Written Answers Nos. 372-385
372. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to introduce regulations on limiting the number of pots under each licence held by inshore fishermen around the coast. [12171/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish inshore fishing fleet consists of fishing boats of less than 12 metres overall length and covers in the region of 1,700 fishing boats which are mainly active within six nautical miles of the shore. Lobster and crab are particularly important species for the inshore fishing fleet and are fished predominantly using pots right around the coast. Any Irish sea-fishing boat with the appropriate licence conditions is eligible to fish for such species.
The Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 transferred the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing to the Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats, which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in that Act and Ministerial Policy Directives. The Licensing Authority is the Registrar General of Fishing Boats, an official of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine or, under the superintendence of the Registrar General, the Deputy Registrar General of Fishing Boats. All applications for sea-fishing boat licences are considered by the Licensing Authority.
Generally, pot fishing is considered to be sustainable as it is a selective method of fishing which makes it possible to return undersized species to the sea alive. However, regulations were introduced in 2016 (S.I. No. 31/2016 - Non-Commercial Pot Fishing (Lobster and Crab) Regulations) to protect the licensed fishing industry which had faced increased competition from non-commercial or recreational fishers and to help to ensure the sustainability of these stocks. Under these regulations, any member of the public, fishing for lobster and crab can only fish from 1st May to 30th September each year and are limited in the number of pots that can be fished. Non-commercial or recreational fishers can fish up to six pots, and can retain five crabs and one lobster daily. In addition, such fishers are not permitted to sell their catches.
I can assure the Deputy that I remain acutely conscious of the importance of sustainable inshore fisheries and balancing this with safeguarding fishing-related livelihoods and protecting the marine environment. The National and Regional Inshore Fora were established to provide, among other things, a mechanism for inshore fishers to discuss and identify a variety of sustainable management measures for inshore stocks I would encourage fishers to bring suggestions and initiatives for the sustainable management of inshore stocks to the attention of their local Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum. Information regarding the Forums, including contact details, is available at the Forums' dedicated website: inshoreforums.ie/
373. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how he and his Department are ensuring the implementation of Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12172/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland, fishing quotas are a public resource and are managed to ensure that property rights are not granted to individual operators. This is seen as a critical policy to ensure that quotas are not concentrated into the hands of large fishing companies whose owners have the financial resources to buy up such rights. It is worth noting that within the EU, a significant number of quota systems have been privatised for their main commercial stocks.
The Irish policy approach helps to support a fishing fleet based around the Irish coastline. This means that the Irish fishing fleet is made up of various sizes and types of fishing vessels who have retained a strong economic link with our coastal communities and have provided vital employment in these communities, where there are limited alternative economic activities. Any movement towards privatisation of fishing rights would seriously risk fishing vessels losing an economic link with Ireland’s coastal communities. This could have devastating consequences and Ministers continually work closely with the fishing industry to ensure this does not happen.
Consultation on the management of quotas within National Policy is carried out each month at the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) meeting involving fishing industry representatives from the catching and processing sectors, the Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The QMAC examines in detail the operation of each fishery, available quota and uptake patterns for the different metiers of fishing vessels. Detailed discussions are held taking account of the situation of the fleet and the market. The recommendations of the QMAC are brought to my attention to inform my decision on the management arrangements within National Policy.
The Committee also has the possibility of recommending additional catch limits to incentivise the introduction of environmentally friendly fishing gear in particular fisheries or for particular types of vessels.
All vessels under 55 feet in length receive the same catch limit which includes small scale coastal fishers licensed to fish for whitefish. The important pelagic stocks of mackerel and herring also have allocations made available, in accordance with Ministerial National policy, supporting smaller vessels. I have recently launched a public consultation on a review of the 2012 Herring Management Policy, in relation to the quantity of herring set aside from the southern North-West herring stock (Herring 6A South) for smaller/ inshore fishing vessels.
374. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has given consideration to lobbies from groups (details supplied) with respect to increasing targeted sheep payments to €30 per ewe from €7 and €12 per ewe, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12188/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth I and the Government are fully committed to maintaining a viable sheep sector as an integral element of a balanced regional economy. Sheep farmers are hugely committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product and the Government recognises that.
