Written Answers Nos. 471-490
471. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any regulatory obstacles to domestic producers and suppliers sourcing pigmeat from outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13675/26]
View answerPig meat or meat products can only enter the EU from approved establishments in countries listed in the relevant Annexes to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404. This Regulation lays down the lists of third countries, territories, or zones from which the entry into the Union of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin is permitted.
Third countries - that is, non-EU countries - must apply to the European Commission to be included on approved country lists, a process which requires submission of detailed information on the applicant country’s animal husbandry, hygiene and production methods, and other relevant standards.
Third country audits are performed by EU Commission officials to verify the information included in the submission and to verify that husbandry, hygiene and production methods and standards are equal to those required throughout the European Union.
In addition, imports of meat and meat products must be accompanied by the relevant model of health certificate, completed and signed by the Competent Authority of the exporting third country. These health certificates contain, but are not limited to, attestations relating to the establishment of origin of the animals, welfare at the time of slaughter, and hygiene standards of the approved establishment of origin of the meat and meat products.
At the border control post (BCP) of first entry to the EU, such consignments undergo full documentary and identity checks and a varying percentage of physical checks. In addition, sampling may be performed at the BCP either randomly, or as part of enhanced sampling and intensified official controls which apply to consignments under suspicion of non-compliance.
Further information on agri-food sector trade and Central Statistics Office agri-food trade categories can be found in chapter six of my Department's [Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2024-2025].
472. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken to maintain farm-to-fork standards when Brazilian-sourced products are involved in Irish processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13676/26]
View answer'Farm-to-fork' standards relate to the the requirement to maintain traceability at all stages of the food chain which is set down in EU legislation in Article 18 of Regulation 178/2002. Traceability of food, feed, food-producing animals, and any other substance intended to be, or expected to be, incorporated into a food or feed must be established at all stages of production, processing and distribution. Food business operators are expected to be able to identify their suppliers and customers (i.e. one step forward and one step back) with some exceptions (e.g. restaurants and mass caterers are not expected to maintain data on their customers) and this data must be made available to the competent authority on request.
For third country imports (e.g. from Brazil) of meat or meat products, these consignments are subject to official controls in the first instance at our border control posts, where documentary checks assessing veterinary health certification and attestations made regarding the imported product are checked by my Department before the arrival of the consignment into the Union followed by identification checks of the consignment on arrival during which the labelling of the product is checked against the documentation provided. Both of these checks are performed on all third country meat consignments (i.e. at 100% frequency). If the consignment passes these checks, as well as any physical checks, to which it may be subjected, the consignment is deemed to have reached an equivalent standard as that required of EU products. In that case, the Common Health Entry Document (CHED) that accompanies the consignment detailing where it originated, where it is destined for and all details relevant to the type, weight, storage and transportation of the product, is validated and the consignment is free to move within the Union.
All food business operators in Ireland, if in receipt of food products into their business, must have an Intake Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place detailing how the traceability of the product, provided by their suppliers, is checked by them on arrival. This requirement for food business operators, which is regularly checked by my Department in the course of audits and other inspections, is consistent regardless of the country of origin of the product received and is central to the food business operators' discharge of their responsibilities under Article 18 of Regulation 178/2002.
473. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any Irish processors have had meat recalls, and whether any such incidents involved Brazilian beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13677/26]
View answerThe Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food law in Ireland and the question is more appropriately addressed to the Minister for Health.
474. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the records that are maintained for testing all imported beef, including consignments from Brazil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13679/26]
View answer476. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process by which positive release is achieved for every batch or shipment of imported beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13681/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 474 and 476 together.
Beef consignments entering the EU from a third country, including Brazil, must do so through an approved Border Control Post (BCP). At the BCP, consignments are subject to official controls in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625. These controls include documentary checks, identity checks and, where required, physical examinations and sampling. Consignments that satisfy these controls may be released from the BCP for placing on the market.
Records of documentary, identity, physical and sampling controls are maintained on the EU TRACES system and national IT systems including my Department’s Agriculture Field Inspection Testing (AFIT) system.
475. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all Brazilian beef imports are tested for banned hormones and antibiotics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13680/26]
View answerBeef consignments entering the EU from any non-EU country (‘third country’) must do so through an approved Border Control Post (BCP). At the BCP, consignments are subject to official controls in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625. These controls include documentary checks, identity checks and, where required, physical examinations and sampling. Consignments that satisfy these controls may be released from the BCP for placing on the market.
