Written Answers Nos. 33-52
33. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the development of the urban horse welfare programme, which is a priority of the new animal welfare strategy launched in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11460/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully committed to supporting sustainable, One Health, One Welfare initiatives in line with the Programme for Government and with Working Together for Animal Welfare, Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025. My Department 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, while also supporting horse welfare.
Typically, supports for the projects are provided by the Local Authorities and my Department provides funding to the Local Authorities to support these projects.
In this regard, my Department work's with and support's 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 pleased to say that an additional project based in Ballina, Co Mayo was added last year and will continue in 2023, through the work of Mayo County Council and officials from my Department.
To further encourage and develop projects on a nationwide basis, officials in my Department are currently planning a seminar dedicated to the promotion of urban horse projects.
34. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to tackle food waste. [11709/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTackling food waste is one the most effective solutions in tackling our global climate targets. It is good for the environment and good for the pocket. Food waste is estimated to cost the average household €700 per year. Reducing our food waste is a common-sense way of saving money, as well as protecting the environment.
As the Deputy may be aware, my colleague Minister Ryan's Department of Environment, Climate Action and Communications is the lead Department on food waste prevention but across Government we are committed to reducing food waste.
My Department has responsibility for UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 which is to halve per capita global food waste at retail and consumer level and reduce food losses along production and supply chains. Addressing food waste is also identified as a priority action under the Food Vision 2030 strategy.
In that regard, my Department works very closely with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant state agencies, to pursue ambitious food waste reductions and other measures that contribute towards a sustainable food chain in the agri-food sector.
My Department and its agencies support the prevention and reduction of food waste through a number of actions including the following:
- My Department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund provides funding for initiatives that promote the reduction of food waste generated by food businesses, retailer/wholesalers or suppliers in rural areas.
- My Department funded the purchase of specialised equipment by the Prepared Consumer Food Centre at Teagasc, Ashtown, where small food companies can trial different food processes to reduce/recycle food waste and reduce packaging waste.
- My Department co-chairs the high-level Bioeconomy Implementation Group.
- My Department's calls for research proposals includes food waste as an eligible topic.
- In the fisheries sector, the discards ban, or Landing Obligation, has been fully implemented since 2019.
- Under the Origin Green programme, food waste is a mandatory target for all members in the retail and food service sector. Manufacturing food member companies will seek to further integrate company-wide actions to improve food waste prevention across their operations.
Following consultation with my Department, the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap was published by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in November 2022 and includes 38 Priority Actions. My Department is either joint lead or a key stakeholder for several of the actions and will be working closely with the other bodies and stakeholders to help deliver those actions.
I assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring a reduction in Ireland’s food waste to help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and show our food producers that we value their work and the safe and nutritious food they work all year round to provide.
35. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase the ewe premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11781/23]
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.
36. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details regarding the number of farmers being accommodated under ACRES; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11918/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, or ACRES, is the central agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027.
It is a flagship agri-environmental scheme that will pay farmers €1.5bn over the lifetime of the scheme ACRES will play a huge role in terms of driving environmental improvements while also providing a crucial income support to farm families. ACRES is the largest amount ever committed to an agri-environment scheme.
As Deputy may be aware, over 46,000 farmers applied for entry into Tranche 1 of ACRES. I am pleased to advise that all valid applications submitted for Tranche 1 will be accepted into the Scheme, and that farmers will be receiving their formal notifications this week.
As I mentioned, when announcing the decision last week, this high level of applications clearly shows how engaged and ambitious our farm families are for embracing the climate and biodiversity challenge. ACRES has proven to be a strong and farmer-friendly scheme which has caught the imagination of the farming public.
The approval letters will be followed in due course by an approval summary, which will show where actions have been mapped on the participant’s farm. My Department will also be sending a copy of the Farmland Plant Identification Guide, a booklet developed by my Department to help farmers in the scoring process, to each farmer with the approval summary.
As the number accepted into the Scheme in 2023 is greater than that initially planned, the timely and effective operation of the Scheme will require intensive and focused effort from all concerned, including my Department, advisors, Co-operation Project Teams and farmers. Farmers should, upon receipt of their approval letters, contact their ACRES Advisor to update them about the outcome of their application to facilitate planning and work arising.
37. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if land used for solar farms can also be used for single-farm payment drawdown or forestry payment drawdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11723/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the EU CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), the Eligible Hectare is the basis of payment for area-based schemes such as the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS).
Within the CSP an eligible hectare is an agricultural area that is used for an agricultural activity or, where the area is also used for a non-agricultural activity, is predominantly used for such activities.
An area is predominantly used for agricultural activity if that activity can be exercised without being significantly hampered by the intensity, nature, duration and timing of the non-agricultural activity. On this basis it is the view of my Department that the areas beneath the solar panels would normally be considered ineligible and therefore deductions must be made for these areas, along with any infrastructure constructed to support the solar farm, such as access roads.
However, where a farmer is considering the installation of solar panels they should contact either their FAS approved agricultural advisor, or my Department to discuss the specifics of their situation, with details of the lands in question because the particular construction and operation of the solar farm may have an impact on the eligibility status of the lands.
In all cases, land parcels containing solar panels will only be considered eligible where an agricultural activity takes place (e.g. topping of grass) and the solar panels must not hamper the undertaking of that agricultural activity.
It is also worth noting that all the agricultural land used to claim BISS must be either owned, leased or rented by the applicant and must be used and managed by the applicant.
In terms of forestry, there may be some parts of the wider area around a solar farm that could be deemed eligible for support under the afforestation scheme. However, the integration of forestry with solar farms is highly unlikely due to growing trees blocking out the light. The trees would also pose a risk to the solar farm infrastructure as the trees get taller due to leaf fall, falling branches and the risk of trees themselves blowing over.
38. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there have been discussions at the EU Agriculture Council in relation to the need to introduce measures to help offset the increased costs of fertilisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11872/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMany of the recent EU Agriculture Council of Ministers meetings have discussed the market situation of agricultural inputs and commodities since the invasion of Ukraine over a year ago and the effects that the war has had on the agricultural sector.
In this regard, last year, the EU Commission put in place a Temporary Crisis Framework for State Aid measures which was used to support the economy following the aggression against Ukraine by Russia. This Framework enabled my Department to introduce a range of measures to offset some of the effects of the rapid increase in fertiliser prices over the past year.
In 2022, I secured Government approval for a new fodder scheme to reduce the risk of a fodder shortage triggered by the increased fertiliser and animal feed costs. Under the 2022 Fodder Incentive Scheme, we paid out €53.9 million. Separately as part of the Government response to the cost of living crisis, I also secured funding for a 2023 fodder scheme under which my Department paid out another €29.9 million in December 2022.
We also support farmers in many ways to improve nutrient use efficiency and recovery at farm level while at the same time encouraging farmers to reduce their dependency on chemical fertilisers. In particular, our CAP Strategic Plan will support farmers to adjust their farming practices to reduce reliance on chemical fertiliser (for example use of multi-species sward, soil sampling and liming, investments in LESS), and to improve use of organic fertiliser.
In addition, we have put a strong focus on knowledge transfer and innovation using the public and private advisory service to guide farmers through the current crisis. These actions are in line with the direction taken to address water quality issues under Ireland’s 5th Nitrates Action Programme and to address emissions under the Climate Action Plan.
39. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in Cork north-west who have been accepted to the ACRES scheme. [11514/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, or ACRES, is the central agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027.
It is a flagship agri-environmental scheme that will pay farmers €1.5bn over the lifetime of the scheme ACRES will play a huge role in terms of driving environmental improvements while also providing a crucial income support to farm families. ACRES is the largest amount ever committed to an agri-environment scheme.
