Results 3,261-3,280 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

National Apiculture Programme (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The two products that are currently authorised for the control of varroa in Ireland are Apiguard and Bayvarol. There are two alternative products which are oxalic acid based. One is Api-Bioxal, which is at its final stages of the authorisation process in Italy and is expected to be authorised shortly. That is the one we think is most suitable for Ireland and which we are anxious to get...

Milk Quota (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: We return to the issue of the EU-wide milk quota system replacing the national quota. I have answered this question, to a certain extent, but I must reinforce the message. We are seeking a resolution that will allow flexibility for countries like Ireland exceeding their milk quota without having to pay superlevies. However, we are a long way from resolving the matter and we are unlikely to...

Milk Quota (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: This question deals with a similar issue. Deputy Stanton wants detailed figures, which is his style. I should explain that the quota year runs from March to March rather than from January to December. For the quota years 2005-06 to 2009-10, the breakdown of the amount of milk produced by Irish dairy farmers, and the subsequent quota position, was as follows: Year Available Quota (Litres)...

Milk Quota (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: That is a very good question. There is no point in producing milk unless it has somewhere to go. The processing sector in Ireland is at full capacity during the high season when cows are out on grass and producing milk at their highest levels. At those times we do not have any excess capacity. The processing sector is looking at investing substantial sums of money in increased processing...

Milk Quota (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: I do. For the current milk quota year, which is 2011-12, returns to the Department by milk purchasers for the period from 1 April to 31 May indicate that the country is currently an estimated 4.92% over quota, when account is taken of butter fat content and milk deliveries. We are already practically 5% over quota for this year. That is a huge problem. I do not know how to get this...

Direct Payment Schemes (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The single farm payment forms a significant part of the annual income of the farming community in Ireland. It is clear that the timing of this payment is extremely important to farmers, particularly those farmers with low farm incomes. It is also important in the current difficult financial circumstances where farmers, like other sectors in the economy, are finding it difficult to access...

Direct Payment Schemes (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The single farm payment is in a different category. The money for this does not come under my expenditure ceiling. The scheme is 100% funded by the Union and it is paid every year. Normally we make a case for an early payment of a portion of the money. Sometimes we are successful and other times we are not. We were successful this year in securing early payment of 50% of the money, which...

Direct Payment Schemes (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: We need to look after both. The big guy will deliver the targets we are setting for ourselves in providing the volumes of milk we need for infant formula, cheese, yoghurts, liquid milk and other products and that is just in the dairy sector. Small farmers are also important. They are the backbone of rural Ireland and, in many cases, they provide quality beef to factories because they deal...

Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: This question is similar to Priority Question No. 28, as it deals with the welfare of horses and my Department's responsibility in this regard. If people have specific complaints and they think their horses or somebody else's horses have been or are being abused, they should report that to the Garda, which has an obligation to act on the complaint if there is evidence to suggest animal...

Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person to whom we are referring is Mr. William Treacy. He has been in correspondence with my Department for some time, long before I came along. I have spoken to my officials in this regard and they have tried to be as comprehensive as they can in the context of what my Department can do but we are limited under the legislation available to us. My Department does not have legal...

Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: This is not a case of going to the guards and hoping that everything will be all right. As recently as 27 May, senior officials from my Department met with Mr. Treacy to discuss his case and his concerns. There is no lax attitude towards animal welfare in my Department. Actually, it is full of animal lovers. In case anybody misunderstands the situation, we have tried to help Mr. Treacy,...

Fishing Industry Development (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: This issue has been raised by one of my own colleagues for some time. The contract for producing ice for fishermen at the ice plant in Dingle is held by BIM, and it ends at the end of this month. At the moment, there is no clear resolution on who will take over that ice plant to ensure that there is a consistency of supply of ice to the fishing industry. It is ultimately the responsibility...

Fishing Industry Development (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: I am not in a position to give that guarantee at the moment. My Department has applied to the Department of Finance, which is the body that can give sanction to extend a contract like that. My Department cannot do that. We made that application today. BIM requested that our Department do it and our request has gone to the Department of Finance. I am hopeful that we will get a quick...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Disadvantaged Areas Scheme involves the processing of over 100,000 applications from farmers annually and under the Scheme in excess of €220 million is paid. The Scheme is part funded by the EU and forms one of the measures included in Ireland's Rural Development Programme (2007 to 2103). I can confirm that the necessary progress in processing applications is being made which will...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government 2011 includes a commitment to amend and strengthen legislation on animal cruelty and animal welfare. In this regard I am proposing to publish an Animal Health and Welfare Bill later this year to give effect to this commitment and to build on ongoing legislative drafting in this area which includes the consolidation of a wide range of existing animal health and...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: It is my intention to publish an Animal Health & Welfare Bill this year. However, as the Deputy will be aware the Bill is a complex one and will require extensive work in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to complete the required legal drafting. Once a complete draft is available I intend to publish the Bill. The issue of fur farming is being examined in the context...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The live export trade complements the processing trade by providing alternative market outlets for cattle producers. There are 2 main components to the live export trade; calf shipments to the Continent and the movement of forward stores and finished cattle to the UK. Data for the period from January to 11 June 2011 shows that overall live exports are 40% below the levels achieved during...

Written Answers — Sheep Sector: Sheep Sector (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: I am very pleased to see that there is renewed confidence in the sheep sector. Last year saw a welcome increase in the average factory price for heavy lambs, with prices approximately 17% ahead of the 2009 levels. Prices this year, irrespective of the current seasonal drop, are still above those for the same time last year. Another very encouraging sign is the fact that for the first time...

Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The recent E. coli outbreak resulted in significant loses for horticultural producers and traders across the EU. Thankfully Ireland was not affected to the same extent as the main exporting countries such as Spain and the Netherlands. The sharp fall in consumer demand in light of the crisis resulted in a significant surplus of produce on the EU market. I attended a specially convened...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The size of the CAP budget and how it will be divided between pillar 1 and 2 will ultimately be a matter for decision by EU Finance Ministers and Heads of State and Government in the context of the overall EU multiannual financial framework for the coming years. First proposals on this are expected from the EU Commission later this week. I want to see a strong and adequately financed CAP...