Written Answers Nos. 393-412
393. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is correct to interpret the answer to a previous Parliamentary Question (details supplied) as meaning that during the period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021, 12,483 non-coursing greyhounds were whelped; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39678/24]
View answerThe 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 ICC has informed my Department that it is correct to interpret that 12,483 non coursing greyhounds were whelped in 2021.
394. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that a claim in Greyhound Racing Ireland's latest annual report that ‘378,748 patrons attended greyhound racing events in 2023’ is inaccurate due to the fact that this figure includes at least 87,628 entries by non-patrons (i.e., greyhound owners, greyhound trainers and bookmakers). [39679/24]
View answerRásaíocht 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.
395. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 341 of 2 July 2024, if he is aware that the trainer of a greyhound raced at Curraheen Park track stated that one of the dog's owners is an individual banned from owning dogs (details supplied); and the action he is taking to address this. [39680/24]
View answerRásaíocht 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.
RCÉ has informed this Department that while RCÉ has no statutory role regarding greyhound ownership in Ireland, the matter was investigated by RCÉ on receipt of the details of a relevant Court Order. It was established by RCÉ’s team of Welfare Officers that there were no greyhounds in the immediate care of Ms. Connolly at Puckaun, County Tipperary.
Regarding the participation in racing of a greyhound registered to a UK based Syndicate (M-W-D Partnership), RCÉ has informed my Department that on enquiry with the Greyhound Racing Board of Great Britain (GBGB), GBGB states that it does not request the names of syndicate members as full responsibility rests with the lead person of the syndicate, which is not the person named in this instance.
396. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the ‘stopped body restraints’ used by his Department to catch badgers are a trap or a snare under the Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003, which approves them. [39681/24]
View answerBovine tuberculosis (TB), caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis, is a persistent problem in cattle herds in Ireland, resulting in hardship for affected farmers and substantial ongoing national exchequer expenditure.
The epidemiology of TB is complex and challenging. There are three main sources of infection for cattle, the purchase of infected cattle, the presence of residual (undetected) infection within cattle herds. and wildlife (badgers predominately),The relative importance of these factors varies from herd to herd and all three need to be addressed to eradicate TB, and the national TB eradication programme.
Based on a large body of evidence over a number of years the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine established a wildlife programme to reduce the density of badgers in areas of high TB prevalence. However, it is acknowledged that culling on its own is not sustainable as a long-term measure, and a vaccination programme has also been integrated into the DAFM Wildlife Programme. Badger vaccination is now an integral part of the Irish TB Eradication Programme. This follows over 15 years of research work using BCG vaccine to prevent tuberculosis infection in badgers, and scientific trials carried out between 2013 and 2017 that show that vaccination is no less effective than culling.
The Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003 provides for the methods by which wildlife may be captured subject to a licence in accordance to the provisions of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended. Badgers are captured using 'stopped body restraints' as defined under regulation 3(d) of the above Regulations.
397. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses used at this year's Galway Races festival that have been confirmed dead; if they were killed at the racecourse or elsewhere; and the causes of the deaths. [39688/24]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
398. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the last time he met formally with the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland; and the issues discussed; when he is next scheduled to meet the CEO. [39706/24]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
I last met with the CEO of HRI on 17th July 2024. The issues discussed were financial performance and budget matters, equine welfare, planned capital projects and corporate governance.
While I have no immediate plans to meet the CEO in the near future, officials of my Department maintain ongoing and appropriate contact with HRI at all levels across a wide range of issues including those mentioned above.
399. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the last time he met formally with the CEO of Greyhound Racing Ireland; the issues discussed; and when is next scheduled to meet the CEO. [39707/24]
View answerRásaíocht 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.
I last met with the CEO of RCÉ on 24th July 2024. The issues discussed were financial performance and budgetary matters, integrity and welfare, capital projects and corporate governance.
While I have no immediate plans to meet the CEO in the near future, officials of my Department maintain ongoing and appropriate contact with RCÉ at all levels across a wide range of issues including those mentioned above.
400. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of prosecutions that have been taken in Ireland for docking dogs' tails since the legislation prohibiting this was effected in 2014. [39721/24]
View answerThe legislation prohibiting the docking of dog’s tails was introduced in 2014. Since it’s introduction, there have been 11 cases prosecuted, to date.
401. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the proposed tillage incentive scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39734/24]
View answerThe Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) was a temporary support measure which was introduced in response to the aggression in the Ukraine in 2022 and operated under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF).
The objectives of the measure were to reduce the dependency on imported feed material.
The measure provided financial compensation to farmers who increased their eligible tillage area in 2022 and or 2023 through converting eligible pasture lands to tillage.
The measure provided a maintenance payment in the year following conversion where the overall tillage area of the holding was maintained.
In 2024 payments will issue to those who maintained their tillage area but there is no payment for conversion of new lands.
402. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider an extension to the slurry dates for this year. [39765/24]
View answerMy colleague, Minister O'Brien is responsible for the European Union Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations 2022 (SI 113 of 2022, as amended).
Under these Regulations the closed period for applying slurry to land now commences on the 1st of October annually.
Following consultation with me, in 2022, Minister O'Brien published the scientific criteria that must be considered before granting any extension to the slurry spreading period. Due to the increased risk of the loss of nutrients to water through late application of slurry those criteria were designed to only apply in justified exceptional circumstances.
Last year the scientific criteria were met and that justified an extension to the period when slurry spreading was permitted. However, the same scientific criteria were not met this year.
There has been a significant increased focus on water quality across the agri-food sector in recent years. Stakeholders across the industry are now very much focused on the objective of improving water quality.
Earlier this year I published 'Water and Agriculture - a collaborative approach' which highlights the issues we face and the good work currently being done to improve water quality from an agricultural perspective.
Irish water quality needs to improve in order to meet the Water Framework Directive target and maintain Ireland's Nitrates Derogation.
Farmers have been and are making great strides in implementing actions at farm level to improve water quality and the current government is providing strong incentives to support this work which is underpinned by science.
The relevant scientific criteria did not support an extension to the slurry spreading deadline this year and the closed period began on the 1st of October.
403. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the location in which the horses that were due for slaughter in a facility (details supplied) between June to date are being held. [39787/24]
View answerNo horses were presented for slaughter at the plant between the final Department supervised slaughter date on 5th June and 14th June, when I revoked the approval of the plant.
The Department has no definitive information regarding what horses were due for slaughter at the plant after 5 June 2024.
404. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on an application by a person (details supplied) to the ACRES scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39886/24]
View answerThe person named was approved into Tranche 1 of the ACRES Co-Operation stream. The Rare Breeds action was chosen as part of the submitted application. However, the breeds selected were Dexter Cattle and Connemara Ponies. Droimeann Cattle was not selected in this application.
Unfortunately, once an application is submitted, it cannot be amended, as per Circular 6/2022 and 12/2022. Therefore, it will not be possible to add Droimeann Cattle to the application at this stage.
405. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he plans to implement the European Parliament recommendations (details supplied) in regards to providing the necessary administrative and financial support for new producer organisations (POs) to set up and operate, especially for small-scale coastal fisheries; the details of the funding measures that will be put in place to assist new POs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39928/24]
View answerProducer Organisations (POs) are officially recognised bodies set up by fishery or aquaculture producers, to manage the activity of their members. POs can play an important role in the market, improving economic returns for their members, stabilising the market, avoiding and reducing as far as possible unwanted catches and generally coordinating the activities of their members.
The resolution adopted by the European Parliament refers to issues at EU level affecting POs, in particular complex set-up and recognition frameworks, and financial and legal uncertainties regarding financial support and eligibility of actions.
