Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans he has to change the over-representation of females at lower grades within farming bodies and their under-representation at senior positions within these same farming bodies. [61244/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI advise that obviously I have no responsibility for the organisation of representative farm bodies.
However, the Deputy will be aware gender equality is a key a priority for me and for the Government. It is also a core principle of the European Union, and the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) Regulations place a particular focus on promoting the participation of women in the socio-economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming.
At a European level the number of women in farming has been slowly increasing. 2016 data suggests that, on average, around 30% of farms across the EU are managed by a woman, but with some considerable differences between Member States. The Census of Agriculture 2020 reported that just 13% of farm holders in Ireland are female.
I am very pleased that, for the first time, Ireland’s new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) includes specific measures aimed at increasing the participation of women in farming. Ireland’s CSP, which will deliver some €10 billion to farm families over the next five years, includes innovative proposals to promote gender equality, including:
- An increased grant rate of 60% under the Capital Investment Scheme to fund investments by trained women farmers.
- The promotion of women-only Knowledge Transfer Groups.
- Improved recording and reporting of gender data and the leveraging of the National CAP Network to increase the involvement of all women in the implementation of CAP.
- All CAP interventions will be developed with a gender-aware perspective to ensure there are no inherent barriers to women's participation.
- European Innovation Partnerships offer an ideal opportunity for the sector to develop initiatives that will promote women's participation in farming.
In addition, since 2015, the Department has provided support for rural female entrepreneurs under the ACORNS programme. This initiative involves the development and implementation of a tailored programme to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.
Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, recognises the importance of gender equality to its long-term sustainability and includes actions to promote and improve gender balance. In this regard, it should be acknowledged that the farm bodies were active participants in the Committee that developed Food Vision.
Food Vision proposed holding a national dialogue on women in agriculture. I formally launched the conference last week and announced that former Tánaiste and Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, will chair the event on 1 February next year, St Brigid’s Day. The Conference will examine gender equality in farming and the agri-food sector generally and hear the views of women themselves on what more can be done on this important issue. The outcomes of the Conference will feed into future policy in this regard.
While I have no responsibility for the running of farming bodies, I would encourage them to do all they can to ensure there is a strong female representation at all elected positions.
124. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will sanction the continuance of the flying truck in order that non-European Union agricultural products flown into Ireland can continue to be transited and checked at Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61146/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraChecks carried out at points of entry to the European Single Market are key to the protection of food safety, animal and plant health, and animal welfare standards in the European Union.
Live animals, animal products, regulated plants, and certain types of foods of non-animal origin are required to be presented for sanitary and phytosanitary checks at the border control post, or BCP, at the first point of entry into the European Union.
The legal basis for these checks is laid down in EU Regulation 2017/625. Like all EU Regulations, EU Regulation 2017/625 is directly implementable in the Member States and as such business operators, and indeed competent authorities, must comply with the rules contained therein.
The rules laid down in Regulation 625 are separate from those provided for in customs legislation. Customs legislation does provide for the transit of consignments under customs control, from one location to another. Operators may apply for permission to operate a so-called ‘flying truck’ transit procedure, once the SPS controls required have been carried out.
To facilitate the checks required by EU Regulation 2017/625, my Department has operated BCPs at three locations since the European Single Market was first created. The locations are Dublin Airport, Dublin Port and Shannon Airport. On foot of the outcome of the Brexit referendum, an assessment was carried out of GB trade flows through ports and airports in Ireland.
On foot of that assessment a decision was taken to expand the BCP at Dublin Airport and Dublin Port, as well as to construct a new BCP at Rosslare Port. These expansions have been key to ensuring trade flows as freely as possible post 1st January2021, when import controls were implemented for all consignments coming from GB.
The expansion of the BCP at Dublin Airport now means that operators who are importing products through Dublin Airport no longer have to transport products by road to the BCP at Shannon and then onwards to the premises of destination.
The controls can now be carried out, before the products leave Dublin Airport, and as such can travel straight from Dublin Airport to the premises of destination. That said, I understand that this does represent a change for businesses that were used to operating in a particular way for a number of years. Officials in my Department are currently engaging with those operators, to understand the business implications and to see what can be done to minimise disruption, within the framework of the legislation.
The BCP at Shannon Airport remains fully operational and ready to carry out checks on any consignments landing at Shannon Airport.
126. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department will select the 50,000 farmers that will take part in the pilot scheme for the digital sustainability platform; and the timeline on the roll out of the scheme. [61374/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTeagasc in co-operation with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation and Bord Bia is building a new Sustainability Digital Platform to allow farmers to count carbon emissions and sequestration on their farms.
The Platform is a key pillar of Teagasc’s new Climate Action Strategy to support farmers and the industry to respond to the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Development of the “Platform” will require considerable research and development over the next five years by Teagasc and its partnering organisations.
In establishing a gold standard ‘Digital Platform’, the ambition is that every farmer would:
- Know the greenhouse gas emissions for every part of their farm,
- Identify opportunities to reduce those emissions and capture carbon, and
- Keep good farm records securely online.
The Sustainability Digital Platform will be open to participation by all farmers, including existing clients and non-clients of Teagasc advisory services, private advisory services, and agri-food businesses.
I am hugely excited to see this new initiative rolled out and I know it become a key role in our climate ambitions.
The vision is that most farmers will utilise the Sustainability Digital Platform through participation in the Teagasc SignPost Advisory Programme.
SignPost is a new targeted advisory service to accelerate action on farms in the areas of climate and sustainability. It is being made available to farmers on a voluntary basis and the defined services within the Programme will be provided free-of-charge.
Teagasc is targeting to recruit 10,000 new participant farmers into the SignPost Programme each year, with an overall target of 50,000 farmers completing the programme over the seven-year period from 2023 to 2029. This, in turn, is expected to deliver similar throughput for the Sustainability Digital Platform.
Farmers can sign up for the SignPost Advisory Programme on the Teagasc website. Teagasc is also planning an extensive communications campaign to generate interest and motivation within farmers to participate in SignPost and the Sustainability Digital Platform.
Science is the ace up our sleeve when it comes to meeting our climate ambitions. Everyone in the sector is on a journey towards becoming more sustainable and, with important initiatives like from Teagasc, I am confident we can hit our targets over the course of the decade.
127. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s plan for trade missions for the remainder of 2022; his Department’s priority markets for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60833/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe promotion of Ireland's high-quality, safe, nutritious, and sustainably produced food remains a core objective of my Department and its agencies.
Trade Missions play an important role in our support for the Irish agri-food sector's ambition to grow both the value and volume of our exports to international markets. As a country which exports 90% of the food we produce, we must always seek to develop new as well as expand existing international markets.
In 2022, as we COVID-19 travel restrictions have eased, we have been able to restart in-person Ministerial trade missions.
Minister of State martin Heydon and I led a number of critical engagements in overseas markets, with Trade Missions to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, to the United States and Mexico, and to Japan, Singapore and Vietnam. Minister of State Pippa Hackett also led an organics Trade Mission to Germany in the summer.
These Missions have strengthened Government-to-Government relationships and have included a range of events promoting Ireland's high quality food offering, including through a series of top-level engagements with key Irish agri-food customers.
Last week I was in London, where I engaged with senior executives of some of the leading customers for Irish food in the UK - still our biggest market and one that we remain fully committed to despite the challenges that Brexit has presented.
Before the end of the year, Minister Heydon will travel to Paris for engagements with key officials on the French market.
This programme of international engagements underlines the Government's commitment to supporting the industry in achieving its development ambitions, which in turn is critical to supporting family farm incomes into the future.
The planning for our 2023 Trade Mission programme is well advanced. In spring, Minister Heydon and I will continue our intensified programme, with plans being finalised for a trade mission to Malaysia and the Philippines.
In the second half of the year the focus will be on west Africa.
The targeting of these destinations in 2023 reflects their status as priority growth markets for Irish agri-food exports, as identified in the comprehensive market prioritisation analysis undertaken by Bord Bia.
128. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have signed up to the ACRES scheme. [61058/22]
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.
ACRES is a voluntary scheme whereby farmers, when approved into the Scheme, will undertake certain actions on their land for at least five years.
The objectives of the scheme are:
- To contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, including by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration, as well as to promote sustainable energy
- Foster sustainable development and efficient management of natural resources such as water, soil and air, including by reducing chemical dependency,
- To contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, enhance ecosystem services and preserve habitats and landscapes,
There are two approaches available to farmers under ACRES, namely the ACRES General approach and the ACRES Co-operation approach depending on the location of their holding. The Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES over its duration with the aim of facilitating the participation of 50,000 farmers.
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.
