Results 7,241-7,260 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Applications under the Farm Improvement Scheme have been processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016. As the funding made available for the Scheme has been exhausted, I have no plans to re-commence processing of those applications for which no funding has been provided.

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

Brendan Smith: The Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds, more commonly referred to as the Suckler Welfare Scheme, was introduced in 2008. This Scheme is 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...

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

Brendan Smith: My Department in co-operation with Customs service monitors and operates animal and public health controls at EU approved Border Inspection Posts (BIP) on all direct imports into Ireland of products of animal origin coming from non-EU (or third) countries. Controls are also carried out on postal parcels and passenger baggage coming from third countries. EU rules stipulate that food products...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: There are 513 aquaculture licence applications awaiting determination – this consists of 265 applications for first time licences and 248 renewal applications. The backlog in the processing of new and renewal licence applications largely arises because the majority of areas for which the licences are sought are designated Special Areas of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and/or...

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 — 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 — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 72 together. In February 2010 approval was granted to launch the Bioenergy Scheme 2010-2012, to follow on from the pilot Bioenergy Scheme which ran from 2007-2009, encouraging farmers to grow the energy crops willow and miscanthus. From 2007 – 2010 the Bioenergy Schemes have supported the planting of up to 3,000 hectares of bioenergy crops. The...

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

Brendan Smith: The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. This process is under way and my objective is to make all payments for 2010 as...

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

Brendan Smith: The total amount of funding available from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) for the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) and Natura 2000 Scheme is €132,913,000. The EAFRD co-funding rate is 75% with the balancing 25% to be provided by the Exchequer. This Exchequer co-funded element will amount to €44,304,333. This brings the total co-funded amount to...

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Food Harvest 2020 report makes a number of specific recommendations in relation to the organic and horticulture sectors. In addition, there are a large number of recommendations of a general nature which would also impact on the development of the sectors. It is my view that when these recommendations are implemented we should have an expansion of the sectors with improved sustainability...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 82 together. The Food Harvest 2020 report makes a number of recommendations to realise the 50% increase in milk production, in areas such as milk processing, farm competitiveness, technology transfer, and R&D and marketing. The Dairy Expansion Activation Group (DEAG), the composition of which I announced last month, will play a key role in the...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy will be aware that the Food Harvest 2020 report makes a number of recommendations to realise a 50% increase in milk production, in areas such as milk processing, farm competitiveness, technology transfer, and R&D and marketing. The Dairy Expansion Activation Group (DEAG), the composition of which I announced last month, will play a key role in the implementation of these...

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

Brendan Smith: Food Harvest 2020 identified the importance of marketing Irish food and drink products and of creating very strong links for those who buy our products between food, high environmental standards and sustainable production. The idea of going further and creating an umbrella brand for Irish food and drink has potential. Creating a brand would involve detailed assessment and planning,...

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

Brendan Smith: The arrangements for payment of the remaining grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis were confirmed in early 2009 with 40 per cent being paid in that year as claims were approved. A further instalment of 40 per cent was paid early in 2010 and the final instalment of 20 per cent will be paid in early 2011. At that stage, total expenditure under the Scheme, since its...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Financial approval for the autumn planting season has been given for up to 1,500 hectares at an estimated cost of €5.6 million for the afforestation grant and first premium.

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: 149 applications under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme have been received in my Department since the suspension of the Scheme on 14 October 2008. An allocation of €4.5 million has been provided in this year's Estimates to meet the financial commitment involved in processing applications under the Scheme and the preceding installation aid schemes. I have no plans at present to...

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

Brendan Smith: The quality payment system (QPS) was introduced in December 2009 following intensive negotiations between Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the farmers' representatives (IFA) with the objective of rewarding farmers for producing superior carcases and enhancing the marketability of Irish beef. I had no involvement in those stakeholder discussions nor was I consulted on the elaboration of the...

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

Brendan Smith: It is anticipated that the Horticulture Action Group will report to the High Level Group by the end of January 2011. The role of the Group will be to oversee the implementation of the specific findings relating to the Horticulture section of the Food Harvest 2020 Report. As the Food Harvest 2020 Report itself recognises, it is also vital that the future potential of the Horticulture sector is...

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

Brendan Smith: The Food Harvest 2020 report provides a road map for the long-term development of the Irish agri-food and fishery sectors, including the beef sector, and contains a series of recommendations to realise the vision set out in that document. I am chairing a group to direct the implementation of the Food Harvest report and am considering how the recommendations in relation to each sector,...

Written Answers — Departmental Charges: Departmental Charges (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department does not levy any charges against processors in respect of scrapie testing and any charges that may be levied by processors for such testing is a commercial matter between the processor and the farmer for which I do not have any responsibility.