Results 2,961-2,980 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: With annual farm-gate production valued currently at â¬270 million and retail sales in the order of â¬650 million, the sector employs some 10,000 people across the production and distribution chain. The key issue that has impacted on the development of the horticulture industry as a whole in recent years is the increased concentration at retail level with the consequent significant change...
- Written Answers — Research and Training Funding: Research and Training Funding (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The allocation proposed for research and training under subhead B of my Department's Vote for 2006 is â¬27.7 million. This compares with the expected outturn of just over â¬26 million in 2005 and an outturn of â¬21.2 million in 2004. In addition to the funding provided for research and training under subhead B, my Department also provides substantial annual grant-in-aid to Teagasc for its...
- Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The main concern of my Department in relation to so called bed and breakfast facilities relates to the potentially significant disease risks, particularly TB and brucellosis, associated with the mixing of cattle from different sources in housing sheds. In view of this concern, my Department has set down minimum requirements governing the movement of cattle into such sheds and it also issues...
- Written Answers — Beef Industry: Beef Industry (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: Beef production is extremely valuable to the Irish economy with a â¬1.4 billion export value representing almost 25% of total Irish agri-food exports. In 2004 Ireland produced 560,000 tonnes of beef and exported 495,000 tonnes. Almost 90% of these exports went to EU markets. This trend is continuing in 2005 and there is no indication that the beef industry is in decline. The shift to EU...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The designation of land under the EU birds and habitats directives is a function of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The question of compensation for farmers in the Shannon callows area is a matter, in the first instance, for that Department and I understand that discussions on the matter with the farming bodies have been going on for some time and are still...
- Written Answers — Water Supply Contamination: Water Supply Contamination (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The provision of financial support to local authorities is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Local authorities have specific powers under the Water Pollution and Waste Management Acts to address water pollution and, in particular, are empowered to prescribe specific measures to stop or prevent water pollution or require farmers to engage in nutrient...
- Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 98 together. In order 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 state aid approval has been sought. I am hopeful that early approval of the revised scheme will be forthcoming so that it can be introduced next January....
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The forestry sector provides a high value input to the national economy, and makes a significant contribution to the economic well being of rural communities. The forestry sector contributes â¬698 million annually to the economy. While it is difficult to provide economic values for the non-timber benefits of Irish forests, the 2004 Bacon review estimated an annual value in the region of...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: In August 2003 an interdepartmental group was established to examine issues relating to the co-existence of GM crops alongside non-GM crops and draw up recommendations for co-existence arrangements in Ireland. Among the issues examined by the group was the economic implications of co-existence. I have recently received and examined the group's report and recommendations. The report takes on...
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: With over 100 farmers markets now in existence, I believe there is great potential for future growth in this area. I am aware of the role and increasing importance that farmers markets perform in supplementing farm incomes and providing an alternative route to the market for small food producers. They offer direct access to consumers and assist the development and expansion of local and...
- Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: I have recently announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme, including its extension to the pig and poultry sectors, in order to assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme. The revised scheme will be introduced as soon as EU state aid approval is obtained. In addition to the revised farm waste management scheme, I am also...
- Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: Trade in sheep between member states of the European Union is subject to the provisions of Council Directive 91/68/EEC as amended, as regards reinforced controls on the movement of sheep and goats. These controls as they currently stand provide as a minimum requirement that breeding and fattening sheep must be certified as having been continuously resident on a holding for at least 30 days...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: In August 2003 an interdepartmental group was established to examine issues relating to the co-existence of GM crops alongside non-GM crops and draw up rules for co-existence arrangements in Ireland. Among the areas examined by the group was the issue of compensation for a non-GM farmer in the event of economic loss being suffered as a result of GM admixture. The group comprised of...
- Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: I am aware that the European Commission is in the process of preparing a Community action plan on the protection and welfare of animals. My Department has not had any specific input into the preparation of that plan. I expect, however, that the plan will be discussed in due course at EU fora at which my Department will be represented
- Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: Feed additives are regulated at EU level under Regulation (EC) 1831/2004. Formaldehyde is currently authorised for use as a preservative in skim milk for use in pig nutrition. Following an application for authorisation, the European Food Safety Authority published an opinion in September 2004 concerning the use of formaldehyde in feed for fattening chickens. Despite this opinion, which was...
- Written Answers — Sugar Beet Industry: Sugar Beet Industry (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The recent agreement on the reform of the EU sugar regime provides for partial compensation, to be paid as part of the single payment scheme, for beet growers for the drop in the minimum price of beet. In the event that sugar production ceases in Ireland, a once off payment of almost â¬44 million would be available for growers and a restructuring fund of up to â¬145 million would become...
- Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: An application under the single payment scheme was received from the person named on 27 April 2005. This application has now been fully processed and payment will shortly issue to the person named.
- Written Answers — Land Annuities: Land Annuities (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: It is my intention to commence the proposed annuity buy-out scheme on 1 January 2006. The scheme will operate for a period of six months ending on 30 June 2006. I propose to write to all annuitants in advance of the commencement of the scheme and will provide each with an application giving details of the amounts required to buy out their annuity and information on how to make their payment.
- Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the single payments scheme national reserve under categories B (II) and D. Category B caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under livestock premia and-or arable aid schemes would have been...
- Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (8 Dec 2005)
Mary Coughlan: Vesting in this case has just been completed and the relevant documentation will be lodged in the Land Registry Office as soon as possible taking into account the provisions of section 8 of the Land Act 2005 concerning possible objections to the vesting order.