Market prices are a commercial matter between suppliers and buyers and the Government has no role in determining commodity prices in the sheep sector. I do recognise the pressure that sheep farmers have been under as a result of the downturn in the markets over the past number of months.
My Department provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through a new targeted scheme for sheep farmers - the Sheep Improvement Scheme - and through the broad range of schemes in the CSP.
The new Sheep Improvement Scheme has over 19,000 applications submitted. The scheme replaces the previous Sheep Welfare Scheme but shares the same aim of improving animal health and welfare in the sector, with a 20% increase in the ewe payment rate - from €10 to €12 - compared to the previous scheme.
The CSP provides almost €10 billion in supports over the period to 2027 for farm families. Sheep farmers are eligible for several other schemes in addition to Sheep Improvement Scheme, including the ACRES and Organics schemes, which are particularly suited to sheep enterprises or mixed beef and sheep enterprises.
I have secured places for all 46,000 farmers in ACRES which I know will benefit to many sheep farmers.
Furthermore, support for early-stage producer organisations, which will be introduced later this year, will strengthen the position of sheep farmers in the supply chain.
At my request, the Food Vision Sheep Group met recently to discuss the sheep market situation. All the main stakeholders are represented on the Group and were invited to make submissions. I will carefully consider the Chair’s report on the outcome of the Group's deliberations and we continue to monitor the market situation in the sector..
While market returns have reduced from the record prices of recent years due to increased input costs, Teagasc forecasts suggest that 2023 family farm income for specialised sheep farms will be 2% down on 2022 at €19,500, due to the important role which direct payments play in contributing to sheep farm incomes.
However, I have now asked officials in my Department to examine what potential supports, if any, could be put in place to support our sheep farmers in light of the recent challenges. Budgets for 2023 have been set and are locked in place so any changes to this will require scoping out as well as diverting funds from previously agreed areas.
We have a sheep sector that is the envy of the world with our sheep farmers at the core of everything we do. I want to ensure there is a long-term and sustainable future for the sector.
375. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of the beef herd at present; the extent to which numbers have fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12190/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra379. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of beef animals currently in this country; the extent to which the relevant farmers' incomes from beef has fluctuated over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12194/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 379 together.
The suckler sector is a vital component of Ireland’s rural economy and the provision of support for it is of crucial importance to the agri-food sector. The current range of supports provided by my Department to beef farmers represents a balance between direct income support and measures designed to improve their competitiveness and sustainability.
Detailed information in six monthly age categories for the beef and dairy herds is extracted from the AIM database. This data is updated on a monthly basis and is available from 2014 to 2022.
The information on the AIM database for male bovine animals does not distinguish between bulls and steers. The number of calves born to a beef bull has remained relatively stable in recent years ranging from 1.59 million in 2017 to 1.55 million in 2019 to 1.58 million in 2021.
Statistics on six monthly age categories for the beef herd and the dairy herds are available on my Department's website at the link below. Information on male animals for the categories 18-24 months, 24-30 months and 30-36 months is provided to the end of quarter 2, 2022 can be found at the following link.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/467e3-cattle-aim/#bovine-birth-and-movements-monthly-reports
Historic data on the size of the national herd can be extracted from my Department’s Annual AIM Reports which are available at: gov.ie - AIM Bovine Statistics Reports (www.gov.ie) ; and this data is also used as the basis for the CSO's livestock surveys in respect of cattle data.
Family Farm Income (FFI) - the return from farming for family labour, land and capital - is the principal measure used in the Teagasc National Farm Survey. The average family farm income (FFI) on enterprises classified as Cattle (Other) during the period 2017-2021, was €15,555, with the highest income of €17,233 recorded in 2021. The average FFI for Cattle (Rearing) enterprises during the same period was €9,951, with the highest income of €12,529 recorded in 2017.
Results of the survey series from1999 onwards are published on the Teagasc website at the link below:
www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/rural-economy/national-farm-survey/national-farm-survey-reports/
376. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of sheep registered at present in the country; the extent to which this number has fluctuated in the past five years; the potential for the industry in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12191/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the provisions of the Animal Health Law (Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/429) and its supplementing legislation, my Department undertakes an annual sheep census, generally on 31st December.