Tranche 1 of ACRES opened for applications on Monday 17th October 2022. I am very pleased to say that the scheme is proving very popular with farmers. The scheme closed for applications at midnight on Wednesday 7th December. We look forward to working with farmers in the scheme over the next five years to deliver on this environmental ambition.
129. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined the potential impact of below-cost selling of agricultural products in various multiples; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61220/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may be aware that the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order 1987 prohibited below invoice price selling for certain products. That Order was revoked in 2006 by the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Studies have found that laws banning below-cost selling failed to safeguard the parties they aim to protect from declining market shares and often lead to higher prices for consumers.
A 2006 study on the impact of the Groceries Order found that it had failed to achieve its aims of creating a fair-trading environment, or protecting vulnerable suppliers from the buying power of the largest retailers.
Ireland exports almost 90% of the food we produce, so it is external markets in general that determine the price paid to Irish producers or food companies. In regard to the domestic food market, a below cost rule, if it made Irish produce more expensive relative to imports, could have the effect of reducing demand for domestic produce.
The Unfair Trading Practices regulations, which I introduced in April 2021, prohibit a buyer from unilaterally changing the terms of a supply agreement including the terms of payment or the price.
Therefore, an unfair trading practice would arise if the buyer does not pay the supplier the price agreed by both. Further information on unfair trading practices is available from the UTP Enforcement Authority at utp.gov.ie.
The importance of increasing availability of information about fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain is of critical importance. That is why I have ensured that the draft legislation setting up the new Agri Food Regulator will give the Regulator powers to promote fairness and transparency; to collect, analyse and regularly publish reports on price and market data concerning the agricultural and food supply chain; as well as to make recommendations in relation to policy matters or proposals for legislative change to myself as Minister.
I am pleased that the Government approved the draft Bill last week, and I look forward to introducing the Bill into the Oireachtas in the near future. This will be an office with real teeth that will work hard to protect farmers, fishers and all primary producers who are the bedrock of our great sector.
130. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the policies that he is putting in place to help farmers achieve sectoral emissions targets in a just manner. [60999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will 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.
Earlier this year, I established two Food Vision groups - a Dairy group as well as a Beef and Sheep group. The final reports of both groups are currently being considered, however, it is clear that the measures contained within both reports will form the basis of the agricultural mitigation measures of the Climate Action Plan 2023, when it is published shortly.
The challenge now is to have these measures taken up at farm level, this process is well under way. The Teagasc Climate Action Strategy was recently launched with a strong focus on benchmarking farm emissions and expanding the Signpost programme. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) will continue to ensure Teagasc are well funded in the role out of these programmes.
More specifically, from a DAFM perspective, significant financial aid will be put in place to support farmers in their transition. The new €1.3 billion forestry programme was recently launched, with attractive long-term payments available. We will, I'm convinced, see an entitre step change when it comes to forestry in this country.
We have just closed the first tranche of applications for the new €1.5bn flagship 1.5 agri-environmental scheme called ACRES. There has been a tremendous response from farmers to ACRES.
In relation to organic farming, we have delivered a 500% increase in funding for the Organics Scheme in the next CAP compared to the outgoing CAP. Other targeted measures include financial support to establish red clover and multispecies swards to assist in reducing chemical nitrogen demand.
Farmers and the agri-sector are leading out on their climate targets. Farmers have also been on this journey for many years. Both I as Minister, and the Government will continue to back and support them in the period ahead.
131. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to ensure that the Common Fisheries Policy supports inshore fishers. [61001/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) sets down a legal framework for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources. Within this legal framework, I consistently work to support the interests of inshore fishers. I have strongly pursued the delivery of the restriction on larger vessels inside 6nm, which is a commitment in our Programme for Government. However, in 2019, a Judicial Review was taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy giving effect to this restriction. The Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgment on 19th July last and requested further submissions from both parties. These have been provided to the Court on my behalf. Unfortunately, as this matter continues to be sub judice, I cannot comment further at this time.
In preparation for the European Commission reporting to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the CFP, required to be completed by the end of 2022, I also established a national CFP Review group. This group is made up of representatives of key industry and environmental stakeholders, including the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation and the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) which represent island and inshore fishers. In its final report, the Group highlighted the critical issues confronting the fishing industry including, but not limited to, the impact of Brexit, the social and economic sustainability of fisheries dependent communities, food security, climate change and biodiversity loss. The stakeholders set out recommendations on aspects of the CFP which need to be addressed to adapt to the monumental changes of recent years, many of which are important to our inshore sector, and ensure a sustainable future for the sector.