As the Deputy may be aware, Tranche 1 of the Scheme, which opened for applications last October, was significantly oversubscribed, with over 46,000 applications received for the 30,000 places allocated to be filled under Tranche 1. I was pleased to announce last week the acceptance of all valid applications received for Tranche 1 into the Scheme. While it is not possible to provide data specifically for the Cork north-west region, I note that, on foot of the decision to accept all valid applications, approval letters have issued to over 3,700 successful applicants who hold Cork Business IDs. I refer to Business IDs as this encompasses individual herd numbers, registered farm partnership and companies registered with my Department.I am encouraged by the level of applications for ACRES as it shows how engaged and ambitious our farm families are as regards the contribution they can make to climate and biodiversity objectives. As I have mentioned, formal approval letters were scheduled to be posted to successful applicants on 8 March 2023. An approval summary, which will show where actions have been mapped on the participant’s farm, will then be posted to ACRES participants by the end of March, with a copy of the Farmland Plant Identification Guide, a booklet produced by my Department to help farmers identify the indicator species on their land to be used in the scoring process. Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through both multi-functional prescription and results-based actions, ACRES aims to contribute significantly to achieving improved biodiversity, climate, air and water quality outcomes and I look forward to the continued efforts and co-operation from all of the parties involved to achieve those improved outcomes.
40. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to protect and restore native hedgerows given the biodiversity crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10863/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHedgerows are a valuable resource on Irish farms, contributing to both our biodiversity and climate ambitions. There is an estimated 689,000 kms of hedgerows in the country.
My Department recognises the value of these hedgerows through rewarding farmers under the ECO-scheme element of the new Common Agriculture Programme (CAP) Strategic Plan where farmers will be paid in respect of ‘space for nature’ with a significant focus on farm hedgerows. The new CAP also provides additional protection for hedges, where a farmer is in receipt of Direct Payment supports. For direct payments recipients, it is now a mandatory requirement that a length equivalent to twice that removed is planted in advance of any removal.
Under the recent Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) scheme, 7, 247 participants planted over 1,100 km of new hedgerows since the scheme began in 2015. Other actions in GLAS included traditional maintenance of hedgerows which improve their value as a habitat for biodiversity. These voluntary measures of hedgerow planting and traditional maintenance are also available in the new ACRES scheme.
In addition, the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations require screening, and if necessary consent, prior to removal of a hedgerow where the length of hedgerow to be removed exceeds 500 metres or where the field size following removal of the hedgerow will be greater than 5 hectares. If the proposed removal would breach either of these thresholds the farmer is required to submit a screening application to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
The Department has also committed to a review of the EIA (Agriculture) Regulations and will commence a consultation on this process with all stakeholders in the new future.
41. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is evidence to suggest that there is an increase of TB infection in livestock near clear-felling sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11724/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSome research as been done that could be interpreted as suggestive of a small increase in TB in areas when clear felling occurs. However, as the research is far from conclusive this is being further investigated by my Department - prompting further studies in this area to help further understand what is happening when clearing felling occurs.
DAFM works with Coillte and other organisations such as Iarnród Éireann, farming bodies etc to help increase the number of badger setts recorded every year. This facilitates the roll out of badger vaccination and allows us to plan and target where we introduce vaccination - such as when new roads are being built or large areas of forest are cleared.
I am very conscious that TB outbreaks can be caused by a number of different factors and it is important to continue our efforts against all these factors to continue our drive towards eradication of this disease and reduce its impact on farm families.
Overall, I am committed to reducing TB incidence rates across the country as I am acutely aware of the financial and emotional pain associated with a TB breakdown.
42. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will accept all 46,000 applicants to the current tranche of the ACRES scheme; the plans he has to introduce a gap payment to farmers locked out of the ACRES scheme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9693/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, or ACRES, is the central agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027.
It is a flagship agri-environmental scheme that will pay farmers €1.5bn over the lifetime of the scheme ACRES will play a huge role in terms of driving environmental improvements while also providing a crucial income support to farm families.
As the Deputy mentions, Tranche 1 of the Scheme, which opened for applications last October, was significantly oversubscribed, with over 46,000 applications received for the 30,000 places allocated to be filled under Tranche 1.
I was pleased to announce last week the acceptance of all valid applications received for Tranche 1 into the Scheme. In view of this decision, no farmer, who submitted a valid application for ACRES, is ‘locked out’ so a gap year in his/her income from participation in an agri-environmental scheme does not arise.
