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Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she would consider allowing the fishing industry to dispose of decommissioned fishing boats at sea.

(AQW 997/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): My Department is not unsympathetic to the request to consider allowing the fishing industry to dispose of decommissioned fishing boats at sea. Indeed it would be willing to seek to have the current decommissioning scheme amended to allow for such action.

The issue is however not straightforward. To create an artificial reef would require a Disposal at Sea Licence (a FEPA licence) from the Environment and Heritage Service. It is understood applicants for such a licence would need to ensure that an environmental report is furnished and the vessels would need to have their anti-fouling paint removed along with the fuel tanks and all other potential sources of contamination, for example, oil, fuel, lubricants, etc. In addition, depending on the site, Crown Estate's permission may be required and consultation with other interested parties may highlight objections.

The industry has been advised of these points and the matter rests with them to consider further.

Mr Jim Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to identify any member states of the European Union that are bringing beef products that originate in Third World countries into Northern Ireland.

(AQW 1041/01)

Ms Rodgers: Under EU trade rules, beef products may only be imported from EC approved meat establishments in certain listed Third Countries. Such establishments must meet the equivalent standards as for products in the EU. Once beef products enter the Community through a Border Inspection Post in any Member State, they can be freely traded within the Community. The emphasis is therefore on clearance at the first point of entry into the Community. Thus beef products of Third Country origin can subsequently enter Northern Ireland from another Member State and no record is made that it originally came from a Third Country. It is therefore not possible to provide you with the information which you are seeking.

That said, under EU beef labelling rules, it is compulsory for all beef marketed in the EU, from whatever source, to show the country where slaughtering took place, where the beef was prepared and a reference code for tracing purposes.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will review Forest Service guidelines to safeguard wildlife in West Tyrone.

(AQW 1051/01)

Ms Rodgers: I am satisfied that the Forest Service guidelines to safeguard wildlife in West Tyrone are adequate for current needs. They are mainly contained in two papers "Afforestation in the DANI statement on environmental policy" (1993) and "The UK Forestry Standard in the Government's approach to sustainable forestry" (1998).

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what assessment she has made of the profitability of the pig sector.

(AQW 1052/01)

Ms Rodgers: My Department monitors the profitability of the pig sector on a weekly, monthly and an annual basis. Financial results showing, among other things, margin over feed per finished pig and per kilogram of carcass weight, are calculated weekly and the results published monthly. I attach a copy of the most recent available results for your information and copies have also been placed in the Assembly Library.

Profitability in terms of gross margin per bacon pig is also calculated annually from the Farm Business Survey, and is published each autumn. The average gross margin results (expressed in terms of £ per head) for the years 1996/97 - 2000/01 are: £30; £17; £-3; £7 and £18 respectively.

Producer prices have been fairly steady over the past year, averaging some 91p per kg deadweight; which is a significant improvement over the particularly horrendous situation which prevailed for almost 2 years from late spring 1998.

While producers are no longer operating in a market situation where returns are below the cost of production, I acknowledge that profitability is still disappointing.

You will, I'm sure, be aware of the study commissioned in December 1999 to consider the issue of processing capacity in the context of the future outlook for the pig industry, North and South. The consultants' report indicated that without significant improvement in the competitiveness of the industry in all of Ireland, it will face further reduction in both the production and processing sectors.

Unfortunately, progress in developing a joint strategic response was delayed by the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks. However, the issues raised in the Report have been considered by both Agriculture Departments, the Development Agencies and the sectoral organisations, with a view to developing appropriate action.

My officials, along with the industry, are seeking to develop initiatives to improve the quality of Northern Ireland pigs, to encourage better marketing and promotion, and to bring together different parts of the industry in supply chain agreements. Furthermore, my Pig Technology staff based at Greenmount Agricultural College are available to assist any individual producer who wishes to take an in-depth look at his business to see how profitability could be improved.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in relation to the Programme for Government, if she will make a statement on her policy to promote energy efficiency in agriculture.

(AQW 1054/01)

Ms Rodgers: Promotion of energy efficiency within industry falls outside the remit of my Department, but DARD does have a role to play in the related issue of promoting renewable energy by supporting the growing of energy crops on agricultural land. Provided that it is consistent with the environmental requirements of the Woodland Grant Scheme, grants will be paid on suitable sites for the planting of approved clones of poplars, alders and willows intended for short rotation coppicing. My officials are also currently working closely with UK Departments and other bodies on the deployment of the £15 million which has been allocated to Northern Ireland as a result of a recent initiative announced by the Prime Minister to promote renewable energy and the growing of energy crops.

DARD has invested significant sums in energy saving measures across its specialised buildings estate over many years. Such measures include new boilers and controls, lighting controls, thermal insulation, draught proofing of windows. The Department also draws from the Capital Energy Fund managed by DFP for larger projects.

