to identifying measures to support this group.
I am committed to helping this cohort of farmers and I will bring forward proposals as soon as possible. Many of these farmers find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own and we are working to address this issue.
136. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals for the sanction of those found in breach of unfair trading practices. [53202/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Unfair Trading Practices Enforcement Authority within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) currently has statutory responsibility for enforcing the Unfair Trading Practices Regulations (S.I. No. 198/2021 – European Union (Unfair Trading Practices in the agricultural and food supply chain) Regulations 2021). This Regulation transposed into Irish law EU Directive 2019/633 on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain.
If the Enforcement Authority is of the view that the UTP Regulations are not being or have not been complied with, it may issue a compliance notice requiring the buyer in question to bring the unfair practice to an end. Failure to comply with a compliance notice is an offence.
A person who commits an offence under these Regulations is liable –
- on summary conviction, to a class A fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or
- on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.
While these are the current rules, the General Scheme of a Bill to establish a new independent statutory Authority to be known as the ‘Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply Chain’ was approved by Government on in March 2022. My intention is to repeal the current UTP Regulations and to use the enabling provisions in the Bill to provide for the transfer of responsibility for UTP enforcement functions from the Department to the remit of the new Office.
As the Deputy may be aware, the drafting of this primary legislation which is required to establish the new Office has been progressing and the Bill was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine for pre-legislative scrutiny.
I received the Committee's report on the Bill on 6th October and I am examining their recommendations with a view to presenting in a timely and considered manner an updated final draft of the Bill to the Houses of the Oireachtas.
137. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by farmers regarding the ACRES scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53081/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure which forms part of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027.
ACRES is the third ‘layer' in the Green Architecture model under the new Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and is a voluntary scheme whereby farmers, when approved into the Scheme, undertake certain actions on their land for at least five years – with those actions going beyond conditionality and the voluntary eco-scheme.
ACRES is farmer-friendly and well-funded scheme that will provide an important income support to our farm families while also achiveing tangible environmental improvements.
Farmers may apply for one of the approaches available under ACRES, namely the ACRES General approach or the ACRES Co-operation approach depending on the location of their holding. Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through both prescription and results-based actions, ACRES will contribute to improving biodiversity, climate, air, and water quality outcomes.
The Government has committed €1.5 billion to the Scheme. The payment rates are attractive, with a maximum annual payment of up to €7,311 to a participant in ACRES General while a participant in the ACRES Co-operation approach could receive up to €10,500 in a given year.
One of the requirements of the Scheme is that applications, and the accompanying Farm Sustainability Plan, must be prepared and submitted by an approved ACRES advisor. The rates such advisors charge their clients for this work is a matter for the farmer and his/her advisor.
ACRES is now fully open and receiving applications every day. To assist farmers, there was an online farmer information meeting. There are also webinars and tutorials available on the Department's social media platform for advisors to access and view as and when required.
Each approved ACRES advisor will work with their clients to choose the most appropriate actions for their holding, with a view to maximising payments and to ensure these actions are in the most appropriate locations.
Participation in the scheme is voluntary and participants may be subject to inspection as required by EU regulations. The fee for the preparation and submission of the application and accompanying Farm Sustainability Plan is a matter for the farmer and his/her advisor.
138. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide clarity to farmers regarding the ACRES scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53082/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is a voluntary scheme whereby farmers, when approved into the Scheme, undertake certain actions on their land for at least five years.
ACRES is a well-funded and farmer-friendly scheme that will provide an important income support to farmers while also drive tangible environmental improvements.
Those actions have been designed to contribute significantly to achieving improved biodiversity, climate, air and water quality outcomes. The Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES over its duration, which will facilitate the participation of 50,000 participants in ACRES overall.
The Scheme is open to active farmers aged over 18 years of age who have submitted an application under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in 2021 and declared the land being brought into ACRES in their BPS application in 2022. Details about eligibility for, and the core requirements of, the Scheme are available in the Scheme Terms and Conditions on the Department’s website.
An eligible farmer may apply for one of the approaches available under ACRES, namely the ACRES Co-operation approach available to farmers in eight defined high priority geographical areas, or the ACRES General approach which is available nationally outside of the eight ACRES Co-operation zones. A farmer may only apply for one of the approaches, eligibility for which will be determined by the location of their holding.
It is currently envisaged that the breakdown of the overall 50,000 participants will be 30,000 in ACRES General and 20,000 in ACRES Co-operation – this will, however, be ultimately subject to the level of interest in each approach. The intake into the scheme is phased, with at least two tranches, to spread the workload on advisors.
