Matt Carthy
Ceist:40. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his engagements with his Cabinet colleagues regarding the Mercosur trade agreement. [25541/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTrade Agreements
Ceisteanna (40)
Freagraí scríofa
The European Union and Mercosur have been negotiating a new trade agreement for over 20 years.
Throughout these negotiations my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who lead on trade policy issues for the Government, have engaged extensively and continue to engage on the ongoing negotiations between the European Union and Mercosur.
While political agreement was reached with Mercosur countries in June 2019 on an overall agreement, due to additional concerns raised by a number of EU member states, including Ireland, on the strength of the environmental and sustainability provisions in the original agreement, the Commission and Mercosur recommenced negotiations in 2023 on a joint instrument aimed at addressing these concerns.
The discussions on these additional assurances related to sustainability commitments are seeking to agree an interpretative text which will have the same legal status as the existing text within the Agreement itself.
The latest negotiations have not to date resulted in agreement with Mercosur on these additional assurances on sustainability commitments.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to raise the issues of concern with an EU -Mercosur Agreement at the Agrifish Council of Ministers meetings, as I have done consistently to date. I will also continue to consult with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to inform Ireland's approach at the EU Trade Council on this agreement.
When the final agreement and the additional joint instrument are presented by the Commission to member states for ratification, the Government’s position will be informed by:
• the additional sustainability and environmental commitments secured from Mercosur in the joint instrument text;
• the Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment of the agreement commissioned by the Government and
• the Commission’s approach to supporting sectors negatively impacted by the implementation of the Agreement.
This includes the Commission's commitment that a fund of €1bn will be available to assist farmers should challenges arise due to potential market disturbances associated with the agreement as well as the safeguard mechanism in the Agreement which can also be activated to protect our most vulnerable sectors from increased imports.
Questions Nos. 41 to 46, inclusive, answered orally.
Control of Dogs
Ceisteanna (47)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:47. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what his Department is doing to encourage responsible dog ownership. [25644/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is fully committed to promoting responsible dog ownership, which is such an important issue. I recognise that the recent series of dog attacks, particularly the tragic and shocking events in Limerick, have caused huge concerns to people in this regard. That is why I am taking firm action, along with my colleague Minister Humphreys, to encourage responsible dog ownership and to consider what further steps might be required to address this problem as a matter of urgency.
Last year, with Minister Humphreys' Department of Rural and Community Development, I established a working group on dog control. The group has produced a report which was approved by Cabinet and subsequently published.
This report contains a number of recommendations relating to the control of dogs. This included the establishment of a stakeholder group to consider and make recommendations on revising the Control of Dogs Act and the issue of restricted breeds. The Control of Dogs Act lies with Minister Humphreys' Department, and so she has established this stakeholder group and has recently spoken about its work.
One of the other key recommendations is the implementation of a media campaign, in collaboration with stakeholders and the Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare, to encourage responsible dog ownership.
My officials are also working with Minister Humphrey’s Department in relation to responsible dog ownership, to coordinate across government on this subject. Resulting from this collaboration, in December last year my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development jointly launched a responsible dog ownership leaflet. This has been distributed widely and is available in electronic form online. We expect to carry out further initiatives to encourage responsible dog ownership in 2024.
The Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 Working Together for Animal Welfare included a commitment to establish an Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare. I established this Council in 2021 with members having a diverse range of skill sets, so that it can advise me on matters relating to companion animals including canines.
Independent members with a range of expertise and experience have been appointed, including members from Veterinary Ireland, UCD, the ISPCA, the DSPCA, the Dogs Trust, the Irish Blue Cross, the Irish Kennel Club and others. This Council therefore is an important grouping which assists the Department and advises me in prioritising and advancing policy initiatives relating to companion animals.
My Department is working with the Council to promote responsible dog ownership. Responsible dog ownership is about educating people on the many considerations in getting a dog, keeping and managing a dog appropriately and breeding healthy dogs.
