Results 11,521-11,540 of 23,978 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Under our current National Forestry Programme, we already have substantial grants and premiums for farmers considering agroforestry. These rates were trebled under the mid-term review of the current programme in order to further incentivise this type of planting. This approach will of course be reviewed in the design of the next National Forestry Programme. In addition, a new Forestry...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Change Policy (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department makes direct payments to Irish farmers of almost €1.9 billion annually, under the CAP as well as a range of targetted national schemes. In addition, the Department funds research, advisory and training supports which directly benefit Irish farmers, and, along with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, co-funds a number of preferential loan schemes to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: In relation to the development of farm shops, niche products, and ecotourism, projects for such initiatives can be funded, subject to eligibility conditions being met, by the LEADER Food Initiative funded by my Department as part of the Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and which I was pleased to extend for 2021. The measure provides support for artisan, micro and small...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department does not currently administer any coupled support schemes for farmers based on livestock units. The EU regulations which govern the relevant schemes do allow for coupled schemes in a range of sectors. However, the Department has only taken up this option to implement a coupled scheme via the Protein Aid Scheme. This scheme provides a coupled payment for farmers who grow the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Programme for Government commits to rewarding farmers for adapting to more sustainable methods of farming and to the development of a new agri-environment scheme capable of delivering broad environmental and biodiversity benefits that will align financial supports with climate objectives. To advance this aim, the Results-Based Environmental Agri Pilot Project (REAP) opened for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Inter-county travel is permitted to facilitate the owner/handler presenting at designated measuring centres which are run in strict compliance with Horse Sport Ireland Covid protocols.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licences (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together. A harvest plan or replanting plan is not a legal requirement but all applicants are encouraged to include them in their applications. DAFM Circular 18/2020 confirms that for sites that are screened in for Appropriate Assessment, a well-developed Harvest Plan (or equivalent) is essential, as it is likely to inform part or all of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 254 and 255 together. Ireland has received a Commission Implementing Decision revoking the approval of the Irish control plan submitted for the weighing of fishery products in accordance with Article 61(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009. The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I secured an additional €79 million, including €23 million carbon tax, in Budget 2021 to support action in the area of biodiversity, climate, environment and health and safety, all the while supporting farm incomes. My intention is to allocate the funding as follows: - Re-opening of the organic farming scheme €5m, - Straw Incorporation measure (SIM) €10m, -...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: On 14th April, I published the Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 alongside an Action Plan for 2021, which outlines 75 actions to further develop a sustainable, innovative and competitive agri-food, forestry and seafood sector. The Action Plan will build on significant work already underway by the Department, including: 1. Continuing to provide vital supports to the farmers, fishers...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licences (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department has deployed significant additional resources to address delays in forestry licencing. To 30thApril, 1,047 new forestry licences have issued this year, which is 11% up on the total number issued to end April, 2020. Across all licence types, improvements in delivery of decisions can be seen compared to the same time last year. Felling licences are up 3% in number issued and 31%...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tuberculosis Eradication Programme (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is a requirement of the annual bovine TB Eradication programme that a farmer carry out an Annual TB herd test in conjunction with their private veterinary practitioner (PVP). Depending on the overall result of a farmer's annual herd test, the overall result of neighbouring farmers' annual herd test along with possible other causes of TB within an area, further TB testing may be required....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Maritime Safety (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I have just received from Bord Iascaigh Mhara a strategic assessment and business case for sea survival and training infrastructure in the National Fisheries Training College, Greencastle. I will examine this report and the recommendations over the coming period and I hope to make a decision on investment in the near future.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: There are a range of meetings and discussions ongoing between the European Union and the United Kingdom in terms of implementing the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, in addition to technical meetings between DG SANTE, the EU Commission department responsible for EU policy on food safety and health and for monitoring the implementation of related laws, and the United Kingdom....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: An application for an afforestation licence and the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was received in October 2019 for the person named and has been referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit. The application site is near eight designated sites including the Killarney National Park SPA. Therefore, the impact of any afforestation operations on the sites and the surrounding area, must...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (6 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department has deployed significant additional resources to address delays in forestry licencing. To 30thApril, 1,047 new forestry licences have issued this year, which is 11% up on the total number issued to end April, 2020. Across all licence types, improvements in delivery of decisions can be seen compared to the same time last year. Felling licences are up 3% in number issued and 31%...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (5 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: My officials and I have ongoing contact with all the key stakeholders across the agrifood sector since the start of the pandemic. The Department and I are working to ensure that business and services to farmers can continue, keeping food and other processing facilities operational. A key focus has been on ensuring that the supply chain continues to function, critical state services in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (5 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Cherry laurel is not officially listed as an invasive species by Invasive Species Ireland. While it may be present on a number of former estates, public parks or similar type land, it may have a positive effect in providing winter cover for birds and other wildlife, and as a wind break and thermal cover. In areas where Laurel species are dominating canopy or understorey, an intervention...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Medicines (5 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Under Article 105(4) of EU Regulation 2019/6, professionals other than veterinarians are only permitted to prescribe certain veterinary medicines if a Member State facilitated this at the time the Regulation came into force in 2019. Such a system did not exist in Ireland at that time and amending national legislation retrospectively would not have retroactive effect, nor would it alter this fact.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (5 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware of the importance of the financial support provided under Direct Payment schemes for Irish farmers. The aim of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to support farming across all sectors, the redistributive mechanisms currently in place under Pillar I seek to create a more even payment landscape between farmers. These redistributive mechanisms are a core EU policy and...