Written Answers Nos. 898-917
898. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) who farmed in 2021 on leased land and is farming again in 2023 is eligible to apply and be considered for inclusion under the ACRES scheme. [47678/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I announced on 12 October 2023, Tranche 2 of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) will be opening for the submission of applications shortly. Farmers and their ACRES advisors can now commence some of the associated preparatory work, namely, the submission of an Expression of Interest.
While the Terms and Conditions for Tranche 2 of ACRES are not yet published, an overview document in respect of ACRES Tranche 2 is currently available on my Department's website. This gives some key information on Tranche 2 in advance of the publication of the final Terms and Conditions for that Tranche. The document, together with other information in relation to ACRES, is available on the Department’s website at gov.ie - Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) (www.gov.ie).
As you will note from the overview document, one of the eligibility requirements for a farmer to participate in Tranche 2 of ACRES is the submission of a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application for 2022. A further requirement is that all lands must also be declared in the applicant’s 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application (and declared on the applicant’s BISS application for all subsequent years of participation).
While the person named applied for BPS in 2022, they had no land declared, therefore they could not be considered an active farmer under the eligibility requirements for that Scheme. As no land was declared and they were ineligible for BPS, they cannot be considered to have fulfilled the eligibility requirements for ACRES. In addition to this, as there was no land declared in 2022, it will not be possible to determine the appropriate ACRES stream (General or Co-operation) under Section 7.7 of the ACRES eligibility requirements.
899. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the correspondence he has received in relation to the use of the snare "body restraint", which is causing untold suffering to Ireland's protected badger population (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47705/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. I am acutely aware of the financial and emotional trauma associated with a TB breakdown.
It causes significant hardship for farmers and farming families, and I am fully committed to the objectives of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy which aims to reduce and ultimately eradicate this disease in Ireland. This battle against TB continues in 2023.
Badgers are susceptible to the bovine TB organism, causing disease in badgers, passing disease throughout badger populations and between badgers and cattle . The role of badgers in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in the bovine herd is now incontrovertible.
Ensuring a healthy badger population through the removal of badgers in areas of high levels of TB as well as the vaccination of badgers in areas where it is appropriate to do so, is necessary both for the control of bovine TB and the health of the badger population and rural ecosystem.
A disease eradication programme necessitates that all sources of infection are addressed – this applies to both cattle and badgers.
The capture of badgers is carried out by trained operators using stopped body restraints, under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. All captured badgers are assessed from an animal welfare perspective. Captured badgers are either killed humanely or vaccinated. My Department expends significant resources in ensuring the consistent quality of its wildlife programme, to minimise animal welfare impacts.
900. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the 31 October 2023 deadline for the receipt of claims for aid for the National Liming Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47721/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Liming Programme was introduced by my Department earlier this year to incentivise the use of Lime, a natural soil conditioner which corrects soil acidity, makes nutrients more available for plant uptake, and improves overall soil health.
As the Deputy will be aware, on the 06th of October I announced important flexibility to the lime spreading deadline under the Programme. This was in response to the exceptionally wet weather over recent months which has impacted ground conditions and limited farmer's opportunities to spread lime. Under this flexibility, applicants now have until the 31st of March 2024 to spread their approved quantity of lime.
In late October some quarries expressed concerns that they would not be able to process payments and produce invoices for all farmers seeking to forward buy ground limestone before the Liming Programme's original claim deadline of the 31st of October. In response, I granted a one-week extension to the deadline for the submission of claims. Claims for payment will now be accepted up until midnight tonight, the 07th of November 2023.
901. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of the advertising spend of his Department and agencies under the remit of his Department, by national media outlet and local newspaper outlet, for each of the years 2020 to 2022, in tabular form. [47725/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides public information about the Department's wide range of schemes, services and policies. Advertising in national and local newspapers is one of the channels used to communicate this information.
