Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Okay. Budget 2018 provides new opportunities, builds competitiveness and protects the agrifood and fisheries sector in the face of the Brexit challenge in the shape of an extra €64 million allocation to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Vote. I particularly welcome the support for the rural development programme, with an increase of spending to bring the programme to €626 million in 2018 and the increase of €25 million in the areas of natural constraint, ANC, scheme, honouring a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government. I particularly acknowledge the efforts of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Creed, and the officials in the Department in securing that extra funding.

Tonight, I will focus on my key areas of responsibility of forestry, horticulture, organics and the greyhound sector. The year 2018 will see continued major investment in forestry with an allocation of €106 million for forestry development. This is evidence of the Government’s commitment to the further development of the sector in line with the forestry programme 2014-2020, recognising the role of forestry in helping to achieve climate change targets. This allocation will allow for the planting over 6,600 ha of new forests next year and is an increase in the budget over what was spent in the past three years. Funding has also been provided for over 100 km of new forest roads.

I am keenly aware of the challenges that the horticulture sector is experiencing in light of recent currency fluctuations. The increase in the funding for the commercial horticultural sector secured last year is maintained for 2018 with a budget of €5 million in funding for capital investments, which in fact probably amounts to double that in actual investment.

Processors of horticultural produce will qualify for the Brexit loan scheme announced yesterday and an additional loan scheme for primary producers, including horticulture producers, is to be considered and developed as we speak. Bord Bia is investing in market development programmes to assist companies facing currency challenges and will continue to work with horticulture companies to improve competitiveness.

Organic farming is a growth industry in every sense of the word. The value of the market in Ireland has grown by double digits in recent years. The number of producers and the area under organic production has expanded also. I welcome the €11.7 million allocated to this important sector in 2018. A total of €10.5 million is being provided for the organic farming scheme and a further €1.2 million for development of the organic sector. This will provide for ongoing support to more than 1,700 organic farmers under the scheme, as well as wider supports in marketing, promotion and awareness, and capital investments by processors.

Additional support of more than €1 million is being made available to organic farmers under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, organic capital investment programme. With 72,000 ha of land now under production, we have met all targets set within our rural development programme. The emphasis is now on developing sustainable markets for an increased volume of organic product to ensure the maximum value added yield.

The future of the greyhound industry is dependant on a strong Government platform, the industry having the highest standards of integrity founded on strong regulatory systems and robust animal welfare controls. The allocation of €16 million for the industry in 2018 will support the development of the greyhound racing sector in Ireland and ultimately provide a platform for its contribution to the economy. This will be further enhanced by the greyhound industry (amendment) Bill, which has progressed through pre-legislative scrutiny and which I will further advance through the Oireachtas this autumn.

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