Written answers

Tuesday, 1 February 2022

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agriculture Industry

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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836. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in view of the investigation his Department is carrying out, it would be prudent to suspend upcoming inspections scheduled by a society (details supplied) until such a time that the investigation is concluded; his views on the current status of the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4505/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The organisation named has been recognised by my Department to maintain the breeding book for Connemara ponies in line with EU Animal Breeding Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/1012).  

The organisation has clear procedures governing inspections which are outlined in their breeding programme for this breed. In addition, they have rules in place to settle disputes with breeders participating in their breeding programmes and to ensure breeders are treated equally. Where a breeder is not satisfied with a decision resulting from an inspection, they can invoke the rules of appeal. 

I have been informed that my officials received a written complaint concerning governance and the performance of a specific inspection on Friday 28 January.  While my officials are satisfied with the organisation's inspection procedures in general as described in their breeding programme, they are evaluating the procedure used in this specific case.

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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837. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the consideration that has been given to providing supports to the seed potato sector due to issues arising from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4542/22]

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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844. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to further invest in the seed potato sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4549/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 837 and 844 together.

As a result of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union and following the end of the Brexit transition period on 1st January 2021, the import of seed potatoes from Great Britain into the EU is prohibited. 

The ending of seed imports from Great Britain provides an opportunity for the revival of the domestic seed potato production.  An all-island plant health status, seed growing tradition and the potential to form Producer Organisations by potato growers, are all positives. it is a sector with great potential and one that I am a strong supporter of.

I understand that there is an increased interest from major seed potato contractors in placing contracts for seed with Irish growers in the wake of Brexit. I will provide as much support as possible in reviving and expand the sector, however, further expansion of the seed potato area must be industry-led and it is up to everybody in the sector now to play their part to turn this opportunity into a reality.

My Department has already invested significantly in facilities at the Tops Potato Centre in Raphoe, Co Donegal to cater for an increase in the necessary disease-free mini-tuber stocks. 

I will also make available all necessary resources to ensure that all seed crops entered under the Certification scheme are certified to the highest standards. 

I am very committed to the redevelopment of a native seed potato industry in Ireland.

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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838. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 806 of 14 December 2021, if his Department considered dedicated supports for small dairy farmers given that 1,888 or 12% of dairy farms have a family farm income of less than €20,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4543/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to supporting the sustainable development of all farming sectors and ensuring there are a range of supports in place to do this. These supports are put in place with the aim of supporting the income of farming families and driving the sustainable development of the sector to ensure it`s long term ability to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly competitive global market. 

The cornerstone of this support is the basic payment under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Another support currently in place falls under the Dairy Beef Calf Programme, which includes specific supports for dairy farmers who wish to rear calves from their dairy herd. There is a proposal to maintain this support through the Dairy Beef Calf Welfare Scheme in the new CAP Strategic Plan.

In addition, there are a range of schemes which dairy farmers can avail of under the incoming CAP Strategic Plan including the new agri-environmental scheme and the Organic Farming Schemes. Funding under Pillar II of CAP has been increased by over €900m in order to roll out a host of new schemes that will financially reward farmers to continue to play a leadership role in tackling climate change and addressing biodiversity and water quality. The new agri-environmental scheme under Pillar II will pay up to a maximum of €10,000/farmer. This will involve a move towards rewarding farmers for results-based outcomes, which will clearly contribute to overall environmental objectives.

Small dairy farmers are encouraged and welcome to apply for many of these supports.

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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839. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 322 of 20 January 2022, the appropriate solutions to the increased input costs and sustained nature of the difficulties being experienced on the pigment sector that he advocated to be rapidly deployed at the recent European Union Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4544/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Minister Heydon and I have met with the main banks to discuss the current challenges facing the pig sector, and the importance of their ongoing support for pig farming customers through the current downturn in the business cycle.

Separately, Minister Heydon and I met with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to discuss the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme and the COVID- 19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, both of which are financed by my Department in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. These finance schemes can be used for working capital finance and include features which address the current financial needs of pig farmers.

Minister Heydon chaired the Pig RoundTable last week and had a further detailed discussion with all stakeholders, including farm representatives, the banks, the processing industry and the feed industry, on the current difficulties facing pig farmers, arising both from lower market prices and a very significant increase in input costs, which are likely to continue for at least the first half of this year.  In terms of State supports Bord Bia outlined the significant efforts being made to promote quality assured Irish pigmeat on the domestic and export markets; and Teagasc outlined the dedicated advisory supports being provided to pig farmers.  

My Department will continue to monitor the market situation closely and is examining possible measures, including the market supports provisions of the EU's common market organisation regulation, which could assist in supporting farmers through this significant market disturbance. 

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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840. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made in securing certified seed potato for the 2022 and subsequent planting seasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4545/22]

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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842. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the existing targets for seed potato production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4547/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 840 and 842 together.

There is an increased interest from major seed potato contractors in placing contracts for seed with Irish growers in the wake of Brexit, as evidenced by a 23% increase in the area of seed certified here in 2021.

However, it will take some time to develop significant areas and supply of seed potatoes for the specific varieties preferred by Irish consumers. One option for growers for next year’s crop will be to retain farm-saved seed from the 2021 crop to mitigate the supply issue to the extent possible in the short-term. Alternatively, seed of alternative varieties may be sourced from other Member States such as the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium.

My Department will offer as much support as trade regulations permit, but further expansion of the seed area must be industry-led. This expansion should be assisted in the coming years by the availability of seed of our main variety Rooster, whose Plant Breeder’s Rights expired at the end of 2021. 

In addition, my Department actively supports the production of mini-tubers through the Tops Potato Centre in Raphoe, Co. Donegal. To ensure that the Tops Potato Centre can cater for future demand, significant capital investment has recently been provided. The Department has also approved a number of commercial facilities to produce mini-tubers to cater for any future expansion of the seed potato sector.

In addition, my Department operates the Seed Certification Scheme for the production of certified seed and it will make available all necessary resources to ensure that all seed crops entered for the scheme are certified to the highest standards.

I am committed to the redevelopment of a native potato seed industry in Ireland and will support the industry in that goal.

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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841. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the tonnage of seed potato imported by country in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4546/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The quantity of seed potato imported into Ireland since 2017 to 2022 (to date) is listed in Table 1 below. 

Table 1. Seed Potatoes Imported into Ireland 2017 - 2022

Country 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017
Belgium 0 50 0 50 0 0
England 0 925 1,017 624 766 699
France 55 202 43 0 0 162
Germany 100 78 15 178 100 115
N. Ireland 245 1,057 1,104 1,089 1,319 704
Poland 0 75 0 48 0 0
Scotland 0 3,883 4,015 3,638 3,014 3,529
The Netherlands 269 488 157 369 201 215
Not Specified 0 0 0 27 29
Total 669 6,757 6,350 6,023 5,401 5,451

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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843. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected increased production of the rooster variety of seed potato arising from that variety no longer having plant breeder rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4548/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Rooster variety of seed potato currently has the majority share of the Irish market. Any increase in production of Rooster seed is expected to be marginal unless there is an increase in overall demand for planting and consuming the variety.

The termination of plant breeder rights for Rooster will result in the variety becoming a free variety and will give greater access to growers to grow the variety to supply the existing demand and any increased demand that might arise.

My Department, through the Tops Potato Centre will assist the Industry in the supply of mini tubers in the event of an increased demand for Rooster. 

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