Results 4,461-4,480 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has confirmed the presence of Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) in horses from two separate establishments in Co. Meath. My Department's immediate priority has been to identify the extent of the disease and to trace the direct and indirect contacts from the infected premises. The two premises in question are now both under restriction for trade purposes. My Department has been...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: 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. It must be borne in mind that over the last five years on average less than 4% of the total milk quota changed hands each year under the existing restructuring scheme. My Department and I are progressing with the ongoing consultation process...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: On the 14th June I announced that, following discussions at EU level and consultations at national level, certain adjustments were being made to the sheep flock register, to the dispatch document and to the tagging requirements for bought-in sheep, the aim of which is to simplify the arrangements for producers. New formats for the flock registers and dispatch documents have now been agreed...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Single Payment Scheme was introduced in Ireland in 2005 as part of the new measures agreed in the Common Agricultural Policy, following conclusion of the Mid-Term Review. As the Deputy will be aware the Mid-Term Review proposals provided for a radical overhaul of the direction of the Common Agricultural Policy by removing the direct link between production and subsidies. The outcome of...

Written Answers — Importation of Birds: Importation of Birds (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Following the outbreak of avian influenza in late 2003 in south-eastern Asia, caused by a highly pathogenic strain of the virus, the European Commission adopted a series of protection measures in relation to the disease. These measures included, in particular, the placing of additional movement controls on birds accompanying their owners into the EU from third countries and the prohibition of...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Industry: Sugar Beet Industry (27 Jun 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 — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: As part of the work related to the establishment of efficient and effective GM coexistence measures I requested Teagasc to carry out an evaluation of the possible national economic implications for the Agri-Food industry from the use of GMOs in crop and livestock production. Teagasc have completed their study which was based on two scenarios: (i) The economic implications of only allowing the...

Written Answers — Animal Health Policy: Animal Health Policy (27 Jun 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. During the Foot and Mouth emergency of 2001 the co-operation...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (27 Jun 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. As far as...

Written Answers — Social Partnership: Social Partnership (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The negotiations for a successor national partnership agreement to Sustaining Progress commenced in February of this year and have been the subject of a number of meetings with the farming pillar since then. Three of the four farming organisations left the talks at an early stage but all subsequently rejoined and are taking a full part in the negotiations. Significant progress has been made...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: 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. It must be borne in mind that over the last five years on average less than 4% of the total milk quota changed hands each year under the existing restructuring scheme. My Department and I are progressing with the ongoing consultation process...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Commission has confirmed to my Department that the action plan in question has been received from the Brazilian Authorities and is being assessed by the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Communities (FVO). This assessment also includes a second action plan that was required from the Brazilian Authorities in response to the findings of a subsequent mission to Brazil carried out...

Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 66, 71 and 97 together. The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for energy policy and 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 — Food Industry: Food Industry (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: This forum entitled "Market Focus for Small Food Enterprises" was the second in a series of regional food fora organised by my Department and An Bord Bia to promote regional and local food production. This was geared towards small food producers and would-be food producers in Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath. The event comprised an address by Minister of State with responsibility for...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the study to which the Deputy refers. The Milk Quota System was introduced in 1984 to control the over-supply of milk in the EU, and the Mid Term Reform of the CAP has ensured its continuation until 2014/15. However, this reform is due to be reviewed in 2008. The fact is that the Milk Quota System exists and will continue to exist at least for some years yet. My role, as...

Written Answers — Farm Consolidation: Farm Consolidation (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: There has been some improvement in farm structures in recent years, however, low levels of land sales and land mobility can be obstacles for those who wish to enter farming or expand the size of their holdings. The volume of agricultural land being offered for sale is at historically low levels while land prices have risen dramatically. The amount of agricultural land sold has declined by 71%...

Written Answers — Cattle Breeding: Cattle Breeding (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Up to the 1990s my Department operated a series of cattle breed improvement measures including milk recording, on farm weight recording, genetic evaluations, development of livestock improvement programmes, and the management of the Central Bull Performance Testing Station at Tully, Co. Kildare. In the 1990s there were a series of initiatives to reduce the Department's involvement in cattle...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Following the decision by the EU Commission that the rules and regulations governing the coexistence of GM crops alongside non GM crops was to be a matter for national authorities, my Department established an interdepartmental/interagency Working Group in August 2003 to identify the issues and implications for Ireland of the cultivation of GM crops and to develop proposals for a national...

Written Answers — Farmers' Markets: Farmers' Markets (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No 10 of 18th May last, under the Casual Trading Act 1995, local authorities have responsibility for market rights within their functional areas. Bord Bia, under the aegis of my Department, works closely with the local authorities and State agencies to ensure that this route to market is exploited fully for the benefit of local food...

Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (27 Jun 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Forestry makes a significant contribution to the Irish environment. It plays a key role in delivering on targets under both the National Climate Change Strategy and the National Biodiversity Plan. All new forests established under grant aid by my Department since 1990 qualify as areas that will contribute to Ireland meeting its emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. Current...