Results 10,141-10,160 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: National Cattle Herd Data (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Data on the national cattle herd is published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and is sourced from my Department’s Animal Identification and Movement system which electronically records data on animal movements on a central database in accordance with EU traceability requirements. The CSO figures categorise cows according to whether they are kept for beef or dairy production. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Framework Plans (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Commonage lands form an important part of the farming enterprises of many farmers, particularly along the West Coast. They also form an important part of the local environment from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, amenities and economic returns e.g. tourism. However, there is a substantial risk of land abandonment as under-grazing becomes more of a problem. Under-grazing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Application Numbers (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Despite the challenging budgetary constraints facing my Department, last year I allocated €20 million annually to fund a new agri-environment scheme and on foot of this I announced the re-opening of the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 111). I decided on a maximum payment of €4,000 per annum for individual applicants and based on the average payment under the scheme in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Equine Related Issues (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department is making available substantial resources to deal with equine related issues. In particular, funding is provided to Local Authorities under the Control of Horses Act, 1996, to enable these bodies to implement their extensive powers relating to the control and welfare of stray or abandoned horses. In keeping with advice on humane disposal of horses from the Farm Animal Welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences Application Numbers (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not been involved in the development of applications for aquaculture licences for finfish farms. At present, my Department is processing one application for a “deep sea” salmon farm that was submitted by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). BIM has submitted an application for an Aquaculture and a Foreshore Licence for the cultivation of Finfish near Inis Oirr in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the EU Solidarity Fund, this Fund is, in the main, confined to major disasters which have lasting repercussions on economic stability, living conditions and the natural environment. A natural disaster is considered as 'major' if it results in damage on the State's territory estimated either at over €3 billion (2002 prices), or at more than 0.6 % of its gross national...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Under the EU Regulations governing all area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any AEOS payment can issue. Successive EU audits have made it absolutely clear that compliance with the Regulations must be strictly adhered to and that all administrative...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Reports (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: An in-depth review of national forest policy is currently being finalised. This review, arising from a Government commitment that such be undertaken, commenced in 2010 and was undertaken by a group consisting of representatives of the forestry sector. The review of forestry policy is currently in the process of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), which includes consultation with...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Due to the applicant's plantation not being up to the required standard, a remedial works letter issued to him in March 2013. Once the works outlined have been completed and the plantation is up to the Forest Service standard, the applicant (or his forester on his behalf) should notify the Forest Service to arrange an inspection. No further payments can issue for this plantation until the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The person named was selected...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €689.94 in respect of 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and full payments issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: I have put in place a €1 million scheme to support the transport cost associated with the importation of hay, haylage and maize silage from the UK and other countries. The importation of forage under the scheme is being managed at my request by the Dairy co-operatives. The scheme has been very successful to date with over 900 loads of hay, haylage and maize silage received and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Mindful of ongoing difficulties, I have decided that a formal request should again be made to the EU Commission seeking agreement to pay an advance from 16 October of the 2013 Single Farm Payment which, being the first day of the new EU financial year is the earliest potential payment date and almost two months ahead of the standard timeline. It will be recalled that my successful approach to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department has no record of receiving a 2011 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area application from the person named. All Single Payment Scheme applications sent out by my Department in 2011 contained a pre-addressed return envelope with a Swiftpost label attached for which the herd owner receives a receipt from the Post Office upon posting. If the person named can provide this proof of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: The fodder issue is something that my Department has been monitoring and dealing with for months at this stage. To help alleviate the difficulties being encountered by farmers, I established the €1 million Transport Fodder Scheme. Since the scheme was announced over 900 loads of fodder have been received or ordered. I am satisfied that this volume of imports is making a real...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department is monitoring animal mortality on an ongoing basis. There has been an increase of over 20% this Spring when compared to the same period in 2012. While access to fodder is an immediate priority, grass growth in the months ahead will be the key to ensuring that this problem is overcome. In this regards I have asked Teagasc's advisory service to prioritise advice to farmers in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: As the situation stands Teagasc is dispensing substantial amounts of technical/nutritional information in terms of fodder needs on farms arising from the difficult weather situation prevailing from summer 2012. Teagasc advisors are working with farmers on the ground to provide advice as to how to stretch existing fodder supplies and are available to support farmers in need of assistance. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Issues (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the difficulties which have been faced by a small number of pig producers in obtaining planning permission for the investment works which are required to be carried out on their farms in order to meet the new EU animal welfare standards which came into effect for the sector on 1 January 2013. In order to assist such farmers, I extended the closing-date for receipt of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Issues (8 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: I assume the Deputy refers to the terms of both the TAMS Sow Welfare and Poultry Welfare Schemes. Under the terms of both Schemes, each grant application must be accompanied by either full planning permission or a declaration of exemption issued by the relevant local authority. Where a small variation occurs between the approved dimensions and the completed structure, the applicant is...