Written Answers Nos. 556-568
556. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the forestry section of Teagasc will hold information meetings nationwide to assist forest owners impacted by ash dieback who have forests with dying, dead or rotten trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25695/23]
View answer560. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has briefed an organisation (details supplied) on ash dieback disease; if he will mobilise the organisation to hold information meetings for forest owners impacted by ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25699/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 556 and 560 together.
A total of €9.2 million has been expended to date on the reconstitution schemes that my Department has offered for Ash Dieback. These schemes include supports to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with plants affected by disease.
Last month, an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback via general de minimis was launched which contains a doubling of site clearance rates, increased grant rates and an improved premium regime. The interim scheme includes the following enhanced features:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, increased from €1,000 to €2,000.
• Enhanced grant rates as per draft Forestry programme 2023-2027
• Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.
• In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.
A scheme document outlining all details is available at gov.ie - Forestry Grants and Schemes (www.gov.ie). A similar scheme for the reconstitution of ash dieback will be launched as part of the new forestry programme and does not offer assistance for the removal of roadside trees.
Teagasc Forestry Development Department run information events throughout the year covering all aspects of forestry and address ash dieback queries at these events as they arise.
Teagasc run events specifically on ash dieback and a series of videos has been produced covering the issues around ash dieback, which is available to view on the Teagasc website along with other information.
All Teagasc forestry advisors are available nationwide to provide one to one support to forest owners and inform them of their options and the implications of these options in relation to their ash plantations.
In term of the organisation named it has been allocated funding in 2023 by the Department to reinforce forestry as an attractive land use option among farmers, and to highlight the environmental benefits of forestry in addressing climate change challenges and associated environmental threats.
Once the new Programme is launched there will be a dedicated promotion and information campaign to encourage uptake of all schemes amongst farmers, current forest owners and other landowners.
557. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has instructed his Department inspectors to inspect forests impacted by ash dieback nationwide to determine the state of the forests and the associated health and safety implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25696/23]
View answer558. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are health and safety concerns given the state of dead and rotten trees now present in ash dieback plantations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25697/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 557 and 558 together.
I am aware that as ash dieback disease progresses nationally and within individual ash plantations, the potential health and safety risks associated with forest plantations, roadside and parkland ash trees will become an issue of increasing importance for landowners, workers and visitors.
My Inspectors have surveyed for ash dieback in ash plantations since the introduction of the disease. Today, ash dieback is widespread in every county in Ireland. However, it is not a role of my Inspectors to determine the safety implications of these forests. As with any other health and safety matter, site-specific issues together with any measures, including any risk assessments required, are in the first instance the responsibility of the individual landowner. Forestry contractors are well aware of the risks in felling trees and the precautions required and their health and safety responsibilities when working or managing others who work in forests.
The HSA has also provided comprehensive guidance and information notes on this subject, including the following: Chainsaw Felling of Large Trees - IFSG 307 (2018); Mechanical Harvesting - IFSG 603 (2018); Extraction by Forwarder - IFSG 503 (2018); Cross Cutting and Manual Stacking - IFSG 304 (2018); Felling and Manual Takedown - IFSG 302 (2018); Chainsaw Safety Training Advice Information Sheet (2015); and Information on the Health and Safety responsibilities of Forest Land Owners and Managers who intend to fell their trees (2014).
In relation to roadside trees, my colleague, Eamon Ryan, Minister for Transport has previously stated that Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 sets out the responsibility of landowners to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees, hedges and other vegetation growing on their land are not, or could not become, a danger to people using a public road or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road.
He further stated that this responsibility includes the preservation, felling, cutting, lopping, trimming or removal of any such tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation' in question. It is thus advisable that landowners make themselves aware of the full legal extent of their land ownership and of any obligations arising from this.
The implementation of the legislation on the management or removal dangerous roadside trees is the responsibility of the local authority, in its capacity as the relevant road authority.
Furthermore, my Department, last year, published guidance on the subject of roadside trees - “A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees”. This publication, which can be accessed on my Departments website, was produced in partnership with the Tree Council of Ireland and outlines specific issues related to health and safety in tree work and gives practical guidance to those working with chainsaws taking out hazardous trees.
As regards the granting of Tree Felling Licences or approvals under the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme to allow landowner remove trees and forests affected by ash dieback disease. My Department continues to issue and accept felling licence applications and, to date in 2023, has issued over 1,100 felling licences.