In recent years two new POs have achieved recognition in Ireland. Funding support for POs has been available under a scheme funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which clearly set out the costs that are eligible for funding. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) administers the PO scheme and can provide clarification to POs where there are any queries concerning the terms and conditions of the scheme. A new PO scheme is currently being developed for funding under the successor to the EMFF, which is the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
My Department has commenced engagement with BIM, the Marine Institute and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, with a view to reviewing the PO Scheme which operated under the EMFF, and to consider how the new scheme might better support POs. In doing so we must ensure the new scheme is fully aligned with the provisions and objectives of EMFAF, as well as the objectives of Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products, which is the regulatory basis for the establishment of POs. Other stakeholders, including the POs, will be invited to participate in this review in the coming months. The recommendations of the European Parliament, regarding the provision of administrative and financial supports for new Producer Organisations (PO) will be included in the considerations as part of the review of the Producer Organisation Scheme.
As this review will take some time to complete, my Department has engaged with the POs and an initial PO scheme that is similar to the scheme operated under EMFF will be put in place, pending a new scheme being finalised. This will allow for financial support to be paid to eligible POs in 2024, with future funding to be granted under the terms of the new revised scheme, once it is finalised and adopted by the EMFAF Monitoring Committee. I envisage that this collaborative approach to the review of the scheme will be of benefit to existing, as well as new POs, and support them in fulfilling their functions as set out in the CMO Regulation during the programming period.
406. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine about financial aid for potato farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40010/24]
View answerI fully recognise the challenges posed by the weather conditions in late 2023 and early 2024 and my Department continuously monitored the situation across the potato sector in that period. The adverse weather impacted growers to differing extents around the country with a very wide variation in unharvested potato areas. Overall, the vast majority of the 2023 planted crop was harvested, with less than 3% of the potato crop remaining unharvested, representing a 97% harvest rate.
As I indicated at the meeting on 4 July the Department cannot intervene in all circumstances and can only step in in exceptional circumstances. On balance based on all the information available, the potato sector has remained relatively strong throughout 2023 and into 2024 despite the challenges posed by the weather events of 2023.
The Department has provided significant support to the potato sector and remains committed to it.
The 2024 Schemes for Investment Aid for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture with a total budget of €1.35 million was open to applicants from the potato sector. The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Seed Potato and the Chipping Potato Scheme provided a fund of €3.1 million from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund over 2022 and 2023. In 2023 the number and range of eligible capital investment items supporting the potato sector was increased under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme III (TAMS 3) for CAP 2023-2027. Indicative figures show applications by the sector totalling €2.6 million of DAFM reference costs. Initial support is also available to the potato sector through the Early-Stage Support for Producer Organisation Scheme administered by my Department.
In addition, potato growers who planted and declared field grown food crops in 2024 on their BISS application will receive a €100/hectare payment announced as part of Budget 2025.
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 answerIt 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.
|
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. |
408. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to enhance the powers of the agri-food regulator; if he has given consideration to correspondence from the office of the regulator with regard to the powers of compellability; if there are plans to review the operation of the regulator and the timeline for such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40028/24]
View answerLegislation allowing for the establishment of Ireland’s Agri-Food Regulator, the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023, was signed into law on 11th of July 2023. An Rialálaí Agraibhia was subsequently established on the 13th of December 2023.
I can confirm that, on 12 September 2024, I received a report from An Rialálaí Agraibhia. The report recommended that I introduce additional Regulations under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023.
I am currently assessing the report and its related recommendation.
409. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of decisions the Forestry Appeals Committee made in 2023 and 2024 respectively, disaggregated by whether the hearing was paper-based or oral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40043/24]
View answerPlease see the figures requested below. Further information on the proceedings and decisions of the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) can be found on their website here:
www.agriappeals.gov.ie/forestryappealscommittee/
|
2023 FAC Decisions that had an oral hearing. |
10 |
|
2023 FAC Decisions that did not have an oral hearing. |
80 |
|
Total 2023 FAC Decisions. |
90 |
|
2024 FAC Decisions that had an oral hearing. |
1 |
|
2024 FAC Decisions that did not have an oral hearing. |
48 |
|
2024 FAC Decisions.* |
49 |
*2024 figures are up to 03/10/2024
410. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total cost of associated with the work of the Forestry Appeals Committee for each year from 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40044/24]
View answerInformation on the total costs associated with the work of the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) for the dates requested is set out by year below.
|
Year |
Cost |
Decisions made |
|
2020 |
€85,092.72 |
296 |
|
2021 |
€481,457.27 |
435 |
|
2022 |
€89,328.03 |
145 |
|
2023 |
€86,298.44 |
101 |
|
2024 (to 3rd October) |
€57,017.51 |
39 |
*The FAC cost may include room hire, training and translation fees for the Chairperson’s reports.