Subject to ACRES participants undertaking the actions, in accordance with their ACRES contract and the Scheme Specifications and submitting their claim for payment as part of their application for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS), advance payments in respect of ACRES contracts are due to issue in the fourth quarter of this year.As I mentioned, when announcing my decision last week, the effective and timely operation of the scheme will require intensive and focused effort from all concerned including from my Department, from advisors, from Co-operation Project Teams and from farmers. For those farmers who were not in a position to apply for the Scheme in Tranche 1, they will have an opportunity to apply for it in Tranche 2. It is proposed that Tranche 2 will be opened for applications in the fourth quarter of this year, with contracts in that Tranche to commence from 1 January 2024.
43. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is taking to tackle the increasing incidences of cattle-rustling being reported across the country. [11513/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of cattle reported stolen to my Department over the last three years are 120 in 2022, 39 in 2021 and 98 in 2020.
The theft of cattle is a criminal offence and all such incidents should be reported to An Garda Síochána by the relevant herd keeper for investigation. Where deemed appropriate and on request by An Garda Síochána my Department will assist the Gardaí in these investigations. Cattle that are reported stolen are assigned a category on this Department’s Animal Identification and Movement System (AIM) database which means that they cannot be legally traded. All cattle being traded must be properly tagged and registered on AIM, be accompanied by its bovine passport and recorded on the database in the presenting herd selling the animals.
44. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to support sheep farmers in response to depressed meat and wool prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11780/23]
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.
45. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that have been taken to date to implement the 19 recommendations of the report of the Food Vision Dairy Group. [11497/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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 Group will plot a long term roadmap for our world class dairy industry. The Irish dairy sector, which has out farmers as its bedrock, is one of the most sustainable anywhere in the world. The products produced using top-quality Irish milk are in demand across the globe and consumer recognise Irish dairy as a sustainable, safe and nutritious product.
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.
We want to ensure that we protect this generation of dairy farmers while also futureproofing the sector for subsequent generations.
46. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his targets for issuing afforestation licences in 2023. [11936/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department published the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 in February last year. The plan informed stakeholders of our targets for the delivery of afforestation, felling and forest road licences, and of our commitment to reducing the backlog.
By the end of 2022, we issued 4,713 licences which was 90% of our expected output for the year. The backlog in licences overall was reduced from 6,000 in August 2021, to 3,700 in January 2022 to 1,983 at the end of 2022. We are issuing more licences than applications received, and this means that the backlog continues to drop over time, with faster turnaround times for new applicants.The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 requires EU State Aid approval to implement and my Department is engaging intensively with the Commission so that approval is granted as soon as possible. Once approval has been given the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will commence in earnest. Currently, the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA) process.
My Department has put in place an Interim Afforestation Scheme and an Interim Forest Road Scheme to provide an option of immediate planting and/or roading from January 2023 for those with existing valid approvals. A circular on these arrangements issued to the sector on 22nd December 2022.
I am acutely aware of the urgency with which planting and roading activity must take place, given both our ambitious targets and the need to ensure an active pipeline of work for the sector. In this light, my Department has worked intensively with the European Commission to pursue transitional arrangements for the use of valid Forestry Scheme approvals from January 2023. I assure you that the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority.
I see great merit in signalling to forest owners, landowners, and the forest sector our intentions as regards licensing which is why I intend to publish a new Forestry Licensing Plan once the new Forestry Programme has been approved at national and EU levels.
47. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he is taking to address the Programme For Government commitment to ensure that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and recreational fishers and that pair trawling will be prohibited inside the six-mile limit. [11630/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2018, following a public consultation process, the Minister announced that vessels over 18 metres would be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. A transition period of three years was allowed for vessels over 18 metres targeting sprat to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone.
A Policy Directive was issued by the Minister to the independent Licensing Authority to give effect to these measures.
A Judicial Review to the High Court was taken by two applicant fishers challenging the validity of the Policy. On 6th October 2020, the High Court held in summary that the Court’s final order should be, among other matters, a declaration that Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect.
I appealed the decision of the High Court to the Court of Appeal. I also secured a stay on the order of the High Court until 23rd September 2021 when the Court of Appeal refused the application to further continue the stay. This refusal means that the decision of the High Court stands and the Policy Directive is no longer valid and vessels over 18 metres in length may trawl in the waters inside 6 nautical miles.