An example of the work of the Council was in the development of the Department’s approach to the animal welfare issue posed by brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds.
These breeds have a high risk of health and welfare issues, including difficulty breathing, eye disease, spinal problems and skin infections. Many of these dogs require surgery to improve their quality of life. The Council advised that the use of images of brachycephalic dog breeds in advertising, marketing and news media has contributed to increasing demand for brachycephalic dogs in this country. An open letter was therefore issued by the Department on behalf of the Council to media and advertising organisations, requesting that the refrain from unnecessary use of images of these dogs in publications, on merchandise or for product endorsement.
In August last year, I introduced new strengthened legislation to end the practice of ear cropping of dogs. This was widely welcomed as an effective approach to protect puppies from this cruel practice, and instead to encourage a responsible approach to dog ownership and dog welfare.
Last month, I announced that I will be banning the use on dogs and cats of electronic shock collars operated by hand-held remote controls, which is another step forward to improve the welfare of dogs.
In December, 2023, I announced record funding of almost €6 million to 101 animal welfare organisations with an increased focus on rewarding animal welfare charities engaged in educating and raising awareness among the public on responsible pet ownership. The funding recognises the importance of education and dissemination of knowledge to improve animal welfare. Imparting knowledge on animal welfare plays a crucial role in improving standards nationally, and encouraging a culture of responsible dog ownership. The application process for the 2024 grants opened on 1st May and closed on 31st May, and I look forward to announcing the awards for successful applicants later in the year.
Through this range of actions and initiatives, my Department is driving forward to promote and support responsible dog ownership. In combination with the actions being taken in relation to dog control and breed issues by Minister Humphreys, I am confident these will yield results.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (48, 57)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:48. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for consideration in including Japanese larch under the ash dieback scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25740/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:57. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details of the newly announced ash dieback scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25772/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 57 together.
Since the first finding of Ash Dieback in Ireland in 2012, my Department has introduced Reconstitution Schemes to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with, plants affected by disease.
Under the new Reconstitution for Ash Dieback Scheme which opened last year site clearance grants were doubled to €2,000 per hectare. Furthermore grant and premium rates under the Scheme were enhanced to the higher levels found in the new Forestry Programme.
In addition the Government has recently approved an Ash Dieback Action Plan to implement the recommendations in the report of the Independent Review Group, which I commissioned. The Action Plan addresses all 13 of the Review Group's recommendations. It provides for, among other things, an additional €79.5 million in funding to pay for a new Climate Action Performance Payment. This payment of €5,000 per hectare is available to those forest owners who fully engage with my Department's reconstitution schemes and carry out replanting. This now brings the overall financial package available to ash plantation owners who are dealing with or have dealt with ash dieback to over €230 million.
As regards Japanese larch my Department is examining the option of giving support to these forest owners through a separate Reconstitution Scheme under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 which provides for supporting the restoration of forest potential arising from damage by natural events.
My Department continues to issue approvals under the Ash Dieback Reconstitution scheme. Reconstitution Scheme approvals have issued for over 2,300 hectares in the past nine months and applications for a further 1,500 hectares are currently being processed demonstrating increased demand for this scheme.
I want to encourage ash forest owners who have not yet replanted to engage with the enhanced reconstitution scheme as the quickest and most effective way to clear and reconstitute affected sites. This will also enable them apply for the new Climate Action Performance Payment of €5,000 per hectare.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (49)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:49. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the acreage of agricultural land which he envisages will be devoted to new bio-based activities by 2030 under plans for biofuels and anaerobic digestion, and so on; and how the price of feedstock will be set to ensure stable income to growers. [25752/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Farmers are key stakeholders who have a vital role to play in upscaling the biomethane industry in Ireland. Without farmers, the industry will not develop at the required scale.
