Results 6,081-6,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Farming Cost Increases: Farming Cost Increases (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am of course in regular contact, both directly and through correspondence, with farming representative bodies, as are my officials, and I am aware of the challenges faced by farmers, including increased cost of inputs such as fuel, feed and fertiliser as well as access to credit. Fuel and energy costs are a major part of overall costs for farmers. One of the long-standing measures in...

Written Answers — Food Exports: Food Exports (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's food and beverage exports are outlined in the table below. As you can see, both 2010 and 2011 were very good years for Irish agriculture. However, 2009 was a particularly bad year and I am conscious that in a global marketplace there are many challenges can cause difficulties for Irish farmers. In 2010 a detailed analysis of the agriculture sector led to the production of Food...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The decision to abolish milk quotas with effect from 1st April 2015 was made in the context of the CAP Health Check in 2008. Ireland strongly supported their abolition, on the basis that quotas were widely regarded by both the Irish dairy sector and market analysts as a brake on the potential of the Irish dairy sector to respond positively to market opportunities. The ending of milk quota...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Food production and traceability in the countries of the European Union operate in accordance with harmonised rules and member states controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. Imported product of animal origin from a country outside of the EU is subject to controls operated by the FVO. Such product must come from a country recognised...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Food production and labelling in the countries of the European Union operates in accordance with harmonised rules and member states, including Ireland, are required to implement controls to ensure compliance by Food Business Operators. These controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. Beef labelling in particular is subject to...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare Issues: Animal Welfare Issues (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agrifood sector, with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. The industry faces a number of challenges in the short and medium term and my Department will continue to assist the sector to resolve these issues. New EU Animal Welfare rules set down new standards in relation to the housing of...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The levels of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and quotas for each fish stock each year are determined at the December Council of Fisheries Ministers. The Council makes decisions based on scientific advice from ICES (the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas), and also on the views of the STECF (the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries), which gives the...

Written Answers — Beef Sector: Beef Sector (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Cattle prices are determined by supply and demand dynamics in the marketplace. The deadweight price for the benchmark (R3) steer category at start of June was €4.01/kg (excl. VAT) compared to €3.52/kg for the same period in 2011. The average steer price so far this year is 18.5% higher than last year. This trend reflects low supply availability as evidenced by reduced cattle throughput at...

Written Answers — Pigmeat and Sheep Sectors: Pigmeat and Sheep Sectors (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The market performance of the sheep and pork sectors, in common with other agricultural sectors, is a function of supply and demand. The long-term future of the sectors will depend on their ability to satisfy the market and in order to do this well, they must focus on competitiveness, innovation and the demands of the consumer. Sheep sector Food Harvest 2020 sets a target of 20% increase in...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (19 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named has been informed in writing that he was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (19 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is not proposed to limit the height of trees in legislation. All afforestation projects must obtain the prior approval of this Department. Before any afforestation project is granted approval, the Department undertakes an assessment of the project, examining both the suitability of the site to grow trees and any environmental issues. If a proposed afforestation project is located on...

Written Answers — Farm Household Incomes: Farm Household Incomes (19 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Statistics on farm income are published annually in the Teagasc National Farm Survey but these are not available on a county basis and the full 2011 survey is not yet released. However, the most recent national figures from the survey are as follows: Average Family Farm Income € 2009 2010 2011 Full-time farms 24,214 41,624 56,413 Part-Time farms 6,611 7,554 10,666 All Farms 12,190...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (19 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: As indicated in my previous reply to the Deputy the application referred to is in respect of a site located within Drumcliff Bay which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000 site). All applications in 'Natura' areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats...

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (19 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: There has been a significant improvement in the Bovine TB situation over the past decade and eradication now appears to be a genuinely practicable proposition over the coming years. The number of reactors has declined from 40,000 to 18,500 during the period 2000 to 2011. This is the lowest recorded since the commencement of the eradication programme in the 1950's and improves on the record...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (19 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: By virtue of the Scheme being part of our 2007/2013 Rural Development Programme, it was necessary that the proposed changes to the Terms and Conditions of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme be formally submitted to the EU Commission for their approval. This process initially involves informal contact at official level, following which a formal written submission is made. On receipt of the...

Written Answers — Ports Sector: Ports Sector (19 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: At present there are twenty eight leased premises in Howth Fishery Harbour Centre. While the details of individual lease holders are confidential I can confirm that the terms of the various leases range from 21 years to 100 years with twenty leases having a standard 35 year term. In 2001 four sites in Claremont Industrial Estate as well a premises on the East Pier were advertised for...

Written Answers — Ports Sector: Ports Sector (19 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: A licence was issued to Howth Fish Sales Ltd. in 1994 to operate the Auction Hall at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre following an application invited by newspaper advertisement. The most recent valid licence expired in 2004 and there is currently no formal licence or lease agreement in place on the Howth Auction Hall.

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (19 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Howth is one of 6 Fishery Harbour Centres operated by the State each of whose primary purpose is to provide facilities and services for the fishing industry and fisheries-related activities. There has been significant capital investment in the Fishery Harbour Centres and the State is fully committed to maximising the return on its investment, both in terms of providing enhanced facilities...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (19 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Under the Fishery Harbour Centres Act of 1968, charges for the use of services and facilities at all of the State's six Fishery Harbour Centres, including Howth, are set out by way of a Rates and Charges Order. The Rates and Charges Order currently in place dates from 2003. In the context of the ongoing development work at the Fishery Harbour Centres, and taking account of their expanding...

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (19 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The evidence showing interference with the TB test has been provided to the herdowner in question in the context of a court hearing in February 2011 and, more recently, through the release of documentation under the FOI. It should also be noted that Article 7 of the Bovine Tuberculosis (Attestation of the State and General Provisions ) Order, 1989 clearly lays the responsibility on the...