Furthermore under a "Green Housekeeping" initiative the Rivers Agency has investigated the possibility of converting its vehicles to an alternative energy system but operational needs do not currently make such conversion cost-effective.

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) the cost of and (b) to whom she is providing hospitality during the month of December 2001.

(AQW 1068/01)

Ms Rodgers: The estimated cost of hospitality during December 2001 was £50.00.

This figure represents the cost of the refreshments I provided for the pupils of Torbank School and Bloomfield Collegiate, who took part in my Department's Carol Service on Tuesday 11 December 2001.

Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of staff and job description of each who worked in South Armagh during the Foot-and-Mouth crisis.

(AQW 1073/01)

Ms Rodgers: Dealing with the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Meigh in South Armagh was a complex and difficult operation. As well as Veterinary Service staff, substantial numbers of other DARD staff, staff from other NICS Departments and local District Councils were involved in dealing with the outbreak.

The number of estimated days worked by the Veterinary Service and other parts of DARD, initially dealing directly with the outbreak for approximately the first month was as follows:-

Veterinary professional 590 days

Technical (Veterinary Service) 664 days

Technical (DARD) 1346 days

Administrative 135 days

However substantial numbers of staff were also involved in the South Armagh area in follow up actions from the outbreak itself, completing the sheep cull, supporting Northern Ireland's attempts to get regional status and undertaking sheep serology sampling. Information on the numbers of staff involved in this could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

Given the substantial range of tasks associated with combating a Foot and Mouth disease outbreak detailed job descriptions were not provided for each individual involved. Internal management instructions/advice were provided to supervisors on the ground who directed day to day duties.

Mr Paul Berry asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if staff from Newry Veterinary Office were transferred to other areas affected by the Food-and-Mouth crisis.

(AQW 1074/01)

Ms Rodgers: The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Meigh in February 2001 was the first to occur and predated the other outbreaks by seven weeks. In that time the staff in Newry acquired the knowledge and skills needed to deal with outbreaks. It was of great assistance to be able to draw on that knowledge when other outbreaks occurred particularly as the emphasis in Newry had by that stage moved to meeting EU requirements in relation to regionalisation and to the testing of other sheep flocks in the area.

As there were hundreds of staff involved in each of the outbreaks and a substantial number involved in more than one outbreak, obtaining information on individuals moving between outbreaks could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will make a statement in respect of the Code of Practice for prescribing veterinary medicine.

(AQW 1097/01)

Ms Rodgers: The prescription of Veterinary Medicines, or rather the sale and supply of these, is not a matter which comes under the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has responsibility for this legislation.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Code of Conduct provides extensive advice on the prescription of Veterinary Medicines and the British Veterinary Association has also issued a Code of Practice on Medicines and Guidelines on the prudent use of Antimicrobials.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will make a statement in respect of what measures are taken to prevent the spread of bee diseases.

(AQW 1098/01)

Ms Rodgers: The EU controls relating to animal diseases provide for free movement of bees between Member States except where bee health is threatened, in which scenario national controls can be imposed to safeguard against various diseases. For the past 20 years the introduction of disease into Northern Ireland by means of the importation of bees from elsewhere has been strictly controlled by a general prohibition on bee imports under the Importation of Bees Order (NI) 1980.

Direct action to find and prevent the spread of disease is taken by means of Spring and Autumn surveys by Department staff to monitor hives for the presence of varroa, a parasitic mite which weakens bees and increases susceptibility to disease. Other diseases such as American and European foul brood are scheduled as notifiable diseases under the Bee Diseases Control Order (NI) 1998. If disease is recognised hives are isolated and treated under Department supervision.

A free laboratory diagnostic service is also provided in the event of any suspicion of foul brood disease referred to the Department by bee-keepers. Training courses and Roadshows to help beekeepers recognise diseases have been operated by the Department and courses are available subject to demand.

As Northern Ireland does not have varroa, and imports of bees from elsewhere are prohibited, a combined programme of monitoring, testing, advisory and educational work forms the primary action that can be taken to find and eradicate disease before it can spread.

Mr David McClarty asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has to develop rural tourism within East Londonderry.

(AQW 1099/01)

Ms Rodgers: In November last I announced the new Rural Development Programme. It will bring opportunities for rural tourism project promoters within East Londonderry to bring forward proposals under a range of measures:-

PEACE II - The Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative will be delivered by locally based partnerships. The Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust Tourism Initiative, 42 Causeway Road, Bushmills, BT57 8SU, have been selected to deliver the Programme in the Antrim region. Sperrins Tourism Limited, 50 Ballyronan Road, Magherafelt, BT45 6EN, will deliver the Programme in the Sperrins region. Each partnership has been asked to submit a Natural Resource Rural Tourism Strategy for approval based on the area's tourism needs, the strategy will identify the themes and programmes to be delivered in the target areas. These partnerships have up to six months to submit a suitable strategy. The first calls for local applications will be made later this year following agreement of the strategies.