The Programme for Government 2020 committed to a Land Use Review to ensure relevant land use options inform Government Decisions. It was one of the key considerations during the formation of the recently published National Biomethane Strategy which was co-led by my Department and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
Teagasc estimate that, at a national level, total land area of less than 5% of all available land will be needed to produce the silage to feed the AD biomethane plants required to reach the 5.7 TWh biomethane target by 2030. This equates to approximately 120,000 hectares.
The price of feedstock will be determined by the market. It is envisaged that a stable income for farmers will arise from the diversification opportunity. Importantly, however, it must make financial sense for farmers.
The Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP 24) states that reaching the 2030 emission reduction targets in the agriculture sector requires supports and options available for farmers to transition to alternative land uses through diversification options. The recently published National Biomethane Strategy will act as a blueprint for the development of this sector and my recent announcement of the Biomethane capital grant will help to kickstart the industry.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (50)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:50. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to change the overrepresentation of females in lower grades within farming bodies and their underrepresentation in senior positions within these same farming bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25631/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While the organisation of farm bodies is a matter for themselves and is not my responsibility, gender equality is a key a priority for me. Current CAP Regulations place particular focus on promoting women’s participation in the development of rural areas, with special attention to farming. Good progress has been made in this area and under Ireland’s new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) I am actively promoting gender equality, through initiatives such as;
• An increased grant rate of 60% under the Capital Investment Scheme to fund investments by trained women farmers.
• The option to establish women-only Knowledge Transfer Groups.
• Improved recording and reporting of gender data and the leveraging of the National CAP Network to increase the involvement of all women in the implementation of CAP.
• European Innovation Partnership open call for proposals on “innovative approaches to support greater gender balance in farming in Ireland.
In addition, I support rural female entrepreneurs by funding the ACORNS programme tailored to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.
Ireland’s agri-food strategy, Food Vision 2030 recognises the importance of gender balance to the long-term sustainable future for primary producers. In this regard, it should be acknowledged that the farm bodies were active participants in the Committee that developed Food Vision. The strategy includes actions to promote and improve gender balance at all levels within the sector.
I am a strong advocate of the need for greater female representation on the State Boards under my remit. Of the board positions that have become available since I was appointed Minister, I have appointed 47 females. Of this, 28 were new female appointments, 19 were re-appointments of existing female candidates. At the time of my appointment only 2 out of 12 boards had reached the 40% gender target, whereas now 8 out of 13 have reached this target. All boards are asked to nominate both male and female candidates for roles and I will continue to progress this across all boards.
In addition a National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture was held in February 2023 which examined gender equality in farming and the agri-food sector generally. A report and action plan were published earlier this year. A working group has been established to oversee implementation of the action plan. I also wrote to the CEOs of state bodies under my remit encouraging them to engage with the group and to consider how they might implement relevant actions within their organisations.
While I have no responsibility for the running of farming bodies, I would encourage them to reflect on the importance of equal representation and to do all they can to ensure there is a strong female representation at all levels of their organisations which mirrors their membership.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (51, 54)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:51. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his targets for new afforestation in 2024; the amount planted since the formation of the Government; and the current total amount licensed but unplanted. [25542/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAindrias Moynihan
Ceist:54. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action being taken to ensure afforestation licence applications are issued within six months; the measures being taken to deal with the backlog of current afforestation licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25741/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 54 together.
My Department published a Forestry Licencing Plan in December 2023 which outlines our strong commitment to issuing licences in 2024. The Plan estimates that we will issue 4,200 new forestry licences of all types in 2024, which includes 1,000 afforestation licences. The Afforestation target for 2024 is 8,000 hectares. This is, however, contingent on receiving enough applications to achieve this goal. We are working towards the priorities outlined in the Plan and we are committed to reducing turnaround times for all schemes, including Afforestation, to six months for screened out files and nine months for files screened in for appropriate assessment.
