Results 5,381-5,400 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: EU Commission approval for the introduction of a number of targeted on-farm investment schemes focused on supporting productive investment in the agricultural sector was received in March 2010. Priority was given to the introduction of the Bioenergy, Poultry Welfare and Sow Welfare Schemes which were launched by my Department during the first half of 2010. The Sheep Fencing/Handling...

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The EU Commission has proposed to cap single farm payments at €300,000, net of the greening component and salary costs and this is the proposal that I am giving consideration to currently in the CAP reform negotiations. Of the 123,159 farmers in receipt of Single Farm Payment in 2010, some 238 or 0.2% received payments in excess of €100,000. In those circumstances, I do not believe...

Written Answers — Discussion Groups: Discussion Groups (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Dairy Efficiency Programme When it was agreed in 2008, under the CAP Health Check, that unspent Single Payment Scheme (SPS) funds could be made available to support economically vulnerable types of farming, my Department, after discussions with stakeholders, identified the dairy sector as an economically vulnerable sector, given the extreme price volatility it had experienced in the preceding...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is being reduced to from €220 million to €190 million. In order to make the necessary savings it is proposed to make technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria to ensure that the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in DAS areas and who are making a significant contribution...

Written Answers — Rural Development Programme: Rural Development Programme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Rural Development Programme for Ireland has an allocation of close on €4.9 billion for the period 2007 – 2013 to fund various support schemes in the agricultural sector under the principles of competitiveness, improvement of the environment, land management and the development of the wider rural economy. Support for agricultural development in less favoured areas (LFAs) forms an...

Written Answers — Trade Missions: Trade Missions (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I will lead a trade delegation to China from 15-22 April which will comprise representatives from the meat, dairy, seafood, horse and agri-tech sectors. This Trade Mission follows from the successful visit of the Chinese Vice Minister for Agriculture, Mr Niu Dun in May last year, when we signed an Action Plan on mutual cooperation in the agrifood and fisheries sectors and the recent visit of...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is at all times a key priority of mine to build alliances with my counterparts in like-minded Member States in order to maximise support for my position on the proposed reform of the CAP. Indeed I have been doing so since taking up office in March last year. During 2011, I had formal bilateral meetings with the EU Agriculture Commissioner and with my German, French, UK, Spanish,...

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: An analysis of the numbers of applications lodged via iNet, my Department's on-line application facility for the Single Payment Scheme, shows continued, year-on-year growth, across all counties, with a seven-fold increase having occurred between the system being launched in 2007 and 2011, when over 54,000 applications were submitted. Initially, farmers and their approved agents were attracted...

Written Answers — Livestock Inspections: Livestock Inspections (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in the context of delivering the Direct Payments Schemes is required to carry out annual inspections covering land eligibility and cross compliance to ensure compliance with EU regulatory requirements. Eligibility checks must be carried out on 5% of applicants. These checks are carried out to verify that the actual area claimed in the application form corresponds to the area...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: With Ireland narrowly avoiding a super levy liability in the 2010/2011 quota year, and with high supply figures in the early months of this quota year, my attention has been firmly focused on the milk super levy situation over the course of the current quota year. In a Press Release as early as the 13 April, 2011, I sought to remind dairy farmers of the need to carefully plan their production...

Written Answers — Artisan Food Sector: Artisan Food Sector (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Neither the CSO nor my Department hold the figures requested by the Deputy as there is not a consensus definition of "artisan" food businesses. Artisan food is categorised by an uncompromised commitment to food making skill which results in superior flavour or taste. It may also be identified in terms of the skills, passion and beliefs of the individuals behind the foods. Typically such...

Written Answers — Food Exports to Iran: Food Exports to Iran (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Ireland does not have access for beef or sheepmeat to Iran at present and therefore does not export any meats to Iran. My Department has been in contact with the Iranian authorities, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in furtherance of our continuing efforts to gain access to the Iranian market for Irish beef and sheepmeat. In particular we have been engaged with official...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I would like, at the outset, to emphasise my commitment to the agri-environment schemes which put environmentally-friendly farming to the forefront and which recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods for the benefit of all society. Both my own and the Government's commitment in this regard are highlighted by the fact that despite the financial pressures facing my...

Written Answers — Draught Horse Passports: Draught Horse Passports (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Horse Sport Ireland is approved by my Department, in accordance with the relevant EU and National Zootechnical legislation to manage the Irish Draught Horse studbook, including the issuing of passports for horses of the breed. As the issuing of passports is considered a day-to-day studbook management matter the Deputy should contact Horse Sport Ireland directly for such information.

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The new Animal Health and Welfare Bill proposes to amend, consolidate and update legislation in the area of animal health and welfare, particularly to reflect the changed disease status of our animals and to ensure that the welfare of all animals is properly protected. In the Bill the term animal "means a member of the kingdom animalae other than a human being", mink, cats and horses will...

Written Answers — Environmental Schemes: Environmental Schemes (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am committed to agri-environment schemes, which put environmentally-friendly farming to the forefront and which recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods for the benefit of all society. The funding provided for agri-environment schemes, covering the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) 2011 was €337 million. The...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is being reduced from €220 million to €190 million and in order to make the necessary savings it is proposed to make technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria to ensure that the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in DAS areas and who are making a significant contribution...

Written Answers — Appointment of Inspector: Appointment of Inspector (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The post to which the Deputy refers has recently become vacant and, as the Deputy will be aware, a moratorium on recruitment and promotion is in place in the public service. Alternative arrangements are being put in place to address this vacancy.

Written Answers — Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The original allocation for the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) for 2011 was €21.3 million. As the deputy will be aware, the schemes were suspended for new applications on 8 June 2011 and were re-opened in December 2011 following the comprehensive review of my Department's expenditure which was underway at that time and the particular issue of consideration of funding for...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I believe there is a good commitment within the EU to a strong agrifood sector and an increased recognition of the importance of the sector's contribution to the achievement of economic, social and environmental objectives. In developing the EU2020 strategy for recovery and growth in Europe, Heads of State and Government in the European Council recognised this contribution concluding that "a...