The total number of sheep recorded in the DAFM Sheep Census for each year from 2017 to 2021 is detailed in the Table below. The data shows minor fluctuations in total recorded sheep numbers over those years, with the 2021 figure displaying a 3.9% increase on the 2017 data.
DAFM Annual Sheep Census 2017 – 2021
Total number of sheep recorded
|
2017 |
3,874,898 |
|
2018 |
3,732,955 |
|
2019 |
3,809,368 |
|
2020 |
3,877,222 |
|
2021 |
4,024,727 |
Annual census reports are published on my Department's website and can be accessed at gov.ie - Animal Identification & Movement (AIM) (www.gov.ie) . It is expected that the 2022 Annual Sheep Report will be finalised in late May 2023.
The Government is fully committed to maintaining a viable sheep sector as an integral element of a balanced regional economy. I recognise that our sheep farmers are hugely committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product.
My Department provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through a new targeted scheme for sheep farmers - the Sheep Improvement Scheme - and through the broad range of schemes in the CSP which are open to all farmers.
The new Sheep Improvement Scheme under the CSP is the core targeted support for the sector from this year. It replaces the previous Sheep Welfare Scheme but shares the same aim of improving animal health and welfare in the sector, with a 20% increase in the ewe payment rate - from €10 to €12 - compared to the previous scheme.
The CSP provides almost €10 billion in supports over the period to 2027 for farm families. Sheep farmers are eligible for several other schemes in addition to Sheep Improvement Scheme, including the ACRES and Organics schemes, which are particularly suited to sheep enterprises or mixed beef and sheep enterprises. Furthermore, support for early-stage producer organisations, which will be introduced later this year, will strengthen the position of sheep farmers in the supply chain.
377. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of pig farms registered in the country; the number of pigs therein; the extent, if any, to which this number has fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12192/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the provisions of the Animal Health Law (Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/429) and its supplementing legislation, my Department undertakes an annual pig census, generally in October. The annual census records pig data in respect of all pig herds registered with my Department. The data recorded in the Annual Pig Census 2017 to 2021 is detailed in the Table below.
The Annual Pig Census Reports are published on my Department’s website at gov.ie - National Pig Census (www.gov.ie)
Annual DAFM Pig Census 2017 - 2021
Total Recorded *Active Pig Herds and Pig Numbers in Ireland
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Total No of Active Pig Herds |
1,674 |
1,682 |
1,631 |
1,675 |
1,693 |
|
Total Number of Pigs |
1,699,565 |
1,724,346 |
1,644,121 |
1,702,921 |
1,795,294 |
*For the purposes of the annual pig census report, an active herd is a herd that is currently populated, or which was reported to have been populated at some point in the immediate preceding 12 months.
My Department is currently in the process of completing the 2022 Pig Census Report which is scheduled for publication on my Department's website by end-March.
378. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which farmers dependent on sheep rearing have experienced an income reduction in recent times; the measures in place or contemplated to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12193/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth I and the Government are fully committed to maintaining a viable sheep sector as an integral element of a balanced regional economy. Sheep farmers are hugely committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product and the Government recognises that.
Market prices are a commercial matter between suppliers and buyers and the Government has no role in determining commodity prices in the sheep sector. I do recognise the pressure that sheep farmers have been under as a result of the downturn in the markets over the past number of months.
My Department provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through a new targeted scheme for sheep farmers - the Sheep Improvement Scheme - and through the broad range of schemes in the CSP.
The new Sheep Improvement Scheme has over 19,000 applications submitted. The scheme replaces the previous Sheep Welfare Scheme but shares the same aim of improving animal health and welfare in the sector, with a 20% increase in the ewe payment rate - from €10 to €12 - compared to the previous scheme.
The CSP provides almost €10 billion in supports over the period to 2027 for farm families. Sheep farmers are eligible for several other schemes in addition to Sheep Improvement Scheme, including the ACRES and Organics schemes, which are particularly suited to sheep enterprises or mixed beef and sheep enterprises.
