Results 10,261-10,280 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy is aware, Ireland strongly supported the abolition of the milk quota regime in 2015, on the basis that quotas were widely regarded by all concerned as a brake on the potential of the Irish dairy sector to respond positively to market opportunities. The ending of milk quota regime represented an exceptional opportunity for the dairy industry to increase milk output and reach the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: The pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry's strategy for development over the coming decade. Indeed, this is all the more relevant after the UK's decision to leave the EU, which...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Data (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: Deer farming in Ireland is an alternative enterprise which is dependent on the dynamics of supply and demand which affect all agricultural production systems. In 1996 there were approximately 500 deer farms with 20,000 deer in Ireland, but numbers have declined sharply since that time. Today there are only a small number of farmers in Ireland supplying deer for meat...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Poultry Industry (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: My Department monitors trends in the poultry industry by continuously horizon scanning and proactively working to identify threats.  This approach is supported by robust official controls at multiple levels along the food chain. Growth trends in the poultry sector indicate a continued trajectory of sustained, steady growth, consistent with previous years.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Development (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: My Department carefully monitors developments in the pigmeat sector, both domestically and internationally, and meets with stakeholders regularly to hear their views on developments. The pig sector remains a valuable and integral part of the Irish agricultural economy supporting approximately 7,000 jobs including production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Exports (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: Ireland's sheepmeat and lamb exports are mainly directed to other EU member states and so we enjoy unimpeded access to these markets which accounted for 91% of lamb exports by volume and 93% by value in 2016. The most significant third country market for Irish lamb, is Switzerland which accounted for 1.6% of exports by volume in 2016 and 4.6% by value. Access to the Swiss market is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Data (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: The national beef, dairy and pig herds, together with the national sheep flock make an enormous contribution to Ireland’s agri-food industry which in 2016 amounted to a total of €12.2 billion, an increase of over 56% since 2009. One of the key indicators of the strength of the different sectors in Irish agriculture is the growth in exports over the years. Since 2010, the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Data (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: Primary responsibility under EU law for food safety, hygiene and traceability of food placed on the market lies with food business operators. Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002 sets out the general principles and requirements of EU food law and stipulates that food business operators must, at all stages of production, processing and distribution within their business, ensure food law...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: There is currently a strong demand for meat globally including beef. Figures from the European Commission's most recent Short Term Outlook for meat markets show a projected reduction in output of 1.4% in 2018 following four years of modest increases. In addition EU exports of beef have performed very strongly for the first half of 2017. These are both positive developments for a beef...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: The Central Statistics Office (CSO) monitors and collects data on the price of fertilisers on a monthly basis. In addition, my Department receives data on the type and quantity of fertilisers and lime sold on a quarterly basis from industry and both sources are used to calculate the overall input costs of fertiliser on a national basis. Total  fertiliser costs of €503.2m were...

Seanad: Commencement Matters (Resumed): Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Funding (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: I thank Senator Ó Domhnaill for raising this matter. The areas of natural constraint, ANC, scheme was introduced under the 2014-2020 rural development programme as a replacement for the previous disadvantaged areas and less favoured areas schemes, which had been in place since 1975. Payments under the ANC scheme are an important support for farmers across the country in addressing cash...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Flood Relief Schemes (4 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together. As you may know, I visited the Inishowen Peninsula with my colleague Minster Joe McHugh following the exceptional rainfall of August 22ndlast to see at first-hand some of the very significant problems that a number of farmers faced as a result.  I committed during my visit to supporting these farmers, and my Department in conjunction...

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

Michael Creed: The person named submitted a 2017 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme's application on 10 May 2017. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The application of the person named...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Applications (4 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: A key driver of EU schemes is the sustainable environmental management of farmed land. In the case of commonage, account must be taken of the environmental effects of the actions of all active shareholders. Either a Commonage Management Plan or a Commonage Farm Plan must be prepared for each individual commonage as a baseline requirement for GLAS. While agreement between the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Reports (4 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: In July 2017 the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) requested a copy of a draft report concerning the incident referred to by the Deputy pursuant to Section 47(1)(a) of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act. The Board subsequently withdrew its request following confirmation by my Department that the Report in its entirety remained in draft form. As the request from ALAB was made...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Farming (4 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: At the time of the incident referred to by the Deputy extreme weather conditions continued to be experienced, which delayed both the notification of the incident and its immediate investigation. As the Deputy is aware my Department’s examination of the matter, which is nearing completion, is detailed and involves all Engineering, Scientific, Environmental and Technical matters...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Farming (4 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: My Department has been advised by the Marine Institute that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows:- 2014 - One site in Co. Donegal reported that jellyfish related mortality had occurred between June and September. This mortality was however, multifactorial in nature and it is not possible to quantify the losses which were specifically attributed to jellyfish. - Two other...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Farming (4 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available and will require a detailed examination of my Department’s records. The information requested will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Maintenance (4 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 172 together. Greencastle Harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its development and ongoing maintenance rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government thereafter. My Department does however provide limited...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Development (4 Oct 2017)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 173 together. Greencastle Harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government thereafter. My Department owns, operates and maintains six...