Results 2,621-2,640 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Beef Imports: Beef Imports (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I fully support the policy that animal products imported into the EU from third countries meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between, EU member states. In this context, I wrote last month to the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Mr. Markos Kyprianou, concerning the sanitary rules applying to the import of livestock products,...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Exchequer funding of more than €20 million is provided annually to Bord Bia for the purposes of carrying out its statutory function of promoting and marketing the Irish food, horticulture and drink industries. This grant-in-aid is augmented by a statutory levy and voluntary contributions from the industry, in keeping with the requirements of the EU state aid rules. The annual operating...

Written Answers — Export Subsidies: Export Subsidies (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The framework agreement for the next WTO round which was concluded in Geneva in August 2004 commits member countries, including the EU, to negotiate detailed rules, including an end date, for the parallel elimination of all forms of export subsidies and for the introduction of disciplines on export measures with equivalent effect. The framework agreement covers export refunds, export credits,...

Written Answers — EU Sugar Regime: EU Sugar Regime (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The joint ministerial letter in question was submitted to the Commission in advance of the formal discussion at last month's Council meeting, setting out the objections of the group to the proposals. A formal written response has not been received from the Commission to this letter. However, the sugar reform proposals will be considered again at next week's Council of Ministers, at which the...

Written Answers — Beef Imports: Beef Imports (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware that at least 40 countries, including 25 member states of the EU, have introduced partial or complete bans on the importation of meat from Brazil. In accordance with the principles of harmonisation of the internal market, the EU operates as a single entity with regard to international trade. The European Commission, therefore, introduces safeguard measures that have EU wide...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The food industry must be developed at all levels in the new, more market oriented CAP framework. In this context, an initiative involving the holding of regional food fora to promote local and regional food economies was launched recently. The first regional food forum organised by my Department and Bord Bia with all other State agencies responsible for food industry development was held in...

Written Answers — Agriculture Policy: Agriculture Policy (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I did not say, and do not believe, that farming is in severe decline. In 2004, farm incomes rose by 3.5%, farm investment increased by 10% and land prices went up by 13%. None of this suggests a sector in severe decline. It is, however, important that we focus on the future and on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This means we must constantly update and renew our strategies...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The food institutional research measure, FIRM, is a public good research programme in the food sector funded under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Progress under the measure has been very satisfactory, with 123 projects awarded funding of €55.7 million following general calls in 2000 and 2004 and a targeted call in 2001. More than €36 million has been paid to date to the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for energy policy and is primarily responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels, with a view to meeting the requirements of the EU transport biofuels directive. The development of the biofuels industry is a cross-sectoral issue impinging on several policy areas,...

Written Answers — EU Sugar Regime: EU Sugar Regime (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I reiterated my firm opposition to the Commission's proposals when I addressed last month's meeting of the Council of Ministers in Luxembourg. I emphasised that the price cuts proposed are too severe, the reforms should be based on a longer lead-in time for the EBA and we should await the outcome of the WTO meeting in Hong Kong before seeking to agree a more equitable and balanced outcome. I...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 124, 137, 138, 152, 173, 184, 442, 467, 468 and 469 together. The Government is committed to achieving a balanced agreement between the various elements of the WTO negotiations. I expect that further progress will be made towards conducting a new agreement at the ministerial conference in Hong Kong in December. In so far as agriculture is concerned, the...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: In August 2003, an interdepartmental group comprising representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Teagasc and the EPA, was established to examine issues relating to the coexistence of authorised GM crops alongside non-GM crops and to develop proposals for a national strategy and best practices in Ireland. In...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: While transposition of Directive 2004/28 into national law is being finalised, article 67 of the directive provides that implementation of the requirement that all veterinary medicines for food producing animals must be subject to prescriptions may be deferred and national rules may continue to apply until a decision is taken at EU level on the criteria for exempting certain medicines from...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 161 together. To assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme, I have announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU approval has been sought. I hope early approval of the scheme will be forthcoming so that it can be introduced next January. Subject to the required EU approval, the...

Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The level of investment taking place in the horticulture sector is now at a very high level and indicates a high degree of confidence in the sector. One of the major catalysts for this investment are the grant aid schemes operated by my Department for the development of the sector. Over the past year the level of funding has been increased considerably. Under the scheme of investment for the...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that we already have comprehensive origin labelling for beef sold at retail level which is governed by EU regulations. These requirements also apply up to the point of delivery into hotels, restaurants and catering establishments and are enforced by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI. I am currently in the process of extending the existing beef labelling laws...

Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for energy policy and is primarily responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels. The development of the biofuels industry is, of course, a cross-sectoral issue impinging on several policy areas, for example, environmental and fiscal policy as well as energy policy,...

Written Answers — Women in Farming: Women in Farming (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: In leading the development of Irish agriculture my objectives include the retention of the maximum number of farm families and ensuring that farming is an attractive career option for young people generally, irrespective of gender. Policies pursued by my Department are geared towards achieving these objectives. In so far as my Department's approach is concerned, the schemes and services...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I fully support the farmers markets concept and my Department, in co-operation with Bord Bia, the statutory food promotion agency, is actively engaged in developing the concept on a sustainable basis. Bord Bia provides a range of support services for farmers markets, including advice and mentoring assistance, and has also published a comprehensive information guide on the running and...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The prepared consumer foods sector, which is the fastest growing segment of our valuable food industry, plays a significant role in the Irish economy with output of €2.6 billion and exports of €1.3 billion. Some 16,000 people are directly employed in 180 companies in the sector, which now accounts for 12% of food exports. The food development agencies work closely with companies to assist...