The case is still before the Court of Appeal and a final Judgement is awaited. While the Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgment on July 19th , 2022 which was substantially in the State’s favour, it requested further submissions from both parties which have been submitted.
Prior to the issuing of the court’s ruling I am not in a position to apply the terms of the Policy Directive. I will of course implement the judgment to the required extent as soon as it issues. As this matter continues to be sub judice , I am not in a position to comment further until the matter can be resolved before the Courts.
48. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the actions that relate specifically to anaerobic digestion in the Climate Action Plan 2021; the number of these actions that have been completed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62826/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ambition of Anaerobic Digestion and the production of Biomethane has been significantly increased in the latest Climate Action Plan with a target of up to 5.7 Twh of biomethane – a three- fold increase from Climate Action Plan 2021. The action that the Deputy is referring to for Anaerobic Digestion in Climate Action Plan 2021 is Action 318: “Conduct further research into biomass and mature feedstocks for biogas production through Anaerobic Digestion”. In order to achieve this action, my officials identified four key measures as enablers. These measures were:
1. Seek funding for research on low nitrogen multispecies swards as AD feedstock and AD optimisation.
2. Establish an experiment to quantify country specific N2O Emissions Factor for digestate to quantify system sustainability under REDII.
3. Commence experiments to optimise biomethane yield from co-digestion of agricultural feedstocks.
4. Start-up of the Teagasc biomethane anaerobic digestion pilot plant in Grange.
The research measures identified were assigned to Teagasc to conduct on behalf of my Department. To date, Actions 1-3 above have been completed. Action 4 , the start-up of the Teagasc Biomethane Plant at Grange, was delayed due to supply chain issues but the final component (a biomethane upgrader) is expected to arrive in Q2 2023 and commissioning of the plant is expected to occur in Q3 2023. Reflecting the importance of this action as a demonstration site, the action has been carried across to the new Climate Action Plan 2023.
49. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is his intention to increase the payment for the sheep welfare scheme to €30 per ewe, as requested by the farming organisations, due to the poor prices for sheep and the increase in the cost of feedstuffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9691/23]
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.
50. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the aims of the recently launched policy and strategic studies research call; the role it will play in meeting the needs of the agri-food, forest and bioeconomy sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11930/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraResearch and innovation are fundamental to informing the scientific and evidence-base for designing and implementing effective policy that supports the agri-food sector in Ireland.
The Food Vision 2030 strategy envisages a more output-focussed collaborative research and innovation system, that is responsive and flexible to the needs of public policy development and implementation in support of a resilient agri-food sector and bioeconomy that is both competitive and sustainable.
The Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call (PSSRC) is a policy-orientated research Call that my Department piloted last year. It aims to initiate short- to medium-term research projects of up to two years in duration, on specific research questions identified and developed by my Department. The projects are designed to provide evidence that can inform strategic, regulatory and/or policy needs of the Department. The PSSRC also aims to enable closer collaboration between researchers and policymakers in my Department.
In recent weeks, my colleague Minister of State Martin Heydon, who has special responsibility for research and development, announced the 19 successful projects that were awarded funding of over €4.2 million from the 2022 PSSRC.
The projects cover a wide range of topics, such as an assessment of the greenhouse gas emission efficiencies of Irish beef and dairy systems; examining sustainable and equitable pathways for rural women in farming; the development of bioeconomy demonstration sites; or the development of a digital genome toolbox to support bovine tuberculosis eradication.
All the projects funded will contribute to the delivery of strategic research and policy priorities of my Department, whether in the Programme for Government, Food Vision 2030, the Climate Action Plan or elsewhere.
51. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with farmers and farming organisations regarding their concerns about the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 3, which farmers believe is unduly penalising farmers using robotic milking; if it is the case that farmers who have previously invested in robotic milking parlour equipment are ineligible to apply for milking parlour support under the new TAMS 3; if this will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11461/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide clarification as to the reason farmers who have previously invested in robotic milking parlour equipment under TAMS 2 are now ineligible to apply for the support under the new TAMS 3, in view that it places these farmers at a significant disadvantage compared to their counterparts in herringbone systems who can avail of support under TAMS 3 for up to ten milking units in a herringbone milking parlour, taking into account the pressures on labour availability in the agriculture sector and the benefits of new technology on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11238/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 78 together.
