Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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803. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he has taken to prevent the importation of blackgrass yellow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41312/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In order to provide farmers with high quality, disease-free seed my Department implements the national seed certification scheme. This scheme is based on EU legislation and covers the main crop species, including fodder crops, cereals, potatoes, beet, oilseeds, pulses and vegetables.

While the EU seed regulations cover certain weed and disease species, there are no specific controls relating to Blackgrass. However, Member States may implement voluntary controls for seed certified in their own territory, but cannot impose those controls for seed certified in another Member State. In this regard my Department has a voluntary agreement with the Irish Seed Trade Association to apply a zero tolerance for Blackgrass in certified seed grown in Ireland.

With regard to the risk from the importation of agricultural machinery, under the terms of Plant Health Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 second hand machinery imported from Third Countries to EU Member States must be clean, free from soil or plant debris and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the National Plant Protection Organisation of the exporting country.

I am satisfied that the measures set out above are sufficiently robust to assist in preventing the importation of blackgrass.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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804. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the grants to marts for IT investment will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41313/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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During the recent Level 5 restrictions, the marts performed very well, with sales throughput close to 90% of that in the same period in 2019. In recognition of the extra investment that marts are making in IT infrastructure to facilitate online sales, my Department plans to launch a grant scheme in early 2021 to support the use of technology.  

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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805. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a scheme allowing farmers to offset the cost of machinery modifications for those who have suffered injury will open to applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41315/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The details of the Farm Safety and Disabilities Adaptation Equipment Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme (ACA) is yet to be finalized and a launch date will be announced in due course. Notwithstanding this, once the scheme is up and running, relief will be available for expenditure incurred from 1 January 2021.

The scheme will provide for accelerated capital allowances at 50% per annum over two years for eligible specified farm safety and adaptive equipment used solely for the purpose of preventing accidents or facilitating farmers’ return to work following an accident.