Results 5,961-5,980 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The rules governing the production and use of GM crops within the Community are set down in EU legislation that 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 arbitrary placing of bans on the cultivation of authorised GM crops on a regional or national basis. There are, however, options...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The most recent annual data available from the Central Statistics Office relate to 2006 when food and non-alcoholic beverages prices, as measured by the food price index, increased by 1.4% on average. This is a lower level of increase than the overall annual rate of inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, which averaged 4.0% during the year. In the period since mid 2002, the food...

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The National Steering Group for the Organic Sector, which was established to aid the development of the organic sector in Ireland, approved a proposal to bring in organic agronomic expertise from abroad on a trial basis in 2006. The Steering Group took the view that the tillage and horticulture areas within the organic sector could benefit most from such an input of expertise. Lack of...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The information requested in relation to sales and leases is as outlined as follows. The sale prices are not provided as this is commercially sensitive information. 2002 County Location Size (hectares) Carlow Drumfea 12.50 Cavan Cullentragh 5.08 Keenagh 0.40 Castlesaunderson 0.30 Gowlan 14.60 Snugborough 89.00 Aughrim 2.00 Drumgill 2.71 Clare Lack west 2.70 Cloonloum...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: REPS farmers availing of the €45 per ha premium under the EU Energy Crops Scheme will have their REPS payment adjusted to avoid double payment on the area planted to comply with EU regulatory requirements. They will, however, qualify for the 50% establishment grant and the €80 per ha national top up payment. As payment under the Area-Based Disadvantaged Areas Compensatory Allowances...

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the serious concerns of these poultry producers from my meeting with them last November. There is no scope under EU Common Market Regulations to give financial support or aid to these producers. Several conventional broiler producers who were under contract to Castlemahon have taken the opportunity since its closure to adapt their premises to free-range poultry production...

Written Answers — Milk Testing: Milk Testing (8 Mar 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 — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: As announced in Budget 2007, €14 million will be provided over the period 2007-2009 to incentivise farmers to grow energy crops. Under the EU Energy Crops Scheme, aid of €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...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The current situation is that organic farmers in REPS with holdings of 3 hectares or more qualify for a supplementary organic payment of €181 per hectare on the first 55 hectares, and €30 per hectare over 55 hectares during the in-conversion period. The equivalent rates when full organic status is attained are €91 and €15 per hectare respectively. Organic farmers also qualify for...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Industry: Sugar Beet Industry (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: As Minister I hold a Special Share in Greencore plc. That share has the same monetary value as any other share in the company but has conditions attached which prevent the company from engaging in a number of activities without the prior written consent of the Minister. In summary, the Special Share prevents the disposal of the controlling interest in Irish Sugar Ltd, or the sale, transfer or...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: In accordance with the decision of the Council of Agriculture Ministers and the Mid Term Review of the CAP modulated funds are provided by reducing single farm payments to farmers by 3% in 2005, 4% in 2006 and 5% from 2007 onwards. The sums involved are available to use for certain rural development measures commencing in 2006. For 2006, the potential use was limited to existing measures in...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (8 Mar 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 — School Milk Scheme: School Milk Scheme (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The objective of the EU School Milk Scheme, which is funded, by the EU and the national exchequer is to encourage and promote the consumption of milk amongst school children of secondary, primary and nursery school age. In Ireland, approximately 1,390 schools participate in the scheme, and approximately 81,033 pupils. Dublin City Council provides free school meals to schools designated with...

Written Answers — National Genotyping Programme: National Genotyping Programme (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I have recently written to the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection regarding the matter of cloned animals and embryos from these animals. Pending full consideration of the matter at EU level it would not be appropriate at this stage to take the suggested unilateral action of introducing national legislation.

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The position is that the Single Payment Scheme is applicable to farmers who farmed during the three-year reference period 2000-2002, who drew down livestock or Arable Aid premia in at least one of those years and who continued to farm in 2005. The Single Payment Scheme entitlements established for individual farmers, therefore, are a true reflection of their farming activity and premia...

Written Answers — Beef Imports: Beef Imports (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Imports of Beef: 1. In certain cases the record of import may include the re-import of Irish products that were originally the subject of an export from this country. 2. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, these returns may stand to be adjusted marginally as data are rechecked by the CSO. 3. Information for imports from EU does not differentiate between products originating in...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: A group representing retired farmers lodged a petition with the European Parliament Committee on Petitions in May 2003, alleging that Ireland had not implemented correctly the Council Regulations governing the 1994 and 2000 Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming. The Committee requested information from the European Commission. In reply, the Commission made it clear that in its considered...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I am fully committed to reducing unnecessary bureaucracy in the administration of the CAP and one of my main priorities is to pursue simplification of procedures at farm level. The adoption by Ireland of full decoupling under the Single Payment Scheme, thereby replacing six EU subsidy schemes each with complex application, qualification and implementation procedures, demonstrates in a very...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I decided to increase the maximum pension payable under the 1994–99 Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming from €12,075 to €14,075 per annum and the maximum pension payable under the 2000-2006 Scheme from €13,515 to €15,000 per annum with effect from 1 November 2006. These increases, which will be funded entirely from the Exchequer, formed part of the undertakings in the social...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (8 Mar 2007)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984, and the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations 2006 (SI No. 705 of 2006). It does not have statutory responsibility for the care and welfare of other animals such as domestic pets or exotic...