Food & Farming Group Input
Single Application
The window for Single Application claims and amendments is now closed.
Inspections have recommenced across Basic Payment and the Environmental Farming Scheme. Whistleblower inspections are ongoing in relation to potential breaches of cross compliance, site visits are considered on a case by case basis. Consideration is being given in relation to how other inspections and how social distancing can be managed.
The Minister has agreed to reduce the control rates for BPS inspections in 2020. This is in line with action taken by England, Scotland and Wales. A Statutory Rule to allow this reduction in control rates is being drafted and will be made under the negative resolution procedure in due course.
Applications to the fourth Tranche of the Environmental Farming Scheme Higher level have been prioritised and letters of offer are being prepared for issue.
Covid-19 – Current key issues for Agri-food sector
NI Executive allocation of £25m for market interventions to support Farm and Horticultural Businesses.
Position – Minister Poots has indicated that the funding would be allocated to those hardest hit based on the evidence in a fair and equitable way. Officials have engaged with numerous industry representatives and stakeholders, to hear their analysis of the impacts of the pandemic and their proposals for allocation of the £25m. During those discussions, there was a clear acceptance of the need for support to be targeted at those farm businesses hardest hit financially as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While supply chains are still working effectively there still remain concerns across all stakeholders that staff availability for work could decline quickly if staff have to self-isolate as a consequence of the new Track and Trace protocols.
Position – Output from the sector remains at 100% of demand, with levels of absenteeism reported as remaining relatively low.
Beef prices started to fall during March with the average steer price reaching a low point of £3.15/kg for the week ending 25 April (down 16p/kg on March prices at £3.31). Since then prices have increased to £3.46/kg and it is expected that forthcoming statistics will show further increases as weekly quotes have been improving and are now above early March levels. Lamb prices fell by 40p/kg at the start of April but recovered relatively quickly to prior levels. The latest GDT auction (16 June) for milk products showed an increase of 1.9% from the previous auction (skim milk powder up 3.1%, whole milk powder up 2.2%, cheddar up 1.4%, butter down 1.0%). Lakeland dairies announced a base price of 23p/litre for April and May milk (down 0.75p/litre on March and 2.25p/litre on February cumulatively). Dale Farm also announced a base price of 23p/litre for April milk (down 1p/litre on March and 2p/litre on February cumulatively). Other firms that have announced price drops include Glanbia Cheese (0.5p/litre for April milk), Glanbia Ireland (0.5p/litre for April/May milk) and Aurivo (0.75p/litre for April milk).
Position – DAERA is continuing to monitor market conditions, liaise with DEFRA and other DA’s, and work is ongoing to develop support schemes for farmers in affected sectors. Work is also ongoing to monitor impacts in the sheep, potato and hatching egg sectors.
Financial pressures continue to impact across supply chains as markets adapt to the changing trading environment. For example, loss of food service markets, certain export markets, reduced productivity in processing plants and increases in some input costs like animal feed. Industry has called for financial support measures including grants, rates relief, loans and EU (CMO) schemes.
Position – DAERA continues to work closely with industry to assess the potential impacts on the supply chain, and to explore mitigation measures if required. DAERA has announced a £25m funding support package.
Many horticulture businesses producing and selling spring bedding plants, cut flowers and ornamentals rely on sales at this time of year. There is a narrow window for sales and a short shelf life for the product with 60% of annual sales occurring in spring.
Position - Enabling people to visit garden centres while remaining safe, has provided a much needed injection of cash to these businesses and their suppliers and has gone some way towards helping the sector recoup some of its loses. DAERA Officials continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on the horticulture sector to assess the level of financial support required.
As with private sector workers, there is concern that a shortage of workers in key roles within Government/Agencies with statutory inspection roles to protect public health, could lead to a slow down or halt in food processing capacity. This would limit not only the amount of product available but also have knock on effects at farm level.
Position – DAERA are reprioritising workstreams in light of the pressures created by Covid-19 to maintain key services.
College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)
The majority of the education programmes at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) have concluded for the 2019/20 academic year.
The Minister will deliver an address to all CAFRE students at an online student engagement event scheduled for circulation on 19 June 2020. It is intended that graduation ceremonies will be arranged at a more appropriate time, depending on Government advice on large group gatherings, to celebrate the students’ success in the presence of their friends and family.
CAFRE Knowledge Advisory Service Advisers and Technologists have produced technical articles, videos and webinars which have been made available online and promoted through social media channels to support those sectors of the agri-food industry most impacted by COVID-19.
