Results 3,781-3,800 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In December, the Minister made regulations giving legal effect to Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive. These regulations were finalised following difficult negotiations between the European Commission and officials of...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: In December, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government made regulations giving legal effect to Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive. These regulations were finalised following difficult negotiations between the European Commission and officials of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of...

Written Answers — Export Refunds: Export Refunds (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Irish beef exports in 2005 stood at 487,000 tonnes. All of these exports went to the UK and continental Europe except for 35,000 tonnes that went to third countries, mainly Russia. While the beef industry has in recent years become less reliant on third countries, these markets are important for specific cuts at particular times of the year. Third country beef exports attract export refunds....

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 105 together. In reply to Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 4 October 2005, I outlined in detail the unusual circumstances surrounding this case. Consequently, I do not propose to repeat all of the detail. The background to the incident is that the case involved the slaughter on-farm by the herdowner of 4,000 pigs over a five-day period following the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The areas of bio-energy and agri-environment are of particular interest due to the environmental advantages of biofuels, the increasing cost of fossil fuels, the opportunity farmers now have to explore alternative farm enterprises and the current requirements on farmers to farm in an environmentally friendly way. In view of this the call for proposals under the research stimulus fund...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The action plan is the response to the report of the Agri-Vision 2015 committee, which was chaired by Mr. Alan Dukes and contained some of most senior figures in the sector including leaders of the farm and industry organisations. It also takes account of the material from a wide variety of other reports and sources such as the enterprise strategy group. This plan is based on a well-founded...

Written Answers — Infectious Diseases: Infectious Diseases (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has in place a comprehensive and robust range of measures with a particular emphasis on maintaining high vigilance of the wild bird population, with the aid of ornithological organisations and has increased avian influenza surveillance. In view of the role played by wild birds in spreading the avian flu virus, my Department's focus is on the early detection of any introduction...

Written Answers — Direct Sales: Direct Sales (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: A growth opportunity exists in direct sales and the farmers markets concept presents opportunities for producers to sell directly to consumers. There are over 100 such markets operating throughout the country at present. An Bord Bia, the statutory food promotion agency, provides a range of support services for farmers markets including advice and mentoring assistance and has also published a...

Written Answers — Export Refunds: Export Refunds (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Irish beef exports in 2005 stood at 487,000 tonnes. All of these exports went to the UK and continental Europe except for 35,000 tonnes that went to third countries, mainly Russia. While the beef industry has in recent years become less reliant on third countries, these markets are important for specific cuts at particular times of the year. Third country beef exports attract export refunds....

Written Answers — Gender Equality: Gender Equality (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action signalled a commitment on the part of governments to international norms in gender equality, to the elimination of discrimination against women and to the removal of obstacles to equality for women. Ireland accepted the Beijing platform without reservations. A national women's strategy is currently being prepared and my Department is represented...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Following receipt of the required EU state aid approval, the revised farm waste management scheme to assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates directive was launched by my Department on 24 March 2006. Application forms, together with the accompanying terms and conditions, are available from the local agricultural environment and structures, AES, offices of my Department...

Written Answers — Export Refunds: Export Refunds (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Irish beef exports in 2005 stood at 487,000 tonnes. All of these exports went to the UK and continental Europe except for 35,000 tonnes that went to third countries, mainly Russia. While the beef industry has in recent years become less reliant on third countries, these markets are important for specific cuts at particular times of the year. Third country beef exports attract export refunds....

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The cultivation of crops in rotations which have a high nitrogen uptake is good environmental and agronomic practice. However, decisions on the cultivation of crops and the specific rotation adopted on any holding are entirely a matter for the occupier of the holding who may avail of professional advice from his or her agricultural advisor if needed. It is the responsibility of the occupier...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In January, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government announced a short de facto deferral of part 3 of the nitrates regulations, which covers nutrient management. This was to allow Teagasc to submit revised advice in relation...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I am firmly of the view that there is great potential for development of local and regional food economies, which is why I have established a regional food fora initiative involving my Department, An Bord Bia and the other food development agencies. The first forum was held in Donegal in late 2005 on the theme "Market Focus for small food enterprises". Speakers shared experiences on regional...

Written Answers — Sugar Industry: Sugar Industry (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 69, 114 and 128 together. The agreement on reform of the EU sugar regime which comes into effect on 1 July 2006 provides for a restructuring fund in respect of the economic, social and environmental costs of restructuring of the sugar industry, involving factory closure and renunciation of quota. In Ireland's case, this fund would be worth up to €145...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The ministerial conference in Hong Kong in December 2005 made significant progress towards concluding an agreement on the current World Trade Organisation negotiations. The conference reached agreement on a number of issues, the end-date for export subsidies in particular, and set clear deadlines for the completion of the negotiations. A deadline of end of April 2006 was set for the...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The mission of my Department is to lead the sustainable development of a competitive, consumer focused agrifood sector and to contribute to a vibrant rural economy and society. Last week I launched a comprehensive action plan for the future of the agrifood sector. The plan sets out a new vision for the future of the sector in the light of new changes impacting on it such as the change to a...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I assume the Deputy is referring to the controls enforced by my Department in relation to the wide range of animal health and welfare legislation for which my Department has responsibility and for which it is the competent authority in this country and to our involvement in food safety legislation in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. About half of the Department's total...

Written Answers — Export Refunds: Export Refunds (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The framework agreement for the current 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...