Results 6,061-6,080 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney
- Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: One of the proposals in the CAP reform package currently under negotiation is to move away from direct payments based on individual farm historic production references to a system based on uniform regional or national rates of payment per hectare by 2019. While I accept the need to move away from outdated historic references, I have serious concerns about the extent and pace of changes...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: Although I am satisfied with the excellent performance of the agri-food and fish sectors since 2010 I am of course aware of the challenges which must be faced including increased cost of inputs such as fuel, feed and fertiliser as well as access to credit. As I have stated before, agri-food exports are also subject to international commodity price fluctuations as we have seen in recent...
- Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: I am actively considering the possibility of re-opening Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) to allow for the submission of applications either on an amended basis from the existing scheme and/or on a limited scale, including the possibility of re-opening for applications later in the year with a possible closing date for applications of end September and a commencement date of January...
- Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (14 Jun 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 — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: I am very aware of the issue raised in relation to the treatment of farm assets in the proposed new capital assets test for third level grants. It is important to note that decisions have not yet been made by Government on this matter. I have, however, conveyed my own views on this issue to the Minister for Education and Skills on a number of occasions and these discussions are continuing....
- Written Answers — Teagasc Rationalisation Programme: Teagasc Rationalisation Programme (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: As I have stated previously, this is an operational matter for Teagasc. They are responsible for the day to day running of the organisation including decisions relating to the network of offices. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act establishing Teagasc and the Minister does not interfere in the day-to-day operations of Teagasc. The decision...
- Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: Given the nature of any negotiation process, it is often difficult to accurately predict not only the outcome but even the timing of an outcome. This is especially the case when the interests of 27 Member States have to be reconciled across the enormous range of issues covered by the Commission's proposals on the reform of the CAP. It is important to note also that key CAP issues are in...
- Written Answers — Tuberculosis Incidence: Tuberculosis Incidence (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: The bovine TB eradication programme includes a comprehensive range of measures, including the mandatory annual testing of all cattle in the national herd, the early removal of reactors, the payment of compensation for cattle removed as reactors, implementation of a range of supplementary tests such as post-derestriction and contiguous tests, a wildlife programme, and the depopulation of...
- Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: Under the EU Regulations co-operatives were obliged to submit their final figures on the volumes of milk received during the last milk quota year and the relevant butterfat content information by 15 May 2012. Following that, all superlevy payments must be made by the suppliers to their respective co-operatives by 1 Sept 2012. The co-operatives are then obliged to forward the monies to my...
- Written Answers — Animal Welfare Issues: Animal Welfare Issues (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: The main objectives of the North-South Ministerial Council are to foster co-operation and to devise a common, unified animal health strategy for the island as a whole. The ultimate objectives are to establish equivalent internal arrangements with a view to achieving free movement of animals and animal products within the island. There is ongoing co-operation through the dedicated working...
- Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 128 together. The purpose of the changes announced to the 2012 Terms and Conditions of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is to achieve the required savings, prompted by the budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Scheme being reduced to from â¬220 million to â¬190 million. It will be appreciated, therefore, that advance notification of such proposed...
- Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: The above mentioned person has been notified of remedial works that are required on his plantation in order to bring the plantation up to the standard required by the Forest Service under his forestry contract. The client has also been informed that, upon completion of the works, he must submit a revised species map to the Forest Service. At that point the Forest Service will re-inspect the...
- Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and full payment totalling â¬826.55 issued in respect of 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be...
- Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is being reduced to from â¬220 million to â¬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 — Teagasc Rationalisation Programme: Teagasc Rationalisation Programme (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: As I have stated in previous replies on this matter, the decision to close Kinsealy Research Centre is an operational matter for Teagasc. They are responsible for the day to day running of the organisation including decisions relating to the network of offices. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act establishing Teagasc and the Minister does...
- Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: My Department has received about 270 applications for consideration under this year's New Entrants to Dairying Scheme. The applications, which have been examined in my Department for eligibility, are currently being distributed to the members of the Assessment Panel for consideration. The Panel hope to be in a position to recommend a list of suitable applicants by mid August. While the...
- Written Answers — Agriculture Scheme Penalties: Agriculture Scheme Penalties (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: I regret the delay in responding to the Deputy. The data sought by the Deputy is set out below in respect of the 2009 and 2010 Schemes. The data in respect of the 2011 Schemes will be made available when it is finalised later in the year. 2009 Single Payment Scheme - Eligibility/Area-Based Reductions & Penalties County No. of Applicants -Late Penalty Reduction Applied Value - Late...
- Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: There is good support from my colleagues in the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers for the Common Agricultural Policy and recognition of the importance of EU agriculture in the context of Europe's economic and industrial recovery. This importance was acknowledged in the conclusions by the Heads of State and Government at the spring 2010 European Council and continues to be accepted by my...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: The Action Plan on Food Price Volatility and Agriculture adopted by the Ministers of Agriculture of the G20 in June 2011 underlined that to feed a world population expected to exceed 9.3 billion by 2050, agricultural production will have to increase between 50 and 70 percent, and by almost 100 percent in developing countries. The EU is a large food-producing bloc and must play its part in...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (14 Jun 2012)
Simon Coveney: The WTO Doha Development Round talks are stalled at present and the prospects for conclusion of an agreement are uncertain at this point in time. Nevertheless, I will continue to maintain pressure to secure an acceptable outcome from these negotiations that does not undermine the development of the European and Irish agri-food sectors.