Results 14,501-14,520 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Animal Numbers: Animal Numbers (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The annual number of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered at export-approved plants in each of the years between 1999 and 2008, inclusive, is as follows: Year Cattle Slaughter Sheep Slaughter Pig Slaughter ('000 head) ('000 head) ('000 head) 1999 1,997 4,523 3,340 2000 1,752 4,117 3,050 2001 1,779 3,903 3,210 2002 1,675 3,307 3,040 2003 1,763 3,159 2,830 2004 1,725 3,565 2,710 2005...

Written Answers — Animal Numbers: Animal Numbers (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The number of animals in the suckler cow herd in each of the last ten years is set out in the table that follows this reply. The size of the herd has remained relatively stable during this time with very little annual fluctuation. Year No. in Suckler Cow Herd ('000 head) 1999 1,217 2000 1,187 2001 1,197 2002 1,154 2003 1,187 2004 1,207 2005 1,228 2006 1,215 2007 1,181 2008...

Written Answers — Animal Numbers: Animal Numbers (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The table that follows this reply sets out the number of animals in the dairy herd in each of the last ten years. The size of the herd has decreased each year except for 2001 and 2008, when there were increases on the previous year. Overall, there was a 7% decline in numbers between 1999 and 2008. Year No. in Dairy Herd ('000 head) 1999 1,201 2000 1,178 2001 1,183 2002 1,164 2003...

Written Answers — Animal Numbers: Animal Numbers (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The following table sets out CSO figures for the sheep population in Ireland, in June of each year, for the past ten years: Year Total sheep (000 head) 1998 8,312.0 1999 7,925.5 2000 7,555.0 2001 7,330.3 2002 7,209.6 2003 6,848.9 2004 6,777.2 2005 6,392.2 2006 5,973.2 2007 5,521.6 2008 5,061.4 The report of the Sheep Strategy Development Group charts the correct way...

Written Answers — EU Legislation: EU Legislation (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002, which sets out the general principles and requirements of food law, stipulates inter alia, that food business operators at all stages of production, processing and distribution within the businesses under their control must ensure that foods satisfy the requirements of food law and that these requirements are met. One such requirement is that the operator...

Written Answers — State Laboratories: State Laboratories (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Irish Multi Annual National Control Plan, which is drawn up by my Department in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, details the official control of foodstuffs required under the EU Regulation 882/2004. At present, my Department utilises the facilities of its own laboratories together with the facilities of the Irish State Laboratory, Teagasc, public analyst...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (25 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Council Regulation (EC) No 43/2009 introduced restrictions on fishing for cod, haddock and whiting in ICES zones VIa (off the north west coast) from the 1 February 2009 for vessels over 15 metres and for all other vessels from 1 April 2009. By way of derogation, certain cod avoidance fishing gears are permitted under the EU regulation subject to strict conditions. No such derogation exists...

Written Answers — Fallen Animal Collection Scheme: Fallen Animal Collection Scheme (25 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department's contribution to the Fallen Animals Scheme ceased with effect from Tuesday 14th April 2009. This was as a result of budgetary constraints and also reflects the greatly reduced incidence of BSE in this country. However I have provided continued financial support for the collection of certain dead animals, in particular bovines over 48 months of age, for sampling, as required...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (25 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: My officials have examined the applications for the 2009 REPS Scheme received in the Co Cork local offices and have found no record of an application from the person named. The total number of applications received for 2009 was in the region of 17,000. The precise number will be available when the applications received in each of the local have been entered on the Department's computer...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (25 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information requested by the Deputy insofar as it relates to aquaculture licences is contained in the following table. All marine aquaculture licensees are also required to hold a corresponding foreshore licence issued under the Foreshore Act 1933 as amended. I understand that the Deputy is also requesting details of foreshore leases and licences granted and sought in respect of...

Written Answers — Veterinary Inspection Service: Veterinary Inspection Service (25 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department is currently reviewing its local office structure. No decisions have been taken regarding the future of any local office, other than the Dublin local office, already announced.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (25 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following a compliance inspection in 2008, the person named was asked to submit an adjusted REPS plan. My officials have not yet received such a plan, however, and payment cannot be released until they do.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (25 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The national lobster v-notching scheme has been operated every year by BIM since 1994 with great support from the indoor catching sector. The scheme is in included in the EU co-funded National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-13. I expect to be in a position to formally launch the 2009 scheme shortly. Taking into account that the traditional lobster season has already started,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (25 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. 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 early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment issued to the person named on 22 June 2009.

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (24 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The decision by my Department to consider the person concerned ineligible for grant-aid under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme is currently the subject of an appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office. The review by that Office of my Department's decision will be completed as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (24 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department is currently reviewing its local office structure. No decisions have been taken regarding the future of any local office, other than the Dublin local office, already announced.

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (24 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: My objective in relation to milk quota is to ensure that as much quota as possible is made available to active milk producers. The person concerned last produced milk in excess of 20% of his quota in the 2005/2006 milk quota year. He produced only a nominal amount of milk in 2007/2008 and had no production in 2008/2009. When no deliveries have been recorded against a milk quota for two...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (24 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following the transfer of the aquaculture function from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, a strategy document was drafted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food entitled "A Strategy for Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms". The strategy was approved by the then Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in May 2008. One of the measures...

Seanad: Dairy Industry: Motion (24 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: I wish to deal with a few important points made by earlier speakers. Senator Bradford referred to the possible need to restructure the industry. In recent years the Department had the dairy investment fund, which allowed us to provide new facilities and to upgrade existing facilities and there was better cohesion and synergy. Senator Bradford rightly spoke about the need for...