Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1040: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will open the Operational Programme for Fisheries to allow for funding of the aquaculture sector and restore a level playing pitch for Irish companies to compete fairly in Europe and on the world stage in view of the fact that Ireland's main European competitors have opened access to funds from EU and national Exchequers to assist their industries under the terms of the Electronic Frontier Foundations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38661/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013 draft was advertised for public consultation in October 2008 as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment. During the consultation both the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on behalf of the Central Fisheries Board raised concerns regarding the granting of aid to projects where environmental issues arise relating to compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and sea lice control on salmon farms. Pending resolution of these issues, the National Seafood Development Operational Programme has not yet been adopted.

The delay in the launch of the National Seafood Development OP has not prevented grant aid from being provided to aquaculture developments in 2009. The European Commission agreed to the continuation of grant aid under the previous Operational Programme 2000 to 2006 until 30 June 2009.

A provision of €5m was made available for aquaculture development in the Agriculture Vote for 2009 and I approved the spending of €4.5m of this for aquaculture projects in both the Border, Midlands and Western and the Southern and Eastern regions. This support has assisted the continued development of aquaculture projects in these areas and the employment that those projects support.

DG Environment has indicated at this time that it is generally supportive of the Department's proposals for wild fisheries compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. However, it has recently advised that it remains concerned about the planned approach to delivering compliance for aquaculture licensing. The most recent views of DG Environment are being examined. My Department is maintaining close liaison with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the issues arising with a view to it being in a position to withdraw its objection.

In relation to the concerns of the Central Fisheries Board, a meeting at Ministerial level was held in June between my Department and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I personally advised on the significant progress made in relation to managing sea lice levels on salmon farms and the concerns of the Fishery Boards were also set down. My Department is currently preparing a report on the experience in 2009 of the implementation of the new Strategy for Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms which was put in place by Minister Coughlan in May 2008. Following the preparation and consideration of this report, I intend to engage with Minister of State Lenihan, who has responsibility for inland fisheries, with a view to agreeing an approach that will give the necessary assurances to that Department so that it can withdraw its objection to the Operational Programme.