Written Answers Nos. 161-180
161. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of efforts to support the horticulture sector with particular regard to those dependent on peat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60240/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, in conjunction with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications and Housing, Local Government and Heritage has developed a series of actions to support the horticulture sector as it transitions to sustainable alternatives.
These targeted actions reflect the multi-faceted nature of the problem and seek to address the short-term issue of supply, the medium term one of future access to peat and also the longer-term issue of replacement with alternatives.
My Department commissioned an independent expert to work with all peat suppliers to ascertain the level of horticultural peat stocks available to growers and to identify sub-30 hectare sites for the extraction of peat that may be used for domestic horticultural use. The expert was unable to get information on peat supplies and did not identify a suitable sub-30 hectare site, but did propose a number of recommendations to address the challenge of peat supply during the transitionary period to peat free alternatives, and these recommendations are being considered across Government.
My Department also commissioned experts to provide focused guidance to those wishing to achieve regulatory compliance for extraction of horticultural peat on sub-30 hectare bogs for supply to the domestic horticulture industry.
This guidance together with earlier guidance published by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Parks and Wildlife Service should assist stakeholders wishing to become legally compliant and all stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the regulatory framework in place.
The report and guidance were published on 9 November 2022 and are available on www.gov.ie
To support and facilitate research into the development of alternatives to peat for horticultural use, my Department committed €1.69 million to a five-year research project entitled ‘Beyond Peat’ which is being led and co-ordinated by Teagasc. My Department is also funding research projects through the EU Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables. The outcome of the trials will determine the direction of future support.
162. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure that farmers in co-operation areas can access the same level of funding per hectare under the ACRES scheme as those who are not in co-operation areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61351/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraACRES 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.
My Department, in collaboration with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Local Authorities Water Programme and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, delineated the 8 CP zones map during the design stage of the Scheme development. Farmers in these zones who join ACRES CP will have the assistance and expertise of local ACRES CP teams available to them. This advice and training will enable farmers to carry out the appropriate actions to improve the habitat on their holdings thereby increasing their score and results-based payment.
A maximum payment of €10,500 annually is available to ACRES CP participants; €7,311 is the maximum for ACRES General participants.
In ACRES CP €7,000 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 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.
I am pleased to say that the scheme is proving to be very popular. It closed at midnight last night and is over-subscribed. This highlights the willingness of farmers to take on these ambitious environmental measures. We look forward to working closely with the selected farmers over the next five years.
163. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 70 of 25 October 2022, the status of the establishment of the wool council; if the promised €30,000 for initial set-up costs has been drawn down to-date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61361/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for her interest in this matter.
Having fulfilled the Programme for Government commitment to conduct a review into potential markets for wool-based products, the independently compiled wool review was published by the Agile Executive in July of this year.
As the Deputy will be aware, one of the main recommendations of the review was the establishment of an independent Wool Council by industry.
It is envisaged that this Council will lead the development and promotion of Irish wool domestically and internationally.
It will also be a forum where stakeholders can further examine and explore the potential uses for wool identified in the Wool Feasibility Study report. In support of this Council, my department has committed to providing €30,000 in financial assistance towards the initial set-up costs.
I am eager to see the formation of this stakeholder led Wool Council as quickly as possible. Talks are ongoing between the relevant stakeholders in the wool industry and a meeting of the stakeholders will take place in the coming weeks with a view to seeing up the Wool Council. My Department officials will attend this meeting briefly to outline the logistics of drawing down the €30,000 funding for initial set up costs.
Once established, it is my hope that the Wool Council will use the findings of the wool review to provide a clear pathway towards maximising the potential of this valuable natural and sustainable resource long into the future.
164. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the measures that he is putting in place to ensure that the agricultural sector meets its sectoral targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61373/22]
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. it is a challenging target but one that I am confident we can achieve by working together.
Earlier this year, I established two Food Vision groups - a dairy group and a beef 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 next week.
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. Teagasc will continue to be supported by DAFM in the rollout 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 payment rates available. Commitment of €1.5 billion has been agreed for the new agri-environmental scheme called 'ACRES'.
In relation to organic farming, we have delivered a 500% increase in the budget for the scheme over the lifetime of the next CAP, which starts in 2023. 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. Both I as Minister, and the Government as a whole will continue to back and support them in the period ahead.
165. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagements that he has had with his ministerial colleagues regarding the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. [61129/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the European Commission reached political agreement in its trade negotiations with the Mercosur countries in June 2019.