Controls on imported beef, including testing for residues, are governed by EU Official controls legislation and are graduated and risk-based, rather than involving automatic 100% testing. Consignments entering any EU Member State, from Brazil or any other third country, are sampled and tested in accordance with a national, risk-based monitoring plan (NRCP) for residues and contaminants, in line with Regulation (EU) 2017/625. The NRCP must be approved by the European Commission. Sampling at BCPs is targeted based on risk factors, including previous compliance history and EU-wide monitoring priorities.
Where serious or repeated non-compliances are identified, intensified official controls may be applied, including increased and targeted sampling, additional physical checks, or other appropriate enforcement measures.
477. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 486 of 12 February 2026, if he will engage with an organisation and other animal welfare charities in relation to a specific case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13714/26]
View answer478. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 486 of 12 February 2026, the actions he will take to address the specific situation in relation to a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13715/26]
View answer479. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 486 of 12 February 2026, the actions he is taking to prevent sulky racing before it becomes a matter of road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13716/26]
View answer480. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding inspections related to the welfare of horses forced to participate in sulky racing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13717/26]
View answer481. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding any work ongoing in his Department in relation to the illegal and improper care and housing of horses and other animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13718/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 477 to 481, inclusive, together.
Parliamentary Question No. 486 of 12 February 2026, outlined the protections and enforcement measures, in place in relation to the welfare of equines. Parliamentary Question No. 486 of 12 February 2026, also highlighted that the use of sulkies on public roads is governed by the relevant provisions of the Roads and Road Traffic Acts, which are the legislative responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport and that drivers of all vehicles on public roads are required to comply with road traffic legislation, which is enforced by An Garda Síochána.
I am aware of the incident in question and I understand that it may be under investigation by An Garda Síochána, and as such, I am not in a position to comment.
482. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if heifers remained in the trucks while waiting to be loaded onto the vessel, or were they taken to an assembly centre where they were unloaded, rested, and fed when they were exported from Ireland to Libya on 5 January 2025 (details supplied); if they were held at an assembly centre; if so, which centre(s) were used; the reason for the extended duration of the voyage; if there was adequate feed on board to cover the additional three days; the stage of pregnancy the heifers were at the time of transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13758/26]
View answerThe trade in and export of animals is a private commercial activity which is regulated by my Department in accordance with EU and National Regulations. Relevant EU and National Regulations for this sector include Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, S.I. No. 675/2006 European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006, S.I. No. 580/2007 - Diseases of Animals (Animal Transport) (Roll-On Roll-Off Vessels) Order 2007 and S.I. No. 356/2016 - Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016. The provisions of S.I No. 356 of 2016 Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations only apply to dedicated livestock vessel journeys that depart from a port in Ireland.
The consignment of animals referenced by the Deputy were initially transported from Ireland to Spain using road vehicles and Roll on Roll off Vessel (RoRo /Ferry ). These modes of transport were approved by my Department in accordance with relevant National and EU Regulations. The animals were then loaded onto the dedicated vessel Nader A under the supervision of the Spanish authorities for transport to Libya. Other animals which originated in Spain or other Member States were also loaded onto to this vessel. The Nader A is approved by France under the relevant provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport.
My Department is continuing to liaise with the Spanish authorities in relation to the location of assembly centres where these animals were kept prior to loading onto the dedicated vessel Nader A. In addition my Department is also liaising with the Spanish authorities in relation to overall vessel journey time from Spain to Libya and animal feeding supplies on board.
EU Regulation 1/2005 requires that prior to travel an animal must be deemed to be fit for the intended journey. The Regulation does specify that a pregnant animal for whom 90% or more of the expected gestation period has already passed is not considered to be fit for long distance transport. Thus, as part of the official certification process, veterinary inspectors assess each animal to ensure it meets the conditions for fitness to travel as laid down in the Regulation.
483. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider a specific statutory provision against sulky racing and training on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13809/26]
View answerAnimal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to prioritise equine welfare and to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare. It must be emphasised that primary responsibility for the health and welfare of equines lies with the owner or keeper.