LEADER+ will provide opportunities for micro businesses to bring forward proposals. These can include tourism projects. The Leader+ Local Action Groups in the East Londonderry Constituency are Coleraine Local Action Group for Enterprise Limited (COLLAGE) c/o Coleraine Borough Council Offices, Cloonavin, 66 Portstewart Road, Coleraine BT52 1EY and Roe Valley Leader Group Limited, Council offices, 7 Connell Street, Limavady BT49 OHA. Each Action Group will be invited to submit a business plan for approval based on the area's economic needs. The Group has up to 3 months to prepare and submit plans. The first call for applications will be made later this year after strategies are approved.

Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity (PBSP) - Rural development measures under PBSP will provide opportunities for community, collective, co-operative and sectoral proposals which can also come from a tourism perspective. Building Sustainable Prosperity applications are currently being received from community groups, collectives and co-operatives. The closing date for receipt of applications is 1 February 2002. I anticipate that applications for proposals under the Sectoral Programme will be advertised in February 2002.

The Rural Development Programme has been developed to be broadly based and to respond to opportunities. The key requirement now will be the submission of innovative and viable proposals.

More specific information is available from my Department's Rural Area Co-ordinator, Jennifer McLernon on Telephone 028 25633815.

Mr David Hilditch asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment of the fishing industry in light of (a) the decreasing fish stock in the Irish Sea; and (b) the concerns of fishermen for the future of the industry.

(AQW 1139/01)

Ms Rodgers: There is no doubt that the fishing industry has been going through a difficult period. The industry has been faced by reductions in fish quotas, closures of traditional fishing grounds because of cod recovery plans and increased fuel prices. The position would have worsened had the draconian cuts proposed by the European Commission for 2002 Total Allowable catches been ratified at the December Fisheries Council. At Council I was therefore determined to obtain the best possible deal for Northern Ireland in particular to protect our important prawn fisheries in the face of conservation arrangements. In this I was successful and in fact secured a 25.5% increase in the Commission's proposals in respect of prawns. Increases over the European Commission proposals were also achieved for the Irish Sea stocks of cod, plaice, sole, and haddock. In addition swaps were obtained from the Republic of Ireland for Irish Sea cod and plaice to help offset the losses incurred by the application of the Hague Preference arrangements. The need to conserve fish stocks has to be balanced with the need to preserve the industry if it is to have a long term future. To assist the industry I announced a Fishing Vessel Decommissioning Scheme in October last year and Letters of Offer have now issued to the owners of 34 fishing vessels. More recently I announced the opening of grant applications for schemes aimed at the Improvement of Facilities at Northern Ireland Fishing Ports, Aquaculture, Processing and Marketing of Freshwater and Marine Products and Promotions of Fishery Products.

Mr P J Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm that root crop products imported from the UK pose no threat to animal health or to home grown produce.

(AQW 1156/01)

Ms Rodgers: I am satisfied that root crop products imported into Northern Ireland do not constitute an animal health risk or a risk to home-grown produce. In the context of animal health, notably Foot & Mouth Disease, premises identified as diseased constitute a remote risk in that the crops, if moved, could carry the disease in attached soil. However, risk would be minimal since it would be most unlikely that growing root crops would have had direct contact with FMD susceptible animals. In any case under Foot & Mouth regulations no root crops are permitted to leave a Foot & Mouth diseased premises. There should therefore be no risk of infection spreading.

Turning to home-grown produce, whilst there is a wide variety of imported root crops, virtually none of these would be destined other than for multiple store retail outlets or processing plants, in which case contact with home-grown produce, at farm level, would not occur. The potential risk of plant diseases from imported root crops is therefore minimal. Waste from processing plants is subject to regular sampling to detect and eliminate any possible disease risk and I can confirm that no major plant health risk has yet been identified.

I would of course be happy to consider any specific root crops about which the Member has particular concerns.

Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when she expects restrictions on the movements of farm animals from Northern Ireland to Great Britain will be lifted.

(AQW 1220/01)

Ms Rodgers: I announced the resumption of live exports of Foot & Mouth Disease susceptible animals from Northern Ireland to Great Britain by Press Release on 12 December 2001.

Mr Peter Weir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has any plans to increase the level of funding available for postgraduate agricultural students.

(AQW 1221/01)

Ms Rodgers: This Department follows the guidelines as laid down by the Department for Employment and Learning when determining the level of postgraduate funding for each year.