I have forwarded a copy of the report to the EU Fisheries Commissioner. I have made clear that I am fully satisfied that this report demonstrates that there is need for legislative changes in the current policy and I am fully supportive of the recommendations. In the context of a full review and legislative change, I will also continue to push for exclusive access within our 12-mile zone for our fishing fleet. I also brought the report to Government for its information.
I continue to liaise directly with the NIFF to hear the concerns and goals of the inshore fishing sector. I am committed to working with them to address their issues and to provide support.
134. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the plans for the sheep sector in 2023. [61218/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, I want to express both mine and the Government's commitment to the sheep sector. Our sheep farmers produce a world-class product and the sheep sector plays a critical role in the overall success of our €13.5bn agri-food export industry.
The core targeted support for the sector under the CAP Strategic Plan from 2023 will be the Sheep Improvement Scheme, which aims to build on the progress made by the current Sheep Welfare Scheme by providing support for actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector.
Sheep farmers will receive a rate of €12 per breeding ewe under the Sheep Improvement Scheme. Sheep farmers are also eligible to apply for several other schemes under the CSP, including for example the ACRES scheme, and the Organics Scheme.
Another significant support for the sheep sector is the inclusion of the sector in the new support for early-stage Producer Organisations in the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) which, in addition to providing administrative support of up to €33,000 to groups, provides under competition law for collective bargaining on output prices, thereby strengthening the position of primary producers in the supply chain.
An independently compiled review of the Irish wool market, published in July 2022, contains a number of findings and recommendations including potential funding streams, market opportunities for wool and multiple areas for additional research and development.
One of the main recommendations is the establishment of an industry-led Wool Council which would develop and promote Irish wool domestically and internationally and bring together multiple stakeholders to foster collaboration, innovation and scaling activities in the wool sector.
In support of this recommendation, I have committed to provide funding to the wool industry of €30,000 towards the initial set-up costs of setting up this independent industry led Wool Council.
As the Deputy will be aware, I established the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group in June of this year, to advance the actions for the beef and sheep sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy.
The Chair of the group, Professor Thia Hennessy, has recently submitted a final report on the Group’s first priority, to produce a detailed plan to reduce emissions from the beef sector, and I am currently considering the recommendations made.
The Group will now move on to progressing the other important actions for the beef and sheep sectors set out in the Food Vision 2030 strategy.
As evidenced by the range of supports that I have outlined, I remain committed to supporting the sheep sector and in particular sheep farming families.
136. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the initiatives that his Department is developing to increase the number of organic farms in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60239/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am determined to deliver on the Programme for Government target to reach 7.5% of land farmed organically and key to this is the enhanced budget support for organics of €256 million in our CAP Strategic Plan.
Increasing the number of organic farms in the State and continuing to build a dynamic organic sector continues to be a priority for this Government.
The organic sector in Ireland is experiencing considerable growth at present with the area of land under organic production now at approximately 110,000 hectares following the most recent reopening of the scheme.
I have reopened the scheme in each of the last two years to give every farmer the opportunity to convert to the scheme. I have introduced changes to the scheme this year by reducing the required stocking rate and also by increasing the area paid at the higher rate from 60 hectares to 70 hectares, measures which I believe will encourage new entrants to organic farming.
These have already had a positive effect. There were 380 new applicants to the Organic Farming scheme which closed for applications in April which is almost a 20% increase in application numbers in comparison to 2021. Altogether this means just under 700 new farmers joining the scheme in the last 12 months.
Earlier this year, to further attract farmers to organic farming, I announced significantly increased payment rates for organic farmers, as well as an annual participation payment.
The Organic Farming Scheme is currently open for new applications with a closing date of 9 December. Successful applicants will have a contract start date of 1st January 2023 which will further boost the number of farms under organic production in the State.
I am committed to continuing the implementation of the National Organic Strategy 2019-2025 which sets out ambitious growth targets for the sector by aligning it closely with the market opportunities.
We have also provided funding to the Agricultural Consultants Association to increase Advisory support in the sector and Teagasc are committed to continuing their support of Organic Farming through their Advisory Service. This will ensure farmers have access to professional advice to aid in the important decision-making process.
I have established a new Organic Strategy forum which has met on four occasions in 2022 and the theme of the most recent meeting was “Public Procurement”. The Forum is also working with Bord Bia to examine the value proposition of Organics and further strengthen its appeal. Bord Bia have recently appointed a dedicated Organic Sector Manager. The forum is also researching the development of an Organic Trading Hub that will stimulate further market activity in the sector.