My Department has the capacity to issue sufficient licences to meet the annual target of 8,000 hectares and we have put additional resources in place to do so. We have issued 294 afforestation licences since the commencement of the new Programme, as well as approving into the Programme 165 licences previously issued under the old Programme. We have on hand 492 afforestation licence applications and we are committed to issuing these within the six and nine month periods. In order to achieve this and in recognition that there are far more assessments required in the new Forestry Programme, my Department has developed and published procedures and guidance on these and has provided comprehensive training to staff and the sector on all aspects of the new processes. We have updated our online business system to show Registered Foresters the areas where certain reports are required. I am therefore confident that we will see an increase in the number of afforestation licences being issued in the coming months. The month of May showed an encouraging increase in both the number and area of afforestation licences approved. In addition I have also just received a report from Grant Thornton on the internal management systems, structure and staffing within the Forestry Divisions of my Department and look forward to examining this and making any changes that are necessary on foot of the recommendations.
Afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners and I know that building confidence among landowners of the benefits of forestry is key to increasing afforestation rates. In order to encourage uptake we have engaged in extensive promotion of the new forestry options and enhanced payments available, including an ongoing media campaign across all communication channels. Furthermore we are funding 42 stakeholder projects which will promote the Forestry Programme through a wide variety of approaches. These will engage with the wider community to highlight the benefits of forests to deliver multiple societal objectives, including economic, social and environmental.
Question No. 52 answered orally.
Regulatory Bodies
Ceisteanna (53)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:53. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the powers of the food regulator, An Rialálaí Agraibhia, to ensure family farm incomes are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25761/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am very proud to be the Minister that established Ireland's first independent Agri Food Regulator, An Rialálaí Agraibhia, last December following the enactment of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023.
The Regulator has an important role to promote fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain.
Importantly in the context of the Deputy's question, the Act provides that, in exercising that function, the Regulator shall, in particular, have regard to the circumstances and needs of farming businesses, as well as fishing business and small food businesses.
The powers already included in the Act allow the Agri Food Regulator to fulfil that role.
Powers assigned to the Regulator include an enforcement function to protect farmers and food suppliers against a range of unfair trading practices by buyers including for example for late payments and short-notice cancellations. It is open to farmers who consider that an unfair trading practice is occurring to submit a complaint to the Agri Food Regulator: such complaints will be fully investigated. In addition to investigating complaints, the Regulator has the power, on its own initiative, to inspect buyers of agricultural and food products.
The Regulator also has a role in analysing and publishing information about price and market data relating to the agricultural and food supply chain. This is with a view to increasing fairness and transparency to help improve decision-making by farmers and other food suppliers. EU research shows that ensuring that clearer market signals are passed upwards along the food supply chain can help farmers reduce the costs of reacting to the market and adjust investment.
These key functions and related activities of the Regulator, such as raising awareness with all stakeholders across the agri-food supply chain of the illegality of unfair trading practices, help to support farmers decision making and ensure that they are treated fairly when selling their produce.
I have also put in place a range of supports to protect family farm incomes, including the largest ever €10 billion CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) and in consultation with my colleague Minister McGrath, through Agri Taxation supports.
As I mentioned, the Regulator was newly established six months ago. Since then it has engaged in a range of activities to promote and enforce fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain for the benefit of farmers and others. I do not see any reason at this time to review the powers of the Agri-Food Regulator under the Act or Regulations made under the Act.
Question No. 54 taken with No. 51.
Question No. 55 answered orally.
Food Industry
Ceisteanna (56)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:56. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that agri-food imports into this country from whatever source are only allowed from countries adhering to similar carbon reduction measures that apply in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25748/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland exports almost 90% of its agri-food produce annually to over 170 countries and in 2023, these exports were valued at €18.28 billion.
At EU level, this means operating to common rules under the Single Market and globally the WTO sets the rules on matters of international trade.
The rules to be applied, including in Ireland, therefore operate to over-arching frameworks. Ireland cannot unilaterally impose conditions to products coming into the country outside these legal frameworks.
