Written Answers Nos. 548-567
548. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason dribble bar low-emission slurry spreader equipment is not eligible for TAMS funding; if he will review this, given that this equipment is the most appropriate for some land holdings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36251/24]
View answerLow Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) is an important, environmentally sustainable technology that will facilitate Ireland in meeting its environmental commitments through reductions in ammonia and other reactive nitrogen emissions from soil.
Due to the emissions reduction differential between dribble bar and trailing shoe, and the need to meet Ireland's national ammonia ceiling under the National emissions ceiling directive, I have decided that the dribble bar will not be available for grant aid under TAMS 3.
With regard to the suitability on certain land holdings, it should be noted that the weight difference between trailing hose (dribble bar) attachments and trailing shoe attachments is small, depending upon the design of the attachment. The lightest trailing hose (dribble bar) attachments start at around 410 kg, while the lightest trailing shoe attachments start at around 450 kg.
549. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to review and amend the reference costs for eligible items for TAMS funding, given that in several instances the current reference costs are well below the actual costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36252/24]
View answerFollowing the success of TAMS II, I significantly increased the number of investment items available under TAMS 3. I also increased the reference costs as appropriate across all schemes, based on a review carried out in late 2022/early 2023.
The reference costs are updated periodically to ensure that they reflect actual/market costs for the construction of farm buildings and facilities, and for farm equipment. To achieve this objective, the review of the reference costs is based on a comparison with receipted costs. For an effective comparison, an adequate number of receipted claims are required.
Currently, the number of claims submitted for completed structures in TAMS 3 is insufficient to conduct a full analysis. A further review of the reference costs is expected to take place over the coming months, with a publication of the revised costs likely in mid-2025.
550. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to establish a compensation scheme to support farmers and landowners in removing roadside tress affected by the Ash dieback disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36253/24]
View answerMy Department has introduced a comprehensive Action Plan on Ash Dieback which provides comprehensive supports to landowners who planted ash plantations under a grant-aided scheme overseen by my Department.
There are no plans to extend the scheme.
My Department supported the Tree Council of Ireland in publishing guidelines for managing roadside trees. This document is available on the Tree Council of Ireland’s website www.treecouncil.ie and on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/642e6-forestry/gov.ie - A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees (www.gov.ie ).
551. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a decision by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara to exclude certain companies from a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36293/24]
View answerThe Brexit Fish Processor Transition Scheme intended to compensate processors that suffered a reduction in turnover of at least 15% as compared to the scheme baseline reference period, and who could also demonstrate that their reduction in turnover was attributed to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement in respect of reduced supply of species directly impacted by quota cuts and/or because of increased operational costs for logistics and administration associated with Brexit. It was designed to stabilise cashflow and assist processors to adapt their operations to the new trading arrangements with the UK.
The award of aid under this scheme, which was also subject to a State Aid approval by the EU Commission, was determined by reference to the scheme's eligibility criteria and not its budget.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) administered the scheme and an appeals process was available and utilised. BIM has engaged directly with those entities who appealed.
The term of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve expired on 31 December 2023 and the Brexit Fish Processor Transition Scheme is closed, consequently it is not possible to consider any further payments under this scheme.
552. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update in respect of his Department's actions following an abnormal loss of farmed salmon stock into Killary Harbour; and the number of fish reported as lost in this instance, in tabular form. [36354/24]
View answerOn 13 August 2024 my Department received notification from the Licensee that there had been an escape of salmon from one cage at a site in Killary Harbour, Co. Galway. The Marine Institute and Inland Fisheries Ireland were also informed, in accordance with the applicable aquaculture licence conditions.
My Department’s Marine Engineers carried out an inspection of the site on 15 August and a report was prepared. The operator has indicated that approximately 7,000 -8,000 fish escaped through a tear in the net which was damaged by a boat working at the pen during inclement weather. The net was subsequently repaired and has since been replaced. A final figure of escaped fish will be available at the next grading of fish on the site.
