Results 3,541-3,560 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Importation of Birds: Importation of Birds (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 to 282, inclusive, together. My Department is responsible for regulating the legal importation of caged or exotic birds and has inspectors based at all official border inspection posts, BIPs. In addition, the customs authorities have overall responsibility for the enforcement of import controls. All authorised importations of caged or exotic birds are...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2005 single payment scheme was received from the person named on 5 May 2005. During processing of the application, it was found that the person named had claimed a portion of a parcel, which had also been claimed by another scheme applicant. My Department wrote to both applicants and, in response, the person named indicated that he did not have the right to claim the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: When the implementing regulations underpinning the single payment scheme were being negotiated, my Department was instrumental in ensuring that provision was made for farmers fully to utilise their entitlements and benefit from the full single payment. The provisions catered for farmers, who in certain specified circumstances declared a number of hectares for the purposes of the single...

Written Answers — Noxious Weeds: Noxious Weeds (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Noxious Weeds Act 1936 was introduced to deal with specific weeds which posed a threat to farm productivity. Japanese knotweed, Reynoutria japonica, has not been classified as a noxious weed under the Noxious Weeds Act 1936 on the basis that it has no agricultural significance and is not harmful to animals or crops. Accordingly I have no plans to list it under the Noxious Weeds Act....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: As the herd number in question was in the joint names of the person named and his brother during the reference years, a duly completed application form is required in order to allow the transfer of the entitlements established to the person named. Following receipt of the form in question, my Department has written to the transferor. The transfer process will shortly be completed. The person...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: As this is a very complex case, I have arranged for a senior official of my Department to make immediate direct contact with the person named with a view to outlining the options available.

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: 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 application limiting or banning the export of animal products from third countries where the conditions of an animal disease outbreak could seriously affect production...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The enforcement of all food labelling regulations has been centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, in accordance with one of the recommendations of the food labelling group. This work is carried out through a number service contracts between the FSAI and other Departments and agencies including my own Department. The Department of Health and Children is responsible for...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The eligibility period for the hardship grant runs from 1 November to 30 April. This scheme is designed to alleviate the additional feed costs incurred by some owner-keepers whose holdings are restricted during this period on foot of a herd re-test and where animals are retained and fed during periods of restriction. An essential condition for eligibility is that the holding of the applicant...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2005 single payment scheme was received from the persons named on 15 May 2005. Payment of €2,439.43 in respect of the standard entitlements, issued on 3 February 2006. Payment in respect of the dairy premium will issue to the persons named shortly.

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The disposal of waste materials generally is covered by the Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2005, which apply to all sectors of society including the agricultural sector, and is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, manufacturers and importers of farm plastics — silage bale wrap and sheeting...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2005 single payment scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2005. During processing of the application, the area of one of the parcels was found to be less than declared. Following direct contact with the person named by an official of my Department, the matter has been satisfactorily resolved. Payment in full will shortly issue to the person named.

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: A person may lease his or her quota with the associated dairying lands to a close relative as defined in the milk quota regulations. A person may temporarily lease his or her entire milk quota without land only where they have applied for and received my approval to do so. Such approval is granted where the inability to make milk deliveries is due to force majeure, or in other duly justified...

Written Answers — Animal Medicines: Animal Medicines (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: On 9 February last the European Commission began a public consultation phase on the criteria for exempting categories of medicines from the general mandatory rule under the relevant EU legislation that all medicines for food producing animals should be brought under veterinary prescription control. The Deputy will recall that the provision for exemptions was introduced in response to concerns...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2005 single payment scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2005. During processing of the application, the area of one of the parcels was found to be less than declared. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named with a view to resolving this matter.

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Stringent traceability systems are implemented by my Department in respect of animal products produced in Ireland enabling the agri-food sector to provide assurances sought on domestic and export markets. Any breaches of food labelling requirements would be a matter of concern and for this reason the enforcement of all food labelling regulations has been centralised in the Food Safety...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Under EU legislation, in order to draw down his or her full single payment, an applicant must declare an eligible hectare to accompany each entitlement. This requirement was set out clearly in the documentation supplied to farmers on a number of occasions. While the person named had established 25.42 entitlements during the reference period, the application received from the person on 6 May...

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (23 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has not previously paid compensation following an outbreak of mycoplasma gallisepticum. Compensation is normally paid only where my Department requires the compulsory slaughter of a herd or flock, which it does not in the case of an outbreak of mycoplasma gallisepticum. When this particular disease is detected in the commercial poultry industry, it is normal practice for the...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Sector: Sugar Beet Sector (23 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Decisions on the future of sugar beet growing in Ireland for sugar production are a matter for Irish Sugar Limited and the growers concerned, having regard to all relevant factors including the reformed EU sugar regime. The new regime provides for compensation arrangements, including restructuring aid in the event of a decision to cease sugar production. To qualify under the restructuring...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (23 Feb 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Under EU legislation, in order to draw down his or her full single payment, an applicant must declare an eligible hectare to accompany each entitlement. This requirement was set out clearly in the documentation supplied to farmers on a number of occasions. While the person named had established 76.95 entitlements during the reference period, the application received from him on 13 May 2005,...