I have secured places for all 46,000 farmers in ACRES which I know will benefit to many sheep farmers.
Furthermore, support for early-stage producer organisations, which will be introduced later this year, will strengthen the position of sheep farmers in the supply chain.
At my request, the Food Vision Sheep Group met recently to discuss the sheep market situation. All the main stakeholders are represented on the Group and were invited to make submissions. I will carefully consider the Chair’s report on the outcome of the Group's deliberations and we continue to monitor the market situation in the sector..
While market returns have reduced from the record prices of recent years due to increased input costs, Teagasc forecasts suggest that 2023 family farm income for specialised sheep farms will be 2% down on 2022 at €19,500, due to the important role which direct payments play in contributing to sheep farm incomes.
However, I have now asked officials in my Department to examine what potential supports, if any, could be put in place to support our sheep farmers in light of the recent challenges. Budgets for 2023 have been set and are locked in place so any changes to this will require scoping out as well as diverting funds from previously agreed areas.
We have a sheep sector that is the envy of the world with our sheep farmers at the core of everything we do. I want to ensure there is a long-term and sustainable future for the sector.
380. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which farmers dependent on pig production have experienced an income fluctuation in recent times; the measures in place or contemplated to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12195/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for the Government, given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context. The sector supports approximately 8,000 jobs spanning production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. I am acutely aware of the challenges pig farmers have faced over the past year. Price volatility is a significant issue for the pig sector, highlighting the cyclical nature of prices in the sector.
I have provided significant support to the pig sector over the past year in recognition of the enormous pressures they have had to contend with.
A total of €13 million in EU exceptional aid funding was made available for the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 (PEPS2), a voluntary scheme for pig farmers, to support the viability of this important sector.
The scheme opened for applications on 13th June 2022 and closed for applications on 11th July 2022. This scheme provided for a payment of up to €100,000 per farmer. The PEP2 scheme was in addition to the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme which I announced in February 2022, funded by the Exchequer and notified under the agriculture de minimis state aid provisions, to support commercial pig farmers. This scheme provided for a payment of up to €20,000 per farmer.
All payments have now been processed under both schemes.
My Department continues to monitor the market situation including production costs in the sector and continues to engage at EU level to ensure a joined-up EU approach to the challenges arising from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.
My Department also engages with stakeholders through the Pig Roundtable, which Includes representatives from the farming and processing sectors, Teagasc, Bord Bia, and Department officials. The Roundtable's overarching objective is to serve as a vehicle for constructive discussion in driving forward the development of the sector as well as taking a high level approach to guiding the actions for the sector set out in Food Vision 2030.
Teagasc has intensified its dedicated, ongoing advisory supports being provided to pig farmers and is actively engaging with pig farmers to explore the options available to them and Bord Bia continues to promote quality assured Irish pigmeat in the domestic and export markets, with dedicated media advertising campaigns under way nationally, as well as EU-funded pigmeat promotion programmes running in key export markets.
381. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current strength of the dairy herd; the degree if any to which it has fluctuated or likely to so do in the future, with particular reference to displacement by other enterprises in order to comply with the meeting of emissions targets; if due regard is being had for the possibility of a food shortage in the near to mid-future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12196/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain confident that the outlook for the Irish dairy Industry remains positive. The Irish Dairy Industry is one of our largest and most profitable industries. In 2022, Irish farmers produced over 8.8 billion litres of milk, an increase of over 2 billion litres since the abolition of quotas in 2015. Total Irish milk production increased by 0.7% percent in 2022 year on year. Irish Dairy exports exceeded the €7 billion mark for the first time in 2022 and reached 130 different markets last year.
The number of Irish dairy cows currently stands at 1.65 million head. CSO statistics show that the total number of dairy cows in the country has increased every year for the last five years. There has also been continuous growth in the average dairy herd size since 2011, rising from 64 to 92 cows per milking herd currently. It should however be noted that increased production is driven by other factors as well as an increased herd, for example improved genetics.
I established the Food Vision Dairy Group last year to advance the actions for the dairy sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy, taking account of the requirement for the sector to contribute to achieving the targets set for agriculture emissions in the Climate Act process.