There is ongoing and close consultation between my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to this Agreement, as there has been throughout the negotiation process over the last number of years.
These discussions, in turn, have informed Ireland's position at EU level, in particular in respect of the level of new market access provided for agri-food exports from Mercosur, as well as the environmental and climate change provisions in the agreement.
After the announcement of the agreement, the Government committed to a full Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in collaboration with my Department, commissioned this study, and my Department and Teagasc fed extensively into the analysis.
Furthermore, Ireland has continued to raise concerns about the environmental and climate change provisions in the agreement, and fully supports the European Commission as the latter seeks the inclusion of additional enforceable guarantees that will strengthen environmental protections.
We raise these issues on an ongoing basis at EU Council of Ministers meetings (in both Trade and Agriculture formations), through direct engagement with the relevant Commissioners for Agriculture and Trade, and through close collaboration with other EU Member States who share these concerns.
My Department continues to take every opportunity to articulate this position at EU level, including most recently at the October Agri-Fish Council of Ministers meeting in Luxembourg.
Based on the concerns raised by Ireland and other EU countries, the European Commission and the European External Action Service are currently engaged with Mercosur countries on negotiating enforceable commitments on climate and deforestation.
When the final text of the Agreement is presented to EU countries for approval, the Government’s position will be informed by its assessment of the additional enforcement provisions secured by the EU in the final text, as well as by the findings of the Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment.
What's crucial to remember is the beef produced on Irish beef and suckler farms is superior, on all levels, compared to beef produced in the Mercosur bloc and we must always seek to reward the efforts of our farmers.
166. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the incentives that he is providing for renewable and innovative lower carbon solutions to food production. [61285/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to achieve the required level of uptake, funding will need to be put in place. Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023 to 2027 has an indicative financial allocation of €9.8bn.
Almost 60% of the funding (€5.976bn) will be paid to farmers in the form of direct income supports and is fully funded by the EU. The remaining €3.86bn - which funds rural development interventions - is co-funded, with the EU contributing €1.56bn and a further €2.88bn contributed by the national exchequer (including circa €720m of carbon tax funding up to 2027).
The CSP will make a contribution to achieving our climate targets, including through a €1.5 billion Agri-Environment scheme, Acres, the provision of €250 million to support a dramatic expansion in Organic farming and investment supports for solar energy at farm level.
I have also recently announced an unprecedented €1.3 billion for a forestry program, for which we are currently seeking State Aid Approval from the EU Commission.
167. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the programme for Government commitment which prioritises equine welfare and commits to a robust traceability system; the status of the existing inspectorate supports across the country; the engagement that his Department has had with local authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61297/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth me and my Department are committed to the objective under the Programme for Government to prioritise equine welfare through improved traceability.
The foundation of our equine traceability system is the central database which records the registration details of all equines issued with a passport. The information recorded forms an integral part of ensuring that only those equines that are eligible for inclusion in the food chain are slaughtered for that purpose.
We are enhancing the information on our central equine database through the equine census. The first census was carried out this time last year when nearly 12,500 equine owners submitted a return. These have been converted into holding profiles creating a link for the first time between each equine kept in the State on census day and the premises where it is kept.
Since last Thursday 1st December, all keepers have been able to access the "Equine Census 2022" portal on agfood.ie which allows them to submit a census. My Department put a lot of effort into updating the census portal to make submission of online returns easier.
The primary objective of the census is to capture the habitual residence of every equine. This linking a horse to its habitual residence will allow DAFM to manage animal and public health concerns as well as lost or straying horses with greater ease, by providing more current details of the responsible keeper. In addition, the Department intends to approve an equine e-passport shortly.
E-passports have huge potential in terms of real time monitoring of movements and ownership.
Beyond equine traceability, my Department dedicates considerable resources not only to enforcement of animal welfare law but to prevention and education in relation to the welfare of equines. My Department has primary policy responsibility for the welfare of all animals, including equines underpinned by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
The Act puts clear obligations on owners to look after animals under their care. My Department continues to enforce the law in this important area, as do An Garda Síochána and authorised officers of the ISPCA and DSPCA.
My Department also takes a preventive approach to equine welfare challenges by developing facilities for urban horse populations and by supporting initiatives educating young people in the care and welfare of horses. This work is carried out in close collaboration with the Local Authorities across the country. For example, my Department supports the DSPCA's equine castration and ID clinics and education programmes, and animal welfare organisations are helped provide summer projects for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who care for horses.