A breakdown of expenditure by year for the period requested is set out in the below table.
|
Year |
National (print and broadcast) |
Local newspaper |
|
2020 |
€136,577.12 |
€60,717.30 |
|
2021 |
€80,449.88 |
€36,699.54 |
|
2022 |
€466,707.65 |
€50,839.47 |
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
902. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on a scheme to deal with ash dieback on roadside trees; and if he agrees that a scheme is necessary to assist farmers in removing roadside ash and replacing it with trees elsewhere in a landholding. [47762/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not offer funding for the removal of roadside trees or for private homeowners living in the countryside with ash trees in their rural gardens.
The care and management of trees adjacent to roads is the responsibility of the landowner on whose land the trees are growing. It is advisable that landowners make themselves aware of the full legal extent of their land ownership and of any obligations arising from this.
My Department has, however published guidance on the subject of roadside trees (“A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees”) and this can be accessed at the Department website and can be found here: gov.ie - A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees (www.gov.ie).
903. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his engagements with his cabinet colleagues in relation to the Mercosur Trade Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47789/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Commission reached political agreement in its trade negotiations with the Mercosur countries in June 2019. Due to concerns raised by a number of member states, including Ireland, on the environmental and sustainability provisions included in the original agreement, the Commission and Mercosur have recommenced negotiations on a joint instrument which they hope will address these concerns.
As has been the case throughout the EU-Mercosur negotiations, there continues to be close consultation between my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on all issues related to these negotiations.
Ireland has consistently sought for the Commission to ensure that the joint instrument currently being negotiated is comprehensive in its scope. It must include binding commitments on climate change, biodiversity, combating deforestation and labour rights.
Both I and Minister Coveney, as well as the officials in our respective Departments, continue to raise these issues at EU level including at EU Council of Ministers meetings (in both Trade and Agriculture formations).
I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to demand that the final substance of any joint instrument is substantial and robust in addressing the environmental and sustainability concerns we and other member states have. We look forward to further engagement between the Commission and Mercosur in order to try and develop a clear way forward which will satisfy both parties.
904. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current hectarage under organic production and the percentage of utilisable agricultural area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47790/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Organic Farming Scheme opened for applications in respect of 2023 in Autumn 2022, and there were over 2,000 new applicants, doubling the number of organic farmers in Ireland. The land area currently farmed organically amounts to approximately 180,000 hectares, or 4% of the overall land area.
905. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle that were slaughtered originating from a controlled finishing units and the total number of cattle slaughtered at department approved slaughter plants in the years 2019 to 2023, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47791/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department defines certain beef herds as Controlled Finishing Units (CFUs) in the context of the Bovine TB Eradication Programme.
Data in respect of CFU kill numbers at DAFM-approved plants from 2017 onwards is published on my Department's website in the section dealing with bovine birth and movement reports. The data is published under the title ‘Kill numbers at EU approved slaughter plants originating in Controlled Finishing Units’ and can be accessed at the following link.
gov.ie - Cattle (AIM) (www.gov.ie)
The current and historical throughput at beef plants can be sourced from the weekly and cumulative slaughter statistics which are also available on my Department’s website at the following link.
gov.ie - Beef Kill Figures (Weekly Reports) (www.gov.ie)
In addition, the annual reports on Beef Carcase Classification detail the annual slaughter volume and slaughter trends by bovine category in all Department-approved and Local Authority supervised plants, as well as listing all DAFM-approved slaughter plants. The link to those reports is:
gov.ie - EU Beef Carcase Classification Scheme (www.gov.ie).
906. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total hectarage of new afforestation licensed; the total amount planted; the total number of forestry licences issued in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47792/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe figures for the total hectarage of new afforestation licenced and planted for each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 is set out below.
|
- |
Licensed |
Hectares |
Planted |
|
2020 |
528 |
4,342 |
2,434 |
|
2021 |
502 |
4,246 |
2,016 |
|
2022 |
702 |
4,972 |
2,273 |
|
2023 |
318 |
1,980 |
1,559 |
The new Afforestation Scheme under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 opened on the 6 September and existing applications are being migrated over to this scheme as the applicants opt in. My Department has now started issuing licences under this scheme. To date, 52 afforestation licences, previously approved, have now been approved under the new scheme. This amounts to 516 hectares.
