Results 4,201-4,220 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The only circumstances in which exotic birds may be legally imported from Third Countries is as pet birds accompanying their owners who are permanently changing their residence. This is an EU-wide provision and relates only to importations of individual consignments of five or fewer birds. The conditions under which such importations are permitted are very stringent and include quarantine,...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (18 May 2006)

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 — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is referring to the proposed Willow for Energy scheme and the Biomass Harvesting scheme. Both proposals are being closely examined in consultation with the Department of Finance and I hope to have a decision very soon. State Air approval will be required for the EU Commission for both schemes and my Department has already had informal discussions with the Commission with a view to...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: 'Substantial transformation' is a procedure used in normal business operations to allow operators to declare goods as being manufactured in the country where considerable processing has taken place. I am very concerned that this practice might be used to mislead consumers as to the origin of the product. I have raised this issue directly with the Commission on a number of occasions and indeed...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Following a number of successful years for the Irish dairy industry on international and EU markets, 2006 is proving to be more challenging for the industry. The butter market, in particular, is under severe pressure on both the EU and international markets. Exports of dairy products, except cheese, are considerably lower than in 2005, with EU butter exports currently 35% less than the...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Industry: Sugar Beet Industry (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The compensation package negotiated in the context of reform of the EU sugar regime is worth over €310m to Irish stakeholders. There are three elements to the compensation package. The first element is the compensation to beet growers of up to 64% of the reduction in the minimum price for beet. This compensation, which will be incorporated in the existing Single Payment Scheme and will be...

Written Answers — Animal Remedies Regulations: Animal Remedies Regulations (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 56 together. The Animal Remedies Regulations 2005 (SI 734/2005), which transpose EU Directive 2004/28, were signed into effect by me on 17 November 2005. On the outstanding issue in regard to bringing all medicines for food producing animals under veterinary prescription control, my Department made a submission to the Commission on 17 March with a view...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Primary responsibility for the welfare of animals lies with the owner or keeper of such animals. The owner/keeper is obliged to take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of animals under their care and to ensure that such animals are not caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury. The position as regards this Department is that its statutory responsibility relates to the welfare...

Written Answers — Women in Agriculture: Women in Agriculture (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Report of the Advisory Committee on the Role of Women in Agriculture was published in September 2000 and contained 36 recommendations in total, covering a very broad range of policy and operational areas relating to women in rural communities generally. Notwithstanding that many of the Advisory Committee's recommendations were outside its remit, all of the recommendations were pursued by...

Written Answers — Sheep Industry Sector: Sheep Industry Sector (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The sheep sector plays a very important role in the agricultural sector in Ireland and makes a very valuable contribution to the economy. I am aware that the sector has been affected by various factors in recent years. Two major factors should be mentioned, the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001 and the reform of the CAP leading to the Single Farm payment. The former disrupted supply...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I am supportive of initiatives to promote food on all-island basis where this is of mutual benefit and leads to closer economic co-operation. An Bord Bia, as part of its statutory role in promoting the development of Ireland's food and drink industry works in close co-operation with its counterpart in Northern Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland (INI). Joint promotions and events have been...

Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: 821 projects were approved for investment since the scheme commenced in 2001. The number of approvals, the level of grant aid approved and the value of investments approved per county is detailed in the table below. County No of Applicants Approved Grant aid approved Investment Approved € € Carlow 12 205,187 586,249 Cavan 57 1,928,584 5,510,239 ...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Food business operators who mislead consumers in believing that food which is not of Irish origin is Irish may be committing an offence under existing food labelling legislation. Any such instances should be brought to the attention of the FSAI which is the central authority for the enforcement of food labelling. 'Substantial transformation' is a procedure used in normal business operations...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The mandate for the current round of WTO negotiations, the Doha Development Agenda, states that special and differential treatment for developing countries shall be an integral element of all elements of the negotiations. In accordance with the negotiating mandate, agreement was reached in August 2004 on a "Framework for establishing modalities in agriculture" which sets out the main elements...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Following the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme last year, farmers now have the freedom to choose whatever farming enterprise is most appropriate to their circumstances. Under the agreement on reform of the EU sugar regime, the Single Payment Scheme is being extended to cover sugar beet compensation. The sugar reform agreement also provides for the introduction of aid for...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The general food labelling legislation comes within the remit of the Department of Health & Children. My Department has responsibility for specific labelling regulations such as the labelling of beef. It is governed by comprehensive EU regulations that were introduced in 2000 and is underpinned by a full national cattle identification and traceability system. However, these labelling...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: There is already a long history of co-operation between the administrations north and south on animal health issues. The administrations have traditionally shared information at local and national levels on disease control and surveillance issues and have worked together to combat illegal movements of animals and animal products. The Foot and Mouth emergency of 2001 is a testament to the...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: There is no legislative requirement at EU or national level to microchip horses. While microchipping of equidae is not mandatory some of the studbooks approved by my Department include a requirement in their own internal rules to microchip equidae to protect the integrity of their studbooks.

Written Answers — Veterinary Services: Veterinary Services (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that veterinary practices are primarily commercial entities and their locations are driven by commercial realities. However, insofar as State involvement is concerned, I can point to a number of recent measures which will alleviate difficulties which may arise in certain parts of the country. Under the new Veterinary Practice Act 2005, effective from 1 January 2006,...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Food Agency Co-operation Council was established in 2000 under the aegis of my Department to promote the fullest practical co-operation between the State Agencies involved in the food industry, in the interests of the optimum development of the industry. The Council met on 20 occasions between 2000 and 2003. During 2004 and 2005 priority was given instead to meetings of the food...