I am also committed to providing additional funding in support of animal welfare in the coming years. Last December, I awarded record funding of over €3.7 million to 98 animal welfare organisations countrywide, many of which are engaged in equine welfare activities.
168. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that is being made with the on-farm investment scheme specifically in encouraging more women to farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61363/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGender equality is a key a priority for me and the Government. It is also a core principle of the European Union and the new CAP Regulations place particular focus on promoting the participation of women in the socio-economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming.
I am delighted to be bringing forward specific measures aimed at improving gender balance, gender equality and increasing the participation of women in farming as part of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP). 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.
- In addition, European Innovation Partnerships offer an ideal opportunity for the sector to develop initiatives that will promote women’s participation in farming.
The Women Farmers’ Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) under the new TAMS 3 is due to open in early 2023. Under the new TAMS 3, the general grant rate on farm investments will be 40%, with women and young farmers receiving a 60% grant rate, subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria.
Measures in the new TAMS 3 scheme aim to balance the need to address the issues of both generational renewal and gender balance in farming. Measures in the CSP are complemented by the new stakeholder strategy for the Irish agri-food sector, Food Vision 2030, which recognises the important contribution of women to the sector's long-term sustainability and includes a number of actions to promote and improve gender balance at all levels.
169. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the efforts that he has made along with the Minister for Foreign Affairs to reinstate access for Irish fishermen to their traditional fishing grounds around Rockall; and if this matter will be brought to international arbitration. [60539/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Ireland has never made any claims to Rockall, nor has Ireland ever recognised British sovereignty claims over Rockall and accordingly has not recognised a 12 nautical mile territorial sea around it either. This remains the position of the Government.
The Government has been in contact with the relevant Scottish and UK authorities on Rockall over recent years and intensively since the beginning of last year.
Through this engagement, the Government is seeking to address the issues involved, reflecting the longstanding fisheries tradition in the area.
I continue to work closely with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Simon Coveney T.D. to consider all options for further engagement on the issues involved.
I received the report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change in October 2021. Irish vessels have traditionally fished for squid and haddock in the waters around Rockall and the impact of the loss of access to these waters was examined by the Task Force. The Task Force estimated that, in 2019, the total Irish squid fishery was valued at around €6.6 million. The majority of this squid is taken by the Irish fleet from the waters surrounding Rockall and this amounted to 1,071 tonnes, valued in excess of €5 million in 2019 and 371 tonnes valued at €1.6 million in 2020. The estimate by the Task Force of the catch of other stocks near Rockall is €1 million, which generally may be fished outside the waters around Rockall.
In May, I launched a 2022 Brexit Voluntary Temporary Fishing Vessel Tie-up Scheme, as recommended by the Seafood Sector Task Force. The scheme is an extension of the 2021 Tie-up scheme, with some modifications, and will help mitigate the impacts of quota cuts for 2022 arising from the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. For 2022, eligible vessels were eligible to tie up for two, non-sequential months but eligible Rockall squid vessels may tie up for two consecutive months, due to the short length and seasonality of this fishery.
170. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the strategies that he has to increase the percentage of female farm holders from the current low level of 13.4% to a much higher level to recognise their role on working farms and to give daughters an equal opportunity when farms are being inherited. [61243/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGender equality is a priority for me as well as 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 €10bn 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.
It proposed holding a national dialogue on women in agriculture. I formally launched that conference last week and announced that former Tánaiste and Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, will chair the event on 1st 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.
171. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the Irish agrifood industry has adapted since the outbreak of Russia’s war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60616/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRussia's illegal invasion of Ukraine has caused significant implications across all sectors of the economy, including the agri-food sector. As well as the immediate humanitarian crisis, which must take priority, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that the agri-food industry can maintain food security for EU citizens, for the Ukrainian people and in the wider global context.
Following a record year for Family Farm Income in 2021, significantly higher production costs are a feature across all sectors in 2022, with higher fertiliser, feed and fuel prices leading to an increase in agriculture input costs. While there has been increases in output prices, this is unlikely to cover the additional input costs for many farmers.
With fertiliser prices in September up by 122% on the same time in 2021, it has resulted in a reduction in fertiliser use during the year. Fertiliser merchants have indicated that there are adequate supplies of fertiliser in Ireland at present. However, there may be issues with availability of certain products at times and importers are active in securing alternative supply lines where necessary.
