Written Answers Nos. 102-109
102. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to assist tillage farmers in Carlow who are facing unprecedented weather conditions. [18299/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the challenges experienced by growers due to the prolonged and exceptional wet weather conditions. The past few months have been very challenging for tillage farmers. Thankfully the weather has improved, and tillage operations and the planting of spring crops are re-commencing as soil conditions continue to improve.
There is still a planting window for crops, but I appreciate the risks associated for tillage farmers. I want to give confidence to growers to plant crops this year and to give them confidence in the future of their industry. Recognising the current difficulties, I will work to deliver €100/ha in financial support for every farmer that puts seed in the soil for the harvest year 2024. My Department is working on next steps including the necessary State Aid and other approvals, and the identification of appropriate funding. I am absolutely committed to increasing our tillage area and despite the constraints of my existing budget, I will work to deliver this support for tillage farmers.
Significant additional support was provided to the tillage sector last year in light of the challenges that growers faced. Payments under the Protein Aid Scheme totalled over €10.1m. The Straw Incorporation Measure provided €16.5 million for tillage farmers, while the Tillage Incentive Scheme provided €8.3 million in support.
Furthermore, I secured €7.147m from the EU Agricultural Reserve to support the tillage sector last year and this was topped up with a further €7.147m in State funding. These funds were paid out in January 2024 to support growers with unharvested crops and as a once-off flat rate payment on the area of oilseed rape and cereal crops.
Last month, I announced an exemption to the crop diversification element of GAEC 7, easing concerns for tillage farmers by allowing them to pick the crops that best suit their circumstances, taking account of time of sowing, market returns and seed availability.
The tillage sector is an important and integral component of the Agri-food industry and is a sector that I want to see grow and develop. That is why I established the Food Vision Tillage Group in May 2023 to set out a road map for the sustainable growth and development of the sector to 400,000ha by 2030. I recently received the final report from the group, and I am considering its recommendations.
103. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in light of extreme weather patterns in recent years and in particular the flooding of lands and high water table, he will consider providing a grant scheme to farmers to develop land drains on their boundaries. [18374/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraExtreme weather events have become more common in recent years and the weather we have experienced since last July is a further indication of the effects of climate change. Modelling for future climate has predicted that these extreme events will continue, particularly with respect to extreme rainfall events in winter and periods of drought in summer.
Adaptation to Climate Change in agriculture is accepting that these changes will occur and adapting our farming systems to cope with these challenges. This includes everything from researching new production systems or techniques for existing production systems and sharing practices that work with farmers. It is not a one-time emergency response, but a series of proactive measures that are taken over time to build resilience to the impacts of climate change ultimately minimising the costs of climate change and maximising any opportunities that may arise.
In this context, the National Adaptation Framework is updated on a five-year basis. This process is led by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. As part of this process, Minister Ryan held a public consultation on the National Adaptation Framework earlier this year to seek feedback from relevant stakeholders and the public on the new draft framework. Submissions received in that consultation are being reviewed and it is anticipated that a revised draft of the National Adaptation Framework will be submitted to Government for approval shortly.
As in the past the National Adaptation Framework will provide the guidelines, but the individual sectors will be responsible to preparing their own Sectoral Adaptation Plans. My own Department will have to update the Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Agriculture, Seafood and Forestry. Similarly, the Office of Public Works will have to update the Flood Risk Management Sectoral Adaptation Plan.
It is premature to consider providing a grant scheme to farmers to develop land drains on their boundaries in advance of the publication of an updated Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Agriculture, Seafood and Forestry.
104. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any ‘plan B’ if the nitrates derogation is abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18336/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nitrates Directive (Council Directive 91/676/EEC, as amended) includes a legal provision whereby a Member State can apply for a derogation to facilitate the application of livestock manure to land beyond 170 kg Nitrogen/hectare. Such a derogation must be based on strict scientific criteria and must not prejudice achievement of the Nitrates Directive's objectives.
There are currently no proposals at an EU level to remove the facility to apply for a derogation from the Directive.
Ireland has availed of a Nitrates Derogation since 2006. Our current Nitrates Derogation runs until the end of 2025. The Irish Government is absolutely committed to applying for an extension to Ireland's Nitrates Derogation post-2025 and all our efforts are focused on putting the best case forward. That process will commence formally in the coming months.
105. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department collates statistics on the number of persons who obtain a green certificate qualification; and, if so, if he will provide a year-by-year breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17666/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collate statistics on persons who obtain the Green Cert.
The Green Cert is delivered by different education providers from across the further education system including Teagasc, Employment and Training Boards and some private providers. All of the providers are accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency responsible for validating education programmes in Ireland leading to QQI awards.
Teagasc, which operates under the aegis of my Department, is the largest provider of the Green Cert in the State. My Department works in tandem with Teagasc to maximise participation in their Green Cert programme. I am informed that in excess of 9,000 adult learners have enrolled in Teagasc part-time and distance education Green Cert courses since 2014. This exceptional level of enrolment has been facilitated by my Department sanctioning additional temporary education officers to support enrolments.
I have asked Teagasc to directly provide the Deputy with a yearly breakdown on Green Cert completions over the last 10 years.
106. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the recent changes to the beef indexes that have impacted farmers in the suckler carbon efficiency programme; how these changes were implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18424/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not conduct bovine genetic evaluations and has no role in reviewing changes to the beef indexes.
The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) is the body approved in Ireland in accordance with the relevant EU legislation to conduct testing, genetic evaluation and publication of breeding values for dairy and beef cattle.