Agri-food imports are of course subject to a range of requirements that must be met when entering the EU single market. The EU manages trade relations with third countries in the form of trade agreements. They are designed to create better trading opportunities and overcome related barriers. The EU's trade policy is also used as a vehicle for the promotion of European principles and values, from democracy and human rights to environment and social rights.
Recent EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and FTA negotiations contain sustainability chapters. New EU FTAs provide an opportunity to address the threats associated with climate change through the inclusion of detailed chapters on Trade and Sustainable Development. Such chapters include provisions which underscore the importance of implementing the provisions of the Paris Agreement and promote the positive contribution that trade can make on the pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the EU FTA with New Zealand, which reached political agreement in June 2022, includes a Trade and Sustainability Chapter which is aligned to the EU’s new “Trade Agreements for Green and Just Growth” approach. This allows for stronger and more enforceable sustainability commitments and a specific list of green goods and services liberalised from the first day of application of the agreement.
I am satisfied therefore that the balance of trade on agri-food products is one which favours the Irish agri-food sector. Maintaining access to international markets and operating to a rules-based framework for this trade ensures that safe and sustainable premium produce originating from Irish farmers and processors will continue to command a premium position on global markets.
Question No. 57 taken with No. 48.
Questions Nos. 58 to 60, inclusive, answered orally.
Agriculture Supports
Ceisteanna (61)
David Stanton
Ceist:61. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way he is encouraging and supporting farmers to invest in solar photo voltaic systems on their farms; the quality control measures, if any, in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25742/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In the previous CAP, grant aid was provided by my Department through TAMS II to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy. This was achieved through support for the installation of Solar PV technology, together with battery storage on Irish farms.
Due to the popularity and success of the TAMS II scheme, I am continuing support for renewable energy investments under TAMS 3, as part of the CAP Strategic Plan. This scheme is more aligned to our climate and sustainability needs in order to encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage.
The standalone TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme opened for applications in February 2023. This scheme provides grant aid of 60%, with a ring-fenced ceiling of €90,000. Solar PV systems grant-aided under TAMS 3 include Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries.
All installations must comply with Specification S198 - Minimum Specification for the Installation of Solar PV Systems. The solar PV installer, who must be registered with my Department, is required to sign off on a testing and commissioning report that confirms that the system is ready for electricity generation in a safe manner, in line with the latest electrical standards applicable.
This, along with the provision of an ETCI certificate by a Safe Electric registered electrician, ensures that the work is completed to a high standard and complies with the National Rules for Electrical Installation. My Department checks both at TAMS application stage and at TAMS payment processing stage that the solar PV installer in question is on my Department’s Solar PV registered list.
I believe the Solar Capital Investment Scheme is the best mechanism for ensuring that funding is targeted most effectively at farm level to reduce dependence on fossil energy. I will also ensure that investment items and ceilings for grant aid continue to be reviewed on a regular basis.
Agriculture Supports
Ceisteanna (62)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:62. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what supports are in place to encourage generational renewal on farms. [25645/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am a strong supporter of assisting the next generation take over the farm when the time is right to do so. It's essential that the sector has young and enthusiastic people coming through to further develop it.
Food Vision 2030, the stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector, highlights the challenge of generational renewal and proposes several actions, including maintaining the current strong level of current support, the promotion of succession planning & land mobility, and increased education and promotion of the diversity of careers in the agri-food sector.
The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) cites generational renewal as one of its nine key objectives. Under Ireland’s CSP 2023-2027 I am providing substantial investment in achieving generational renewal and measures include:
• The Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CIS-YF), which has a significantly increased financial allocation of 3% of the direct payments ceiling. Payments of some €33 million have issued to date.
• Under the National Reserve Scheme, young farmer and new farmer are priority categories. Payments of some €4.5m have issued under this scheme.
• A higher grant rate of 60% for qualified young farmers under the TAMS capital investment measure is available.
• A Collaborative Farming Grant Scheme provides financial support to encourage farmers to form partnerships with young, trained farmers.