Animal feed and energy prices have also increased substantially in the past year. There are sufficient supplies of animal feed at present and importers are actively competing on the global market to ensure that supply continues uninterrupted. Animal feed stocks and imports are being monitored on a regular basis by the Department.
Agri-food exports are grown significantly in value in 2022, particularly the value of dairy products, beef and beverages, which combined account for close to two-thirds of all agri-food exports. Exports to Russia of dairy produce and beverages, our largest agri-food exports there, have fallen considerably in 2022 but alternate markets have been found for these products.
I have managed the impact of the Ukraine crisis on Irish agriculture and supply chains proactively with stakeholders. Since the invasion of Ukraine started, a number of measures, valued at €91 million, to assist the agri-food sector have been introduced including:
- €56 million Fodder Support Scheme
- €20 million in two packages for the pig sector,
- €12 million for the tillage sector and
- €3 million for the horticulture sector.
These targeted measures will help Irish farmers at a time of escalating costs and build resilience against the expected impact of the situation in Ukraine.
In Budget 2023, the Government provided welcome supports in response to the current cost of living crisis, including the continuation of the reduction of excise duty on agricultural diesel to nil; the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme, which will provide important support for farmers and food businesses with their energy bills; and the delivery of new loan schemes to benefit farmers, fishers and food businesses.
The agri-food industry has shown its resilience over the past year and have adapted to the changing environment, as it has adjusted to multiple challenges in the last number of years such as COVID-19 and Brexit. I will continue to engage with all our stakeholders and continue to work across Government, and with our European partners, to respond to this crisis, using all of the tools at our disposal to protect our farm families and their businesses through this period of significant upheaval.
172. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the new markets that have been opened up for farmers in each farming sector; the potential benefits these will deliver; the timeframe for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60834/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSecuring new market access and enhancing access to existing markets outside the EU is fundamental to my Department’s strategic approach to the development of the meat and milk sectors which are the mainstays of primary agriculture in Ireland.
For example, dairy exports exceeded €5 billion in 2021 for the third consecutive year. This impressive performance was based on strong market returns across the core categories of butter, cheese and powders and a diversified market spread which helped sustain strong demand during the year.
Much progress has been made in the last decade in expanding the reach of Irish agri-food exports to consumers worldwide. Selling into international markets is challenging but developing and diversifying new markets continues to be a top priority for my Department, in cooperation with Bord Bia.
Generally speaking, opening, retaining and developing new international markets is a lengthy process over many years involving completion of detailed questionnaires on official controls, hosting inward inspections of exporting establishments and negotiation of certification arrangements with importing countries. It also requires an intensive programme of Government-to-Government meetings and technical discussions, as well as utilising the network of agricultural attachés located in Irish Embassies around the globe.
Ministerial trade missions are a major element of the Government's strategy to develop and diversify the meat and dairy markets. Minister of State Martin Heydon and I have led four trade missions this year to destinations as diverse as the Gulf Region, north America, Japan and Singapore, and Vietnam.
During those visits, we discussed market access issues with counterparts in those countries and raised the profile of Irish agri-food exports.
My Department hosted inward meat inspection missions from Thailand, Malaysia and the United States in 2022. Two of these were aimed at gaining new market access and I was pleased to announce last month that the Malaysian market is now open for pig meat exports.
My officials are continuing to work on beef access with their Thai counterparts. Advance planning is now underway on scheduling visits by Mexican and Vietnamese auditors in 2023.
While my Department’s role is to open up international markets in consultation with stakeholders, it is for industry - with the support of my officials and Bord Bia’s marketing expertise - to develop the potential opportunities available to it in those markets. The timeframe for reaping the benefits is always a commercial decision for export enterprises.
173. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to develop additional urban horse welfare programmes; the interaction that his Department has had with local authorities, charities, and community stakeholders to provide stabling facilities and educational programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61298/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth I and my Department are fully committed to supporting sustainable, One Health, One Welfare initiatives in line with the Programme for Government. Working Together for Animal Welfare, Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025, continues to support a number of urban horse projects nationwide. These projects can foster community leadership and education in responsible horse ownership for young people from disadvantaged communities or backgrounds.
Typically, supports for the projects are provided by the Local Authorities and funding provided by my Department is paid directly through the Local Authorities to support these projects.
In this regard, my officials work with and support local authorities and NGOs in progressing urban horse projects, and there are currently projects at every stage, from the initial feasibility and planning stages to the operating stage around the country. I am please to say that an additional project based in Ballina has been added for 2022 through the work of Mayo County Council and officials from my Department.