The first priority for the Group was to chart a pathway to achieving the legally binding target of a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030, equivalent to a reduction of 5.75 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent.
The Dairy Group submitted their final report in October 2022, which has been published on my Department’s website. The report identified measures which could contribute to reducing emissions. The publication was timely as it then served to inform the Climate Action Plan 2023 which was launched in December 2022. The implementation roadmap for actions outlined in the Plan will be contained in a supplementary annex of actions which is scheduled to be published imminently. My Department will work collaboratively with the other Departments and agencies involved to implement these priority actions.
Ireland is among the most food secure countries in the world and ranks second of 113 countries assessed for food security, according to the latest Global Food Security Index released last September. Ireland is part of the EU single market and participates in the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), which is the key mechanism for ensuring food security throughout Europe. Increased input costs in the food supply chain are inflating food prices currently. Therefore, while there is no food shortage, there is a food availability issue for those on lower incomes. The EU communication "Safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems” has set out actions in the three areas of security, stability, and sustainability. The EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers will continue to focus on these core areas and to support the work of the recently established European Food Security Crisis preparedness and response Mechanism (EFSCM).
382. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the ongoing effort to combat bovine TB with particular reference to carriers; the evidence that exists in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12197/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBovine tuberculosis (TB), caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis, is a persistent problem in cattle herds in Ireland, resulting in hardship for affected farmers and substantial ongoing national exchequer expenditure. The TB eradication programme underpins the export of dairy and beef products to the value of €9.3 billion in 2022.
The epidemiology of TB is complex and challenging. There are three main sources of infection for cattle, the purchase of infected cattle, the presence of residual (undetected) infection within cattle herds. and wildlife (badgers predominately),The relative importance of these factors varies from herd to herd and all three need to be addressed to eradicate TB, and the national TB eradication programme.
Specifically, on the issue of wildlife, M. bovis was first detected in badgers in Ireland in 1974, although its significance was not fully understood at that stage. In the 1980’s, the East Offaly project provided evidence of the role of badgers in the epidemiology of TB. A large-scale trial over a five-year period from 1997 to 2002 in areas within Counties Donegal, Monaghan, Kilkenny, and Cork showed significant reductions (from two-fold to four-fold) in the incidence of TB in areas where badgers were removed relative to areas where badgers were not removed. In areas with high TB prevalence among cattle herds, the prevalence of TB among badgers has been reported as up to 36%, which compares to 14% among badgers in areas of low TB prevalence in cattle. It has also been established that there is a link between M.Bovis and wild deer in Co. Wicklow. Submissions to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory from other parts of the country show very low levels of M.Bovis in the wild deer population outside of Co. Wicklow. There is no evidence to suggest that M.Bovis is a significant issue in wild deer outside of Co. Wicklow However, the evidence to show that badgers are a reservoir of M. bovis and are implicated in the transmission of TB is irrefutable.
Based on this evidence the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine established a wildlife programme to reduce the density of badgers in areas of high TB prevalence. However, it is acknowledged that culling on its own is not sustainable as a long-term measure, and a vaccination programme has also been integrated into the DAFM Wildlife Programme. Badger vaccination is now an integral part of the Irish TB Eradication Programme. This follows over 15 years of research work using BCG vaccine to prevent tuberculosis infection in badgers, and scientific trials carried out between 2013 and 2017 that show that vaccination is no less effective than culling. Badger vaccination is thus being substituted for continued culling of badgers such that a significant reduction in the numbers of badgers culled can be achieved over the coming years while still maintaining effective control of the risk posed to cattle. The large-scale rollout of badger vaccination commenced in late 2019 . Every year more and more of the countryside is designated as vaccination zones. This is reflected in the numbers of badgers captured for vaccination in these zones rising from an initial figure of 1,937 badgers in 2019, to 4,698 badgers in 2020. This figure rose again in 2021 to 6,586 badgers, with a further 7,244 badgers captured for vaccination in 2022
383. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which all food imports into this country remain subject to Irish and EU standards in respect of husbandry, processing and production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12198/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsignments of food of plant and animal origin may only be imported into the European Union if they meet the requirements that apply to husbandry, processing methods and production within the European Union. To ensure compliance with these requirements, consignments of food of plant and animal origin must be presented for checks at the border control post (BCP) of first arrival in the European Union.
