Agriculture Schemes

Tuesday, 8 October 2024

Questions (407)

Denis Naughten

Question:

407. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will list the most frequent non compliances identified under each scheme for which farmers applied in 2023; the steps he is taking to reduce this error rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40018/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

It is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the required time. The information is currently being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.

The information requested is now set out in the below table.

Scheme	Most frequent non compliances in 2023	Steps taken to reduce the error rate
Multi-Species Sward Measure (MSSM)	Crop type not declared as Multi-Species Sward on participants 2023 BISS application.	Expression of interest in the 2024 MSSM were submitted through the applicant’s BISS application. There is no longer a separate application process. Errors associated with crop type descriptions have been eliminated.
Red Clover Silage Measure (RCSM)	Crop type not declared as Red Clover on participants 2023 BISS application	Expression of interest in the 2024 RCSM were submitted through the applicant’s BISS application. There is no longer a separate application process. Errors associated with crop type descriptions have been eliminated.
Afforestation	understocking, fencing deficiencies, weed competition	Remedial work requests are continuously monitored by the Department and training of Registered foresters and Department staff is carried out on a regular basis. This is complemented through the issuing of updates standards and the issuing of Circulars.
Forest Roads	pavement and structural deficiencies.
Native Woodland Establishment	understocking.
Reconstitution Ash Dieback	lack of provenance certificates, insufficient vegetation control and leaving empty bags on sites.
Reconstitution & Underplanting	lack of provenance certificates, insufficient vegetation control and leaving empty bags on sites.
Woodland Improvement	works carried out not reflected accurately in the supporting documentation.
Nitrates Derogation	Failure to upload required support documentation by deadline.	Regarding 2023 applications, reminder letters issued to farmers recorded as not having uploaded Nutrient Management Plans and/or Soil Analysis results in support of the 2023 application, engagement ongoing with Agricultural Advisors.
Unharvested Crop Support Scheme	Most frequent non-compliances in descending order of frequency included: - Applicants found to have harvested crops on inspection - applicants below the minimum 2 hectare area requirement as set out in the scheme terms and conditions. - applicants had Ineligible crops as set out in the scheme terms and condition.	The Unharvested Crop Support Scheme was a once-off Scheme
Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP)	Failure to comply with SCEP required actions by compliance action dates outlined in terms and conditions of the scheme.	Action reminder letter, reminding participants on relevant action dates and requirements, issued to all SCEP participants on 15 April 2024. SCEP Training, which is an eligibility requirement for continued participation in SCEP, launched in April 2024, and reiterates all SCEP action requirements and compliance dates for each eligibility and action under the programme. SCEP training must be completed in full by 15/11/2024.
Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF)	Failure to demonstrate financial and managerial control of the holding.	Provide information and advice to applicants, registered Agricultural Agents. Host webinars highlighting requirements.
Sheep Schemes	Incorrect completion or non-completion of the Scheme Action Record Book (ARB), failure to supply supporting documentation	A Help guide for completing the ARB has been sent to all eligible applicants for year 2 of the scheme and also uploaded to the DAFM website
Protein	Crop found not as declared	Terms and Conditions provides clear text on the requirement to declare the correct protein crop at the time of application. It also provides text on the penalty impact of an incorrect declaration
Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM)	Straw not incorporated	Terms and Conditions provides clear text on the obligation to chop, spread and incorporate straw post-harvest and of the ensuing penalties where not complied with.
BISS/CRISS	Overclaims Dual Claims Parcel Use – claiming incorrect crop	Where an applicant submits a claim for an area greater than the Eligible Hectare a warning pop-up will appear advising them this may result in an overclaim. In addition, DAFM issue Preliminary Check notifications to these cases and they are afforded the opportunity to amend their application accordingly. This error occurs where two applicants claim the same land parcel. It is not possible to mitigate for this error at application stage, but DAFM issue Preliminary Check notifications on these cases and they are afforded the opportunity to amend their application accordingly. Applicants may inadvertently claim a different crop/parcel use than what is actually sown. DAFM use the Area Monitoring System (AMS) whereby satellite imagery is used to determine crops on a parcel. Where a different crop is identified to that claimed , the applicant will be issued with an AMS notification and afforded the opportunity to amend the crop accordingly.
TAMS II	Payment Claim Receipts Issues. VAT being claimed as part of cost. Ineligible payments from a bank account not in the name of the applicant. Incorrect Investments and dimensions claimed. Specifications not being followed.	Advisor training undertaken
TAMS II and TAMS 3	Quality of drawings and farmyard plans. Dimensions on drawing not matching applied for amounts.	Advisor training undertaken.
Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC)	Failure to meet scheme stocking requirements	Provision of a stocking panel on agfood.ie. The stocking panel is available to all advisors and shows the current and prior year stocking information for applicants. This information is updated weekly. Availability of a free stocking calculator on the DAFM website. The calculator will calculate the stocking rate for applicants once they enter the number of animals on the holding as well as the area of their holding. Ongoing provision of stocking requirements and advice to applicants through various channels including email and phone.
ACRES	Payable units claimed for actions overestimated.	Continuous communication to all stakeholders warranted.