Results 5,561-5,580 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Sugar Beet Industry. (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: It is important to reiterate that the Government made a decision on the basis of an independent report by Indecon, which took into consideration all aspects of the EU regime. On the basis of that independent expert appointed by the Government, it was decided to reserve 32.38%, which was â¬47.1 million, for growers and contractors. This sum was made up of â¬40 million for growers and...
- Sugar Beet Industry. (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is a bit of an asset himself.
- Food Industry. (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: We are in fifth gear.
- Avian Flu. (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and for allowing me the opportunity to give the response of my Department to the confirmed outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu on a turkey farm in Suffolk. As the House will be aware, this case was confirmed on Saturday morning last, by which time the management committee of my Department's National Disease Control Centre, NDCC, had met....
- Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The first Milk Quota Trading Scheme was successfully launched on Wednesday last, 31 January. The first exchange resulted in a total of 73 million litres of quota being traded at prices ranging from 11 cent to 23 cent per litre. A second exchange will take place later in the spring. My Department is currently reviewing the operation of the first exchange in consultation with the main farming...
- Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: In the context of the 2000-2006 EU rural development framework, amendments introduced in 2003 extended possible support options. The additional options included support for food companies and farmers in respect of compliance with EU standards. The 2003 amendments did not, however, provide additional funding. While funding later arose through the modulation process, support for small food...
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Under the EU Energy Crops Scheme, aid of â¬45 per hectare is available for areas sown under energy crops provided they are intended primarily for use in the production of biofuels and electric and thermal energy produced from biomass. I intend to introduce an additional national payment of â¬80 per hectare in 2007 as a further incentive for farmers to grow energy crops. The â¬80 payment...
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Last year, I took advantage of the Commission's transitional rules to make special provision for REPS 2 contracts expiring up to 30 November 2006 to be extended for a further year. However this option is no longer available to me. The EU Regulations governing REPS 2 and REPS 3 expired on 31 December 2006. It is now legally impossible to approve or extend contracts under either of those...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has produced an Explanatory Handbook for farmers that sets out in clear terms their obligations under the Nitrates Regulations. This Handbook, together with a copy of the Regulations, was sent to all farmers in October 2006. Following this, a series of open information meetings took place during the period 20 November to 4 December 2006, conducted by my Department in...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The rules governing the production and use of GM crops within the Community are set down in EU legislation which has been jointly adopted by the European Parliament and the Council. This legislation is binding on all Member States and does not provide for the declaration of a GM free country or region. There are, however, options available to restrict the growing of GM crops within regions...
- Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Since the initial outbreak of Equine Infectious Anaemia, or 'swamp fever', in June 2006, my Department has taken significant steps to contain the outbreak and progress its eradication and to protect the very valuable Irish bloodstock industry. To date, twenty-eight cases have been confirmed, the most recent on 10 December 2006, over eight weeks ago. This is, by some considerable distance,...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Although Ireland's application for a derogation has been approved by the EU Nitrates Committee, the European Commission has not yet issued its formal decision. Until it does so, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government cannot make the necessary amendments to the Regulations. However my officials are actively making preparations to implement the derogation; and full...
- Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. Day-to-day operational matters such as the sale of land and issues concerning such sales are the responsibility of the company. The details requested by the Deputy concerning those sales come within the ambit of Coillte's operational responsibilities. For the Deputy's information a list of all...
- Written Answers — Farm Household Incomes: Farm Household Incomes (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: 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 sector contained in 37 recommendations. I decided that the best way to implement these recommendations was to set up an implementation body comprised of representatives of all sectors in the industry, including the...
- Written Answers — Sheepmeat Industry: Sheepmeat Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: 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 sector contained in 37 recommendations. I decided that the best way to implement these recommendations was to set up an implementation body comprised of representatives of all sectors in the industry, including the...
- Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: 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 instruments used in measuring somatic cell levels in milk delivered to processors....
- Written Answers — National Climate Change Strategy: National Climate Change Strategy (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Climate change has serious implications not just for agriculture but for all sectors of the economy. The Government is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol and the National Climate Change Strategy published in 2000 sets the framework for Ireland to achieve its targets under the Protocol, i.e. to limit greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990...
- Written Answers — Mushroom Industry: Mushroom Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The regulatory framework governing plant protection products in Ireland which is set out in SI 83 of 2003 is designed to ensure a very high standard of protection for human health and the environment. Enforcement of the legislation involves inspections to ensure that only approved products are present in the market and are used by farmers and growers. Inspections normally take place at...
- Written Answers — Agrifood Industry: Agrifood Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: There is no "Agri-Vision Action Committee". The Agri Vision Action Plan was launched in March 2006 and is the Government's response to the report of the Agri Vision 2015 Committee, chaired by Mr. Alan Dukes which completed its work in December 2004. Reports on the progress achieved in implementing the action points laid down in the Plan were considered at the Management Advisory Committee...
- Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 176 together. The negotiations on a new WTO agreement were launched at Doha in November 2001. While significant progress has been made towards concluding an agreement, most notably in the framework agreement which was reached in Geneva in August 2004 and at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December 2005, the negotiations broke down and...