Pending State Aid approval for the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027, my Department early last month also launched an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash-dieback (via General De Minimis) for all applicants with valid technical approval by 31 December 2022 but who had not commenced reconstitution work and who do not wish to wait until the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023–2027. Features of the interim scheme include an enhanced site clearance grant rate and enhanced planting grant rates as per new Forestry Programme 2023-2027. Applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years and for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent Forest Type rate in the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 and the existing premium rate will be paid.
559. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated total volume of ash in plantations, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25698/23]
View answerMy Department undertakes the National Forest Inventory (NFI), the purpose of which is to record and assess the extent and nature of Ireland’s forests, in a timely, accurate and reproducible manner. Reliable, current and consistent information is required to inform domestic forest policy, to support forest research and fulfil national and international reporting commitments.
The fourth NFI cycle was completed during 2022. The national forest estate is still expanding and has now reached 11.6% of the total land area or 808,848 hectares. Broadleaf tree species account for nearly one-third (30.6%) of the stocked forest area while conifer species are the dominant species present (69.4%).
The total growing stock volume of Irish forests is over 142 million cubic metres, of which 4.4 million cubic metres is ash. The distribution of this ash volume is detailed in the table below.
|
County |
Volume (cubic metres) |
|
Carlow |
96,562 |
|
Cavan |
140,791 |
|
Clare |
519,863 |
|
Cork |
380,855 |
|
Donegal |
82,445 |
|
Dublin |
82,400 |
|
Galway |
175,008 |
|
Kerry |
145,906 |
|
Kildare |
310,710 |
|
Kilkenny |
82,488 |
|
Laois |
363,122 |
|
Leitrim |
32,659 |
|
Limerick |
175,687 |
|
Longford |
68,510 |
|
Louth |
67,829 |
|
Mayo |
88,779 |
|
Meath |
357,497 |
|
Monaghan |
28,880 |
|
Offaly |
234,669 |
|
Roscommon |
153,942 |
|
Sligo |
110,063 |
|
Tipperary |
369,113 |
|
Waterford |
223,972 |
|
Westmeath |
26,950 |
|
Wexford |
30,149 |
|
Wicklow |
51,515 |
|
Total |
4,400,364 |
The Deputy may be aware that my Department has spent €9.2 million on schemes to remove and replace ash impacted by ash dieback. All these schemes include a grant for site clearance as well as replanting and cover the costs associated with these operations.
In March, Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett launched an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback via general de minimis which contains a doubling of site clearance rates, increased grant rates and an improved premium regime.
A similar scheme for the reconstitution of ash dieback will be launched as part of the new forestry programme. State Aid Guidelines provide for aid for the restoration of damage to forests caused by a variety of events including damage from disease and pests. State Aid rules are explicit that this aid is for restoration and does not facilitate compensation for loss including income.
My Department continues to review the operation of the ash dieback scheme, having regard to its effectiveness, the status of the plantations, state aid regulations and other issues having regard to the age and stage of the rotation of the almost 16,000 hectares of ash that were grant aided between 1990 and 2013.
561. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the introduction of a financial support scheme for farmers to meeting the costs of hiring professional contractors to manage roadside ash trees that are infected by ash dieback disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25802/23]
View answerThe care and management of trees adjacent to roads is the responsibility of the landowner on whose land the roadside trees are growing. It is advisable that landowners make themselves aware of the full legal extent of their land ownership and of any obligations arising from this.
My Department does not offer funding for the removal of roadside trees, but has published guidance on the subject of roadside trees (“A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees”) and this can be accessed at the Department website.
A total of €9.2 million has been expended to date on the reconstitution schemes that my Department has offered for Ash Dieback. These schemes include supports to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with plants affected by disease.
562. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to protect animal welfare issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25803/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This Act provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare with 138 prosecutions taken by my Department since its implementation.
My Department keeps the Act under review given developments in the area of animal welfare and the law and having regard to the practical lessons learnt from operating the Act.
Neglect of, or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. I am committed to ensuring that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. My Department continues to enforce the law in this important area as does An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which have authorised officers under the Act.
My Department also takes a preventive approach to alleviate welfare concerns for both animals and their owners. In addition to continued enforcement of the law, in line with the 'One Health, One Welfare' ethos, my Department is committed to a policy of education and awareness-building in order to prevent animal welfare issues arising. Significant animal welfare related measures have been advanced within the scope of our national Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025, Working Together for Animal Welfare which I launched in February 2021. The Strategy is backed by resources and expertise within the Department and involves dialogue and cooperation with other Government Departments and agencies, with stakeholders and with civil society.