In addition to the figures outlined above and in recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue, pending the launch of the new Programme, earlier this year, my Department introduced an Interim Afforestation Scheme, an Interim Forest Road Scheme and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme via General De Minimis. This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme. Likewise, those with valid road licences and approvals under the Ash Dieback Scheme at the end of 2022 could avail of the higher grants and enhanced payment rates as proposed under the new Programme. In 2023, a total of 288 applications were approved under the Interim Afforestation Scheme, representing 1,750 hectares. Under the interim roads scheme, 159 approvals have issued representing 70,222 metres, while under the interim RUS scheme, 28 approvals have issued in respect of 110 hectares.
907. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagements his Department, or any agency or body under his direction, has had with the Government of Israel, any state body of the Government of Israel, or any engagement within or with Israel, in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47800/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2021 and 2022, the Chief Veterinary Officer and officials in my Department engaged in correspondence, via e-mail, with the Chief Veterinary Officer as well as Veterinary Services & Animal Health areas of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Israel, on the following issues:
• Routine in nature correspondence regarding the delisting of export-approved meat slaughter plants.
• Information request on independent laboratories in the State of Israel, to facilitate pre-export testing of material destined for a laboratory in Ireland.
• Trade and related certification issues with respect to animal feed and feed additives as well as animal hides and skins between Ireland to Israel.
Officials in my Department have held discussions since 2019 with Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Ireland's application for access for livestock (Cattle, Sheep) and horses. In 2021, a team from Israel inspected Ireland's systems for animal health and subsequently Animal Health certificates have been agreed for horses and for some categories of livestock.
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
908. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagements his Department, or any agency or body under his direction, has had with the Palestinian Authority, any organ of the Palestinian Authority, or any engagement within, or with organisations in, the occupied Palestinian territory, in the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47818/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not had any engagement with the Palestinian Authority, any organ of the Palestinian Authority, or any engagement within, or with organisations in, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in the years 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023.
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
909. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on TAMS 3 applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47906/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTAMS 3 has proved very popular, with an unprecedented level of applications received (almost four times the average number received per tranche under TAMS 2).
Applications received across all of the measures in Tranche 1 are currently being processed. Once the initial processing is completed all applications will be subject to a ranking and selection process, which is a regulatory requirement for all TAMS 3 applications.
To assist with the processing of the huge number of applications, I provided that farmers who require the construction of slurry and manure storage facilities, or urgent animal welfare related investments required for the winter of 2023/2024, could apply for priority approval up to 15 September 2023. Processing of these priority applications is ongoing, and approvals have issued to a number of eligible applicants. It is expected that approvals will commence issuing to other schemes, starting with the Solar Investment Scheme, in the next few weeks.
The breakdown of applications received is as follows:
|
County |
AWNSS |
DES |
FSCIS |
LESS |
OCIS |
PPIS |
SCIS |
TCIS |
WFCIS |
YFCIS |
Total |
|
Carlow |
42 |
6 |
25 |
13 |
4 |
16 |
42 |
3 |
9 |
160 |
|
|
Cavan |
92 |
17 |
92 |
27 |
80 |
10 |
31 |
6 |
16 |
371 |
|
|
Clare |
113 |
4 |
91 |
33 |
47 |
32 |
11 |
19 |
350 |
||
|
Cork |
417 |
45 |
270 |
73 |
75 |
2 |
102 |
61 |
57 |
69 |
1171 |
|
Donegal |
86 |
10 |
101 |
22 |
63 |
24 |
9 |
9 |
18 |
342 |
|
|
Dublin |
7 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