There is a maximum annual payment of up to €7,311 available to a participant in ACRES General while a participant in the ACRES Co-operation approach may receive up to €10,500 in a given year, with the contracts in both approaches to be for a minimum of five years.
An applicant is required to engage an approved ACRES advisor to prepare and submit the ACRES application on behalf of an applicant, with a Farm Sustainability Plan (FSP) to accompany such application.
The Department provided an Information Webinar on ACRES for farmers on the evening of 16th September 2022, a recording of which is available on the Department’s website. Information was also provided on ACRES at the Department’s stand at the National Ploughing Championship in September.
The ACRES system was opened on 17th October 2022 for the submission of applications under Tranche 1. The closing date for the submission of applications under the current Tranche is on Monday 21st November 2022.
139. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budgetary measures that are affecting suckler beef and sheep farmers under Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53122/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe budgetary provision for my DepartmentiIn 2023 is €2.14 billion, the highest ever level of funding for the Department, and represents an increase of €283m on the 2022 provision, or a 13% increase overall, to support farmers, fishers, and rural and coastal communities.I plan to introduce a new scheme to continue the beef welfare measures which were previously funded under BEEP-S. This new scheme will sit alongside the new €150/cow Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme which builds on the BDGP and BEEP-S schemes targeting efficiency gains, and a €20 million Sheep Improvement Scheme, which aims to build on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare by providing support for actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector.
I have maintained the budget for targeted beef and sheep supports of over €100 million. Beef and sheep farmers will also be well placed to benefit from the enhanced supports for fodder aid, and a number of other support schemes, including for example the ACRES scheme, and the Organics Scheme.
I am also providing €5 million in support for a continuation of the dairy beef calf scheme in 2023.
Another significant support for the beef and sheep sectors is the enhanced support for early-stage producer organisations in the incoming CAP Strategic Plan which, in addition to providing administrative and advisory support of up to €33,000 to groups, provides under competition law for collective bargaining on output prices thereby strengthening their position in the supply chain.
However, I am, acutely aware of the pressures being faced across the agri-food sector due to the increase in input costs. Since the invasion of Ukraine, I have taken a proactive approach to dealing with the massive challenges arising for the agri-food and fisheries sector, including providing €91 million in exceptional supports for the sector.
Central to this is the €56m Fodder Support Scheme which pays farmers up to €1,000 for saving hay and silage. The scheme will be in plact for the 2023 fodder-making season too.
140. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the biodiversity impact on marine life of failing to change to renewable energy sources over carbon-based energy sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53112/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the importance of protecting biodiversity, which is vital to the future of our society, economy, species, and planet. We also appreciate the need to reduce carbon emissions to safeguard the environment. The Programme for Government: Our Shared Future reflects these ambitions, setting out numerous commitments to safeguard Ireland’s biodiversity and to drastically reduce emissions over time.
In terms of marine biodiversity, Ireland – as an island nation – has a special relationship with the ocean. We must continue to protect marine biodiversity while supporting coastal communities and securing a sustainable future for the fisheries sector. The Government supports the principles and ambition of the EU Biodiversity Strategy . We have committed to developing comprehensive legislation for the identification, designation, and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Irish territorial waters. I am advised this work is being undertaken by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, my own responsibility towards the marine environment is to ensure sea-fishing and aquaculture activities are conducted in a manner that avoids the deterioration of designated features of Natura 2000 conservation sites or the significant disturbance of protected species within those sites. The majority of the marine Natura 2000 sites (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas) are inshore, within six nautical miles. A series of appropriate assessments and risk assessments have been undertaken by my Department over the years with regard to sea-fishing and aquaculture activities in or near Natura 2000 sites. Mitigation measures have been introduced where required to manage the risks posed to sites.
In respect of offshore fisheries (6-200 nautical mile zone), overarching policy for sea fisheries is set down in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). My Department supports the continued development and management of the seas to ensure marine environmental protection, I support the ongoing work of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and am committed to supporting the Irish fishing industry to operate in a sustainable manner and to continue working towards achieving and maintaining good environmental status in Irish waters.
I would note that the issues raised by the Deputy regarding energy sources would be matters more appropriate for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, who has responsibility for the environment as well as energy matters and their environmental impacts.
The biodiversity of marine life in Ireland is a matter for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which manages the State’s nature conservation responsibilities under national and European law. The NPWS is part of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.
