Results 5,081-5,100 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named had leased entitlements in 2005 (a one year lease). In order for his 2006 Single Payment Scheme application to be processed, this 1-year Private Contract clause had to be reversed. This has now been carried out and it is expected that a 50% advance payment in the amount of €11,718 will issue to the person named shortly.

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (9 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: While the organic sector in Ireland is small by European standards, it is growing. The total area in conversion or with full organic status rose by nearly 5,000 hectares to over 35,000 hectares in 2005, an increase of some 15% on 2004. That figure has increased by a further 1,500 hectares so far this year. My Department already provides substantial financial supports for organic producers,...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (9 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: EU Directive 64/432/EEC provides that, where an animal reacts positively to a TB test, two clear reactor re-tests at 2 month intervals are required before the Officially TB-free status of the holding can be restored. The Directive does, however, provide for a derogation from the second test provided certain conditions are fulfilled. This derogation is catered for under the Department's...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: A revised Farm Waste Management Scheme was introduced by my Department in March 2006 in order to assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the Nitrates Directive. As the Scheme forms part of the current EU Rural Development Round, it must close for new applications at the end of this year. However, I am aware that some farmers are experiencing delays in preparing planning...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (9 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has no record of having received an application from the person named for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2005 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category D. Category D caters for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who commenced farming in 2002 but who received no direct payments in respect of that scheme year. As Category D is a non-mandatory category of the National Reserve, any...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the issues relating to brash management, particularly where sensitive sites are concerned. In general, the removal of brash is not advocated as such a practice may increase the need for fertiliser application following reforestation. On sensitive sites, the brash can provide protection to the surface soil layers. Its removal, using current technologies, can pose difficulties...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The holding of the person concerned has been restricted since 10 August 2004. With regard to payment of compensation, my Department's local District Office wrote to the person concerned on 16 May 2006 informing him of the decision to withhold part of the compensation and advising him that he could appeal to the Regional Assistant Principal Officer. The file is currently under review by the...

Written Answers — : (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named established 47.83 Entitlements during the reference period. In 2005, he applied and was accepted under the Consolidation measure of the Single Payment Scheme and his entitlements were consolidated to 46.50. As a result of a shortfall in land, which could not be accounted for under the measures applicable to consolidation, the applicant accepted the loss of 1.12 entitlements...

Written Answers — Herd Keepers: Herd Keepers (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: A herd number is an administrative arrangement designed primarily for the purposes of disease control under the disease eradication schemes, which involves the allocation of a number to a herd as provided for under S.I. No. 276 of 1999 (European communities (Identification and registration of bovine animals) Regulations, 1999). The traditional term "herd-owner", which required the nomination...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named established 51.29 Entitlements during the reference period. In 2005, he applied and was accepted under the Consolidation measure of the Single Payment Scheme and his entitlements were consolidated to 42.82. As a result of a shortfall in land, which could not be accounted for under the measures applicable to consolidation, the applicant accepted the loss of 0.12 entitlements...

Written Answers — Pesticide Control: Pesticide Control (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Pesticide Residue Monitoring Programme is a risk based programme which is agreed between my Department and the Food Safety Authority on an annual basis. In the years 2000, 2001 and 2002 the number of mushroom samples analysed for pesticide residues included samples taken by An Bord Glas. The results which are published in the Department's annual report 'Pesticides Residues in Food'...

Written Answers — Pesticide Control: Pesticide Control (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Pesticide Residue Monitoring Programme is one agreed annually between my Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, as part of the existing service contract between both organisations. My Department has fully implemented the monitoring programme for pesticide residues in food as agreed with the FSAI. At present, within the EU, the legislation controlling the...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Food Safety Authority has service contracts with my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Marine Institute, the Health Service Executive and 32 Local Authorities. These service contracts include the testing of various foodstuffs for a range of chemical residues, including pesticides, residues of animal remedies, marine bio-toxins and organic and...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: As this is an operational matter for An Bord Bia, it is not appropriate for me to comment.

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: As this is an operational matter for An Bord Bia, it is not appropriate for me to comment.

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Arising from allegations on the misuse of pesticides made in the media regarding the company in question, an inspector of my Department visited two sites of the company on the 24 October. One site was closed and not in operation and was not inspected. The other was inspected and no evidence of illegal use of plant protection products was detected. On the 9 November the Department inspector...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Arising from media allegations concerning the misuse of pesticides in mushroom production, an inspector of the Department of Agriculture and Food visited the company in question on the 24 October and 9 November to determine if any illegal plant products were present. Neither of these inspections detected the presence of illegal plant protection products at the site. The company has currently...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the recent debate relating to the alleged misuse of chemicals on mushrooms. My Department was informed by RTE of the identity of the company, on the 23 October. An inspector from my Department visited it on the 24 October and again on the 9 November to determine if any illegal plant products were present. Neither of these inspections detected the presence of illegal plant...

Written Answers — Food Traceability: Food Traceability (14 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 451, 452 and 454 together. Traceability of foods including fruit and vegetables is provided for in Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety. Regulation No....