1 |
25 |
|||
|
Galway |
208 |
7 |
272 |
38 |
53 |
30 |
12 |
26 |
36 |
682 |
|
|
Kerry |
96 |
12 |
127 |
19 |
65 |
2 |
35 |
8 |
9 |
23 |
396 |
|
Kildare |
38 |
5 |
29 |
14 |
12 |
19 |
44 |
10 |
13 |
184 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
154 |
21 |
90 |
29 |
18 |
38 |
21 |
13 |
31 |
415 |
|
|
Laois |
81 |
4 |
46 |
21 |
16 |
24 |
31 |
3 |
13 |
239 |
|
|
Leitrim |
21 |
37 |
1 |
62 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
134 |
|||
|
Limerick |
106 |
14 |
71 |
11 |
29 |
2 |
36 |
1 |
11 |
17 |
298 |
|
Longford |
55 |
5 |
50 |
13 |
24 |
11 |
1 |
4 |
10 |
173 |
|
|
Louth |
19 |
1 |
16 |
9 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
16 |
1 |
4 |
76 |
|
Mayo |
104 |
1 |
133 |
14 |
67 |
19 |
2 |
4 |
19 |
363 |
|
|
Meath |
83 |
4 |
47 |
16 |
21 |
35 |
16 |
7 |
15 |
244 |
|
|
Monaghan |
50 |
9 |
45 |
20 |
12 |
25 |
27 |
1 |
7 |
9 |
205 |
|
Offaly |
70 |
8 |
44 |
23 |
18 |
1 |
26 |
8 |
5 |
20 |
223 |
|
Roscommon |
66 |
4 |
89 |
23 |
127 |
13 |
5 |
2 |
14 |
343 |
|
|
Sligo |
38 |
1 |
41 |
10 |
27 |
7 |
5 |
10 |
139 |
||
|
Tipperary |
249 |
23 |
134 |
43 |
40 |
73 |
36 |
25 |
29 |
652 |
|
|
Waterford |
101 |
11 |
49 |
15 |
6 |
1 |
39 |
10 |
13 |
11 |
256 |
|
Westmeath |
53 |
7 |
42 |
17 |
15 |
18 |
9 |
2 |
11 |
174 |
|
|
Wexford |
109 |
14 |
74 |
32 |
17 |
3 |
58 |
95 |
20 |
9 |
431 |
|
Wicklow |
36 |
2 |
31 |
14 |
27 |
21 |
13 |
2 |
11 |
157 |
|
|
Total |
2494 |
235 |
2050 |
551 |
928 |
49 |
751 |
445 |
259 |
441 |
8203 |
910. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the siring rating system under the suckler carbon efficiency programme; if he is aware of concerns around rating changes for the beef siring rating for continental breeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47915/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is to provide support to suckler and beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.
The beef Euro-Star Index will see improvements introduced at the next evaluation publication on Tuesday 21 November 2023. These improvements are the culmination of years of research by both the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) and Teagasc. These changes include:
1. Updating the trait economic values
Each trait in the Euro-Star Replacement & Terminal Indexes has an economic value. These values should reflect current costs of production and should be updated routinely. However, these economic values have not been updated since 2015 which was before the BDGP scheme was introduced. There have been many changes to the cost of production since that time and therefore it is necessary to update the economic values to reflect these updated costs of production.
2. The inclusion of the cost of carbon
Due to policy changes at EU and national level, Ireland is legally obliged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Breeding is a scientifically proven tool which can be used to aid in that reduction and as a result the cost of carbon is being introduced to the Euro-Star Index. This has already been incorporated into the Economic Breeding Index (EBI) and the Dairy Beef Index (DBI) in dairy breeding. Carbon, which is set at a cost of €80/tonne, will be factored into the economic values of a range of traits including (but not limited to) gestation length, feed intake and age at first calving.
3. Additional traits of interest
As market demands and policy change, so too do the traits of interest in a breeding programme.
• ‘Age at Finish’ has been introduced as a new trait which will reward animals that are finished at a younger age. This will be of benefit to the farmer economically as it will reduce the cost of production, but also environmentally as there will be a reduction in the amount of carbon produced.
• TB is being introduced and this trait will help farmers to identify animals which are genetically more resistant to TB.
• The inclusion of carcass weight, fat, and conformation will be modified within the index to reflect that there is an optimum carcass range for animals (e.g., cattle should meet a minimum fat cover, but also not be overfat).
4. Continental breeds
Continental breeds are currently the most desirable cattle ranked on the Terminal Index and they will continue to be the most desirable after improvements to the index have been implemented.
The top three most desirable breeds on the Replacement Index (Simmental, Limousin, Angus) remain as the top three after the changes; that said, the traditional breeds will improve.
For the majority of animals, these improvements will mean little change in the ranking of animals on the Euro-Star Index. The purpose of the changes is to help to protect Irish suckler beef production from the economic and environmental challenges which it faces, both now and into the future.
911. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what consideration he has given to the IBR testing requirement under the national beef welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47916/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS) is to further increase the economic efficiency of and enhance animal health and husbandry on suckler farms. The IBR component is designed to provide valuable information to farmers in relation to the health of their herds and allow them to take any necessary action to mitigate disease risk. Both elements of the NBWS - IBR testing and meal feeding - are mandatory.
IBR testing will be beneficial in providing farmers with clear information as to the prevalence of IBR within your herd, allowing farmers to take whatever action may be necessary to improve the animal health status and thus productivity on their farming unit.
912. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in receipt of the Sheep Improvement Scheme in 2023, and the number if receipt of the Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47936/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the terms and conditions of the Sheep Welfare Scheme, the rate of payment is set at €10 per eligible breeding ewe on completion by the participant of both of their selected scheme actions. Payment is made up to the applicable reference number of animals determined for payment for the scheme year.
Where an applicant does not complete the actions selected or does not maintain sufficient animals to meet the applicable reference number of animals, the terms and conditions of the scheme give details of penalties and reductions in payment to be applied.
Please see the information requested below by the Deputy as regards the number of participants in receipt of Sheep Welfare payments for Year five & six of the scheme, broken down by county.
Year six of the scheme operated from February 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023.
|
County |
Number of paid participants |
Amount Paid |
|
Carlow |
375 |
517,575.10 |
|
Cavan |
363 |
297,314.50 |
|
Clare |
189 |
84,882.10 |
|
Cork |
876 |
865,377.00 |
|
Donegal |
3221 |
2,269,161.50 |
|
Dublin |
98 |
120,585.50 |
|
Galway |
2132 |
1,892,920.10 |
|
Kerry |
1577 |
1,926,844.50 |
|
Kildare |
338 |
506,523.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
271 |
316,508.00 |
|
Laois |
197 |
200,481.00 |
|
Leitrim |
598 |
574,911.50 |
|
Limerick |
75 |
88,507.60 |
|
Longford |
180 |
149,387.00 |
|
Louth |
199 |
257,538.50 |
|
Mayo |
2652 |
2,139,734.20 |
|
Meath |
479 |
695,535.30 |
|
Monaghan |
201 |
165,677.50 |
|
Offaly |
268 |
288,483.50 |
|
Roscommon |
877 |
792,160.40 |
|
Sligo |
779 |
673,337.50 |
|
Tipperary |
407 |
506,725.50 |
|
Waterford |
225 |
369,508.10 |
|
Westmeath |
351 |
355,242.50 |
|
Wexford |
516 |
624,985.50 |
|
Wicklow |
783 |
1,151,695.00 |
|
Totals |
18227 |
17,831,601.90 |
Year five of the scheme operated from February 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022.
|
County |
Number of paid participants |
Amount Paid |
|
Carlow |
390 |
538,499.00 |
|
Cavan |
372 |
307,462.50 |
|
Clare |
178 |
82,544.50 |
|
Cork |
890 |
890,899.50 |
|
Donegal |
3223 |
2,367,017.60 |
|
Dublin |
99 |
129,943.00 |
|
Galway |
2179 |
1,953,592.00 |
|
Kerry |
1579 |
1,981,882.00 |
|
Kildare |
338 |
532,786.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
274 |
339,295.50 |
|
Laois |
211 |
216,981.00 |
|
Leitrim |
606 |
589,689.30 |
|
Limerick |
76 |
92,605.50 |
|
Longford |
189 |
155,383.50 |
|
Louth |
206 |
265,861.70 |
|
Mayo |
2685 |
2,209,705.40 |
|
Meath |
502 |
736,419.80 |
|
Monaghan |
206 |
179,265.00 |
|
Offaly |
271 |
310,443.00 |
|
Roscommon |
895 |
842,753.30 |
|
Sligo |
800 |
704,929.40 |
|
Tipperary |
412 |
550,241.00 |
|
Waterford |
227 |
387,273.50 |
|
Westmeath |
370 |
371,862.50 |
|
Wexford |
530 |
639,668.50 |
|
Wicklow |
805 |
1,207,508.00 |
|
18513 |
18,584,512.00 |
The Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) is funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. It provides support to sheep farmers for carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector and builds on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS).