Only if the checks have been carried with a satisfactory outcome, and a certificate to this effect called a Common Health Entry Document or CHED has been issued, may the goods be released from the BCP and delivered to the premises of destination. The premises of destination may be in the same Member State as the BCP, or in a different Member State.
Once the certificate of compliance has been issued, goods may move from the premises of destination to other premises, either within the same Member State or in a different Member State, provided this is done in compliance with rules that apply to the movement of that particular commodity within the European Single Market.
Consignments of food of plant and animal origin arriving into Ireland from a non-EU country must present for checks at one of the four designated BCPs that my Department and the HSE operates. These BCPs are located at Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, Rosslare Port and Shannon Airport.
At these BCPs, consignments undergo documentary, identity, and physical inspections to confirm they are in compliance with EU legislation. Consignments found not to be in compliance with these requirements are rejected and are either destroyed or re-exported to the country of origin, in compliance with rules laid down in European legislation.
In 2022, my Department carried out just over 95,000 import controls across the four BCPs with just under 90% carried at Dublin Port. Reflecting the fact that most of the consignments came from GB, a country very familiar with EU standards, the overall levels of non-compliance were very low at just over 1%.
384. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which ongoing inspections of food and food products for export continues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12199/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department perform ongoing inspections on food and food products to ensure compliance with Irish & European Union legislation on food and feed.
Official controls, such as food safety inspections, ensure compliance with these regulations. These controls are performed with the same level of care by my officials for food and food products goods which are placed on the Irish market, moved to another Member State, or exported outside the Union. In the case of exports outside the Union, my Department may perform additional controls at the request of a third country of destination of such goods.
My Department provides official health certification on the basis of this system of official control.
385. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the ongoing forestry development programme continues with due regard for the necessity to use marginal lands as opposed to lands suitable for food production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12200/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may be aware that my Department has recently secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. Subject to State Aid approval, this will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland. This funding provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and also to help meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives.
The new Programme will be the means by which we implement our Forest Strategy to 2030, which in turn has been informed by the Shared National Vision for Forestry for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050. The Shared National Vision, the draft Forest Strategy to 2030, and the draft Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 were all designed following extensive public and stakeholder consultation. The draft Forestry Programme includes proposed attractive grant and premiums that will support landowners to plant trees.The proposed Forestry Programme will provide incentives for the planting of lands currently in agriculture to expand the national forest estate in line with planting targets outlined in the Climate Action Plan 2023. This forestry programme will also see the planting of lands marginal for agriculture but will exclude areas of lands described as unenclosed lands and other sensitive areas. These lands generally consist of peat soils and are located in areas which are environmentally sensitive. Such lands were planted in previous programmes up to a maximum of 20% of any approved area for afforestation.
Over the last number of years the area of suitable unenclosed lands planted has dropped and amounted to just 7.06 ha in 2022. These lands when planted, which generally contain peat soils are often not very productive and can also be a net emitter of carbon which is contrary to reducing emissions in the land use, land use change and forestry sector (LULUC
It should be noted that all applications for Afforestation approval under the Afforestation Scheme will undergo an environmental procedure to ensure that proposed projects are compatible with the protection and enhancement of the environment. Each application is assessed for suitability through the Department's Environmental Requirements and Land Types for Afforestation documents, along with a silvicultural suitability as outlined in the Forest Standards Manual. Each individual application under goes an Environmental Appropriate Assessment (EIA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) and must be compliant with all national legislation and EU Directives.
Afforestation of lands does require a switch from agriculture to forestry and further work is ongoing as part of a national land use review currently taken place. Phase 1 of this review is now complete, which assessed the current area of land use across a broad range of categories. Phase 2 will take place this year and will examine policies on land use.I believe that the proposed forestry programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for climate change, biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life and I am committed to working with stakeholders in this area.
