Results 7,201-7,220 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Milk Quota (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: As part of the Food Harvest 2020 report I established a dairy activation group, chaired by Dr. Seán Brady. I have given the group until the end of November to report to me on several issues.

Milk Quota (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Yes, it is completed. The group is comprised of representatives of Teagasc and some processors and farmers, especially young farmers, from various parts of the country. I have not seen the report yet but one issue is to ensure we maximise the plant and machinery in place for processing. There must be co-operation among the plants. I have met the various processors, the farm organisations...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: One of the commitments in the Renewed Programme for Government is that the Government would work with the Irish forestry sector, including Coillte, to develop a scheme relating to the carbon sequestration ability of forests and future forestry investment in Ireland. The Programme proposed that a scheme be developed through which some of the monies currently set aside to purchase carbon...

Written Answers — Food Harvest 2020: Food Harvest 2020 (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: My priority for 2011 is to maximise the cohesive implementation of Food Harvest 2020. This will be achieved through a number of strands. I have already established and am chairing the High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC). Their priority for 2011 is to ensure an effective, integrated approach to implementation. I have already asked the Department and the state agencies to take action in...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The issue of the need for balance in the food supply chain is being addressed in a number of arenas. At national level the Renewed Programme for Government contains a commitment to "implement a Code of Practice for doing business in the Grocery Goods sector to develop a fair trading relationship between retailers and their suppliers" and "to review progress of the Code and if necessary to...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Farm Assist is directly a matter for the Minister for Social Protection. I have regular contact with my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, on a range of issues of mutual concern, including Farm Assist. In addition, my Department keeps in regular contact with the Department of Social Protection and Family Affairs regarding developments of relevance to both Departments at both...

Written Answers — Beef Industry: Beef Industry (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Suckler Welfare Scheme was introduced in 2008 and fully funded by the Irish Exchequer. The primary aim of the Scheme is to improve the quality of the national beef herd. A two-pronged approach is being taken to achieve these aims – firstly through improving the welfare of the animals and secondly through the development of an extensive database which will identify the best beef breeding...

Written Answers — Compensation Payments: Compensation Payments (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: As a result of a review carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, additional destocking measures were introduced in the Twelve Bens and the Nephin range. Farmers who comply with these additional measures and who are participants in an agri-environment scheme i.e. the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme or the Rural...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The price paid for agricultural commodities, including meat products, is a matter for the industry, and is a function of the supply and demand dynamics in the market place. In common with other meats, returns to pig producers have fallen as a result of the economic recession. During the early part of 2010 prices continued to fall following the significant decline witnessed in 2009. Prices...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: All EU member States are obliged to draw up and implement a National Action Programme under the Nitrates Directive in order to ensure that water quality is not adversely affected by agricultural activity. The principal features of Ireland's second National Action Programme (NAP) are similar to those in the first Action Programme and include provisions in relation to farm stocking rates,...

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: In 2010, 1,535 REPS 4 applicants were selected for inspection, while 1,483 REPS 3 applicants were selected for inspection. These inspections have been taking place since June at the rate of over 400 per month in order to ensure that all inspections are carried out before the year end. Inspections are required to take place throughout the year as some measures, such as requirements associated...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme opened for applications on 1 November 2010. Under the terms of the Scheme, an application for grant-aid for the construction and erection of sheep fencing in certain areas, including a Natura 2000 habitat, must be accompanied by planning permission. The advice which I have received on this matter is that, under the Planning and Development...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The current review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) was initiated by the European Commission when it issued a Green Paper in April 2009 and sought responses to the proposals it contained. The CFP, which was first put in place in 1983, has been subject to reviews every 10 years. The most recent review was in 2002. Minister Killeen, who had responsibility for the Fisheries portfolio when...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Further participation in the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme will have to be determined within the limits of the level of funding which will be available to my Department. The Government's 4 year Plan which was published last week sets out the expenditure ceilings for my Department for the period 2011 to 2014. The Plan does not specify the programmes or schemes to which the funding will...

Written Answers — Food Harvest 2020: Food Harvest 2020 (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 37, 48, 65 and 81 together. The Government's strategic policy document, Food Harvest 2020, outlines the vision for the expansion of the agri-food and fishing sector, the actions to be taken, and the targets to be achieved. Following its publication in July this year, my primary focus has been directed at ensuring a coherent and integrated approach to...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The agriculture and food production sector is Ireland's largest indigenous manufacturing industry and it has a vital part to play in our economic recovery, particularly in the context of our exports. The role of agriculture in Europe's economic recovery has also been recognised in the contribution it makes to all three priorities of the EU 2020 strategy of smart, green and inclusive growth. I...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: In mid-October I announced the ninth Milk Quota Trading Scheme, which is the first of two Trading Schemes to allocate quota in respect of the 2011/2012 milk quota year. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday 5 November 2010 The structure of the Scheme is largely unchanged from previous years. It is again being run in respect of each Co-op area, and is comprised of a priority...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 59 and 74 together. At the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday, Ministers had their first opportunity to exchange views on the recently published Commission Communication on the Future of the CAP after 2013. I welcome the three main objectives identified in the Commission Communication – viable food production,...

Written Answers — Veterinary Services: Veterinary Services (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department does not have any statutory function in relation to the pricing of veterinary medicines. However, my Department does have statutory responsibility for the regulation of veterinary medicines from the point of view of public health and animal health and welfare. In exercising these functions, my Department is conscious of the need to minimise costs for farmers and pet animal...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (F.S.A.I.). This is done this is done through service contracts with other relevant agencies including the Health Service Executive, the Local Authority Veterinary Service and my...