A report has also been prepared by my Department’s scientific advisor, the Marine Institute. A disease surveillance inspection was carried out at the site on 17 May 2024, under Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (‘Animal Health Law’) and its supplementing Regulations. This inspection did not indicate the presence of any disease listed in Annex II to that Regulation, or an emerging disease, as referred to in Article 6 of that Regulation. The Marine Institute has not been notified of any change to the health status of the site since then, and neither has the presence of any non-listed disease been reported.
The Licensee has advised that efforts are ongoing to recapture fish and they are liaising with Inland Fisheries Ireland in this regard.
553. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on recent progress with the Food Vision 2030 strategy. [36496/24]
View answerFood Vision 2030, Ireland’s stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector, has the potential to transform our agriculture, food, forestry, and marine sectors, with environmental, economic and social sustainability at its core. Food Vision aims for Ireland to be “A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”. It was designed using a food systems approach, recognising the requirement to have greater policy coherence across agriculture, food, and the environment. Food Vision has four high-level Missions:
- Mission 1: A Climate Smart, Environmentally Sustainable Agri-Food Sector.
- Mission 2: Viable and Resilient Primary Producers, with Enhanced Wellbeing.
- Mission 3: Food that is Safe, Nutritious and Appealing, Trusted and Valued at Home and Abroad.
- Mission 4: Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Agri-Food Sector, Driven by Technology and Talent.
I am committed to leading on Food Vision as we seek to deliver on our ambitions. I established a High-Level Implementation Committee and have chaired eleven meetings to date, with the next meeting planned for October. Its key task is to ensure the delivery of the four Missions through stakeholder collaboration.
The second Food Vision Annual Report detailing progress was published in June 2024. In terms of overall progress to date, 20 actions (9%) are complete, 121 actions (55%) have substantial action undertaken, and 75 actions (34%) have commenced and are progressing. Among the key achievements described in the Report are: Ireland’s new Forestry Programme; the new Horticulture Strategy; the Bioeconomy Action Plan; the National Fertiliser Database; the National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture; the Food Waste Prevention Roadmap; Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan; the Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development; the establishment of An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator); the Genotyping Programme; the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme; the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme; the Beef Welfare Scheme, securing Irish Grass Fed Beef as a Protected Geographical Indication; a National Farm Safety Measure; the Animal Health Surveillance Strategy (2023-2028); and the Thematic Research Call & Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Initiative.
A new Food Vision 2030 dashboard is being developed to establish baseline environmental, economic and social data and to monitor progress against the goals. The dashboard is current being finalised with a phased launch to stakeholders expected to begin shortly. Following this, the dashboard will be made available to the public through Gov.ie.
I'm confident that, with Food Vision 2030 as a strategic framework, Ireland’s agri-food sector will achieve its ambition to become a world leader in sustainable food systems.
554. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new regional veterinary laboratory in Sligo will be ready to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36515/24]
View answerMy Department is working with the Office of Public Works to deliver the Regional Laboratories Redevelopment Programme. The design team is finalising an exemplar laboratory design and in accordance with the redevelopment programme, a planning application will be submitted in the coming months for the Kilkenny site in the first instance. When finalised, the exemplar design will form the basis for the replacement laboratory in Sligo and work will commence on site investigations and development of the planning application.
555. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount paid to Brussels in penalties and fines by the farming and fishing sectors, from 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36539/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is set out in the attached table.
556. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide clarity on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding carbon credits in the agricultural and forestry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36589/24]
View answerIreland is obliged to report on, and account for, all greenhouse gases in Ireland under our international obligations. This includes sequestration and emissions from agriculture and forestry. Sequestration and emissions for all types and ages of forests are included, based on the equivalent amount of CO2 removed from, or emitted to, the atmosphere.
The amount reported is based on a national estimate and is not reported for individual plantations or for each forest owner. Ireland's reporting and accounting does not imply ownership, but simply reflects the requirement for those reductions and emissions to be included in the State’s climate inventory.
