Results 3,901-3,920 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The following are details of the approximate number of inspections which it is expected my Department will carry out during the course of 2009; Name of Scheme/Programme No. of Inspections Cost of Inspections (Non Salary) Feed Inspection Programme 900 €40,500 Farm Forestry Programme 5,000 €150,000 On-Farm Investment Scheme 20,000 1. Installation Aid Scheme 50 1. Suckler Welfare...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Under the general labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), the place of origin of the foodstuff must be given only if its absence might mislead the consumer to a material degree. The European Commission is currently undertaking a major review of all food labelling legislation. In this context...

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Inspections to meet the requirements of the Nitrates Regulations are undertaken by my Department. The Department's inspectors currently undertake all on-farm cross-compliance inspections, including checks for compliance with the Nitrates Regulations and have considerable expertise in this area. On-farm inspections are also required under the EU Water Framework Directive which is the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: As the Deputy will be aware, I decided that unused funds from the Single Payment National Reserve would be paid to hill sheep farmers in 2009 in the form of an Uplands Sheep Payment. In reaching this decision, I recognised the difficulties, and costs including compliance costs, facing the sheep sector and was anxious to introduce a scheme immediately in order that Irish sheep farmers could...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: By 31 December 2008, my Department had received 12,146 applications for REPS 4. Of those processed so far, 355 applications contained major deficiencies and were determined to be ineligible. The applicants in such cases had to resubmit a corrected application by the closing date for applications this year of 15 May in order to be eligible for payment in respect of 2009. The applications...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: In the administration of REPS applications my Department must ensure that the scheme eligibility conditions are complied with in all cases. A number of applications for 2007 and 2008 were rejected due to major deficiencies in the farm plans, and any new application submitted for 2009 will be subject to the normal checks before acceptance. I am not aware of a breakdown in communication...

Written Answers — Bovine Disease: Bovine Disease (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Brucellosis is now at an historically low level in Ireland. The last confirmed case was disclosed in April 2006. My Department applied to the European Commission on 31 March last for formal recognition of Officially Brucellosis Free status (OBF) for Ireland. I am hopeful that a decision on our application will be taken in July at the latest. Achievement of OBF status would allow the...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: As indicated in reply to Question No 209 of 29th April 2009 the FSAI has overall responsibility for coordination and enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with this Department and the other agencies concerned. These service contracts are established in accordance with the provisions of The Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Maize, soya, oilseed rape and cotton are the only crops used as animal feed ingredients for which there are GM varieties. The World market has adequate supplies of both GM and non GM varieties of these crops for purchase by Irish feed operators. For economic reasons the vast bulk of the purchases made of these are of GM varieties. It is not necessary for my Department to intervene in this...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The issue of labelling of fisheries products is governed by S.I. No. 320 of 2003 which gives effect to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 104/2000 and to Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2065/2001 laying down the conditions for informing consumers about fishery and aquaculture products. The Regulations set out the specific information required on the label where fishery products are sold...

Written Answers — Waste Food Recycling Policy: Waste Food Recycling Policy (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: At present the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government is drafting legislation on the management of food waste. Officials in my Department are in contact with that Department regarding the regulation of food waste in animal feed.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue to the person named within the next fifteen days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue to the person named within the next fifteen days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements under Category B of the 2008 National Reserve. This category caters for new entrants to farming who commenced farming after 31 December 2005 and who did not pursue any agricultural activity in his/her own name or at his/her own risk in the five years immediately preceding the commencement of the new agricultural...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The decision to reduce the forestry premium and to restrict the availability of the reconstitution grant to forests damaged by disease or frost was set against the background of unprecedented pressure on the public finances and the necessity to take difficult decisions in order to make maximum use of limited resources. Maintaining an active afforestation programme was an important...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue to the person named within the next 15 days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the annual forestry premium that is paid to clients who have established forests under the Afforestation Scheme administered by my Department. This year's annual forestry premiums were paid earlier this month and included an 8% reduction. This decision to reduce the forestry premiums must be viewed in the context of the unprecedented pressure on...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health and Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Under the general labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), the place of origin of the foodstuff must be given only if its absence might mislead the consumer to a material degree. The European Commission is currently undertaking a major review of all food labelling legislation. In this...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: According to the Central Statistics Office, in the 4-year period covering the years 2005 to 2008 inclusive, the food price index has recorded a slightly lower level of increase than the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI). Food prices increased by 11.1% over that period while overall prices as measured by CPI increased by 13.5%. The most recent annual data available from the Central...