Written Answers Nos. 1580-1599
1580. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure a producer organisation (details supplied) provides start-up funding to a recently established producer organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13685/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraProducer Organisations are funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) through the EMFF Producer Organisation Scheme. Ireland's EMFF Programme is nearing its end, with the majority of funds exhausted. However, provision was made to fund the Producer Organisation Scheme to pay grants in 2023 to fund Producer Organisations’ 2022 activities.
The present EMFF Producer Organisation Scheme provides supports to prospective and recognised Producer Organisations. Part A of the scheme provides supports of up to €55,000 to groups of fisheries or aquaculture producers working to achieve recognition as a Producer Organisation. I understand that the organisation referred to did not apply for supports under part A.
Part B of the scheme supports recognised Producer Organisations up to a maximum of almost €100,000. Under this part of the scheme, a proportion of eligible costs are reimbursed. Under Part B, the organisation referred to may be due for support for implementation of its Production and Marketing Plan after submission in 2023 of its Annual Report on 2022 activities, and related grant claim and vouching documentation.
The new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Programme for Ireland was adopted by the Commission in December 2022. Under this Programme, new schemes, including those relevant to Producer Organisations, will be brought forward in due course.
1581. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on the amount of money assigned to each producer organisation in total annually for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13686/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached table.
1582. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will use the current capacity in the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to assist inshore fishers in addressing high fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13687/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain conscious of the challenging environment for inshore fishers. In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fuel costs had been particularly highlighted as a challenge in my regular engagement with the sector, particularly during the summer months of 2022 when prices peaked.
As these events unfolded, I worked very closely with industry to develop short and longer term supports, based on the recommendations of the Seafood Task Force, to assist the wider seafood industry cope with the consequences of Brexit and the wider operating environment. Since the publication of the Task Force Report, €267.8m in supports and developmental strategies have been launched. These are more generous and comprehensive that those put in place elsewhere and will enable our seafood sector and coastal communities to overcome the significant challenges it faces. This has included schemes to support Inshore fishers with both short-term financial supports and schemes to help sustain the sector in the long term.
In respect of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), while the majority of funds have been committed as the programme draws to a close, funding was provided in 2022 for the EMFF Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme, including Inshore fishers receiving grants for participation in the v-notching initiative.
It has been a welcome signal that fuel prices fell in the last quarter of 2022 and have continued to fall in 2023, reaching similar levels to what was experienced prior to the Russian invasion. I am continuing to monitor this situation and keep these matters under review.
1583. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with inshore fishers, their representative organisations, and their producer organisations concerning his plans for the implementation of the EU Action Plan on protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13688/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the European Commission recently published a package of fisheries policy communications including a plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries. The actions proposed seek to reduce the impact of fishing activities on the marine environment, doing so sustainably, and finding the right balance environmentally and in terms of economically viable fishing is of utmost importance.
The fishing sector in particular is highly dependent on a healthy marine environment, and its own environmental impacts, where relevant, need to be managed in an appropriate manner. As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I have responsibilities towards the marine environment and ensuring that sea-fishing and aquaculture activities are conducted in a manner that avoids the deterioration of designated features of Natura 2000 conservations sites or the significant disturbance of protected species within those sites. The majority of the marine Natura 2000 sites (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas) are inshore, within six nautical miles. A series of appropriate assessments and risk assessments have been undertaken by my Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute over the years with regard to sea-fishing and aquaculture activities in or near Natura 2000 sites. Mitigation measures have been introduced where required to manage the risks posed to these sites.
The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) supports the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and provides supports to achieve food security through the supply of seafood products, growth of a sustainable blue economy and healthy, safe and sustainably managed seas and oceans. Ireland’s Seafood Development Programme not only supports the industry directly, but also assists in meeting obligations under the CFP and targets in relation to sustainability and biodiversity.
I work with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) in facilitating their engagement in policy initiatives and in the managing and planning for inshore fisheries. Constructive discussions have been held around industry priorities and exploring new opportunities for diversification. I continue to engage with the inshore sector, with the NIFF and the two EU Producer Organisations focused on inshore related matters, the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO) and the National Inshore Fishermen’s Association (NIFA) to address any challenges, issues and concerns facing the sector and to seek their input into the development of initiatives.
I am committed to supporting the Irish fishing industry, including the inshore sector, to operate in a sustainable manner and to continue working towards achieving and maintaining good environmental status in Irish waters.
1584. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking in response to a recent court of appeal ruling (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13689/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, in 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. While the Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgment on July 19th , 2022 which was substantially in the State’s favour, it required further submissions from both parties.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Court of Appeal issued a final judgment on 10th March last, stating that the applicant fishers were successful on ‘the narrowest of grounds’.
I am currently consulting with legal advisors to consider the implications of the judgment and the possible next steps.
1585. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of his engagement with a port company concerning the enforcement of bay bye-laws (details supplied) concerning trawling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13690/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for their question, and I wish to advise the Deputy that harbour bye-laws for Bantry Bay are a matter for the local port authority.