Whilst I acknowledge the concerns raised in relation to the recent updates to the beef Euro-Star indexes, I understand from ICBF that this was the first major update since 2015 and the core drivers for these changes in the Euro-Star index are changes in input costs, output prices, carbon efficiency, finishing age, TB resistance and carcass specifications. The aim is to assist suckler farmers to breed animals that will generate a higher profit.
ICBF have communicated extensively on changes to the beef indexes, including with breed societies, since the changes were announced. ICBF have also established a stakeholder forum to address issues, including updates, on beef breeding indexes.
I am confident that the amended indexes will contribute to the overall profitability and sustainability of beef production at farm level.
In relation to the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), on the 12th of March this year I announced significant flexibilities within this scheme after listening carefully to feedback from stakeholders. These flexibilities have effectively resolved the concerns regarding this scheme arising from the index changes implemented by ICBF, and have been welcomed by farm bodies and participants alike.
107. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the implementation of national forestry policies and programmes is consistent with the growth of the commercial forest estate or if the commercial timber supply risks being eroded over time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18270/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognize that Ireland's existing commercial forest estate is an important and expanding supply of timber for the construction sector with significant amounts of timber exported to the UK and abroad. The recent COFORD "All Island Roundwood Production Forecast" predicts that the annual potential supply of roundwood timber will increase from around 5.6 million in 2023 to 7.9 million cubic metres by 2025. My Department has accordingly established a new Timber in Construction Steering Group which is focused on providing more opportunities to use more of our home grown timber in construction. This group has a number of areas they are examining such as regulations and standards, including markets and procurement.
A new Forest Strategy for 2023–2030 was published in September 2023, which was informed by comprehensive engagement and public consultation. This Strategy provides Ireland with a roadmap for the rest of this decade to put in place strong foundations for forests that deliver multi-faceted benefits. The Strategy is an ambitious one, and acknowledges the wishes of those consulted to see more diverse types of forests established. It’s implementation will result in a more heavily forested country with multi-functional and diverse forests delivering benefits for many key areas, including for wood production, the economy and rural development. The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will be the primary means through which this Strategy is delivered in the short term.
The new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 therefore aims to encourage a substantial increase in the forest estate by offering attractive and diverse options for planting. This government has committed €1.3 billion of funding to the Programme in order to support our national ambition of 8,000 hectares of afforestation per year. The new Afforestation Scheme offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options. It provides generous incentives to farmers in particular, to re-engage with forestry. These include increases in premium rates ranging from between 46% to 66%, along with a longer premium term of 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers, across most Forest Types. A number of these forest establishment measures highlight the importance of conifers for timber production and these forests will further add to projected timber supply in the coming years. Broadleaved forests will take longer to mature, but will too provide valuable hardwood for use in construction in the future.
I would highlight that Afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners and building confidence among landowners of the benefits of forestry, including that of commercial timber will be key to increasing afforestation rates. I recognize that consistent planting at scale for commercial timber supply is a challenge, but I am confident that the diverse range of forest types, coupled with attractive grants and premiums, will support landowners to plant trees in a manner that will provide lasting climate, biodiversity, wood production, employment and wider societal benefits.
108. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to commencing an immediate review of the forestry programme, given that more than six months have now passed since the programme’s inception and the persistently low levels of uptake by farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18244/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has committed to undertaking a mid term review of the current Forestry Programme in 2025. This will be conducted in consultation with all stakeholders. Depending on the outcome of this review, certain proposed changes may be required to be notified to the European Commission under State Aid Rules. These resulting agreed changes will be implemented prior to the end of the current Forestry Programme 2023-2027 term.
The new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 aims to encourage a substantial increase in afforestation by offering attractive and diverse options for planting, especially for farmers. This government has committed €1.3 billion of funding to the Programme in order to support our national ambition of 8,000 hectares of afforestation per year.
In order to encourage uptake, my Department has engaged in extensive promotion of the forestry options available, including through the funding of 42 stakeholder projects. These projects will promote the Forestry Programme through a wide variety of approaches and will engage with the wider community to highlight the benefits of forests as a source of biodiversity, enjoyment and inspiration.
A targeted media campaign was rolled out across all media and will continue throughout 2024. In addition, my officials are meeting regularly with professional foresters to provide information and any training needed.
I have established a Forestry Strategy Consultative Committee (FSCC) to make contributions to the development and implementation of the Forest Strategy, including the Forestry Programme. Members of the FSCC have been selected from a broad range of relevant stakeholders. This Committee will establish a range of sub-groups to inform its activities. In this regard an Afforestation Technical Working Group has already been established to provide a forum to discuss any issues relation to the delivery of the afforestation scheme.
I recognise that planting at the scale required is a challenge but believe that it is in all our interests to work towards this target. It will require a concerted and united effort from all those interested in forestry across communities, public bodies, the forestry sector and farmers to make this a reality. I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders to facilitate further momentum towards increased planting.
109. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current position regarding the inclusion of hedgerows in the assessment of carbon sequestration for the national inventory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18426/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the significant contribution that on-farm carbon sequestration, particularly through our soils, trees, and hedgerows, can make in the continued viability and sustainability of the agri-food sector. Therefore, I believe it is essential that on all on-farm sequestration is accurately reflected in the National Inventory.
My Department will do its upmost to ensure that the research needed to fill data gaps regarding hedgerows and their inclusion in the inventory is provided. Teagasc research through the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory (NASCO) and the Signpost Farms, aims to improve the measurement of carbon sequestration and focuses on improving estimation of carbon sequestration, including through hedgerows and on farm woodland.
The Deputy will be aware that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the reporting of emissions and removals associated with land use activities on an annual basis to the EU and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Therefore, it is in the EPA’s remit to include hedgerow GHG emissions and removals data in the National Inventory.
It is imperative that we protect and appropriately maintain existing hedgerows and plant new hedgerows where possible.