Through TAMS 3, I believe we have delivered a hugely exciting scheme that will deliver for farmers, for the entire agri-food sector and the wider rural economy over the next number of years. I have assigned €370m for TAMS between 2023 and 2027 with a strong focus on supporting this as well as subsequent generation of farmers.
There are, as the Deputy will be aware, exciting new developments for dairy farmers including higher grant aids of solar panels as well as a range of labour saving items.
TAMS 3 is a hugely exciting scheme with approximately 100 new investment items available to farm families compared to TAMS 2. There are now in the region of 300 investment items in TAMS 3.
On the dairy sector, the list of potential investments is larger than ever before. In addition to the investments being carried over from TAMS II there is a wide range of additional investments being introduced for farmers, including farm roadways, bovine fencing, health and fertility monitoring systems, automatic drafting systems, public road underpasses and milk recording systems.
When a farmer is planning to update their dairy system, investment in the milking machine is only a portion of the required investment. It is important that dairy farmers also invest in animal housing, slurry storage, fodder storage and making their holding more accessible. To this end the TAMS schemes are designed to encourage farmers to invest in these animal welfare and environmentally beneficial investments before investing in additional milking equipment. It is for this reason that there are limits on robotic milkers where farmers have previously benefitted from this under the TAMS scheme before.
Under our CAP strategic plan, we are obliged to provide for investments focused on green investments, which are environmental, animal welfare and biodiversity related investments. Additionally, Ireland’s SWOT Analysis and Needs Assessment for the CAP strategic plan identified the need to increase environmental efficiency in the agricultural sector through on farm investment and the adoption of new technologies; the need to support young farmers in accessing finance so they are in a better position to invest in and develop their farm enterprise; and the need to improve animal health and welfare, and farm safety on farms. Furthermore, this helps to ensure that TAMS 3 is better aligned with government priorities of delivering environmental public good outputs and is consistent with other policies that are trying to improve the sustainability of our dairy herd such as changes in Nitrates regulations.
Dairy farmers are also well catered for with additional separate investment ceiling for LESS at €40,000 and solar at €90,000 which are particular Government priorities to address ammonia emissions and renewable energy generation respectively. Additionally, it is important to recognise that young farmers also benefit from grant support at 60% rather than the standard 40%.
I have introduced some changes to TAMS under the TAMs 3 scheme to better align it with overall agriculture and environmental priorities.
52. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications from Cavan-Monaghan that were accepted to the ACRES scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11746/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, or ACRES as it is more generally known, is the central agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 and is the successor to the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS). The Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES - the largest amount ever committed to an agri-environment scheme.
As the Deputy may be aware, Tranche 1 of the Scheme, which opened for applications last October, was significantly oversubscribed, with over 46,000 applications received for the 30,000 places allocated to be filled under Tranche 1. I was pleased to announce last week the acceptance of all valid applications received for Tranche 1 into the Scheme.
I note that, on foot of the decision to accept all valid applications, approval letters are issuing to over 2,300 successful applicants who hold Cavan/Monaghan Business IDs. I refer to Business IDs as this encompasses individual herd numbers, registered farm partnerships and companies registered with my Department.
Successful ACRES applicants are receiving their formal approval letters this week, followed by an approval summary by the end of March. The approval summary will show where actions have been mapped on the participant’s farm and will be accompanied by a copy of the Farmland Plant Identification Guide, a booklet produced by my Department to help farmers identify the indicator species on their land to be used in the scoring process.
ACRES has been designed to deliver significant long-term environmental improvement through the participation by a significant number of farmers on the most appropriate land, with each making a strong improvement on their farm. Farmers have shown, by the level of interest in Tranche 1 of ACRES, that they are ready and willing to play their part in delivering the maximum possible environmental benefit.
While it will be challenging, and it will require intensive and focused effort from all concerned - from my Department, from advisors, from Co-operation Project Teams and from farmers. I look forward to working with everyone to achieve that objective.
