Written answers

Thursday, 3 June 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agriculture Industry

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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350. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to establish a legal definition of a feedlot herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30321/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently no plans to establish a legal definition of a feedlot herd.

Under the bovine TB Eradication Programme, beef finishing herds, if they meet certain criteria, may be termed 'Controlled Finishing Units' and subject to a tailored supervisory protocol, be allowed to continue to send animals direct to slaughter whilst restricted under the bovine TB Eradication Programme. 

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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351. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the submissions for the sheep wool feasibility study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30327/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following the allocation of €100,000 in Budget 2021 for the review of the potential demand in international markets for wool-based products such as insulation and fertilisers,  I initiated a consultation process to determine the terms of reference for such a review.  Details of the proposed Terms of Reference to implement this review were  published on the Department's website on 11th March 2021 and include but are not limited to the following -

- the identification of market opportunities domestically and internationally for wool based products;

- carrying out economic feasibility and cost benefit analysis on proposed market opportunities;

- determining  mechanisms that could be used to support industry initiatives; and 

- identification of potential research projects applicable to supporting the identified market opportunities.

Interested parties were invited to submit comments on the proposed Terms of Reference and/or submissions on the potential market opportunities for wool products on the domestic and international markets. The closing date for submissions was 2nd April 2021. 

The 38 submissions received are currently being reviewed with a view to finalising the terms of reference. The time frame for the completion of the review including the tendering process, consultation with stakeholders and publication of the report is end of November 2021.  The recommendations from this review will help focus the development of a robust  policy roadmap for the Irish wool industry.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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352. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 561 of 25 May 2021, his views on whether from the outset this cohort should have been communicated with specifically to inform them of the derogation provision which would assist persons with their requirements under the BEAM scheme given the significant sums of money involved and the low income nature of livestock farming (details supplied); if he will reconsider the matter as it relates to this cohort of BEAM participants with a view to providing an amnesty to those who have not met the derogation application deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30339/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The ability to seek a derogation from some or all of the nitrates reduction requirement under Beef Exceptional Aid Measure was detailed in the terms and conditions of the scheme which have been available online since its launch and to which all applicants to the scheme indicated they had read and understood as part of the application process.

Close to 200 participants who felt they were unable to meet the scheme requirements vis a vis the 5% reduction requirement have successfully applied to the Department in that regard. Among those were farmers whose nitrates figures for the reference period were abnormally low due to the effects of a TB restriction and for whom a further reduction was unviable. This was available to all participants and applications had to be submitted prior to the 30 September 2019.

Anyone seeking to avail of such a derogation now can apply to have one considered under force majeure but will need to be mindful of the conditions under which force majeure is applied and submit any documentary evidence in support of their claim as part of the force majeure application.

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