A roadmap of activities in advance of 2023 is currently being developed to promote the pathways to organic farming to ensure that we continue to look at opportunities both in the domestic and export markets.
On the market side, I also undertook a trade mission to Germany in July 2022 to coincide with Biofach, the largest organic trade fair in Europe. I will return to Biofach in February 2023 to build on the good work we carried out the trade fair this summer.
A dedicated organic village was introduced for the first time in 2022 at the National Ploughing Championships. This proved to be very successful and helped to ensure high visibility of the sector
In summary, no previous Government has done more for the development of the Organic sector in Ireland, than this Government and I will continue to work with all stakeholders in order to achieve our common goals.
2022 was a productive year as we continue to lay the foundation to create a fit for purpose and resilient Organic Sector here in Ireland, and I am looking forward to building on that progress in 2023.
137. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way allocations in budget 2023 to the Department will help to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60792/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo help all families, individuals and businesses deal with the rising cost of living, the Government announced a package of once-off measures worth €4.1bn as part of the overall €11bn Budget 2023.
Measures of particular assistance to the agri-food sector included: the continuation of the reduction of excise duty on agricultural diesel to nil; the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme and the Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme, which will provide important support for farmers and food businesses with their energy bills; and the delivery of new loan schemes.
In the Budget for 2023, I announced the highest-ever level of funding for my Department, a 13% increase overall, and I will continue to deliver the appropriate level of support, including working with my colleagues on business supports for farmers, fishers and food & drink businesses.
Significant implications are being seen across all sectors, including the agri-food sector as a result of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.
As well as the immediate humanitarian crisis, which must take priority, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that food security is maintained, for EU citizens, for the Ukrainian people and in the wider global context.
I am acutely aware of the challenges facing our farm families here in Ireland and my role is to support the sector in mitigating these impacts and to provide targeted measures where they are most needed.
Since the invasion of Ukraine started, I have announced a number of measures valued at €91 million, to assist the agri-food sector including an incentive for farmers to grow additional fodder, and specific supports for the pig, tillage & horticulture sectors.
In addition to supporting farm families dealing with the cost-of-living pressures and rising energy costs, Budget 2023 also lays the groundwork for strategic supports for the sector through the new €10 billion CAP Strategic Plan (CSP).
I am acutely aware of the challenges facing farm families, food businesses and coastal communities at present. We are living in uncertain times, but we need our farm families and fishers producing safe, sustainable, and high-quality food more than ever. I will continue to back them in doing that.
I continue to monitor the situation and I stand ready to support our farm families through this period of challenge.
138. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made to date regarding the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy; if the reform will address the historic unequitable quota allocation to Ireland, given the percentage sea area of the EU that is in Ireland's territorial waters and the very small quota allocated to Ireland proportionally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60545/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs indicated in my reply to question of 1304 of 8 November 2022, the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation (Regulation EU 1380/2013) provides that the European Commission will report to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the CFP by the end of 2022.
Earlier this year, I established a national Common Fisheries Policy Review group of relevant stakeholders to examine the issues that arise for Ireland in the context of the CFP Review, to advise me on priorities for the negotiations and to identify strategies most likely to influence the outcome of the review. The Group involved representatives of key industry and environmental stakeholders, including the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation and the National Inshore Fisheries Forum, which represent island and inshore fishers.
The CFP Review Group submitted its final report to me on 5th August. The Group is of the opinion that legislative changes are needed due to a number of critical issues confronting the fishing industry including, but not limited to, the impact of Brexit, the social and economic sustainability of fisheries dependent communities, food security, climate change and biodiversity loss. The stakeholders have set out a number of recommendations on aspects of the CFP which need to be addressed in order to adapt to the monumental changes of recent years and ensure a sustainable future for the sector.
I have forwarded a copy of the report to the Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius. I have made clear that I am fully satisfied that this report demonstrates that there is need for legislative changes in the current policy to address the disproportionate impacts of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement and in the context of the new environmental challenges we are all facing. I have asked him to review the report's findings and recommendations and consider how these can be taken forward to support a fair and balanced CFP. I also brought the report to Government for its information.
139. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that the Irish agrifood industry has adapted post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60615/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the end of the Brexit transition period, (from 1st January 2021), there were initial difficulties adjusting to the new trading environment. These have now largely settled down.