In December 2022, I announced the record allocation of over €5.8 million in funding to 99 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grants Programme. This therefore achieved and actually exceeded the commitment in the Programme for Government to double the funding allocated within two years. This marks the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made by my Department. The importance of education and dissemination of knowledge to improve animal welfare, was an important criteria of this funding. Imparting knowledge on animal welfare plays a crucial role in improving standards nationally and can raise awareness on responsible animal ownership.
563. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking in response to a differential that has opened up between Irish and UK steers prices in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25804/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, cattle prices are a commercial matter to be negotiated between buyers and suppliers in the marketplace and the Government has no role in determining commodity prices in the beef sector.
Given the export dependence of the sector, beef prices are a function of demand and supply in the domestic and main overseas markets and are influenced by the interplay of other relevant factors such as currency fluctuations, changing conditions and opportunities in European vis-a-vis international markets, the degree of competition in alternative market outlets at a particular time, transport costs, returns from retail versus food service channels, overall economic conditions in importing countries including the impact of food price inflation for higher-value cuts on consumer sentiment and so forth.
Additionally, there are a variety of other interrelated reasons to explain why prices in different markets may not be directly comparable including the degree of self-sufficiency, consumer preferences for domestic product and seasonal factors.
Nevertheless, to ensure transparency for all sector stakeholders, the EU Commission, my Department and An Bord Bia publish various online datasets on a range of meat price indicators.
Bord Bia‘s market tracking data shows that the average deadweight price recorded for R3 prime male cattle in Ireland was €5.23/kg on 20th May, compared to €5.72/kg in the UK on the same date. However, it is also evident from available data for previous years that the UK steer price is generally above the Irish price.
A more relevant comparator, therefore, is the Bord Bia data tracking the prime Irish composite price against the prime export benchmark price which shows that the Irish price is currently €0.28 per kg above the export benchmark price.
In this context, the prime Irish composite price refers to the average price paid for prime beef animals (i.e. steers, young bulls and heifers) slaughtered weekly in Ireland based on the annual kill share for those categories and the main carcass grades.
The prime export benchmark reflects the prices paid for prime cattle in different carcass categories and grades and is weighted according to the relative importance of key export markets for Irish beef; specifically, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden.
The relevant Bord Bia data can be accessed at the following link: Beef Market Tracking - Bord Bia | Irish Food Board
I will always seek to provide a range of financial incentives that benefit beef farmer incomes while supporting the economic and environmental efficiency of the sector. The core intervention targeted towards the sector under the current CAP strategic plan is the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme which will augment the technical gains made under Beef Data and Genomics Programme and has attracted over 20,000 applicants to date. The National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme has attracted over 14,000 applicants to date.
My track record is one of providing strong support the beef sector in recognition of its important role in fostering balanced regional development and its significant contribution to aggregate agrifood exports.
564. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to remove barriers concerning pet dog, cat and ferret travel between Ireland and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25805/23]
View answerPrior to January 2021, cats, dogs and ferrets entering Ireland from the United Kingdom - as from all EU Member States - had to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and accompanied by an EU Pet Passport.
Since then, as a consequence of the UK leaving the EU, there are additional requirements for pet cats, dogs and ferrets entering Ireland from Great Britain. There are, however, no changes in respect of such pets entering Ireland from Northern Ireland.
The additional requirements in respect of each pet travelling, or returning, from Great Britain to Ireland are as follows:
• they may only enter Ireland through certain Travellers’ Points of Entry - Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, Rosslare Port, Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, Shannon Airport and Cork Airport.
• they must travel with either a health certificate issued by a UK official vet, or an EU pet passport. (EU pet passports issued by Northern Ireland remain valid for EU movement if they have been marked with a sticker by the issuing vet in Northern Ireland). This includes affirmation as to rabies vaccination status. An EU pet passport that was issued in GB is not valid for travel to the EU, even it was issued before January 2021.
• Dogs travelling from, or returning from, Great Britain to Ireland require treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) by a veterinarian 24 to 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before arrival in Ireland.
The requirement for dogs to receive treatment against tapeworm plays an important role in maintaining Ireland’s Echinococcus multilocularis free status.
