Results 4,921-4,940 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Statistics on the comparative positions of member States in relation to the diseases, etc. referred to are not available. My Department is in ongoing discussion with the relevant interests in industry, veterinary sector and other interested parties in relation to establishing a herd health initiative which would involve the development of a national integrated approach to non-regulated...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: At the meeting of the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health SCOFCAH on 6 October 2006 the Commission informed the Committee that the provisions of Regulation 96/23 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues in live animals and animal products are not in line with the basic principles of the Control Regulation (882/2004). The matter has been under consideration...

Written Answers — Milk Tests: Milk Tests (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 214 together. My Department already conducts regular checks on the results of butter fat testing carried out by milk processors. It also checks the calibration of the instruments used in milk processing establishments for measuring the fat and protein levels in milk collected from producers. My Department also monitors the instrument used in...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland's national policy on GMOs was officially set out in the October 2000 Report of the Interdepartmental Group on Modern Biotechnology which was endorsed by the Government. The overall conclusion of this report was summarised as 'a positive acceptance of the potential benefits of biotechnology tempered by a precautionary approach to the potential risks — and to ensure that as far as is...

Written Answers — Infectious Diseases: Infectious Diseases (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has developed comprehensive contingency arrangements to deal with any case of avian influenza in wild birds or any outbreak in poultry. These arrangements are kept under constant review with a view to updating them to take account of any new developments that arise. To that end, we are conscious of and particularly vigilant during the autumn/winter migratory season, during...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department's policy is to make all payments due to farmers on an accurate and timely basis. The record in this regard is excellent and the statistics in the most recent Annual Report (2005), show that the vast majority of payments to farmers, well over 90% for many schemes, were made in accordance with the targets laid down in the Charter of Rights for Farmers. In the exercise of its...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department's role in the implementation of the Report of the National Taskforce on Obesity relates to the recommendations directed to my Department viz. The Department of Agriculture and Food together with the Department of Health and Children should promote the implementation of evidence-based healthy eating interventions, and The Department of Agriculture and Food should review policies...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: There are currently 112 vehicles approved by my Department to transport live animals. The vehicles comply with the provisions of Council Directive 91/628/EEC on the protection of animals during transport as transposed by the European Communities (Protection of Animals during Transport) Regulations 2006 — SI No. 267 of 2006. All dogs, including commercial dogs, going to other EU Member...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: There are currently no cases of Classical Swine Fever in this country. In the event of an outbreak, my Department would apply measures to contain and eradicate the disease in line with national and EU legislation.

Written Answers — Veterinary Inspection Service: Veterinary Inspection Service (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The protection of animals used for experimental or other scientific purposes is regulated under EU and national legislation (respectively Council Directive 86/609/EEC and the European Communities (Amendment to Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876) Regulations, 1994) which legislation falls within the remit of the Minister for Health and Children.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland's action programme under the Nitrates Directive was given legal effect by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006, which were signed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on 18 July, 2006. Consideration of Ireland's proposals for a derogation to allow certain farmers to operate, under appropriate...

Written Answers — Veterinary Services: Veterinary Services (17 Oct 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 — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, the Department operated the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of On-Farm Grain Storage for two rounds of the scheme in 2001 and 2002. The aim of the scheme was to improve the quality and safety of grain and to relieve pressure on commercial intake points at harvest time by developing on-farm storage and handling facilities. The...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: REPS 3 is provided for under the current Rural Development Programme that finishes on 31 December 2006 and currently over 3,000 new REPS applications have to be processed by that date. In addition REPS 2 participants with anniversary dates from 1 September to 1 December 2006 inclusive who apply to join REPS 3 under the "fast track" transitional arrangements which I introduced must be...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Eight tenders were received in the recent competition for the supply of bovine animal identification tags and birth registration documents. I am satisfied that having one supplier of cattle tags in the Irish context is appropriate because the overall solution offered by the company selected was deemed to be significantly superior to the alternatives offered in the tender process. The...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Trade in horses between EU Member States is provided for under EU legislation which establishes the health conditions and health certification to be applied to such animals for trade purposes. The prevention of a trade that is specifically provided for in EU legislation would be contrary to the fundamental principles of the EU and could be construed as an unlawful barrier to trade. Ireland...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (17 Oct 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. The control authorities designated for the purposes of implementation of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 are the local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency. My...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (17 Oct 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. The development of an all-island animal health policy is a necessary prerequisite to the establishment of an all-island food label. The development of the animal health policy is being actively pursued in the context of North/South cooperation. In...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: REPS 4 will form an integral part of Ireland's Rural Development Plan (RDP) 2007-2013. A draft of the RDP will issue for public consultation shortly and it is my objective to secure EU Commission approval for the RDP and to roll out REPS 4 at the earliest possible date in 2007. The EU regulation governing agri-environment schemes does not allow for the inclusion of payments in REPS 4 for...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Cross compliance involves two key elements: A requirement for farmers to comply with 18 statutory management requirements (SMRs) set down in EU legislation on the environment, food safety, animal health, welfare and plant health, A requirement to maintain the farm in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC). If an applicant is found to be non-compliant sanctions are provided for...