In general, businesses have done a good job adjusting to new import control requirements applicable to commodities coming from Britain.
This reflects the flexibility and adaptability of businesses in Ireland, as well as the very effective collaboration that took place between business operators and the State bodies responsible for implementing what has been the single biggest change to import controls since the Single Market was first created in 1990.
Investment by my Department and other state agencies in new infrastructure and staff resources to control imports of agri-food products from Great Britain has minimised any disruption to Ireland-UK supply chains.
A number of agri-food and fisheries schemes have been approved for funding from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), with both the agriculture and fisheries sectors highlighted as those most vulnerable to the impacts of Brexit.
Trade with the United Kingdom was disrupted in early 2021 and, while exports to the UK have recovered and grown, imports have not recovered to pre-2021 levels. Agri-food exports to the UK to end of September 2022 are €4.9 billion, up €733m on same period in 2021 or 17.4% in value.
As well as finding diversified markets for our food and drink exports, Bord Bia is continuing to assist Irish exporters to defend and grow their share of the valuable UK market. I was pleased to engage with key trade customers in London recently, and to see their strong commitment to sourcing quality assured, sustainably produced Irish food and drink.
Imports from the UK were impacted negatively during the early months of 2021, before a recovery. Imports for the first nine months of 2022 are €3.2 billion, which is up by 22% on the same period in 2021.
The UK Government postponed the introduction of its new SPS import controls to be applied to import of EU agri-food products on three occasions in 2021, including requirements for export health certification. These new requirements were deferred again in April 2022, to at least end of 2023.
My Department, in cooperation with the sector, continue to prepare for any changes to UK import control requirements to ensure that any disruption to our exports is minimised.
140. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on the way that he proposes to ensure that farmers who were heretofore participants on the Burrenbeo scheme in County Clare will not see a reduced income when they join the new ACRES scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61145/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am a huge admirer of the Burren scheme and its achievements over the years. It is for this reason that we have taken the best features of that scheme and incorporated them into ACRES which is the flagship agri-environment scheme under the new CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. The Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES over the term 2023 to 2027. This is the largest amount ever committed to an agri-environment scheme. The Scheme has two approaches:
- ACRES Co-operation Project (CP), which applies in eight mapped zones that are areas of high nature value.
- ACRES General, for all other farmers not falling within CP Zones.
Based on the learnings from the Burren Programme and European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects and using a habitats-based approach, ACRES will contribute to improving biodiversity, climate, air, and water quality outcomes.
ACRES CP takes the locally led approach of the Burren Programme and EIPs and, as was always the intention, scales it up to a national level. The Burren Programme currently has a participation of just over 300 farmers.
An additional 1,000 farmers, in excess of a 300% increase, will participate in the ACRES Burren Aran CP Zone. Increasing farmer participation numbers beyond the limited numbers at present requires a balance to be struck to ensure that as an attractive payment rate is offered whilst ensuring that as many farmers as possible can join, with the resulting increase in the amount of land providing environmental benefit.
A maximum payment of €10,500 annually is available to ACRES CP participants. Seven thousand euros is ring-fenced for results-based payments, with the additional €3,500 set aside for non-productive investments (NPIs) and landscape actions. The purpose of non-productive investments and landscape actions is to improve the habitat and thereby the scores achieved in the results-based approach taken on holdings in CP Zones.
My Department has, with the assistance of the Co-operation Project Teams (CP Teams), compiled a list of approx. 50 NPIs. Participants in the CP Zones will have the assistance of CP Teams, who will meet and discuss with farmers on how best to use NPIs on their holding to ensure, among other things, that they receive as high a level of income as possible from the Scheme.
This is also about increasing the environmental ambition. Under the Burren Programme, 11,000ha of species-rich habitats were assessed, whereas it is expected that 40,000ha of high-nature value farmland will be assessed under ACRES CP in the Burren/Aran area.
This means that 29,000ha of additional land will be subject to an assessment of the habitat quality and the threats and pressures to that habitat and species in those areas. ACRES therefore, represents a significant upscaling in environmental monitoring and assessment in the region.
In addition to this, my Department has been working closely with the Burren and the seven other CP Teams to develop a bonus structure to incentivise farmers with large areas of high nature value land. The aim is to reward such farmers to maintain and improve their land, thereby prevent backsliding or environmental decline. This “landscape” or “high achievement” bonus must and will be fair and equitable to all participants in CP Zones. Work is ongoing on this.