Since January 2021, the movement of pets between Ireland and Northern Ireland has been covered by the Ireland – Northern Ireland Protocol, which forms part of the broader EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. Under the Protocol, Northern Ireland is subject to EU Regulation 576/2013.
Pet dogs travelling from Northern Ireland to Ireland must be microchipped, have a valid rabies vaccination and be accompanied by a valid EU or NI pet passport, or an EU health certificate - as heretofore.
The EU Commission has issued detailed guidance on this topic, as part of their series of Brexit Readiness Notices.
My Department has also issued a guidance document for pet travel after Brexit and will continue to communicate with pet owners regarding the requirements for entering Ireland.
Article 12 of the Windsor Agreement deals with pets. Pets travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland no longer require an EU pet passport/EU animal health certificate, tapeworm and rabies vaccine. They will have to be microchipped, accompanied by a pet travel document and a written declaration that the pets will not move on to another Member State from Northern Ireland.
565. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline his engagement with the Minister for Education concerning action 4c: Reduction of risk in Sensitive Areas in the Irish National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (Plant Protection Products); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25806/23]
View answerPlant Protection Products (PPP’s) are authorised in Ireland based on scientific evaluations and decision-making criteria specified in EU Regulation No. 1107/2009, concerning the placing of PPP’s on the market) where safe uses can be demonstrated without posing any unacceptable risk to humans, animals, or the environment.
In addition, a National Action Plan (NAP) was put in place as part of the implementation of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (SUD - Directive 2009/128/EC). The current situation regarding use of PPP’s in the areas referred to in the NAP, including public parks, hospitals, public schools and public playgrounds. is that use is not permitted unless (i) a risk assessment has shown that their use is necessary and (ii) appropriate risk management measures have been put in place.
It is the PPP user’s responsibility to comply with these requirements. My Department also provides information and guidance for all relevant stakeholders on its website.
Negotiations are on-going at EU level on a proposal for a new Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR) to replace the current SUD, including the use of pesticides in sensitive areas. My Department held a public consultation on the proposed regulation, details of which are on its website. The Irish NAP will be replaced when this Regulation comes into force and my Department will liaise with all relevant stakeholders and other Government Departments as appropriate.
566. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who participated in the beef environmental efficiency programme - suckler (BEEP-S), by county, in 2022, in tabular form; the average payment, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25883/23]
View answerThe Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Suckler (BEEP-S) aimed to increase the efficiency of Ireland’s suckler herd by improving the data that is collected about the herd. This was a nationally funded scheme in 2022.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:
|
County |
Number of Applicants Per County |
AveragePayment |
|
Carlow |
323 |
€2,064.01 |
|
Cavan |
1,423 |
€1,320.20 |
|
Clare |
2,197 |
€1,547.96 |
|
Cork |
1,896 |
€1,488.11 |
|
Donegal |
1,619 |
€966.82 |
|
Dublin |
54 |
€1,868.40 |
|
Galway |
3,152 |
€1,361.28 |
|
Kerry |
1,340 |
€1,249.33 |
|
Kildare |
276 |
€1,927.09 |
|
Kilkenny |
590 |
€2,151.29 |
|
Laois |
611 |
€2,049.55 |
|
Leitrim |
1,143 |
€990.41 |
|
Limerick |
778 |
€1,504.11 |
|
Longford |
898 |
€1,309.32 |
|
Louth |
215 |
€1,611.50 |
|
Mayo |
2,733 |
€1,112.11 |
|
Meath |
626 |
€1,897.68 |
|
Monaghan |
1,030 |
€1,165.97 |
|
Offaly |
576 |
€1,847.86 |
|
Roscommon |
1,746 |
€1,331.65 |
|
Sligo |
1,120 |
€1,161.90 |
|
Tipperary |
1,066 |
€1,836.78 |
|
Waterford |
304 |
€2,250.91 |
|
Westmeath |
889 |
€1,727.14 |
|
Wexford |
580 |
€2,041.70 |
|
Wicklow |
392 |
€1,931.91 |
567. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation to beef sustainability schemes in each of the years 2020 to 2024, by scheme and by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25884/23]
View answerAll beef schemes implemented in recent years have had sustainability as a core objective. The measures designed exclusively the beef sector are outlined below.
In relation to current beef sustainability schemes, allocations have been approved to date in 2023 for the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme, the National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme and the Beef Data and Genomics Programme. Allocations for beef sustainability schemes in 2024 will be a matter for Budget 2024.