In the coming months, to further facilitate and develop projects on a nationwide basis, officials in my Department are planning on holding a seminar dedicated to urban horse projects. This will be attended by local authorities, a number of our successful project participants, horse welfare charities and stakeholders from the community.
174. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of all horse deaths on Irish racecourses from 2008 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and his views on whether Horse Racing Ireland can claim commercial sensitivity in regard to this information. [61369/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
Since 1st January 2018, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland.
HRI has informed my Department that the information sought is held in trust by the IHRB as extracted from commercially sensitive information provided by the racecourses and the clinical vets working for the racecourses.
A project analysing multi-annual data is currently underway which is a key point in the drive towards constant improvement in safety for racehorses.
HRI has informed my Department of the overall number of horse fatalities at racecourses for each year from 2012 to date in 2022 is as follows:
|
Year |
Racecourse runners
|
Fatalities
|
|
2022* |
32200 |
104 |
|
2021 |
37262 |
113 |
|
2020 |
29,700 |
65 |
|
2019 |
31,505 |
102 |
|
2018 |
29,893 |
111 |
|
2017 |
29,936 |
88 |
|
2016 |
28,931 |
83 |
|
2015 |
27,048 |
89 |
|
2014 |
27,476 |
99 |
|
2013 |
29,399 |
121 |
|
2012 |
28,881 |
82 |
*to 1st December 2022
HRI has informed my Department that it has no data in relation to horse fatalities for years 2008-2011 inclusive.
HRI has also informed my Department there are a minimum of three vets at every race meeting including at least one from the IHRB and at least two clinical vets who assess the runners pre-race. Any horse assessed as not suitable to race will be withdrawn, may be followed up at home and will require clearance before racing again. If considered necessary, the vets can request the race stewards to withdraw any horse.
Safety measures also include pre and post-race inspections by experienced equine veterinarians, stewards inspecting runners in the parade ring, ambulance and veterinary supports travelling after the race runners, careful ground management by both the racecourse managers and the regulatory clerk of the course.
175. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his Department's review of the environmental impact assessment regulations; when he expects to bring an updated statutory instrument before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61362/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (EIA) Regulations came into effect in September 2011 and were amended in April 2013 and September 2017. Given the passage of time since these Regulations were introduced it is appropriate to now review the Regulations.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has committed to a review of the Regulations along with a review of the procedures for dealing with screening applications.
This review will take place shortly with internal discussions on the review currently ongoing within my Department. It is anticipated that the review will be completed in 2023 with an updated Statutory Instrument being published.
176. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make the necessary provisions to continue the hugely successful Burren programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61228/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge the excellent work done to date under the Burren Programme and am pleased that ACRES, the new flagship agri-environment scheme under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, has been designed using learnings from that Programme.
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 ACRES 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.
Contracts for farmers under the current Burren Programme will finish on 31st December 2022 and contracts will begin for successful applicants in the first tranche of ACRES, including those in ACRES Burren Aran CP zone, from 1st January 2023.
It was always the intention to mainstream positive actions from programmes like the Burren Programme into a large-scale agri-environment scheme, to give a much larger environmental benefit, and a greater number of farmers contributing to environmental goods such as biodiversity and water. 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.
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 terms of farmer participation, 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. The ACRES Scheme will support farmers in the Burren region to continue their efforts to tackle the challenges in climate, biodiversity, and water quality following the completion of the Burren Programme at 31st December 2022.
177. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is concerned by the potential for xylella fastidiosa to spread through olive wood for sale in Ireland; the measures that are in place to mitigate against any outbreak of the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61341/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the importation of olive firewood into Ireland, the origin of which is a country where Xylella fastidiosa has not been identified. Traders are obliged to notify the Minister in writing as soon as practicable and no later than 48 hours after arrival of the import of fuel wood from another Member State, into the State.
The main pathway for entry and spread of X. fastidiosa is the trade, or movement, of plants for planting. Wood is considered an unlikely pathway for the movement and spread of the disease. My Department has an eradication plan in place including the establishment of a demarcated area where the presence of the harmful organism has been identified. In addition, Stakeholders will be formally consulted on the National Xylella fastidiosa Contingency Plan early in the new year.
178. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that he intends to take to resolve lengthy delays in processing and fulfilling reconstitution and underplanting scheme applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61172/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAsh dieback disease was first found in Ireland in late 2012 and is now found throughout the country.
