Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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75. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made in the Programme for Government commitment to ‘support the small food producer, providing support for on-farm diversification enterprises and investment in local processing facilities, allowing farmers to sell their products into the local and wider domestic markets’. [53207/22]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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The programme for Government commits to supporting small food producers with "on-farm diversification enterprises and investment in local processing facilities". The reality is that small farmers, fishers and producers are very vulnerable to the prices set by the larger retailers and the processors. They are being squeezed between rising operating costs and fluctuating prices, then they are getting prices that in no way reflect the expenses and the work that goes in to producing food. When will producers see the benefits of the commitment in the programme for Government?

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

I think supporting small food producers is an important programme for Government commitment, as the Deputy outlined. Both the programme for Government and Food Vision 2030 acknowledge and underline the importance of our food producers, particularly our farmers and small food producers, and their importance in maintaining vibrant rural and coastal communities. Support is available to local small food producers and businesses in a variety of ways. Bord Bia has recently commissioned research, which examined, among other things, how other countries have been successful in developing premium markets for family farm produce from small producers. One of the issues outlined in that report was the barriers faced by producers. While there are lots of supports available to our smaller food producers, access to them and information on how to access them was found to be a barrier. Food producers were not aware that supports are available. In terms of supports provided, my Department administers the rural innovation and development fund, which includes an agrifood tourism initiative. For initiatives such as the development of farm shops, niche products and ecotourism, and for market development, competitiveness and innovation, support continues to be made available through the LEADER food initiative, which is funded by my Department through CAP and operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The new CAP strategic plan will provide supports to farmers and rural communities. The LEADER programme is a key element of that. My Department has also provided funding of almost €10 million for the equipment provided to the Prepared Consumer Foods Centre, which is based in Teagasc in Ashtown. I will get to the other issues in my follow-up.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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Government policy needs to recognise the unique role of small farmers and producers, who provide incredibly high-quality food but are highly vulnerable to economic forces. While we pay lip service to this model of agriculture, as in the Minister of State's response, the reality is that farmers are being forced into fewer and fewer areas - mainly dairy - because it is the only way to make their farms viable. It is so short-sighted. Crucially, in terms of food security, greater diversity creates greater resilience. There are additional benefits that the Minister of State touched on in her response, including the fact that it helps create produce that can be marketed and used to attract tourism. I think west Cork is a really good example of what can be done there. However, this type of approach is at serious risk without any supports. Rather than just paying lip service to it, we need to really look at a return to practical local processing facilities, such as small abattoirs. As the Minister of State said, we need to look to other countries. In France, for example, producers can go to the Rungis International Market in Paris and trade themselves, giving them greater control. We could also look at Irish examples of that with some of our farmers' markets.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

I concur with all that the Deputy has said. The value of small food producers has perhaps been ignored. That is why we fought to include the commitment to recognise that and do what we can to support local food producers in the programme for Government. Indeed, having local access to food processing is one part of that. Over the last number of decades, we have seen the demise of parts of rural Ireland in towns and villages that have lost their butchers, greengrocers and creameries that were there in years gone by. Reverse engineering out of that is going to be difficult, but we need to do what we can to support those smaller local producers. I have visited a number of small producers. Some of them might have a micro dairy on their own farm. They are able to pasteurise, bottle and perhaps sell from the farm gate. That has proven to be quite lucrative for those involved. There are also excellent examples of people direct selling their own meat. We need to support local producers and we are committed to supporting them.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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In relation to small food producers, inshore fishers are important and often overlooked food producers. They offer guaranteed fresh fish that is sustainably caught. Those are the basics of the unique culinary landscape in places like west Cork. One of the issues that is really affecting them at the moment is rising fuel costs, which is having a severe impact on the inshore sector. I know that other countries are supporting the sector specifically in terms of fuel.

Is the Department considering that option?

The seafood task force has called for increased processing capacity on offshore islands and major investment in public marine infrastructure. It was great that investment was secured through the Brexit fund but €10 million will still be required for the next four years. I am seeking clarification as to how budget 2023 will help to address that target.

Also of major concern to the inshore sector, and many others, is the position on the forthcoming Common Fisheries Policy because it favours the big players. It does not even pay lip service to the inshore sector.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

I will pass to my senior Minister to answer the Deputy.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. There is a fuel challenge at the moment. I put in place an extra one-month tie-up scheme at the request of the sector to support the fuel challenge that is there as a result of the illegal invasion of Ukraine. That scheme has been in place since June and will run until the end of November. I monitored fuel prices closely during the summer and there has been a lot of volatility in that regard. Prices peaked in August and dropped thereafter but have since increased again. I am reassessing the situation with regard to the need for support.

The European Commission has provided the capacity for member states to use some of the funding in the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, EMFF, for fuel support if-----

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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With the time limit, perhaps the Minister will respond to my question about the Common Fisheries Policy.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Excuse me.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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With the time limit, perhaps the Minister will respond on the Common Fisheries Policy, which barely mentions the inshore sector. It is all for the bigger boats. That will obviously be Ireland's position as it goes into negotiations in Europe.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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A significant part of the Common Fisheries Policy focuses on quota species whereas much of the inshore sector is concerned with non-quota species. The Common Fisheries Policy itself deals in large part with quota management.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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They were ripped off with the mackerel quota, for example.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I am afraid we are over time. We may have time for one or two more questions.