13 February 2018 Written Answers. The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised]. Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, answered orally. Questions Nos. 10 to 25, inclusive, resubmitted. Questions Nos. 26 to 37, inclusive, answered orally. 13/02/2018WRA00600Fish Quotas 13/02/2018WRA0070038. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the 2018 TACs and quotas for Ireland’s fishing sector as agreed at the December 2017 Fisheries Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7131/18] 13/02/2018WRA00800Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): After an in- tensive two days of negotiations, I managed to secure a total package of fish quotas worth €266 million for Irish fisherman for 2018. This included an 8% increase in the value of whitefish quotas leading to a new total of €152 million for the quota. Ireland’s quota for prawns also increased by 15% in 2018, which is the biggest single increase in over a decade and shows the very healthy state of this stock. The rebuilding of many other stocks was also demonstrated by a 34% increase in our white- fish quotas off the North-West coast and a 64% increase in the Irish Sea. These are both areas that were severely depleted just five years ago. This shows that the many years of intensive, industry led conservation measures are paying off. The work done to rebuild these stocks has led to significant increases for quotas for our fleets. While we did have cuts in stocks including haddock and whiting in the Celtic Sea, these cuts followed the scientific advice to ensure a sustainable fishery. In terms of the herring stock in the Celtic Sea, the reduction applied was in accordance with the provisions of the industry led management plan for the stock. This management plan provides that reductions are applied to give time to allow the stock to rebuild thus supporting the fishery in the longer term. A very difficult aspect of the proposal concerned our recreational sea bass fishery. The Commission had originally sought a complete ban on angling for 6 months of 2018. After long discussions I argued successfully for a year round ‘catch and release’ fishery instead that would not endanger the stock while protecting an important tourism resource. While there was a number of difficult issues, I am satisfied that this was a sustainable and balanced result overall. Last December’s Council was another important step towards the objective of having all stocks fished at maximum sustainable yield levels by 2020. The steps taken this year will continue our progress to rebuild our fish stocks which underpin the future 1 Questions - Written Answers of our industry and our coastal communities. 13/02/2018WRA00900Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations 13/02/2018WRA0100039. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has spoken to his French counterpart regarding CAP policy recently. [4305/18] 13/02/2018WRA01100Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): Informal dis- cussions on future CAP policy post 2020 have been afoot since mid 2016 at many different fora. Since then, more formal discussions have taken place at several Agri-Fish Councils in 2017 under the Maltese, Estonian and Bulgarian Presidencies. Such discussions gave me the opportunity to discuss the future CAP policy with counterparts across member states, including France. As regards specific engagement with my French counterpart, I held bilateral discussions on the future of the CAP post 2020 with the French Minister for Agriculture Stephane Travert in July 2017. I also attended the CAP sur le PAC Conference held by Minister Travert in Paris on 19 December 2017, at which I was invited to speak. This was the opportune time to discuss the European Commission’s CAP Communication on the future of the CAP, which was published on 29 November 2017. In addition, I met with Minister Travert earlier this month where we held a further exchange of views on the future of the CAP post 2020. In addition to these political contacts, Department officials engage on a regular basis with colleagues in other member states, including France, and in the EU Commission, in relation to the future of the CAP. Discussions on the future CAP are intensifying under the Bulgarian Presidency, with CAP related discussions being scheduled at each of the Agri-Fish Council of Ministers meetings. I look forward to engaging constructively with my Ministerial colleagues from other Member States, including France, as discussions progress, to ensure that the next CAP continues to sup- port farm incomes and deliver added value for the citizens of the European Union. 13/02/2018WRA01200Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments 13/02/2018WRA0130040. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the consultation with stakeholders will begin regarding the additional €25 million for the ANC payment; when a decision will be made on the way it will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7140/18] 13/02/2018WRA01400Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): I am very aware of the importance of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, which issues an- nual payments in excess of €200 million to over 95,000 farmers. The ANC Scheme has always been recognised as a very important support for rural society and farmers across the country who farm constrained lands. In light of the importance of the scheme, the Programme for Government included a commitment to provide an additional €25m for the Scheme in 2018. I am pleased to confirm that this commitment was delivered in Budget 2018 and that, subject to the EU Commission’s approval of an amendment to Irelands Rural Development Programme, this new funding will be available for payment under the 2018 ANC Scheme. A number of different options were available in deciding how this additional funding was 2 13 February 2018 to be divided. I was conscious of the need for money to be targeted at those farmers on lands with higher levels of constraint. With this in mind and having considered the views of stakeholders, I have decided to dis- tribute the additional €25 million as follows: - €13m will be allocated to the ‘mountain type land’ category - €9m will be allocated to the ‘more severely handicapped’ category’ and - €3m will be allocated to the ‘less severely handicapped’ category. These allocations will have the effect of increasing the current payment per hectare rates across all land categories. Those farming on what is called “mountain type land” will see their payment increase from €109.71 to €135 on their first 10 hectares, and from €95.99 to €112 on remaining hectares up to a maximum of 34 hectares. Farmers with land categorised as “more severely handicapped lowland” will see an increase from €95.99 to €104 per hectare up to a maximum of 30 hectares. Finally, those with “less severely handicapped lowland” will see an increase from €82.27 to €88.25 per hectare up to a maximum of 30 hectares. I am satisfied that these increased payment rates are consistent with the underlying logic of the Scheme, where the highest level of support is targeted at those who are faced with the high- est level of constraint on their land. These changes must now be formally agreed with the EU Commission, by way of an amend- ment to our Rural Development Programme (RDP). This will involve further consultation with stakeholders, via the RDP Monitoring Committee which must be consulted on all amendments to the RDP. My officials have initiated this process, with a view to introducing these new rates for payment in 2018. 13/02/2018WRA01500Brexit Issues 13/02/2018WRA0160041. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being made to seek new markets in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7013/18] 13/02/2018WRA01700Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade. Indeed, this is all the more relevant after the UK’s decision to leave the EU, which may pres- ent significant new challenges for the agri-food sector. Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region. Our efforts will be focused in these areas foreseeable future, but we will also be working hard to maintain our position and deepen market penetration in traditional markets such as those in the EU, including the UK, and the US. In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025 I led a very successful Trade Mis- sion to the Gulf Region in February 2017, visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This was followed by an extensive Trade Mission to the US and Mexico in 3 Questions - Written Answers June. These markets offer significant potential for Irish exporters. The US is the largest food and beverage market in the world and has a population of 324 million people. Furthermore, some 35 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. Mexico has a population of 127 million, mak- ing it the eleventh-largest country in the world in population terms and the fifteenth-largest economy in the world, with projections that it will move into the top five by 2050.