Results 11,701-11,720 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: My overall priority in relation to processing payments under the Single Farm Payment and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in 2010 is to ensure that as many payments can be made to as many farmers as quickly as possible subject to the necessary requirements of those two schemes being met. For that reason, I set out a very ambitious payments schedule for the commencement of payments under the...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: In the face of ever-greater concentration of demand, the grouping of supply of fruit and vegetables through Producer Organisations is more than ever an economic necessity in order to strengthen the position of producers in the market. Accordingly, in its 2007 reform of the common organisation of the market for fruit and vegetables, the European Union made further provision for financial...

Written Answers — Food Security: Food Security (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The first meeting of the reformed Committee on World Food Security (CFS) took place from 11th to 16th October 2010. The reform of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) has been brought about both by the ongoing reform of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and by the increasing recognition, since the 2008 food price spikes, of the need to improve global governance in food and...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: As was set down in the Food Harvest 2020 report, I believe that seafood innovation and new product development together with maintenance of an international reputation for wholesome, fresh and natural seafood, produced in the most sustainable and environmentally friendly manner, are essential to the advancement and further development of the Irish seafood sector. With this in mind I have...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: EU Commission approval for the introduction of five targeted modernisation schemes focused on supporting productive investment in the agricultural sector was received earlier this year. Due to the relatively short time-frames for completion of the investment works concerned, priority was given to the introduction of the Sow Welfare and Poultry Welfare Schemes which were launched on 16 June...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 76 and 80 together. My view is that the agriculture and food production sector is hugely important in the context of Europe's economic and industrial recovery. It contributes to all three priorities of the EU 2020 strategy of smart, green and inclusive growth. Its importance has been acknowledged in the conclusions by the Heads of State and Government at...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is anticipated that planting in 2010 will be in the region of 7,000 hectares.

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: EU Commission approval for the introduction of five targeted modernisation schemes focused on supporting productive investment in the agricultural sector was received earlier this year. Due to the relatively short time-frames for completion of the investment works concerned, priority was given to the introduction of the Sow Welfare and Poultry Welfare Schemes which were launched on 16 June...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Scheme implementation and the delivery of services by my Department in the future, including the implementation of the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme, will be considered in the context of 2011 Budgetary process and the preparation of the Four Year Expenditure Programme.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I am confident that the Bord Iascaigh Mhara 2010-2012 Strategy - 'Delivering on the Potential of Irish Seafood', drafted in consultation with the Irish seafood industry, will deliver on its stated targets thus bringing innovative, developmental and financial benefits to both the sector and the economy as a whole. The development of the seafood sector is supported by the Irish Seafood...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with Ireland's Rural Development Programme, a sum of €90 million has been made available for the five targeted on-farm investment schemes listed below:- Sow Welfare Scheme; Poultry Welfare Scheme; Sheep Fencing and Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme; Dairy Equipment Scheme; Water Harvesting Scheme. The first three Schemes referred to above have already been introduced by my...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Under the legislation governing the implementation of the Single Payment Scheme the Department must be informed of changes to land parcels details through the submission by farmers of maps. These are submitted as necessary by farmers where existing parcels are being altered or subdivided or where previously undeclared parcels are claimed. During the processing of the maps received the...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the opportunities presented by the development of the wood energy sector. Wood fuel from Irish forests is a sustainable, renewable, carbon-neutral and indigenous source of energy and has significant potential to replace imported carbon emitting fossil fuels. Indeed, wood biomass is already making a significant contribution to Ireland's renewable energy targets. My Department...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department operates a wide-ranging consultation process in relation to applications for afforestation grant aid depending on the sensitivity of the application submitted. The National Parks and Wildlife Services is only one component of that process. Afforestation sites must be capable of producing a commercial crop of timber and, in many cases, while the site may be suitable...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Some 6,000 letters of approval for participation in the scheme have now issued to applicants under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. Comprehensive administrative and validation checks must be carried out on all applications to ensure eligibility and compliance with the terms and condition of the scheme before letters of approvals can issue, particularly in the case of those applications...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Some 6,000 letters of approval for participation in the scheme have now issued to applicants under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. Comprehensive administrative and validation checks must be carried out on all applications to ensure eligibility and compliance with the terms and condition of the scheme before letters of approvals can issue, particularly in the case of those applications...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department's statutory responsibility extends to the welfare and protection of farmed animals only i.e. animals normally bred or kept for the production of food or for use in or for the purpose of farming. Notwithstanding this, it is apparent from ongoing communications between officials of my Department and representatives of Local Authorities and Animal Welfare Organisations that there...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Report of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Innovation referred to by the Deputy analyses the business operating environment of the agri-food sector and makes recommendations within the overall theme of increasing employment in the sector. The Report identifies the importance of the sector to the Irish economy, which is also the focus of the Food Harvest 2020 strategy for the...

Written Answers — Food Harvest 2020: Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The following are some of the actions which have been taken to date to progress the implementation of Food Harvest 2020: I have established and am chairing the High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC). The HLIC consists of all the key actors on the state sector. Its function is to direct and take whatever actions are necessary to successfully implement Food Harvest 2020 and to act as a...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Further participation in the new Agri-environment Options Scheme as well as other scheme implementation and service delivery by my Department in the future will be considered in the context of the 2011 Budgetary process and the preparation by the Government of the 4 year Expenditure Programme".