Results 721-740 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 55 together. Beef imports into the European Union from third countries must have been sourced, first in countries and second in premises, that are currently listed and approved by the European Commission and which are subject to veterinary audits by the EU's Food and Veterinary Office. In addition, such imports are subject to checks laid down in the...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1965 it is unlawful to castrate a male bovine over six months of age without the use of an anaesthetic. It is the responsibility of the owners of farm animals to ensure that animals on their farms do not endure unnecessary pain or suffering. On an ongoing basis, my Department seeks to ensure that optimum animal welfare standards apply on farms.

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: European Council Regulation 1782/2003 governing the single payment scheme provides that each member state must set up a national reserve using between 1% and 3% of every individual farmer's entitlements. A single payment advisory group comprising representatives from the farming organisations, Teagasc and officials from my Department has been set up to advise on the national reserve. A 3%...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Government's position on GMOs was adopted arising from the report of the interdepartmental group on modern biotechnology, published in October 2000, which recommended a positive but precautionary approach towards GMOs and biotechnology in general. I acknowledge the potential benefits from the use of modern biotechnology. However, it is critically important that the approval of GMOs is...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Veterinary Practice Bill 2004 was presented to Seanad Éireann on 22 October 2004. The Second Stage debate took place on 4 November 2004 and I wish to progress the remaining stages so that the Bill can be considered by Dáil Éireann and a new regime for governance of the practice in Ireland of veterinary medicine can come into effect as soon as possible. I also hope that the Land Bill...

Written Answers — Mental Health Issues: Mental Health Issues (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the pamphlet referred to by the Deputy, which has been produced by the IFA in association with VHI Healthcare. The pamphlet is a most useful initiative to assist farmers and I welcome it.

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority in respect of the risks from a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy perspective arising from the spreading of organic fertilizer derived from category 2 and category 3 animal by-products on land. The European Union provisions relating to the disposal of all animal by-products are laid down in Council Regulation 1774/2002. In...

Written Answers — Meat Industry: Meat Industry (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: According to CSO statistics, some 13,000 tonnes of beef, 60% of which originated within the EU, were imported into Ireland in 2003. It should be noted that imports might include the re-import of Irish product originally exported from this country. Imports from other member states may include imports of meat product already in free circulation in the EU but which originated in third countries...

Written Answers — Sugar Quota: Sugar Quota (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Under the current EU sugar regime, which runs until 30 June 2006, there is no provision for the buying and selling of sugar quotas and, therefore, the question of quota ownership does not arise. The current EU regulations stipulate that the national sugar quota must be allocated to the sugar manufacturing enterprises in the member state. Accordingly, the entire Irish sugar quota has been...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 49 and 76 together. Consumers should be in a position to make food consumption choices which best suit their circumstances and preferences. An appropriate labelling system is a key element in bringing this about. There have been a number of positive developments in the area of food labelling, most of which emanated from the report of the food labelling...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 9 December 2004 in which I dealt in detail with the various issues raised in this question. In my response I referred to the concerns expressed by the Carra-Mask-Corrib water protection group and to a meeting held on 24 November 2004 with various Ministers, including me, to discuss the situation regarding the western lakes. Since then, a further meeting was...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has been aware, from an early stage in the negotiations on the single farm payment scheme, that it had potential implications for farmers who had joined one or other of the early retirement schemes. Those issues were repeatedly raised by Ireland in the course of the negotiations and we secured agreement on certain measures to address them. In general, the new single payment...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Government decentralisation programme allowed for the decentralisation of my Department's headquarters to Portlaoise, the laboratories at Model Farm Road, Cork, and two laboratories in Limerick to Macroom and the Cork city and Mallow local offices to Fermoy. In November 2004, the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, presented its report to the Minister for Finance on the selection...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and I met on 20 December 2004, at my request, to discuss issues of particular interest to Ireland, including the up-to-date position in the WTO negotiations. The WTO negotiations were also discussed at the Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting on 21 December 2004 which I attended. I intend to keep in close contact with the situation as...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The modulated funds become available for use in 2006. I will decide on their use and seek the necessary EU approval in the coming months. My Department is currently finalising its examination of the relevant options. As part of that examination, there has been a widespread public consultation and discussions with stakeholders. The use of modulated funds in 2006 is limited to certain measures....

Written Answers — Farm Incomes: Farm Incomes (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: In December 2004 the CSO reported a 1.3% increase in aggregate farm income with the livestock sectors having a reasonably positive year and steady milk output and prices. These improvements are based on continuing positive trading conditions on EU markets for beef with consumption exceeding production, good demand for sheepmeat and steady demand on international markets for dairy commodities....

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: In 2004, 126 cases of BSE were confirmed compared with 182 in 2003 and 333 in 2002. This represents a reduction of 31% and 62% respectively. Of the 2004 cases, the vast majority have occurred in animals born prior to the introduction of the additional controls. The shift in age profile in BSE cases as well as a reduction in case numbers indicates that the additional controls introduced in...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the consignment of maize gluten to which the Deputy refers. This consignment was imported from the USA last November and was found on analysis to contain traces of bone spicules. I am satisfied that the controls operated by my Department are adequate to ensure that any contamination is detected at the earliest possible stage in the feed chain. My Department takes samples from...

Written Answers — Departmental Budget: Departmental Budget (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The following are the gross and net allocations for my Department during the past ten years: Gross € million Net € million 2005 1,427 973 2004 1,405 926 2003 1,246 836 2002 1,348 888 2001 1,513 1,090 2000 1,146 781 1999 1,032 635 1998 997 527 1997 973 522 1996 914 539 I am satisfied that the level of Exchequer funds voted...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Last week I led a delegation of food and drink industry representatives to China as part of a wider trade mission led by the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, from 17 to 22 January 2005. I accompanied the Taoiseach at formal state functions, including a meeting with the Chinese Premier, Mr. Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao. I also held talks with the Chinese Vice-Minister of Agriculture and...