Results 5,241-5,260 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Payments are currently being made under two Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming. I recently announced substantial increases in the maximum pension rates payable under both Schemes to take effect from 1 November 2006. I have decided to increase the maximum pension rate payable under the 1994â99 Scheme from â¬12,075 to â¬14,075 and the maximum pension rate payable under the current...
- Written Answers — Veterinary Service: Veterinary Service (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware, given veterinary practices are primarily commercial entities, that their locations are driven by commercial realities and as such I do not have a direct involvement in the issue referred to by the Deputy. However, insofar as official regulation impacts on this area of activity, I can point to a number of measures which will alleviate difficulties which may arise in...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: While I have not seen any official report on this issue I do note that the report referred to refers to Spanish farmers abandoning organic cultivation because they are finding traces of GMOs in their produce. I am confident that the proposed new legislation on organic production, combined with national coexistence measures, will provide sufficient safeguards to enable organic production to...
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 67, 103, 107, 202 and 227 together. I am aware of the interest at farm level in growing energy crops as a feedstock for bioenergy purposes. Under CAP reform, farmers now have the freedom to focus more clearly on exploiting new farming opportunities, including agricultural production for non-food use. The development of this sector is an opportunity for...
- Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has received the following number of requests for records under the Freedom of Information Acts. The outcome of these requests is as indicated in the tablebelow: Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 to date Total requests received 363 318 290 212 209 Granted 98 120 119 75 77 Part Granted 108 58 86 49 49 Refused 64 59 42 52 32 Transferred 1 5 2 0 2 Withdrawn 53 33 9 4 5 Invalid...
- Written Answers — Milk Supply: Milk Supply (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: My Department does not compile statistics on the somatic cell count in the national milk supply. The European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2005 (S. I. No. 910 of 2005) provide that milk going for the production of liquid milk or dairy products for human consumption must have a somatic cell level not exceeding 400,000 per ml. based on a geometric average over a period of...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I wish to inform the Deputy that notifications to trial genetically modified organisms are made to the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with Part B of EU Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment but not for entry to the food chain. Responsibility for making a decision on these application is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency as...
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 92 and 105 together. I am strongly committed to the development of the organic sector in Ireland. While the sector in Ireland is still 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...
- Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Further to my replies to Parliamentary Question Nos 377 of 27 June 2006 and 156 of 17 October, the investigation referred to remains ongoing. It is a very comprehensive investigation and, as I have indicated previously, my Department will, in the event of sufficient evidence being established, endeavour to pursue a prosecution. As I have advised the Deputy previously, given the nature and...
- Written Answers — EU Regulations: EU Regulations (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 50, 75, 77 and 118 together. My objective on an on-going basis is to ensure that all EU Regulations are drafted in simple and clear terms, that they provide for the appropriate levels of controls in relation to public health, animal health and public finances and that they do not confer excessive administrative or bureaucratic burdens on farmers, the...
- Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The regulations governing the provision of country of origin information on beef in the catering sector were introduced by the Minister for Health and Children. Responsibility for enforcement of the regulations is with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Officials of my Department have had extensive discussions with the Department of Health and Children and the FSAI during the...
- Written Answers — Sheep Industry: Sheep Industry (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 98 together. The Sheep Industry Development Strategy Group issued its report in June 2006. This is a comprehensive study of the sheep industry which sets out a Development Plan for the industry contained in 37 recommendations. I decided that the best way to implement these recommendations was to set up an implementation body comprised of...
- Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 84 and 94 together. Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 designates certain bovine tissues as specified risk material (SRM) and lays down rules for its removal as a public health protection measure in the context of BSE controls. In its opinion of 28 April 2005 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that a scientific basis existed to review the age...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The Food Agency Co-operation Council met on 20 occasions since its inception in 2000. During 2004 and 2005 priority was given instead to meetings of the food development agencies directly concerned with the food programme components of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. Two such meetings took place in 2004, one in 2005 and one in 2006 to assess progress on the Plan in preparation for...
- Written Answers — Horticulture Industry: Horticulture Industry (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I am aware that there are local concerns about the possibility of the proposed landfill contaminating the water supply used by horticultural producers in the area and I understand that the issue has been the subject of submissions to the Environmental Protection Agency, which is currently examining the waste licence application. It is of course vital that horticultural activity anywhere in...
- Written Answers — State Aid: State Aid (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I can confirm that my Department was represented at a meeting of the EU Working Group and Advisory Committee on State Aids which took place on 25 October to discuss the proposed Community Guidelines for State Aid in the Agriculture Sector, 2007-2013. Prior to the meeting, I, together with several of my EU Ministerial colleagues, had strongly opposed many of the original proposals brought...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 51 together. The implementation of the Nitrates Directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Following a process of consultation with the farming organizations and other stakeholders, the Minister, Deputy Roche, made the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The Consumer Liaison Panel was established in January 2002 to strengthen communication between consumers and my Department. A consumer-focused approach is vital to the future of a progressive multi-functional agrifood industry, encompassing not alone the basic function of food production but food safety, food quality, environmental and animal welfare issues. The Consumer Liaison Panel is a...
- Written Answers — Agricultural Processing Sectors: Agricultural Processing Sectors (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 82, 88 and 120 together. In keeping with commitments given in the agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan, I have in recent months announced investment packages totalling â¬150 million to support the development of the dairy, beef and sheep meat processing sectors. â¬100 million is for the dairy sector while â¬50 million is being provided for the beef and sheep...
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (29 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Payments are currently being made under two Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming. I recently announced substantial increases in the maximum pension rates payable under both Schemes to take effect from 1 November 2006. I have decided to increase the maximum pension rate payable under the 1994â99 Scheme from â¬12,075 to â¬14,075 and the maximum pension rate payable under the current...