CAFRE are progressing the development of recovery plans, in line with the Executive’s five stage plan on the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions, for the future delivery of education programmes during the next academic year and the enhanced provision of knowledge advisory programmes to the agri-food industry.
CAFRE’s residential facilities continue to be used by the Department of Health as part of their contingency planning with health workers using Enniskillen and Greenmount Campuses for overnight accommodation.
Update on Essential Legislation
The UKG Agriculture Bill has moved to the House of Lords where its Second Reading took place on 10 June 2020.
Veterinary Service & Animal Health Group
Delivery of Official Controls
The delivery of official controls, that is, ante mortem and post mortem inspections, verification of food business operators’ compliance with hygiene, animal health and welfare requirements continues in all slaughterhouses. All slaughterhouses are working normally with full throughput maintained.
VSAHG officials continue to actively engage with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) and the industry to ensure adherence with PHA advice and guidance in all food processing establishments.
In accordance with government guidance on Covid-19, Agri-food Inspection Branch have recommenced some pre-notified and unaccompanied on-farm inspections for food safety. Remote inspection work is also being completed across the dairy, meat and egg sectors to meet official control requirements.
Bovine TB Programme
From the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, revised temporary measures for bovine TB (bTB) testing have been introduced, based upon the principles that:
- testing should not take place except in exceptional circumstances; and
- the primacy of public health requirements.
The new measures are designed to safeguard the health and well-being of farmers, veterinary practitioners and staff, maintain animal and public health controls and ease the burden on farmers.
Current position
Private Veterinary Practitioners and farmers are working hard to catch up with TB testing that was delayed following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, in week commencing 13th April 2020, only 44% of herds and 41% of animals were tested, compared with the equivalent week in 2019. In week commencing Monday 1st June 2020, TB tests were completed for 123% of herds and 120% of animals were tested when compared to the equivalent week in June 2019.
When comparing the period 18th March 2020 to 1st June 2020 with a similar period in 2019, 20% fewer herds and 23% fewer animals have been have been tested. There is a risk that the reduction in TB testing levels during the Covid-19 crisis could lead to a rise in TB herd incidence later in 2020.
VSAHG officials will continue to monitor the impact of the new bTB testing measures.
Recommencement of Animal By-Product Inspections
In accordance with public health advice, inspections of hunt kennels, farm approved incinerators and on-farm feed sampling will recommence with effect from week commencing 22nd June 2020.
Trade Export Certification
From the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, a number of easements in relation to export health certificates for exports of live animals and products of animal origin to various countries have been introduced. Such arrangements help to minimise the need for face-to-face interaction between Private Veterinary Practitioners, exporters and DAERA staff.
Current Position
Further third country export health certification easements for exports of all commodities to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be implemented from Wednesday 24th June.
The current easements being implemented for Australia, China, Gibraltar, Myanmar, Philippines and the United States of America make up between 30 and 40% of the total third country exports from Northern Ireland over recent weeks. The addition of Hong Kong on 17th June 2020 and the UAE will increase this further. Negotiations are ongoing with a number of other countries.
Animal Welfare
Zoos Funding
The Department issued a questionnaire to licensed zoo establishments in Northern Ireland in order to establish the evidence base for providing financial support.
Officials are analysing the responses and are in the process of developing appropriate governance arrangements should a scheme be required.
Essential Legislation
Work on essential legislation continues but at a slower pace given the diversion of resource to Covid-19 related work. This diversion, alongside the potential for additional Covid-19 related absences, means that there is a risk that legislation may not be completed within the required timescales and/or to standard.
Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Environment, Marine & Fisheries Group
Environment update
Waste Management Collection, Storage and Processing
As at 17 June 2020, there are 67 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) open across Northern Ireland with further sites expected to re-open in a phased manner over the coming weeks. HWRCs are also accepting an increased number of waste streams at many sites.
Maintaining Drinking Water Quality
NIEA and Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) have been working with NI Water and DfI in their application for 3 Drought Orders as a result of the prolonged period of dry weather. On 3rd June 2020, NIEA agreed to NI Water’s proposals to increase abstraction rates and reduce compensation flows which will have a detrimental impact on the environment. These are required to protect the raw drinking water supply required to serve water treatment works. DfI published the Drought Orders on 8th June 2020. Work continues to finalise the specific method statements to minimise the impact on the environment.