Last September, I announced the Succession Planning Advice Grant, an innovative measure to encourage and support farmers aged 60 years and over to seek succession planning advice, assisting them to plan for the future of their farms. In the first tranche, 81 applications were received and payments of €61,354 issued to 52 eligible applicants. Tranche 2 is now open. While relatively modest in its funding, I believe this measure has the potential to encourage and initiate important conversations within families on succession.
I have also provided significant funding towards the operation of the Macra Land Mobility initiative since its initial pilot stage in 2015. This has supported Macra to develop the service to move towards a self-financing model.
Nationally, there are strong taxation measures to facilitate succession and assist land mobility. For succession, Agricultural Relief is the key measure, which along with 100% Stamp Duty Relief and Consanguinity Stamp Duty Relief, provided support of some €274 million in 2022. 100% Stock Relief for Young Trained Farmers was worth another €1.7 million. In addition, the Succession Farm Partnership Scheme provides for a €25,000 tax credit over five years to further assist the transfer of land within a partnership structure. Long-term leasing income tax relief supports access to land for young farmers and provides a route to retirement for older farmers.
On access to finance, the new €500 million Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme launched last year providing long term investment by SMEs, including farmers, fishers and food businesses and will assist young farmers in particular. To date approximately 266 loans to the value of €27.9m have been sanctioned.
In addition, Teagasc agricultural education activities continues to focus on equipping our young farmers with the necessary knowledge to build successful careers in farming. Supporting young farmers continues to be a priority and I will continue to actively engage on this important issue.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (63)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:63. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken in relation to the 1,433 farmers who have signed up to the sheep improvement scheme and are yet to receive an advanced payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25716/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Sheep Improvement Scheme is funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. It provides support to sheep farmers for carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector, and builds on the progress made by the previous Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS).
The introduction of the Sheep Improvement Scheme in 2023 combined with the rollout of the National Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2024 demonstrates my commitment to supporting sheep farmers. Between the support I have provided under the SIS and National Sheep Welfare Scheme, €20 per ewe is available to sheep farmers in 2024, the highest payment ever made to this important sector.
I was pleased to see a further 286 new entrants join the SIS earlier this year bringing total participation in the scheme now to 18,940.
My Department issued the first advance payments at a rate of 85% under the Sheep Improvement Scheme in November 2023. Two additional advance payment runs issued, the last of which was processed in April 2024. Total advance payments issued under the Sheep Improvement Scheme for Year 1 was €19.16 million.
The balancing payment which is paid to eligible applicants commenced on 31st May 2024 with payments valued at €2.17 million issuing.
Therefore a total of 17,020 applicants have received a payment in the first year of the Sheep Improvement Scheme valued at €21.33 million.
Of the 1,433 participants who did not receive an advance payment, some 49 of these applicants were picked up in the Balancing payment run and paid in full what they were due.
The remaining participants will receive their payment as and when their cases become cleared; however some of these will not be eligible for payment for a variety of reasons including for example no sheep census submitted in 2023 and/or no BISS submitted in 2023. Both of these elements are eligibility requirements in the scheme and thus failure of one or both of them results in no payment for the year in question.
My officials are continuing to process these files including appeals and communicating directly with participants.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (64)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:64. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to commencing an immediate review of the forestry programme, given that more than six months have now passed since the programme’s inception and the persistently low levels of uptake by farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25715/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am committed to undertaking a mid term review of the current Forestry Programme in 2025. This will be conducted in consultation with all stakeholders. Depending on the outcome of this review, certain proposed changes may be required to be notified to the European Commission under State Aid Rules. Any resulting changes will be implemented before the end of the current Forestry Programme 2023-2027 term.
The new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 aims to encourage a substantial increase in afforestation by offering attractive and diverse options for planting, especially for farmers. This government has committed €1.3 billion of funding to the Programme in order to support our national ambition of 8,000 hectares of afforestation per year.