1586. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review restrictions on farmers when installing solar panels (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13760/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo help encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided through TAMs to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
The objective of the TAMs scheme is to enable farmers to consume solar PV generated electricity onsite to meet their farm electricity demand, including the dwelling house. In this context, it is permissible for excess electricity generated to spill over on to the grid and for the farmer to receive remuneration for the quantity that spills over. This spill over of generated electricity is paid for under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), which is available to all renewable generators including farmers. The price for the spill over electricity is set by the energy provider under the Clean Export Guarantee.
TAMS is an On-Farm Investment Scheme which is co-funded by the EU. Under the current EU regulations and under the new CAP Strategic Plan, it is required that the electricity generated annually from the installed solar PV system does not exceed the annual electricity demand on the farmyard including the dwelling house.
As part of the TAMs application, an ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holdings annual electricity demand and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development. An application may be rejected or amended if the applicant cannot demonstrate that the electricity produced annually from the solar panels is not in excess of the annual electricity demand of the applicant’s agricultural holding. The maximum size of panel eligible for grant aid currently is 62kW. An applicant can install additional panels but at their own cost.
The Solar PV installer must be listed on the Department’s register of installers.
Currently grant aid for solar investments in TAMS is for the purposes of farm consumption. If the applicant wishes to apply for non-TAMS support (e.g. SEAI) for a larger area of panels, the TAMS 3 unit must be a separate independent system if this additional support is being sought. If no additional non-TAMS support is sought, then the additional panels can be part of the TAMS system.
The electricity consumption of the dwelling house can be included on the solar survey as part of the holding for sizing the Solar PV installation. The dwelling house must be occupied by the herd owner or family member and situated on the holding.
1587. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether repairs and resurfacing of a farm road are covered under TAMS 3 funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13771/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTAMS 3 will provide funding for new farm roads under the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS), Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS), Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS), and the Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS).
Currently Farmers are legally obliged to maintain their farm roadways under the Nitrates Directive to ensure there is no run off directly to a watercourse. As this is a legal requirement there is no funding available under TAMS to repair or resurface a road.
1588. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a ban on trawling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13811/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, in 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. While the Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgment on July 19th , 2022 which was substantially in the State’s favour, it required further submissions from both parties.
As the Deputy is also aware, the Court of Appeal issued a final judgment on 10th March last, stating that the applicant fishers were successful on ‘the narrowest of grounds’.
I am currently consulting with legal advisors to consider the implications of the judgment and the possible next steps.
1589. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the basis upon which creosote fencing will be banned from April 2022; if a derogation is or had been available if arising from European Union regulation or directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13821/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe approval and uses of creosote as a wood preservative were recently reviewed under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation.
The EU review process, which was managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), resulted in a renewal of approval for creosote that was limited in its scope due to significant concerns, including the carcinogenic potential for humans.
This means that there is cancer risk associated with creosote.
Permitted uses were restricted to industrial vacuum pressure impregnation of wood used for railway sleepers, electricity poles and telecommunications poles only.
The renewal Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2022/1950) came into force on 1st November 2022 and stipulates that from 30th April 2023 only railway sleepers or utility poles for electricity or telecommunications treated with creosote may be placed on the market in EU Member States.
A derogation to allow for placing on the Irish market of creosote treated agricultural and equine fencing beyond 30th April 2023 is not possible under the regulatory framework.
It should be noted that timber already treated with creosote and sold to end users e.g. farmers before 30th April 2023, can be used after that date.
1590. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the strands available under TAMS for fencing; the allocation to such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13822/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTAMS is a demand led measure consisting of 10 schemes, with an indicative budget allocation of €370m from 2023 to 2027 consisting of RDP and CSP funding. The indicative budget for 2023 is currently €73.5m. The budget and expenditure is monitored closely through the year and divided between schemes based on demand and expenditure.
The ceiling for each applicant has been increased to €90,000 shared between eight Schemes, with a standalone ceiling of €90,000 for Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) along with a ceiling of €40,000 for the Low Emission Slurry Scheme (LESS)
This means every eligible farmer will be able to apply for the maximum ceiling for SCIS and LESS and an increased ceiling of €90,000 for all other TAMS 3 Schemes.
Sheep, Equine and Bovine fencing is available in TAMS 3 to eligible applicants under Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS), Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS), Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS)
Sheep, Bovine, Pig and Poultry fencing is available to eligible applicants under the Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OFCIS)
1591. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to ensure an adequate supply of fencing for agricultural purposes in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13823/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFencing can be used for a wide range of agricultural purposes. Based on a total supply of between 12 and 15 million stakes per year, the demand between TAMS and ACRES is about 10% to 14% of the market.
It is not anticipated that there will be any significant shortfall in the supply of timber fencing posts in 2023.