It is important to note that the use of sulkies on public roads specifically, as with the use of all vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, is governed by the relevant provisions of the Roads and Road Traffic Acts. Matters in connection with this legislation are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport. In addition, the drivers of all vehicles used on public roads, including horse-drawn carriages, are required to comply with road traffic legislation and to behave in a safe manner paying due care to other road users. The enforcement of such road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
In December 2025, my Department provided funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grants programme. Of that figure, just over €4 million was awarded to charities involved in the care and welfare of horses.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation. The dedicated email address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
484. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the publication of the new Animal Welfare Strategy 2026-2030; if it will contain stronger provisions against improper and illegal use of horses on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13810/26]
View answerThe term of Ireland’s first ever Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 -Working Together for Animal Welfare approached conclusion towards the end of 2025.
In 2025 a process was initiated to develop a new animal welfare strategy, which will act as a framework for engagement and collaboration to direct future activities with the aim of benefiting both animals and Irish society.
Development of the strategy is now well underway following broad stakeholder engagement including a public consultation that was launched on November 19th and ran to January 2nd.
My Department will work through the issues arising from this consultation and other issues in this area as my Department develops a final document.
The new strategy will continue to adopt a ‘One Health, One Welfare’ approach, acknowledging and valuing the inter-dependencies between human, animal and environmental health, and taking an evidence-led approach to policy making, target-setting, monitoring and evaluation.
With specific reference to the issue of sulky racing, their use on public roads, as with the use of all vehicles is governed and adjudicated on by the relevant provisions of the Roads and Road Traffic Acts. Matters in connection with this legislation are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport. In addition, the drivers of all vehicles used on public roads, including horse-drawn carriages, are required to comply with road traffic legislation and to behave in a safe manner paying due care to other road users. The enforcement of such road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
485. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to orient future CAP implementation towards incentives rather than obligations to reduce administrative burdens on farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13820/26]
View answerThe regulatory framework for the Common Agricultural Policy post-2027 has not yet been agreed at EU level, and negotiations on the Commission’s proposals are still at an early stage. Until the final regulations are adopted, it would be premature to set out how future CAP schemes will be oriented as this will depend on what Member States are permitted and required to deliver under the agreed legal framework.
Once the regulatory framework is finalised, Ireland will move to the development of its National and Regional Partnership Plan, including the detailed design of CAP interventions. This will involve structured engagement with farmers and other stakeholders to hear their views on areas such as scheme design, delivery mechanisms and practical implementation.
My consistent position in the negotiations to date is that the future CAP must be adequately funded, workable in practice, and capable of supporting viable farm incomes, food production and environmental commitments, with a key focus on simplification for farmers.
486. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the potential benefits of merging agri-environmental measures with eco-schemes to halve administrative requirements and make programs more attractive to Irish farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13821/26]
View answerThe European Commission’s proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027 are currently at an early stage of negotiation at EU level. The legislative framework governing the future CAP has therefore not yet been agreed.
As with the current CAP Strategic Plan, my Department will engage in detailed consultations with stakeholders on the arrangements that will pertain post-2027, including in respect of individual CAP interventions. It is not possible at this point to comment on specific design options. These matters will depend on the final shape of the EU Regulations, as well as that stakeholder engagement.
My consistent position in the negotiations is that the future CAP must be adequately funded, workable in practice, and capable of supporting viable farm incomes, food production and environmental commitments, with a key focus on simplification for farmers.
487. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the proposed €40 billion innovation window in the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework will be utilised to support Irish agricultural advancements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13823/26]
View answerMy colleague the Minsiter for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has lead responsibility for the proposed new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). The ECF is, in turn, part of the proposals for the EU's 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), in respect of which the Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs and Trade have lead responsibility.
I welcome the Commission’s proposal for an ECF to invest in strategic technologies to benefit the entire Single Market, as recommended in the Letta and Draghi Reports.
Agriculture's specific objectives are set out and provided for in one of the four policy windows identified in the Commission’s proposal. Indeed, agriculture, health, biotechnology and bioeconomy all share funding within the same policy window, with a proposed fund of €20.4 billion.
The proposal is at a very early stage of negotiations. Until the final regulations and the wider MFF are adopted, it would be premature to set out how the ECF will be utilised, as this will depend on what Member States are permitted and required to deliver under the agreed legal framework.