There has been some improvement in the situation due to the change in weather and significant work done by NI Water in re-zoning and tankering water to areas at highest risk. Although the treated water storage reserves have returned to normal and demand has reduced, NIEA and DWI continue to work with NI Water in the event that the situation may escalate again. This is critical for maintaining our supply of clean safe drinking water.
DWI have been working with NI Water to agree their Rollback Plan to re-introduce regulatory monitoring of drinking water again. In the week commencing 18th May, NI Water started to increase sampling frequencies for most of the regulatory parameters that had been suspended from mid-March. This represents a return to 90% of their regulatory monitoring for drinking water. Monitoring at consumers’ taps is still suspended, however samples which are representative of the water being supplied are being collected to ensure continued public health protection.
NIEA have also been working with NI Water to agree their Rollback Plan to re-introduce regulatory monitoring of wastewater discharges. NI Water are seeking a further extension to the current Regulatory Position Statement for Reduced Sampling until August 2020 due to limited capacity within the wastewater laboratories. NIEA have agreed in principle subject to the provision of clear evidence of the resilience issues and the planned mitigation measures to return to a full regulatory sampling programme.
DEFRA have approached NIEA to take part in a research project for Covid-19 in wastewater. NIEA are currently scoping the possibilities of extending the research within Northern Ireland. The research will monitor wastewater for Covid-19. The monitoring results would be used in conjunction with other research to provide early warning of a resurgence in the virus.
Future Viability of Environmental NGOs
DAERA has worked with Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) to issue a second survey to provide an update of the impact of COVID-19 on the eNGO sector. NIEL have extended the closing date of the survey until 19th June.
Country Parks and Nature Reserves
Minister Poots announced on 12th June that he authorised opening of public conveniences in DAERA forest and country parks from 15th June. Vans selling beverages, ice creams and beverages have been also been allowed to operate since 15th June.
Toilets are opened at Castle Archdale Country Park, Ness Country Park, Peatlands Park, and the Quoile Countryside Centre.
Toilets at Scrabo Country Park, Crawfordsburn, Helen’s Bay and the Duross bay toilets at Castle Archdale Country Park are not yet able to open as health and safety works are on-going (primarily legionnaires work). The Department are working towards opening toilets at these properties as soon as possible.
Update on Essential Legislation: Environment Bill
The Public Bill Committee at Westminster is expected to resume scrutiny of the Bill on 7 July. It is hoped that the Assembly debate on the Legislative Consent Motion will take place on 30th June.
Update on Essential Finance Information
Nothing new to report.
Environment, Marine & Fisheries Group
Fisheries update
Fisheries - Sea Fishing Sector
On 3 April 2020 the Minister announced that the Department would proceed with a scheme of financial support for the sea fish catching sector.
Letters of Invitation to apply for the scheme were issued to 166 vessel owners and 81 letters of ineligibility were issued during April.
After appeals, a total of 169 Letters of Offer and Claim Forms have been issued, with 161 returned to date. As of 18th June, the Department has made payments to 159 vessel owners totalling £1,220,000.
Aquaculture Sector
The Aquaculture Financial Assistance Scheme was announced by the Minister on 26 May. This funding is to be delivered through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Programme.
On 29 May, letters of Invitation to apply to the Scheme were issued to 19 potential eligible businesses. A further 38 letters were issued to potential ineligible businesses to advise of the appeal mechanism.
11 applications have been received to date (18th June 2020). It is hoped that the first letters of offer will be issued to eligible applicants by 26 June. The Scheme will remain open until the end of June.
Lough Neagh Fishery
While some sectors within Europe are beginning to reopen it will take longer for the eel market to recover which the Lough Neagh fishermen and the local community depend on.
EMFF Regulation 2020/560 has recently been amended particularly Article 33 which may provide possible funding opportunities for Lough Neagh Commercial eel fishermen who at this time are unable to work during the short season 1st May until end of October.
DAERA officials have confirmed that Lough Neagh commercial eel fishermen would be eligible for financial assistance under this amendment. A meeting with the Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Cooperative Society (LNFCS) took place on the 11th June to discuss the proposals for such a scheme. Work is ongoing between DAERA officials and the LNFCS to look at the various issues and compile the necessary data. A further meeting has been scheduled for Friday 19 June.
Update on Essential Legislation: UK Fisheries Bill
The next stage (Report) of the Bill in the House of Lords will begin on 22 June 2020. A second day for the Report Stage has been arranged for 24 June 2020.
