Results 941-960 of 18,442 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Ireland has been and remains bluetongue-free and the presence of the disease in a number of other member States has not had any significant impact on Irish agriculture to date. It continues to be my objective to ensure that Ireland remains disease free and that we make every effort and take all such reasonable precautions to that end. With regard to vaccination, it is envisaged that we would...

Written Answers — Plant Protection Products: Plant Protection Products (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Commission has proposed a Thematic Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. The Strategy includes a number of initiatives designed to reduce the negative impacts associated with use of chemical pesticides. Firstly, the Commission has proposed a framework Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides, the aim of which is to reduce the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The review of the operation of sanctions under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006 currently being conducted by officials of my Department is ongoing and every effort will be made to have it completed by the early autumn. I look forward to the outcome of this review, and will consider its conclusions carefully. It is important to note that administrative fines for...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Steering a New Course — strategy for a restructured, sustainable and profitable Irish seafood industry 2007-13, was approved by the Irish Government on 10 January 2007 and launched by the Taoiseach on 28 January as the blueprint for developing the fishing sector into the future. The plan envisages an Irish Seafood Industry that is sustainable, profitable, competitive and market-focused,...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Commission submitted their observations on Ireland's Operational Programme (O.P) for Fisheries via a "Negotiation Position" document received on the 22nd of April 2008. This is a normal part of the consultative process for approval of O.P's. The issues raised by the Commission were mainly procedural and/or editorial in nature. Disappointment was expressed at the exclusion of measures...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The position regarding milk deliveries for the 2007/2008 milk quota year is currently being finalised, and the expectation is that the country will be over quota. In accordance with EU law, a levy will therefore be payable by over-quota producers attached to milk purchasers in whose areas quota was exceeded. Although any levies arising in respect of the 2007/2008 milk quota year will...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department is actively working with relevant stakeholders to progress a herd health initiative to deal with non-regulated diseases in a comprehensive and integrated manner. The initiative complements existing animal health programmes and aims to develop effective national plans for action and facilitate Ireland achieving international best practice in the area of animal health. Officials...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency....

Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: â'¬79 million was provided under the 2006 partnership agreement, Towards 2016, for the operation of the Farm Improvement Scheme. 12,675 applications were received by my Department under the Scheme prior to its suspension for new applications on 31 October 2007. To date, 6,017 approvals have issued to farmers to commence work under the Farm improvement Scheme. The remaining applications are...

Written Answers — Support for Young Farmers: Support for Young Farmers (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 149 together. A number of schemes and reliefs have been introduced in recent years to bring about improvements in farm structures and the age profile of the sector. In 2005, 8% of farmers were under the age of 35 and they farmed a similar proportion of farmland. The Irish age structure is in line with the EU average. To maintain this structure, there...

Written Answers — National Statistics: National Statistics (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The most recent figures available from the Central Statistics Office are for the year 2005 and these show that there were 73,500 farmers whose sole occupation was farming or 56% of the total. The number of farmers with another either major or subsidiary occupation was 58,900 or 44% of the total and they would be considered to be part-time. The trend in recent years has been towards part-time...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The draft Operational Programme (O.P) for Fisheries for Ireland, submitted to the Commission envisages the use of EU funds under the European Fisheries Fund to support decommissioning of fishing vessels, aquaculture development and environmental/inshore fisheries support, specifically a small number of Co-Financed measures under the pillars of axis 1, 2 and 3. As part of the normal...

Written Answers — Cereal Sector: Cereal Sector (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The EU Council of Ministers has set the obligatory set aside rate at zero for sowings for the 2008 harvest and this is expected to lead to a significant increase in EU grain production this year. Production of cereals in Ireland has averaged about 2 million tonnes in recent years, with fluctuations in production being mainly attributable to weather conditions. The increased cereals prices...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: â'¬79 million was provided under the 2006 partnership agreement, Towards 2016, for the operation of the Farm Improvement Scheme. 12,675 applications were received by my Department under the Scheme prior to its suspension for new applications on 31 October 2007. These applications are currently being processed up to the level of funding available. To date, 6,017 approvals have issued to...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 157 together. The number of hectares planted with crops for bioenergy purposes for each of the last six years is as follows: Year Hectares 2002 Not available 2003 137 2004 732 2005 2,590 2006 4,456 2007 9,057 My Department does not have figures relating to the amount of energy produced as a result of this crop production. The Department of...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Coillte Teoranta has looked at the feasibility of locating aerial trail adventure systems in a small number of appropriate locations across the country, which is part of its strategy to improve the recreational facilities it provides and to promote the value of its forest estate as a recreational resource. In this context, Coillte has received proposals from commercial operators on the...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: At yesterday's Agriculture Council we had a general debate on the agricultural market situation and the evolution of agricultural and food prices. In the course of the debate, I made the point that Europe has to consider the role of its own agri-food sector, so that it can play its part in ensuring a high standard of quality food for future generations. I said it was more important than...

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The position is that the cross-compliance regime has been in place since the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme in 2005. Cross-compliance involves two key elements: A requirement for farmers to comply with 18 statutory management requirements (SMRs) set down in EU legislation on the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and A requirement to maintain the...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Common Agriculture Policy provides the EU with various market measures with which it manages the dairy market. During 2007 dairy prices increased dramatically as a consequence of high demand and tightness of supply on EU and World Markets. This shortage of supply caused the Commission to zero rate export refunds for milk products. Prices have fallen back from their high point of last...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (20 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The draft Operational Programme (O.P) for Fisheries for Ireland, submitted to the Commission envisages the use of EU funds under the European Fisheries Fund to support decommissioning of fishing vessels, aquaculture development and environmental/ inshore fisheries support, specifically a small number of Co-Financed measures under the pillars of axis 1, 2 and 3. There was no provision in the...