My Department will continue to engage in inter-departmental collaboration in developing the Irish negotiating position on the ECF.
488. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount paid out in flood compensation from the vote allocation of his Department each year since 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13910/26]
View answerIn the past number of years my Department has operated a number of schemes to deal with very specific localised issues related to flooding, encountered in various parts of the country, for example Cooley in Co. Louth and the Shannon Callows region. However, in order to provide a full response to the Deputy's query, my Department will require time to review records back to 2011. Once this work is complete, my Department will be in contact with the Deputy.
|
Scheme Launch Year |
Scheme Name |
Total € |
|
2016 |
Emergency Flood Relief 2016 |
97,909 |
|
2016 |
Fodder Aid 2016 |
666,470 |
|
2017 |
Flood Damage Relief Measure 2017 (Inishowen) |
643,650 |
|
2021 |
Wexford Crop Loss Scheme |
46,032 |
|
2022 |
Shass Landslide Scheme |
339,594 |
|
2023 |
Shannon Callows Flood Scheme |
772,613 |
|
2024 |
Cooley Flood Relief |
236,650 |
489. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific supports and guidance being provided to tillage farmers in counties such as Offaly, to comply with the new GAEC 7 crop rotation and diversification requirements and the catch crop alternative under the 2026 BISS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13916/26]
View answerThe changes to Good Agricultural Environmental Condition or GAEC 7 Crop Rotation / Diversification represent a simplification for farmers and is one of the 9 GAECs and 11 Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) that form Conditionality and were introduced in 2023. Crop Diversification also existed in the previous CAP under the Greening Scheme so has been in existence since 2015 and farmers are well accustomed to the requirements. Conditionality is the set of baseline requirements for farmers in receipt of CAP payments.
The latest Simplification Package, approved by the Commission in December, which I fully supported, introduced a number of changes of benefit to farmers. In relation to GAEC 7, the change introduced from 2026 is where the entire holding declared (including any non-arable lands) is 30ha or less, controls and penalties will not apply under GAEC 7 which means that Crop Diversification is no longer enforced on such holdings and the applicant can grow only one crop where heretofore the applicant was required to grow 2 crops. However, where the arable area is between 10ha and 30ha and the holding declared is greater than 30ha there is no change, and the applicant is required to grow 2 crops. Where a farmer does not wish to opt for Crop Diversification the alternative of 50% of the arable area sown to catch crops each year will still apply in 2026 onwards. All farm advisors have been made aware of the changes in January of this year, they are included in the terms and conditions for BISS 2026 and in media coverage.
In relation to supports for farmers, the Irish CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) has a significant budget of €9.8 billion over five years, and more than 60% of that (just under €6 billion) is targeted at supporting farm incomes. With respect to the tillage sector alone, the specific supports include the Coupled Protein Aid Scheme with an annual budget of €10 million, the Straw Incorporation Measure with a budget of €50 million over the period of this current CAP and last year, I secured an allocation in Budget 2026 of €30 million to directly support tillage farmers in 2026 and details of that scheme will be announced in due course.
490. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated administrative and compliance costs for tillage farmers arising from the updated GAEC standards in 2026; the measures he is taking to minimise the regulatory burden on family farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13917/26]
View answerThe position for tillage farmers with respect to the updated GAEC standards is that, with the introduction of the latest CAP Simplification package from 2026, the administrative burden and cost of compliance will be less for those whose declared holding is less than 30ha in relation to compliance with GAEC 7 (Crop Rotation/Diversification).
Tillage farmers in this category (<30ha) can grow 1 crop whereas previously these growers had to grow 2 crops.
In addition, fully organic tillage farmers or those whose holdings are in conversion are excluded from GAEC 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 controls and penalties, which is a significant benefit to those farmers.
Additional measures that have been introduced under CAP simplification, which I fully supported include:
• The removal of in excess of 16,000 farmers with 10 hectares or less from controls and penalties under Conditionality requirements.
• The removal of aspects of the GAEC 8 standard.
• Adjustments to GAEC 6 (protection of soils in the periods that are most sensitive - minimum soil cover) and GAEC 7 (Crop Rotation/Diversification).
I want to assure the Deputy that I will continue to seek and support additional measures that will reduce the administrative burden and cost of compliance.