Update on Essential Finance Information
Nothing new to report.
Rural Affairs, Forestry Service & Estate Transformations Group
Rural Affairs Division
Rural Affairs
Rural Affairs continues to focus on payments processing and supporting partners. Work continues on the draft Rural Policy Framework. Work also continues in the DAERA DIRECT Offices both in offices and via home working.
DAERA Direct Offices
Admin staff continue to work in the 12 DAERA Direct offices on essential services, whilst maintaining social distancing, on a rota basis. The remainder are working from home on PCs and laptops, with secure access to the relevant DAERA databases such as APHIS, NIFAIS and CIS. Recovery plans are being developed to allow more staff to return to the offices and increase capacity.
Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI)
These TRPSI funded initiatives continue to proactively deliver support to rural dwellers. To date, under the Coronavirus Community Fund (CFNI) 154 rural organisations have been supported in total with £433,852 awarded. Some 74 of these have been funded from DAERA’s £200k contribution agreed by the DAERA Minister. Also, 13 organisations (7 rural) ineligible for support by CFNI, with eligible projects, have now been grant aided through a partnership arrangement between DAERA, DFC and the Rural Community Network, receiving £42,645 in total, an average of £3,280.
Project STRATUM
DfE lead on Project Stratum. The tender has now closed (5/5/20) and the bids are being technically appraised and assessed by a specialist team in DfE. At this point, the project is still on target to issue a contract this financial year.
Rural Support
Rural Support continue to deal with calls and offer support. An on-line resources hub is in development for the farming community and sectors that support the community.
Rural Support are currently adequately resourced to deal with the increase and DAERA officials continue to liaise with them on a very regular basis. The table below provides a comparison of calls to the Rural Support Helpline between 2019 and 2020.
|
|
2019 |
2020 |
|---|---|---|
|
Jan |
39 |
68 |
|
Feb |
31 |
34 |
|
March |
33 |
85 |
|
April |
34 |
128 |
|
May |
40 |
64 |
|
June |
37 |
22 * (1st to 12th June) |
Role of Rural Community Transport Partnership (RCTP’S)
The RCTP’s continue to work in a very effective partnership approach with local Councils and Health Trusts, in delivering services to rural dwellers.
Some 3,804 individual food parcels have been delivered to vulnerable rural dwellers and another 4,361 parcels have been delivered to hubs for onward transmission to households. RCTP’s have made 7,016 telephone contacts and these have resulted in 3,833 individuals receiving support including signposting, onward referral and inclusion into the food parcel scheme.
Spring Social Prescribing Project
Some 4,391 contacts have been made to vulnerable people and 1,368 of these people have received other forms of support such as food and medicines.
Farm Families Health Check Programme (FFHCP) - COVID-19 response
Contact made with 286 people in the Northern, Western, Southern and South Eastern Trust areas who are aged 70+. Some 257 of these people have received support and advice.
Rural Community Development Support Service
Councils have identified the Rural Support Networks as delivery partners and all are involved in the community response. DAERA officials continue to meet with the Rural Support Networks on a fortnightly basis to provide support and advice.
In terms of practical activity on the ground, RSN’s have been involved in a wide range of community initiatives including the following:
Rural Support Networks Activity.
- 963 food parcels delivered through member organisations
- £32,000 funding provided to 80 community groups for PPE and sanitiser
- 12 Wellness packs delivered
- 24 families support with connectivity
- 14 families supported financially due to low income
- 1500 volunteers identified and currently providing Covid 19 assistance
- 28 referrals prescription collection
- 610 e bulletins issued detailing funding programmes, Covid 19 assistance
- 274 households visited as part of the Door to Door Initiative
- 650 groups referred to funding programmes
- Zoom training delivered to 10 participants
Facebook posts with a total reach of 2000
Rural Policy – Recovery
Work continues on a draft Rural Policy Framework. We still intend to go to consultation later this year.
EU LEADER Programme and Tourism
RAD continue to monitor progress on the LEADER and Tourism measures. Issues on access for projects remain as previously advised. The Department is aware that many contractors are now back on site or planning to go back on site.
Payments continue to be processed in line with easements set out within EU Commission guidance.
DfE has established a Tourism Recovery Steering Group and Working Group to put in place the structures that will help support recovery and prepare the industry to respond when consumer demand ultimately returns. The Department has representatives sitting on both Groups. The Department has also established a Tourism Recovery Advisory Group; the first meeting took place on 5 June. The Advisory Group will work collaboratively to provide a cohesive response to the issues facing the tourism sector in NI and to encourage the development of a recovery framework that has Green Growth as the pathway to sustainable development.