As set out in the terms and conditions of the Sheep Improvement Scheme, the rate of payment is set at €12 per eligible breeding ewe on completion by the participant of both of their selected scheme actions. Payment is made up to the applicable reference number of animals determined for payment for the scheme year.
Year 1 of the Sheep Improvement Scheme runs from February 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The Sheep Improvement Scheme opened for applications in November 2022 with advance payment due to commence to all eligible applicants from mid-November.
913. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be taken to address concerns in relation to forestry planted near a property in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47952/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe case in question involves non-compliance with replanting orders previously issued by the Department to a Licensee on lands adjacent to Mr. O Sullivan’s home. There are a number of different issues involved.
The site in question has recently been reinspected and a revised replanting order will be issued to the Licensee involved in the coming days to help move towards compliance. Non-compliance with replanting Orders is an offence and may result in legal proceedings by the Department.
DAFM will be in contact with Mr. O Sullivan to discuss the case and related issues with him directly.
914. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications that were received for the suckler carbon efficiency programme; the number that were accepted to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47964/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is to provide support to suckler and beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd. I am confident that SCEP will drive further improvements in our already world-class suckler and beef herds. It will also be a crucial income support for these farmers.
The online applications system for SCEP opened on 20 March 2023 and closed on 22 May 2023. There was a 25-calendar day period after 22 May 2023 closing date during which late applications are accepted with a reduction in payment of 1% per working day. Applications received after the 25 days period were ineligible.
There were 20,837 applications received under SCEP. Applications are not deemed approved until they meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the terms and conditions of the scheme.
As at 01 November 2023, some 858 herdowners withdrew from SCEP and 2,352 participants were removed from SCEP due to non-compliance of the eligibility criteria under the programme. This leaves 17,627 participants in the programme.
Payments for scheme year one will commence in December 2023.
915. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications that were received for the national beef welfare scheme; the number that were accepted to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47965/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS) is to further increase the economic efficiency of and enhance animal health and husbandry on suckler farms.
Applications for this scheme were accepted through the www.Agfood.ie online portal from 03 August 2023. The original closing date of 12 September 2023 was extended to 23.59hrs on 26 September in order that applications could be facilitated at my Department's stand at the National Ploughing Championships in Co. Laois. The extension was publicised on my Department's website and social media channels.
16,424 eligible applications were successfully submitted by the closing date on 26 September 2023. Payments to all eligible participants will commence week beginning the 11 December 2023.
916. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on development of the Statutory Instrument under the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feeds and Fertilisers Regulation Bill 2023; if he will provide an indicative timeline and details of the engagement as part of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47966/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year the I introduced the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act (No. 21 of 2023) which was signed into law 11th July 2023.
One of the key elements of the Act is providing for matters relating to the regulation of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed left to national law by new EU regulations which came into force in 2022. The Act provides for inter alia the regulation of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed and provides for the establishment of a national database to record veterinary prescriptions.
The Act also enables me to introduce regulations governing a number of areas in relation to veterinary medicines and medicated feed which I hope to do so in the coming weeks. I and my Department continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in the development of this Statutory Instrument.
917. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the all-island monitoring mechanisms his Department has put in place with regard to the national fertiliser database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47967/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department introduced a National Fertiliser Database to register all Professional Fertiliser End Users and Fertiliser Economic Operators and to record the movement of fertiliser from point of import or manufacture to end user.
There are highly integrated supply chains on the island of Ireland and the introduction of the National Fertiliser Database will not disrupt them. Farmers and other Professional Fertiliser End Users can continue to purchase fertiliser from Northern Ireland and vice versa and my Department is keen to ensure that trade carries on as normal.
My Department is including on-site inspections along the supply chain as part of its monitoring and verification programme to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements, including in relation to trade with Northern Ireland.
Whilst there is no equivalent regulatory framework in place to record and track sales of fertiliser in Northern Ireland, there is regular communication with counterparts in Northern Ireland.