The level of funding has steadily increased from £5,778 in 1998 to £7,500 for the current academic year. This Department will apply the 2002/03 rates of grant established by the Department for Employment and Learning once they become available.

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm that (a) global warming, the rise in sea temperatures by 3%-4% and the rise in sea levels, is playing a pivotal role in changing the patterns of ocean currents; and (b) this is responsible for the change in behaviour and movement of seafish and shellfish.

(AQW 1223/01)

Ms Rodgers: Whilst it is considered there may be a relationship between global warming, increases in sea temperatures and sea levels, and changing patterns of ocean currents, this has still to be established. Recently the global 'Argo Experiment' has commenced to ascertain the causes of changes in the pattern of ocean currents. I understand that whilst the behaviour of sea fish and shellfish can be influenced by changes in the patterns of ocean currents, particularly in the open oceans and with migrating species, there is little evidence that this has caused any major change in any of the commercially important fish and shellfish targeted by the Northern Ireland fleet. A major influence on fish stocks decline is overfishing. Even if the environment plays a bigger role than previously suspected, fish populations will be sensitive to collapse if overfishing and environmental change impact on their reproduction and growth.

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the number of jobs lost as a direct result of the cuts in the nephrops quotas, in the last 2 years.

(AQW 1239/01)

Ms Rodgers: Information on employment relating to the nephrops sector is not available but I am unaware of any significant losses as a direst result of cuts in the nephrops quotas in the last 2 years. There will, of course, be some losses arising from the fishing vessel decommissioning scheme. Whilst there have bee cuts in the Area VII nephrops quota in the last two years, the UK did not catch its quota in 2000 and is unlikely to do so in 2001.

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what action she intends to take to save the nephrops industry in light of the recent quota cuts.

(AQW 1240/01)

Ms Rodgers: While recognising that there have been reductions in the TAC for nephrops in Area VII, I would point out that the nephrops quota for 2002 still exceeds the landings in each of the last 2 years. Nevertheless, a number of assistance measures have been introduced which will have an impact on the nephrops sector. These include the fishing vessel decommissioning scheme and more recently the opening of grant applications for schemes aimed at Processing and Marketing of Freshwater and Marine Products and Promotions of Fishery Products.

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to confirm (a) that the herring spawning area off the Mourne foreshore has declined to 3% of the total number of spawning Irish Sea herring; and (b) the emergence of an unrecognised spawning area in the Solway Firth.

(AQW 1241/01)

Ms Rodgers: In terms of biomass and numbers, the Mourne component of Irish Sea herring has not been assessed as a separate stock since 1982 but larvae surveys would suggest that the production of fish larvae from the Mourne foreshore is approximately 3% of the total Irish Sea herring larvae production. There is no evidence of major spawning of herring in the Solway Firth. It has however been suspected for some time that spawning has occurred to the North of the Isle of Man and this has been recently confirmed by larvae surveys and reports from the fishing industry.

Mrs Iris Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what assessment she has made in relation to the decision of the EU to cut 25% in the total average catch of the nephrops population for 2002.

(AQW 1255/01)

Ms Rodgers: The European Commission's proposal for a 25% cut in the nephrops total allowable catch for 2002 compared with 2001 would have meant great hardship to the local fishing industry. Nephrops is Northern Ireland's single most important fish stock and the effect of this proposal would have been to reduce the UK's quota to some 4650 tonnes which is well below current catch limits. At Council I was therefore determined to resist this proposal and to overcome the European Commission's reticence for any increase because of their concerns that in the nephrops fishery there is a by catch of stocks such as cod and whiting which are in need of recovery action. In this I was successful, securing a 25% increase on the Commission's original proposal.

Mr Gardiner Kane asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will extend the consultation period for the Vision Report.

(AQW 1264/01)

Ms Rodgers: In response to requests from the Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and from the industry, I have extended the deadline for comments on the Vision Report by one month to 31 January 2002.

All consultees have been advised by letter of this extension.

Mr Gardiner Kane asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has to implement the recommendations of the Vision report in respect of grading carcasses.

(AQW 1265/01)

Ms Rodgers: The Vision Group recommended that my Department should consider, in consultation with the industry, the transfer of carcase classification from the Livestock and Meat Commission to the meat companies.

The fact that the Group has made this recommendation should not be taken to imply that I, or my officials, either support or oppose it. As with the other recommendations contained in the Vision Group report, I will take account of comments received during the consultation process before making any decision.

Mr Gardiner Kane asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will be reconsidering the role of NIAPA in light of the recent Wool Board Elections.

(AQW 1267/01)

Ms Rodgers: The elections to which the Member refers are a matter for NIAPA and the British Wool Marketing Board. My relationship with NIAPA remains unchanged.

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