Processing of Grant Aid Claims
RAD continue to process claims and make payments relating to TRPSI and LEADER.
Rural Development Programme
|
Programme |
1st March to 2 June 2020 |
3rd June to 19th June |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
No of Payments |
Amount |
No of Payments |
Amount |
|
LEADER |
142 |
£4,519,596.25 |
10 |
£359,229.86 |
|
Running Costs to LAGS |
22 |
£634,245.40 |
5 |
£260,562.69 |
|
TOURISM |
7 |
£1,141,339.95 |
0 |
0 |
|
Farm Business Improvement |
12 |
£1,250,179.00 |
2 |
£62,541.00 |
|
Other RDP Schemes |
9 |
£69,309.84 |
0 |
0 |
There are an additional 9 LEADER project payments valued at £228,108.80 are being processed for payment.
Tackling Rural Poverty & Social Isolation (TRPSI)
|
Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2019 |
Rural Business Development Grant Scheme 2019 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
No. Claims Paid 16/3/2020 - 12/6/2020 |
Grant Amount Paid 16/3/20 -12/06/2020 |
No. Claims Paid 16/3/2020 – 12/06/2020 |
Grant Amount Paid 16/3/20 -12/06/2020 |
|
465 |
£573,127 |
123 |
£411,397 |
Local Community Development Support Service Programme:
£173,000 paid to Rural Support Networks to cover the period 1 April to 30 June 2020.
£70,000 paid in micro grant management fees for the 19/20 scheme.
Forest Service
Following Ministers authorisation to re-open toilet facilities and concession stands, DAERA staff have completed legionnaire checks, installed appropriate signage and the finalised enhanced cleaning rotas to make available toilet facilities at Forest Parks from the afternoon of 15 June. These include sites at Tollymore, Drum Manor, Glenariff, Parkanaur and Castlewellan.
The NI Direct site and the Discover NI site which it directs users to, are being kept up to date with relevant opening details to inform the public.
With NI Executive agreement on 15 June to bring forward the date for the re-opening of caravan parks, camping sites and self-catering tourist accommodation, DAERA staff are undertaking the necessary work including risk assessments to prepare for a reopening date of 26 June 2020 for these services.
Central Services & Contingency Planning Group
Staff Engagement & Communication
The wellbeing and mental health of staff, both working at home and office situations has been a key issue for the Department. In response, specific Webinars on health and wellbeing are being delivered alongside a series of communication Webinars by senior staff.
Additionally, a multigrade group on wellbeing has been established. The group meets fortnightly to look at new methods of communication and to consider how the Department can better support our cadre of ‘WELL Champions’ to provide practical information and advice to staff and to feed issues of concern up the line. The first article from the group was released on 16 June 2020.
Preparation for our next Grade 7 Leadership Programme is now underway. These will take the form of virtual courses and it is the intention to, where possible, pick up all our programme of leadership events virtually over the coming months.
Finally, a dedicated resource will be added to the Department’s Staff Engagement team to develop a wellbeing strategy for the Department.
Covid 19 Recovery
The Department is considering ways in which it can recover better from the ongoing Covid 19 emergency. This is an essential element of the Department’s Major Emergency Response Plan (MERP), which continues to be in force to respond to stakeholder and societal issues related to Covid 19.
The initial scoping work on recovering better will identify a range of initiatives across all aspects of the Department’s internal and external functions, with a priority focus on reducing the impact and aiding the recovery of citizens, the economy and the environment from Covid 19.
AFBI Testing
AFBI in collaboration with Queens University Belfast and Ulster University are supporting the Department of Health’s efforts in respect of Covid-19 testing
An SLA with the Belfast Trust has been signed.
Live testing commenced on 21 May 2020.
As at 18 June, AFBI are still being sent 94 samples (one microplate) per day for testing. AFBI has weekly meetings with RVL and will move to the next phase 200-500 test per day when RVL are in a position to provide more samples.
Tests have been run and results provided in line with agreed targets.
The release of staff to work on Covid-19 testing is currently planned so as not to impact on the priority animal health and food safety testing programmes. This will, however, be kept under close review.
Questions from Members to DAERA on COVID-19 Update 21 May 2020
A copy of the questions from members of the AERA Committee to DAERA on the Covid-19 update provided on 21 May 2020 is available to download below.