Results 9,061-9,080 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Other Questions: Pesticide Use (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: A delegated Act has been recently adopted by the EU Commission which proposes 14 changes pertaining to the basic payment and greening schemes. This Act is currently with the European Parliament for review. This legislative process was commenced to try to reduce the complexity of regulations for farmers and to make schemes less bureaucratic and more streamlined to administer. As part of...

Other Questions: Pesticide Use (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: We are trying to avoid having different rules apply to the same crop. The Deputy should bear this in mind given what he said about sustainability. We are a net importer of protein crops and beans are one of the areas in which we can cultivate a protein crop as an import substitute. Bear in mind that we import very substantial amounts because we are a net importer, particularly for the...

Other Questions: Pesticide Use (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: We share that objective, but we must do so in a practical way that works. We must have an industry that is commercially viable. Bearing in mind that we have a small indigenous population, if we are to sustain the industry economically, it is export-oriented-----

Other Questions: Pesticide Use (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: No. We are not. I have dealt with that issue. It is illogical to go about the objective they seek to pursue here in the manner they are pursuing it. What it would mean is that our protein crops would be made so unmanageable that we would effectively have to get out of that area. We would be then more dependent on imported proteins with a far higher carbon footprint.

Other Questions: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: Free trade agreements are very important to Ireland, given our status as a small, open exporting economy. The negotiation of access to new markets historically has been a big driver of economic development, particularly in the food sector. I believe that this will continue to be the case in the future, and will be crucial to the achievement of the objectives outlined in Food Wise 2025. ...

Other Questions: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: As an exporting nation that needs to get to market more than 90% of everything we produce, whether dairy, beef or seafood, trade agreements are beneficial to us, though not at any cost. Balanced and negotiated trade agreements have benefitted us enormously. The market access we have got as part of EU membership has been enormously beneficial to us. Therefore, I am in favour of trade...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TAMS Eligibility (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: At the outset I would like to clarify for the Deputy that the general TAMS requirement is that the applicant must be farming at least 5 hectares, that is, they must have at least 5 hectares on their BPS application. This can be grass land or tillage, not a minimum of 5 hectares of tillage as suggested by the Deputy. When the TAMS tillage measure was introduced, it required a minimum of 15...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: Funding of almost €1 million has been allocated to agro-forestry under the six year Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020. So far approval has issued for some 26 hectares and 0.6 hectares has been planted. The scheme itself promotes mainly silvopastoral agro-forestry. Acceptable broadleaf species include oak, sycamore and cherry. Other species, including conifers, are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: I hosted a Tillage Stakeholders Forum on the 16 February, following on from the first one in October 2016, which on both occasions consisted of representatives from all sides of this Sector. Addressing the most recent Forum, I took the opportunity to highlight that one of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy will be aware, dairy markets experienced significant difficulties for a period spanning almost two years, due to a combination of increased global supply, the effects of the Russian ban on the import of EU agri-food products and reduced global demand, notably for dairy products in China. The Commission, both prompted and supported by Ireland, among other...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: The impact of Brexit on the agri-food sector is potentially very severe in the long-term, but also very significant in the short-term as the sector deals with the real and very immediate difficulties created by the significant fall in the value of Sterling against the Euro. I have attempted to address these short-term challenges primarily through the measures announced in Budget...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: Both GLAS and AEOS provide valuable support to farmers to deliver environmental benefits and public goods which will enhance Ireland's sustainability credentials into the future. They provide support to Irish farmers aimed at enhancing biodiversity, water quality and the mitigation of the future impacts of climate change while allowing Irish farmers to improve their agricultural practices. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishery Harbour Centres (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: In regard to Marine Infrastructure, my legislative remit extends to the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl.  In addition I have responsibility for North Harbour at Cape Clear Island and for maintaining a small number of piers, lights and beacons around the coast in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: There is no doubt that many geopolitical events are having an impact on the outlook for Irish, European and world agriculture, with, of course, knock-on implications for family farm viability. Examples include Brexit, the Russian ban on food imports from the European Union, and the future of international trade agreements, particularly in light of recent political developments in the United...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: I have been made aware of reports of exports of greyhounds to Pakistan. Information received to date from my Department's local offices indicates that no greyhounds were exported direct from Ireland to Pakistan during 2016 or to date in 2017. Commercial movements of dogs within the EU are recorded on the European Commission’s TRACES system.  Therefore my Department has...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Eligibility (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: Under the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme.  The ANC scheme replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme / Less Favoured Areas Scheme.  The designation of eligible areas under these schemes to date has been based on a range of socio-economic factors.  Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: As the House knows, the Taoiseach has initiated, and led, a very effective and efficient 'whole of Government' response to Brexit. Through his chairing of Brexit Cabinet Committee meetings, he is acutely aware of the potentially very negative impact that Brexit would have on the agri-food sector in Ireland and the highly integrated nature of the sector both north and south of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Bodies (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI. I understand HRI Racecourses Ltd. is a subsidiary company of Horse Racing Ireland. HRI has informed me that the role involved was subject to the usual open advertisement and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: At this stage it is impossible to say with certainty what effect Brexit will have on the Irish fishing industry. We do not know yet what changes the UK may seek to the current arrangements. In theory, the UK could indeed seek to gain larger quota shares at the expense of others. However, that could only happen if the UK were content to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (4 May 2017)

Michael Creed: Fish stocks are a shared resource managed under the Common Fisheries Policy of the EU.  Nearly all of Ireland’s main commercial stocks are shared to some degree with the UK.  In addition, many of our traditional fishing grounds lie within UK waters.  Any change to the existing situation could have severe consequences for our fleets. Earlier this year, I hosted a...