The term 'carbon credit' is usually used in voluntary markets for activities that result in removing additional CO2 from the atmosphere based on set eligibility criteria.
The Commission is taking the following steps with a view to implementing a detailed carbon farming framework:
• Adoption of EU certification methodologies for different activities by 2025;
• Adoption of third-party verification rules: The Commission will issue implementing acts to set technical rules for third-party verification requirements by 2026;
• Recognition of certification schemes: By 2030, the Commission will approve certification schemes able to apply CRCF rules through Decisions, following a comprehensive assessment of governance, rules, and procedures, typically granting recognition for five years.
In tandem with developments at EU level, I am committed to developing a National Framework for Carbon Farming to provide guidance to farmers and landowners in Ireland on the overarching principles needed to develop Carbon Farming. My Department held a public consultation in September 2023 on Carbon Farming, and positive feedback was received from stakeholders on the potential opportunities in this area, with further engagement planned to inform future policy developments.
557. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a map of all reclaimed land in the country exists within his Department, showing land for which the nature restoration law may be applicable; and if so, if he will provide a copy of such a map. [36591/24]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine do not hold mapping of all reclaimed land in the country.
558. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had any engagement with the European Commissioner for Agriculture on the topic of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments or potential reform of CAP since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36592/24]
View answerIt is a key responsibility of Government to raise Ireland's concerns with our EU partners and to influence EU policy. For my part as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I regularly meet with my counterparts in the Council of the European Union to discuss policy developments in the Union and to help shape a response. The AGRIFISH Council, which is attended by ministers from every Member State and by the European Commissioner for agriculture and rural development, meets on a monthly basis. I engage with the Commissioner on a wide range of issues affecting the agri-food sector, including CAP payments and the CAP post-2027, at these Council meetings as well as in bilateral discussions.
By way of example, much of the focus of recent Council meetings was to progress short and medium term measures to reduce administrative burden and achieve simplification for farmers. I engaged extensively at these meetings to ensure that Irish interests and concerns were well reflected in the final package of simplification measures which was agreed. I am happy that this engagement has delivered, for example that farms under 10 hectares in size can now be exempted from conditionality under the CAP.
With regard to the potential reform of the CAP, the Commission proposals for CAP post-2027 are expected in mid-2025. I recently attended a debate on this topic with the Commissioner and took this opportunity to stress that we should refocus on the need for the CAP, as outlined in the Treaty, to ensure food security and food safety, as well as contributing to the development of sustainable food systems, encompassing economic and social sustainability as well as environmental sustainability. I also emphasised the need for a well-funded CAP with a budget that matches its ambition.
I also recently engaged with the Commissioner to ensure that the Commission implementing regulations which provide for higher rate of advance payments were in place in time to make advance payments under the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme at the higher rate of 85% this month.
I will continue to engage with the Commissioner and his successor on these important issues going forward.
559. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his recent trade mission to China and South Korea. [36671/24]
View answerEarlier this month, together with Minister of State Heydon I led a Trade Mission to China and the Republic of Korea, supported by officials from my Department, Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland. China and Korea are priority markets for growth and market diversification of Irish agri-food exports. Following on from my recent announcement that Ireland had secured access for Irish beef to the Korean market, this created an ideal opportunity for focused and targeted food promotion.
Trade missions such as these also enable us to engage politically at Government-to-Government level. In this case, our objectives were to progress our applications to further expand our market access in both countries. In China, I met with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to discuss areas of mutual interest, and with the Minister of the General Administration of Customs (GACC) which deal with market access, to discuss advancing market access on bone-in beef, beef offal and germinal products.
In Korea I met with the Vice Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) to thank him for his Ministry's assistance in finalising our beef access and to discuss potential for further beef plants to be audited for export and the next steps to gain poultry access. My officials also held a technical meeting with their counterparts in the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) to discuss similar matters.