The Beef Finishers Payment (BFP) 2020
The BFP scheme was an exchequer funded grant aid scheme with a budget allocation of €50m introduced to compensate beef finishers for market disturbances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Sucklers (BEEP-S) 2020, 2021 & 2022
BEEP-S was implemented to further increase the economic and environmental efficiency of the suckler herd through the collection of better quality data on herd performance to support better decision making at farm level. Successive schemes followed in 2021 and 2022. The budget allocation for the scheme was €40m annually.
The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP)
The BDGP was part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It targeted improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd, reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of Ireland’s beef production and improving farmer profitability. It was extended in 2021 for eligible participants who wished to continue in the scheme. A further annual extension of the 2021 BDGP contract was offered to all 2021 participants.
National Dairy Beef Welfare Schemes (NDBWS) – 2021 pilot, 2022 & 2023
These schemes with an annual budget allocation of €5m facilitate the integration of the dairy and beef sectors by supporting farmers rearing progeny from the dairy herd for beef production.
Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme (SCEP)
The SCEP, which has a total budget allocation of €260m and will operate on the basis of a 5-year contract, aims to improve the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd and reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of Irish beef production.
No expenditure has yet been incurred in respect of the SCEP or the 2023 NDBWS which were launched earlier this year.
|
Year |
Scheme |
Payments to farmers€m* |
|
2020 |
BFP |
46.6m |
|
2020 |
BEEP-S |
40.3m |
|
2020 |
BDGP |
40m |
|
2021 |
BEEP-S |
39.7m |
|
2021 |
NDBWS - Dairy beef |
2.03m |
|
2021 |
BDGP |
27.3m |
|
2022 |
BDGP |
29.1m |
|
2022 |
BEEP-S |
39.3m |
|
2022 |
NDBWS - Dairy beef |
3.6m |
*Note: expenditure relates to the calendar rather than the scheme year.
568. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 542 of 16 May 2023, if he will provide the metrics used by officials in his Department to conclude that financial supports through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund were inapplicable for the sheep farming sector, as he is aware, the sheep farming sector is one of the most affected sectors as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU; the additional financial provisions that he will provide to assist the sheep farming sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25924/23]
View answerDespite a sustained and welcome increase in the average weekly price of sheep since the end of February, I recognise that sheep farmers are experiencing more challenging market conditions in 2023 compared to recent years. Prices are a matter for negotiation between buyers and sellers but it is encouraging to see that markets are now returning consistently better prices for farmers than at the start of the year.
According to my Department’s weekly Meat Market Report, the national average price for Irish sheep during the third week of May (week 20) was €7.49/kg which was within 2% of the prevailing level for the corresponding period in 2022. Factory offers will vary by plant, category, carcase weight and bonus specifications with supplies influenced by weather conditions and a sizeable carryover of hoggets for processing from last year.
The sheepmeat price data published by my Department does not provide conclusive evidence that the sector has suffered any persistent adverse impact as a result of the UK's decision to withdraw from the EU. The overall price trend as measured by the average annual price for all sheep categories has been predominantly positive for primary producers during that period and has markedly exceeded the 2016 average price for the last three years.
The sheep sector is also notably less dependent on the UK market than some other agrifood commodities such as beef. According to the CSO, the UK accounted for 43% of total beef exports by both value and volume in 2022; whereas sheepmeat exports to the UK last year accounted for 13% and 16% of total category exports in value and volume terms respectively.
The Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) established by the EU Commission provides financial support to the most affected Member States to counter the adverse consequences arising from the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Expenditure under the BAR must demonstrate a direct link to the negative impact of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and to date no clear case has been made on claiming BAR funding.
It should also be acknowledged that my Department provides significant support to the sector in form of a dedicated sheep scheme under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), and through a broad range of other CSP schemes in which sheep farmers can participate. These include the ACRES and Organic Farming schemes, which are particularly suited to sheep enterprises or mixed beef and sheep enterprises, and which are likely to provide higher direct payments to sheep farmers this year.
Additionally, I have supported livestock farmers in dealing with increased costs over the last year by providing €66.5m in aggregate funding for the introduction of a fodder incentive scheme, a national liming programme and a package to encourage the sowing of multispecies swards and red clover.
My officials will continue to monitor developments in sheepmeat markets and the Government will continue to make every effort to support the sector having regard to current budgetary circumstances and constraints.
