Results 4,221-4,240 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 96 and 104 together. 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...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 39, 48, 63 and 76 together. In March I announced my intention to move to a more open market system for transferring milk quotas, which will come into effect on the 1st April 2007. I made this decision because the current restructuring model will not meet the future needs of the industry and a more effective response is required in order to meet future...

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

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 69 together. The current negotiations on a new World Trade Agreement, which cover a broad trade liberalization agenda, have been under way since they were launched in Doha in November 2001 and further progress towards agreement was reached at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December 2005. The Conference reached agreement on a number of...

Written Answers — Farm Management: Farm Management (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: According to the CSO there were 135,100 farmers in 2003, which is the most recent data available. Of this figure, 15,000 or 11% are under 35 years of age compared to the EU-15 average of 8%. This favourable demographic situation has been brought about by a series of policies and schemes to attract young people into farming. Schemes to encourage earlier farm transfers include: (a) An...

Written Answers — Avian Influenza: Avian Influenza (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 67, 72 and 75 together. The position throughout Europe is relatively stable. To date thirteen Member States have had cases/outbreaks of H5N1 Avian 'flu, of which only three have been in poultry/game. The number of cases in wild birds notified to the EU fell by over 50 per cent between March and April (from 355 cases to 158). I have, since last September,...

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

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 45 and 83 together. Overall responsibility for energy policy rests with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, who is leading a cross-Departmental, cross-agency approach in developing and implementing renewable energy policy. As Minister for Agriculture and Food, I have a special interest in the development of the renewable energy...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 47, 93 and 99 together. One of my main objectives since assuming office as Minister for Agriculture and Food, was to ensure the efficient implementation of the decoupled Single Payment Scheme — the most significant change to agricultural support since our accession to the European Community. This huge task was successfully implemented when over €1...

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

Mary Coughlan: Commissioner Fischer Boel, in her recent address to the Dáil, stated that Ireland and the EU may expect fierce competition in key agricultural markets such as beef and dairy production in the context of a new WTO agreement. The statement was not unexpected and reflects my own opinion that there will be increased competition on international markets in the future. The WTO negotiations are...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 71, 79 and 100 together. Following receipt of the required EU approval, the revised Farm Waste Management Scheme was launched by my Department on 24 March 2006. The principal changes to the Scheme include — (a) an increase in the standard grant-rate from 40% to 60%, with 70% being available in the four Zone C counties; (b) an extension of the Scheme for...

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

Mary Coughlan: Under the EU Animal By-products Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002), which came into effect on 1 June 2003, Category 3 meat-and-bone meal, which is derived from animals deemed fit for human consumption, can be used in pet food. By contrast Category 1 meat-and-bone meal, which is derived from high-risk material including BSE carcases and suspects, is totally excluded from the food chain...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (18 May 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. Agri-Vision 2015 is a comprehensive action plan for the future of the agrifood sector. Built on the three pillars of Competitiveness, Innovation and Consumer-Focus, the Plan sets out a new vision for the future of the...

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

Mary Coughlan: A comprehensive range of incentives and supports is available from my Department to encourage the planting of forestry. Under the Forestry Grant and Premium Scheme, grants are available to cover 100% of planting costs, as well as a 20-year tax-free premium for farmers (15 years for non-farmers) of up to €500 per hectare, depending on the species planted. Substantial tax concessions are also...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The question of full dismantling or partial dismantling and the continued use of the Mallow plant for production of another agricultural commodity is a matter for commercial decision by Greencore itself and the initiative on this rests with the Company. If Greencore were to submit an application for the maximum amount of restructuring aid under the terms of the reform agreement that would...

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 F.S.A.I. which is the central authority for the enforcement of food labelling. 'Substantial transformation' is a procedure used in normal business...

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

Mary Coughlan: My Department's statutory responsibility in relation to the welfare and protection of animals relates to animals kept for farming purposes and does not extend to animals kept as pets. My Department does have a role in relation to import controls in the context of rabies and this is exercised through the operation of the EU Pet Passport System. The Protection of Animals Acts, 1911 and 1965 are...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Teagasc has an ongoing programme of research that investigates the potential risks and benefits associated with the growing of GM crops in Ireland including, inter alia, the economic implications. Preliminary research completed by them to date does indicate that the cultivation of certain crops with certain modifications may provide a financial incentive to the Irish farmer. In order to...

Written Answers — Farm Incomes: Farm Incomes (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The issue of farm incomes and viability is dependant on a number of factors. It should be noted that 82% of net aggregate farm income earned by farmers in 2005 was derived from direct payments; these payments totalled €2.3 billion. Reform of the Common Agriculture Policy since the early 1990's has emphasised supporting farm income through direct payments and reducing market supports (such...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (18 May 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 — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table: Year Hectares Acres % of total land under cultivation certified as organic 1990 3,800 9,389 0.08% 1995 12,634 31,218 0.29% 2000 27,231 67,287 0.62% 2005 35,266 87,142 0.81%

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Most of my Department's schemes, services and other operations are complex, have a high financial exposure and relate to critical functions in respect of food safety, animal health and farm support. The Risk Assessment and Management memorandum on decentralisation produced by my Department is comprehensive in setting out the risks identified so far and the consequences of each and the actions...