2020
The Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 was enacted on 6th October 2020, and the Act and associated Regulations came into force on that date. The Act provided introduction of fees for the making of appeals (€200 per appeal), the appointment of Deputy Chairpersons, and amendment of the options available to the FAC in making decisions on appeals.
• The FAC cost was €85,092.72*.
• Fees received for 42 valid appeals was €8,400.
• The FAC issued 296 decisions.
*The FAC cost may include room hire, training and translation fees for the Chairperson’s reports.
2021
Expenditure for the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) in 2021 was €481,457.27.
The introduction of the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 provided for the establishment of additional Forestry Appeals Committees of which there are currently four sitting committees. This consequently required the appointment of six additional experts. The appointment of these additional resources led to an increase in expenditure and facilitated clearing the backlog of forestry appeals.
Also, in 2021 the FAC availed of external technical expertise, and this incurred an expense of €7,285.72. This fee is accounted for in the below total cost of FAC.
1. The FAC cost was €481,457.27.*
2. Fees received for 109 valid appeals was €21,800.
3. The FAC issued 435 decisions. In January 2021 there were 392 licences subject to appeal which were carried over from the previous years. During 2021, 463 cases were closed, including outstanding licences that were under appeal from previous years. This resulted in a clearing of all the backlog at the time.
*The FAC cost may include room hire, training and translation fees for the Chairperson’s reports.
2022
• The FAC cost was €89,328.03.*
• Fees received for 131 valid appeals was €26,200.
• The FAC issued 145 decisions.
*The FAC cost may include room hire, training and translation fees for the Chairperson’s reports.
2023
• The FAC cost was €86,298.44.*
• Fees received for 43 valid appeals was €8,600.
• The FAC issued 101 decisions.
*The FAC cost may include room hire, training and translation fees for the Chairperson’s reports.
2024 up to 3rd October 2024
• FAC has cost €57,017.51*
• Fees received for 93 valid appeals €18,600.
• The FAC has issued 39 decisions
* The FAC cost can include room hire, training and translation fees for the Chairperson’s reports.
411. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the checks carried out by his Department on fertiliser in terms of N, P and K content; the number of samples and checks carried out in 2023 and to date in 2024; the outcomes of the tests in 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40094/24]
View answerMy Department takes samples of fertiliser products placed on the market to verify compliance with Irish legislation under Statutory Instrument No. 248 of 1978. This legislation provides for the labelling of products and sets out the minimum nutrient requirements that must be met (Part 3 of the Schedule of SI 248 of 1978 refers).
The Department has an annual inspection programme, which involves inspections and sampling of fertiliser products. The fertiliser products are tested for a range of parameters specified in the legislation, including Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. The sample analyses are carried out by the State Laboratory, employing a number of different internationally recognised methods of determination.
There are Standard Operation Procedures for sampling fertilisers, which includes sampling from bagged product, stockpiled product and free-falling finished product. Samples are taken from sample portions ranging from 2 to 40 tonnes, through a process of reduction intended to produce representative final sample portions for testing purposes.
The table below outlines the results of sample analysis for 2023 and to date in 2024:
|
Year |
No Samples |
No tests |
results in tolerance |
results out of tolerance |
|
2023 |
192 |
569 |
543 (95%) |
26 (4.6%) |
|
2024 to date |
174 |
395 |
381 (99%) |
4 (1.1%) |
412. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an oral hearing relating to an appeal to the agriculture appeals office will take place (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40110/24]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
I have been informed that the Agriculture Appeals Office received an appeal from the person named on 13th August 2024.
I am further informed that the Agriculture Appeals Office has received the statement on the grounds of appeal and related documents from my Department, and the appeal has been assigned to an Appeals Officer.
I am assured the Appeals Officer will shortly be in contact with the farmer with a view to arranging a date for the oral hearing.