The year-on-year spread and impact of the disease on ash, one of our most important native broadleaves is expected to increase whether ash is found in a forest, hedgerow or roadside. The landscape, cultural, ecological and economic impact will be significant.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has taken a number of significant steps in response to this experience, including the publication of its Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy, the establishment of a new area of expertise in DAFM in Pest Risk Analysis and in financial support to growers impacted to allow them to remove infected ash and replace it with other suitable species.
I understand that a small percentage of the ash population thought to be 1%-2% may be disease tolerant and DAFM has, and continues to, support a number of research initiatives
A total of over €7 million in support has been provided by DAFM 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 (RUS – Ash dieback) introduced in July 2020.
Applications for the scheme are received regularly and decisions are issued as soon as the assessment of the applications are complete.
Since the commencement of the RUS – Ash dieback scheme, and up to 2 December this year, a total of 941 applications have been received. Of this total, 368 have been approved and one refused. 572 remain on hand which are at various stages of the approval process.
Many of these applications are screened in for Appropriate Assessment and are referred to ecology, and any of these applications that propose replacing the ash crop with conifer species currently require planning permission.
The introduction of the legislation to remove the requirement for planning permission for Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme projects less than 10ha in size that involve the replacement of broadleaf high forest with conifer species is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
I am informed that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage completed their internal environmental assessment of the legislation just last week, which is one of the final steps in the process before publication.
It appears, therefore, that the legislation will be in place very shortly. This will simplify the process for a large cohort of applications on hand and I understand that this will lead to an increase in RUS approvals being issued by DAFM.
179. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide adequate supplies of peat to the horticultural industry following the publication of numerous reports on the matter. [61173/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture. Food and the Marine (DAFM), in conjunction with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications and Housing, Local Government and Heritage has developed a series of actions to support the horticulture sector as it transitions to sustainable alternatives.
These targeted actions reflect the multi-faceted nature of the problem and seek to address the short-term issue of supply, the medium term one of future access to peat and also the longer-term issue of replacement with alternatives.
DAFM commissioned an independent expert to work with all peat suppliers to ascertain the level of horticultural peat stocks available to growers and to identify sub-30 hectare sites for the extraction of peat that may be used for domestic horticultural use. The expert was unable to get information on peat supplies and did not identify a suitable sub-30 hectare site, but did propose a number of recommendations to address the challenge of peat supply during the transitionary period to peat free alternatives, and these recommendations are being considered across Government.
My Department also commissioned experts to provide focused guidance to those wishing to achieve regulatory compliance for extraction of horticultural peat on sub-30 hectare bogs for supply to the domestic horticulture industry. This guidance together with earlier guidance published by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Parks and Wildlife Service should assist stakeholders wishing to become legally compliant and all stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the regulatory framework in place.
The report and guidance were published on 9 November 2022 and are available on www.gov.ie
To support and facilitate research into the development of alternatives to peat for horticultural use, my Department committed €1.69 million to a five-year research project entitled ‘Beyond Peat’ which is being led and co-ordinated by Teagasc. My Department is also funding research projects through the EU Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables.
180. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any plans to review the suckler cow scheme. [61059/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, I want to express my support for the beef and suckler sectors. They are crucial to the overall agri-food sector and play a key role in driving a balanced regional economy.
Under the new €10 billion CAP strategic plan, beef farmers can avail of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) with available funding of €260 million. The aim of the Programme which will run from 2023 to 2027, is to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd and to improve the genetic merit of the suckler herd. The scheme aims to build on the gains delivered through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP).
The funding of €260 million in the lifetime of this programme is a recognition of the importance of the suckler sector to Ireland’s economy and will help in improving economic and environmental efficiency of their enterprises. Improving the carbon efficiency of suckler cows will play a key role in reducing Ireland’s emissions into the future. Payment rates of €150 for the first 10 cows and €120 for the remainder up to a max of 100 per herd will apply.
Operational information including details of the scheme will be announced in due course.
Farmers will be able to apply for the scheme from early 2023.
More generally for the beef sector, my Department provides a range of financial aids to support beef farm incomes and to support economic and environmental efficiency.
Also, under the new CAP there is provision for enhanced support for early-stage producer organisations which provides advisory and administrative support of up to €33,000 to groups, as well as supporting improved competitiveness.
Beef 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.
As evidenced by the range of supports that I have outlined, I remain committed to supporting the beef sector and in particular farming families who are integral to the environmental, economic and social sustainability of rural communities.
