Results 6,461-6,480 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Sugar Industry: Sugar Industry (2 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Prior to the introduction of the temporary scheme for the restructuring of the sugar industry in the Community, sugar beet was grown for sugar processing in all but four Member States, namely Cyprus, Estonia, Luxembourg, and Malta. In the first two years of the restructuring scheme, which involves quota renunciation and closure of the associated processing facilities, restructuring...

Written Answers — Food Imports: Food Imports (2 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 377, 378 and 382 together. Conditions for trade in animal products with third countries follow the principles established under agreements of World Trade Organisation and the International Organisation for Animal Health. The European Commission is mandated to negotiate these on behalf of the European Community and, through its Food and Veterinary Office...

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (2 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: My Department and I have been particularly proactive in taking measures designed to minimise the risk of the introduction to Ireland of either Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) or Bluetongue. With regard to the threat of FMD, I introduced an immediate ban on the importation to Ireland from Great Britain of live susceptible animals, fresh meat, raw milk and other products from such animals as soon...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (2 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The 2003 CAP reforms have been very positive for Irish agriculture. They have provided farmers with certainty about income support levels through the Single Farm Payment, while freeing them to increase their income from the market by responding to consumer demands. My main concern, now, is to ensure that there is a period of stability to allow farmers to implement the changes necessitated...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (2 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland is a food trading country. The industry serves 80 million customers throughout Europe and the world. This Government's vision for success is focused on the objective of ensuring that the Irish agri-food sector compares to the best in the EU and in the world in terms of knowledge base, competitiveness, innovation and marketing. My own approach and commitment to the future is based...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (2 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: My Department's offices in Maynooth are temporary and the staff there will be relocating to the Department's facilities in Backweston next year. The move to Backweston is not part of the decentralisation process and vacancies arising there are currently being filled by redeployment of my Department's existing staff.

Grant Payments. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Modulation, the transfer of funds from CAP Pillar One to Pillar Two was introduced by the Agriculture Council as part of an overall radical mid-term review of the CAP in June 2003. The decision of the Council was to introduce modulation at the rate of 3% in 2005, increasing to 4% in 2006 and 5% in 2007 and every year thereafter to 2012. There is speculation that the Commission will bring...

Grant Payments. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I agree with the Deputy on this issue. I have grave reservations in respect of an increase in compulsory modulation and I will hold firm on this. I engaged in bilateral discussions on this with my French counterpart two weeks ago and with the Presidency and a number of other member states to impress upon them Ireland's wish not to proceed in that vein. Many of the new member states would...

Grant Payments. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: He agreed with me.

Grant Payments. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: We had a good and constructive discussion on a number of issues. We will continue to be ad idem on many of these issues. I expressed my concerns arising from President Sarkozy's speech and those concerns were also raised by the Taoiseach. We will continue with what we have provided for up to 2013. I agree we must always look at market responses. For example, I would like to see a 3%...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I met representatives of the pig industry recently and they made me fully aware of the difficulties currently being experienced by those farmers involved in the industry. There is no doubt that the conditions surrounding the availability and pricing of feed materials have changed dramatically over the last six months. A number of factors have contributed to this rise in feed prices. These...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I met representatives of the pig industry and I share their concerns, as do many Members of the House. We must examine many other issues apart from that of feed. Pigmeat is a good value and wholesome product and I am investing further in its promotion. I am on record that we will all have to participate to reassure pig farmers that we have an industry. Something will have to be done about...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I decided to abstain on the vote on feed.

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I am the Minister.

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I have the utmost respect for this House. The decision by Ireland to abstain on the EU Council vote on GM animal feeds is in line with that of France and Italy, which also abstained. These are major buyers of Irish produce. Had Ireland voted in favour, it would not have affected the outcome of the vote. The Government's objective is to seek to negotiate an island-wide GM free zone. It is...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is right that there are grave concerns about the pig industry. It is of significant concern that supermarkets determine the price level at which pigmeat is sold. Anyone who has gone to the butcher or to the shop will have seen how cheap pigmeat is. That is not sustainable. We must ensure that the industry is sustainable and I will do everything I can to support the pig...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The price of feedstuff is a worldwide issue and is based on biofuels, increased population and a very competitive world market. India and China are the largest buyers of food. It is also based on weather conditions and many of the grain growers have lost their crops in desperate weather. It is on that basis that we will move ahead with the issue of setaside in 2008 for the production of...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I advise the Deputy that we worked towards that and the proposal was sent to the Commission by me and two other colleagues.

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Perhaps the Deputy should go to the Commission to inform himself of what has to go to the Commission. The nitrates directive must be implemented in consultation with the Commission. I made that proposal and it was agreed but it was not accepted by the Commission. It was thrown out. Since then, the industry has been working with the Department to explore at a sectoral level how to address...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: There are many farmers from Monaghan involved and I am sure they will be more than helpful.