1592. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of any need for fencing in equine settings to be creosoted; the basis of such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13824/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a requirement in the Department’s specification S.148: Minimum specification for farm fencing, that timber equine fencing is required to be treated with creosote. The aim of this requirement is to reduce the level of cribbing by horses of the timber elements, in particular timber rails in post and rail fencing. Cribbing is where a horse will chew on a timber piece, in particular the rails of post and rail fencing. Not all horses will undertake this activity and some horses have been know to crib creosote treated timber, however, the use of creosote significantly reduced any cribbing activity.
The Department is currently updating specification S.148 to remove the requirement for timber elements in equine fencing to be creosote treated. There is no equivalent requirement in the Irish National standard I.S. 437: Horse and stud fencing — Timber post and rail.
1593. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the permit parking arrangements at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre for persons whose normal place of residence is on the Aran Islands, the consideration that has been given to the inclusion of vehicles taxed as “motor caravans”, particularly if they are the applicant’s only means of transport on the mainland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13861/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1594. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason vehicles taxed as motor caravans are not included under the permit parking arrangements at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre for persons whose normal place of residence is on the Aran Islands; if he will provide details of the policy underpinning the exclusion of such vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13863/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1593 and 1594 together.
Permit parking is being provided at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre by my Department for privately taxed vehicles owned by persons whose normal place of residence is on the Aran Islands. This follows from consultation with the three Island Committee Representative Groups and their desire to have islander access to the Fishery Harbour Centre car park facility. This replaces a car park operated under licence until 2021 by the Committees on behalf of the islanders.
Motor caravans are not permitted to park overnight, primarily for health and safety reasons, in what is first and foremost a working fishery harbour. This is the position for each of the 6 Fishery Harbour Centres and is permissible under the Fishery Harbour Centre (Management, Control, Operation and Development) Bye Laws, 1979.
1595. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise the supports he intends to provide to sheep farmers to ensure they can sustain their industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13872/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI regard 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 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
1596. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can clarify a point in relation to commonage in the new ACRES scheme (details supplied) and the effect this is going to have on shareholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13955/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommonage has been included as a Tier 1 action within the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) to incentivise farmers to help ensure that habitats on such lands are maintained/restored to good condition through appropriate management practices.
Any participant in ACRES with eligible commonage lands undertook as part of the ACRES contract to allow all commonage parcels to be assessed by an approved commonage assessor, so that a result based score could be assigned to that commonage. A payment will be paid to that shareholder based on the score awarded. This assessment can be carried out without the consent or agreement of all shareholders where at least one shareholder is an ACRES participant. This results based score will assess all activities taking place on the commonage. These activities will be reflected in the score and therefore will ultimately affect the ACRES payment.
ACRES aims to incentivise shareholders to come together in commonage management groups to address factors that may be affecting the results based score on the commonage. ACRES participants in the Co-op zones will have recourse to non-productive investments and landscape action supports designed to improve habitat restoration. These capital investments provide a mechanism for score improvement with consequent positive impacts on the level of payment in subsequent years.
1597. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the legal implications for farmers with commonage shareholdings who wish to participate in ACRES (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13956/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommonage has been included as a Tier 1 action within the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) to incentivise farmers to help ensure that habitats on such lands are maintained/restored to good condition through appropriate management practices.
As a registered shareholder in a commonage parcel, each shareholder has the right to declare that share for the various department schemes and does not require the consent of other shareholders to do this. In ACRES each shareholder who has an entitlement to a commonage share, and declares that share on his/her annual BISS application, includes that commonage share in their application.
At application stage, ACRES participants with commonage undertook to allow commonage parcels to be assessed by an approved commonage assessor, so that a result based score could be assigned and a subsequent payment made based on that score. This assessment can be carried out without the consent or agreement of all shareholders where at least one shareholder is an ACRES participant.
Following the results of this assessment, shareholders of commonages in ACRES Co-op zones will have recourse to non-productive investments and landscape actions that are designed for habitat restoration. Any such works will require the consent and agreement of all shareholders in the commonage, both ACRES and non-ACRES shareholders.
1598. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds who competed in at least one official trial at a greyhound track in each of the years 2016 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [14024/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1599. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhound pups microchipped and tattooed in each of the years 2016 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [14025/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the organisation charged with the role of Keeper of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book (IGSB) since 1923. The Stud Book records pedigrees, ownerships, breeding data and transfers of ownership primarily of all greyhounds. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
The number of non-coursing greyhound pups microchipped and tattooed in each of the years 2016 to 2022 and to 20th March 2023 are as below in tabular form.
|
Year |
Number |
|
2016 |
21,978* |
|
2017 |
12,946 |
|
2018 |
12,968 |
|
2019 |
11,817 |
|
2020 |
10,241 |
|
2021 |
11,651 |
|
2022 |
11,599 |
|
2023 |
1,950 |
* The legislation requiring microchipping was introduced in 2016, and therefore the 2016 figures include a backlog of dogs to be microchipped.