In relation to the commercial element in both countries, there was a focus on meat, dairy, seafood and beverages. Minister Heydon and I met with a range of key Chinese and Korean commercial players alongside Irish suppliers to raise awareness of the quality and sustainability of Irish produce as we seek to diversify our exports. A highlight of the Korean leg of the trade mission was the official launch of Irish beef into the Korea market.
This trade mission was successful in highlighting that the Irish agri-food sector is a global leader as a source of high quality, safe and sustainable food and drink products.
560. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an ACRES appeal (details supplied). [36716/24]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the ACRES General stream and was approved into Tranche 1 of the scheme.
This ACRES contract was selected for an on-farm Inspection on 10th October 2023, and notification of the inspection findings issued to the person named by letter dated 4th July 2024. As the Deputy is aware, a request to review this decision was received by the ACRES section. The review request was acknowledged and forwarded to the Regional Inspector on 7th August 2024.
The request is being considered by the Regional Inspector and the herd owner will be contacted directly when a decision is made.
561. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the extent of the delays under the fodder transport support scheme; and the reason a farmer (details supplied) has been waiting over three months for their payment. [36719/24]
View answerThe Fodder Transport Support Measure was introduced on 9th April to provide targeted support to farmers, who had to purchase fodder over longer distances.
This support measure was an emergency response to the adverse and prolonged wet weather conditions and the negative impact this was having on fodder stocks on holdings throughout the country.
The measure was operated in conjunction with the Co-operative movement and as outlined in the Terms and Conditions of the measure, a bulk payment will issue to each participating Co-operative in respect of associated and verified individual claims.
A total of 682 applications were received by my department, for which a number of administrative checks are required to be completed before any bulk payments to participating Co-operatives can be considered. Immediately on completion of all checks, bulk payments will commence issuing to Co-operatives and individual claimants will be notified.
562. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide additional information on the case of a person (details supplied); the reasons this application was with the Department for approximately 13 months; the reasons he had to make several phone calls to enquire about the status of his application; the reasons he was informed verbally that his application was approved pending the issuing of the final approval letter; the reasons this application was then refused and subsequently refused again on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36781/24]
View answerThe person named submitted an application for grant aid under the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS) - which is a measure under TAMS 3 - on 12th April 2023, as part of the tranche which closed for applications on 30th June 2023.
This application underwent an initial administrative check following the closure of the tranche and completed the regulatory ranking and selection process on 3rd January 2024.
A further detailed technical check must be completed on all files before written approval can be issued. During this technical check issues arose relating to documentation submitted.
My Department was in contact with the applicant regarding these issues, and it was discovered that the investments had been completed prior to approval being issued.
The application was then rejected as commencement of work on fixed investments prior to the issue of an approval to carry out such work invalidates the application, as per the terms and conditions of the scheme.
The person named was informed of this decision by letter dated 25th June 2024. They requested a review of the decision, and were informed that the review upheld the original decision in a letter dated 10th July 2024. This letter outlined their right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office (AAO) within three months of the date of that letter. At this time, an appeal has not yet been received by the AAO.
563. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date by which the Government will issue an updated shareholder letter of expectation to Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36811/24]
View answer564. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Departments that will be consulted in the drafting of the shareholder letter of expectation to Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36812/24]
View answer565. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that the peatland restoration on public land is reflected within the updated shareholder letter of expectation that will be issued to Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36813/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 564 and 565 together.
The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requires that Government Departments ensure that they have written oversight agreements with State bodies under their aegis which clearly define the terms of the State body’s relationship with the relevant Minister/parent Department.For commercial State bodies the oversight agreement between the relevant Minister/parent Department and the State body is the Shareholder Letter of Expectation. The current Shareholder Letter of Expectation issued to Coillte on 2nd June 2022 and addresses all relevant matters, including the issue of peatland restoration on public lands. It is published on my Department's website and available at the following link gov - Forest Policy and Strategy (www.gov.ie).
My Department intends to issue a new Letter by year end, the content of which will be discussed and agreed with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform as co-shareholder in Coillte.
566. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the adequacy of the current reconstitution and underplanting scheme in light of the identification of the pseudips mexicanus, known as the Monterey pine engraver, alongside the larch beetle in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36834/24]
View answer569. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the preventative measures that were in place prior to the discovery of the larch beetle in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36837/24]
View answer570. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the preventative measures that were in place prior to the discovery of the Monterey beetle in Clare and Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36838/24]
View answer571. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the locations where the larch beetle and the Monterey beetle have been discovered in Ireland; the restrictions that have been placed in Ireland on the certification and other use of timber sourced from those locations and the requirement and impacts this will have on local foresters; the supports to be put in place to assist in these cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36839/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 566, 569, 570 and 571 together.
My Department found three Ips cembrae beetles (common name: large larch bark beetle) in one of its pheromone traps in Passage West Port in Cork.
Passage West port is used for the importation of roundwood logs from the Pest Free Area (PFA) in western Scotland. Ips cembrae was never found or intercepted in Ireland in the past, despite longstanding annual surveillance. The export of logs from the PFA has ceased following this finding until a full investigation takes place. Additional surveys are being carried out in the vicinity of the port but there have been no further findings.
My Department found Pseudips mexicanus beetles (common name: Monterey pine engraver) in several pheromone traps near Cratloe Co. Clare. To date no source of these Pseudips mexicanus beetles has been identified. A 10km Demarcated Area was established around the Pseudips mexicanus findings. Within this Demarcated Area restrictions on the felling and movement of pine species now apply. This is to ensure that untreated pine wood and pine wood products can only leave the demarcated area under the control of the Department for treatment and not for direct trade to other parts of the island or for export. The Department is working to facilitate the movement of pine logs with bark out of the demarcated under controlled circumstances.
Affected forest owners in the demarcated area have been contacted directly by my Department with further information. An information day was held by my Forestry Inspectorate officials onsite with forest owners in April. My Department will continue to keep stakeholders informed as new information comes to hand and as the timber movement protocols are developed.
Import restrictions apply to host commodities of both Ips cembrae and Pseudips mexicanus .
Currently my Department operates a Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme. This applies to ash plantations and covers financial support to clear and replant the ash forest with different tree species. There is scope under the Forestry Programme to offer support on phytosanitary and other grounds, such as frost or drought damage. Should a breeding population of Pseudips mexicanus or Ips cembrae be discovered and eradication measures such as felling and destruction of trees be required, I would consider the option of introducing an appropriate Reconstitution Scheme, subject to the normal budgetary considerations.
567. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the data that informed his Department’s site clearance funding under the reconstitution and underplanting scheme; the methodology his Department used in assessing that financing as being sufficient and appropriate to cover the different needs of different forests and woodlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36835/24]
View answerThe Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback was part of the €1.3 billion package negotiated successfully for the Forestry Programme 23-27, and for which State Aid Approval was received in 2023. The Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback 23-27 includes a 100% increase in the site clearance grant and considerably enhanced planting grants under seven forest types for the planting of other species, as well as an innovative top up premium for those ash sites still due premiums under the original afforestation scheme.
All grant schemes under the Forestry Programme and their constituent payments, including the site clearance rate, were informed by economic and financial analysis including insights gained from daily engagement with cost-based applications for grant payment for all forestry operations.
An Ash Dieback Action Plan was approved by Government in May of this year and a Taskforce was established with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the Plan. This Taskforce is a forum comprising officials from my Department and stakeholders including ash forest owners, with some useful clarifications made and actions agreed to progress the implementation of the Plan. The role of the Taskforce is to ensure that the Plan is implemented in an effective way, with a coordinated response and resolution of obstacles to implementation.
Minister of State Pippa Hackett has also launched the Climate Action Performance Scheme (CAPP) as part of the Ash Dieback Action Plan . This payment of €5,000 per hectare paid in three instalments will be available to those forest owners who have cleared their sites and replanted. The overall financial package of supports for ash owners now available amounts to a total of €237 million.
