Results 14,101-14,120 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Beef Exports. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: I met farmers and people involved in all the farming organisations who told me that there are buyers in Britain anxious to purchase Irish cattle. We have taken up the various issues raised. Bord Bia and our veterinary services have been in contact with the Chief Veterinary Officer in Britain. Irish exporters encounter two difficulties in Britain, the veterinary issues concerning the...

Beef Exports. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: We conveyed to Meat Industry Ireland, MII, the representative organisation for the producers very clearly the concerns expressed to us by the exporters and farmers.

Beef Exports. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: We have put particular queries to the Chief Veterinary Officer in Britain and await a response. We have been told about the difficulties and have said that we want to work to eliminate them. We are waiting for the Chief Veterinary Officer to reply and tell us if there is anything we need to address.

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The dairy market has been discussed at Council of Ministers meetings every month since March this year. At these meetings, my ministerial colleagues and I have continually pressed the Commission to take all appropriate measures to deal with the situation and this has helped to stabilise the market. The measures taken this year include the restoration of export refunds for dairy products and...

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: With regard to Deputy Creed's last point, I do not accept that the dairy investment fund was not worthwhile. It was exceptionally worthwhile and in many instances-----

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: It was not frittered away.

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Perhaps Deputy Creed and his colleagues could identify-----

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: In response to Deputy Creed's last point, I do not think that any of colleagues up in my constituency would disagree with giving grant aid to Lakeland Dairies for a very substantial and worthwhile investment at their Bailieboro plant.

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Lakeland Dairies is not paying the worst price, unfortunately, as there are prices below what it is paying. The investment being put into the Bailieboro plant is very worthwhile and will create greater efficiencies. Greater production and efficiencies go back to the individual primary producer. I was in north Cork, Deputy Creed's county, with Dairygold and I saw very worthwhile investment...

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Yes I did and I do not mind that. I received a very warm welcome and I saw the great work going on in that plant as well as the supply from its four constituent dairy co-operatives. That investment has been very worthwhile. Naturally, we wish to see greater collaboration and co-operation. In early September, I travelled to Finland and Denmark with the major dairy companies and we met all...

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: I do not know who in the world could answer the question of what price milk will be next year.

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The intervention by the European Commission since January has involved the activation of market support measures. That is the nature of the support the European Union can give to the dairy sector. The aids to public and private storage were brought forward to 1 January and the other market support measures were activated from March onwards. Normally, they end in August but at the July...

Common Agricultural Policy. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: A first policy debate on CAP post-2013 took place at the informal Agriculture and Fisheries Council in September last year under the French EU Presidency. The Czech Presidency continued the debate in the first months of 2009, focusing in particular on the issue of direct payments to farmers. The Swedish Presidency programme provides for further discussion later this year concentrating on...

Common Agricultural Policy. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: No. I point out to Deputy Creed the document we issued was consultative. It was to generate debate and to put out the parameters of the issues to be discussed. We have clearly stated that we have no set views. The point we have outlined strongly, clearly and consistently in Europe is that we must have a well-funded CAP. We will not tolerate the weakening of the European Union's food...

Common Agricultural Policy. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: All the points raised by Deputy Sherlock are very important. I do not favour additional funding going to pillar two. Pillar one has been extremely beneficial not just for farmers, but also for protecting the environment and ensuring that Europe has security of food supplies for its citizens. That was the second article of the Treaty of Rome in 1957 and it is as appropriate today as it was...

Common Agricultural Policy. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Yes, but it is by 2050.

Common Agricultural Policy. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: I cannot give a commitment for the other 26 member states of the European Union.

Common Agricultural Policy. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Absolutely. My commitment is to pillar one. I have outlined that very clearly at every opportunity we have had to discuss the future of the Common Agricultural Policy post-2013.

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred amount will be made to...

Written Answers — Domestic Abattoirs: Domestic Abattoirs (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department has awarded financial support to the small meat sector, which includes small slaughterhouses and low-throughput meat establishments. Following a call for applications in December 2007, and a detailed selection and evaluation process in 2008, a total of €7.8m has been awarded to 31 enterprises. This funding will assist food business operators in the sector to improve...