At present, there are approximately 3,500 hectares licensed and available to plant, of which my Department has received notifications of the intention to plant for 1,626 hectares. In addition, some 565 hectares have been planted and paid for to date in 2024, with applications for payment being submitted and paid on a weekly basis.
Afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners and I know that building confidence among landowners of the benefits of forestry is key to increasing afforestation rates. In order to encourage uptake we have engaged in extensive promotion of the new forestry options and enhanced payments available, including an ongoing media campaign across all communication channels. Furthermore we are funding 42 stakeholder projects which will promote the Forestry Programme through a wide variety of approaches. These will engage with the wider community to highlight the benefits of forests to deliver multiple societal objectives, including economic, social and environmental.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (65)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:65. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the number of those excluded from the climate action performance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25714/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All ash forest owners, who were paid to plant ash under a scheme funded by my Department are included and potentially eligible to receive the Climate Action Performance Payment. Almost 16,000 hectares of ash forests were grant aided by the Department from 1990 and all of these forest owners are eligible to avail of the Climate Action Performance Payment Scheme. We have provided funding of €79.5 million to cover the cost of this Scheme.
This Climate Action Performance Payment of €5,000 per hectare is available to those who replant their forests under a reconstitution scheme. Since the first finding of Ash Dieback in Ireland in 2012, my Department has introduced Reconstitution Schemes to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with, plants affected by disease. Under the new Reconstitution for Ash Dieback Scheme which opened last year site clearance grants were doubled to €2,000 per hectare. Furthermore grant and premium rates under the Scheme were enhanced to the higher levels found in the new Forestry Programme.
My Department continues to issue approvals under the Reconstitution scheme. Reconstitution Scheme approvals have issued for over 2,300 hectares in the past 9 months and applications for a further 1,500 hectares are currently being processed demonstrating increased demand for this scheme. I want to encourage ash forest owners who have not yet replanted to engage with the enhanced reconstitution scheme as the quickest and most effective way to clear and reconstitute affected sites. This will also enable them apply for the new Climate Action Performance Payment of €5,000 per hectare.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (66)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that productive agricultural land currently contributing to food production in this country is not decommissioned in favour of climate change objectives and that all possible scientific and dietary means are used to ensure carbon reduction without affecting the food-productive capacity of this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25747/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland is a country that can produce high quality food efficiently and sustainably. In a world where increasingly many countries are challenged in their ability to do this, it is vitally important that Ireland continues to produce such food, while being conscious that each sector of our economy plays its part in achieving Ireland’s climate targets. That includes agriculture.
To achieve these dual aims, of meeting climate targets and continuing to produce food an feed, my Department has several policies and strategies in place. Indeed, we are ambitious with the Food Vision 2030 Strategy setting out a pathway for Ireland to become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade. Coupled with this is my commitment to reducing food waste as set out in Food Vision 2030 as well as the recently published Food Waste Prevention Road Map.
In practical terms, some of the types of actions that the sector is undertaking include reducing chemical Nitrogen usage, changing fertiliser type, and providing voluntary diversification options for our farmers.
My Department is investing in research across a range of mitigation headings. There is significant potential for technologies such as feed additives to contribute to reducing Methane. Furthermore, the implementation of a low emission breeding programme has significant potential to harness the genetic variation for Methane emissions that exists within the national herd. The results of this research also highlight the potential to breed more environmentally sustainable animals, without impacting food production.
There is no doubt that some farmers will take up diversification options that are provided for as part of our climate transformation including to areas such as Organics, Forestry, Tillage and the provision of feedstock for Anaerobic Digestion. However, given the efficiency gains that continue to be made at farm level, I remain confident that we will continue to reduce emissions from our agri-food system without reducing our production.
My aim is to future proof Ireland’s Agri-Food sector for the benefit of our industry, the environment, and our farm families. It is critical that we work together to achieve our environmental targets while maintaining food production.