Results 11,201-11,220 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: There were a range of measures put in place in recognition of the difficulties experienced by a great number of farmers across the country resulting from the unseasonable weather in 2012 and earlier this year which led to an extraordinary fodder shortage.An InterAgency Fodder Committee was established in early summer under the Chairmanship of Dr Tom Kelly, Teagasc. The Committee includes...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to say that the revised CAP 2014 - 2020 gives priority to agri-environment schemes and requires that the new Rural Development Plan must include an agri-environment scheme. I fully support this position. These schemes recognise the vital role that farmers play in delivering public goods through the adoption of environmentally friendly farming practices. In relation to Pillar...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports to China (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that exports of Irish agri-food and related exports to China have grown in value from €167m in 2010 to €323m in 2012, an increase of 93%, with dairy products increasing from €103m in 2010 to €182m in 2012, an increase of 77%. Pigmeat exports increased from €8m in 2010 to €44m in 2012, and increase of 450% while our...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation at both EU and domestic level, with The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) under the aegis the Minister for Health responsible for the enforcement of food safety and labelling requirements in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The current forestry programme is funded under EU State Aid rules as set out in the “Community Guidelines for State Aid in the Agriculture and Forestry Sector 2007 – 2013”. These rules are currently being redrafted as part of the EU Commission’s modernisation of State Aid controls. These new rules have not yet been issued by the EU Commission and therefore it is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: There were a range of measures put in place in recognition of the difficulties experienced by a great number of farmers across the country resulting from the unseasonable weather in 2012 and earlier this year which led to an extraordinary fodder shortage. An InterAgency Fodder Committee was established in early summer under the Chairmanship of Dr Tom Kelly, Teagasc. The Committee includes...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Administration (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be fully aware of the importance of payments made under the Single Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other Direct Payment Schemes to the annual income of Irish farmers. My Department is bound, under EU Regulations, to maintain the accuracy the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), which underpins the processing of applications under these Schemes as well...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: In light of the difficulties experienced by farmers in sourcing fodder supplies, earlier this year I announced the allocation of funding for an imported fodder transport scheme, designed to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage) from outside the island of Ireland. The aid substantially covered the cost of transport into the country, thus reducing the cost to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Issues (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 the regulation of coursing is chiefly a matter for the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry. The ICC has an established system of regulation in place to underpin animal welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Applications (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named registered twenty seven animals under the 2012 Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. To date twenty five animals have been fully paid while the remaining two animals have outstanding issues associated with them. A letter issued to the person named on 13th September 2013 informing him of the issues relating to these two animals. The case will be fully processed on receipt of a response...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 3 in December 2006 and received payments for the full five years of their contract. A Supplementary Measure 3 payment for Rare Breeds under REPS 3 for €580 is due pending the receipt of documentation. A letter issued by my Department on 30th March 2012 requesting the submission of a number of documents including the passports for the qualifying...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Payments under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will begin issuing, on target, tomorrow, 25 September. While there is no regulatory date by which payments must commence, it is generally recognised and indeed acknowledged in the Farmers’ Charter, that the third week in September of any given year is the earliest feasible payment date, given the volume and complexity of processing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011 and full payment totalling €1,001.42 issued in respect of 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The deadline for submissions on the Forest Policy Review was the 23rd August 2013. My Department is currently examining the submissions received. The review will be published once this work is complete.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The deadline for submissions on the Forest Policy Review was the 23rd August 2013. My Department is currently examining the submissions received. The review will be published once this work is complete. The issue of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Review can then be addressed.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Appeals (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011 and full payment totalling €1,329.95 issued in respect of 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Appeals (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 4th December 2012. The process of ranking and selecting all AEOS applicants was clearly set out in the scheme documentation. Acceptance into the scheme was established using the predetermined selection criteria as follows: 1. farmers in the Boora region of Co. Offaly who chose...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Appeals (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: An appeal was received by the Agriculture Appeals Office on behalf of the person named on 2 August 2013. Receipt of the appeal was acknowledged on the same date. On receipt of the Department file, the appeal will be assigned to an individual Appeals Officer who will be in contact with the appellant regarding the next stage of the appeal.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheepmeat Sector (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: It is ultimately the market which determines the return available to any farm enterprise and my Department has no function in this regard. Sheep farmers in hill areas benefit from the general schemes of SPS (1.2B) and DAS (190M). As well as this my Department provides considerable specific support for the sheep sector in Ireland. Key supports for this sector include: - €7 million...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sugar Industry (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: I wish to confirm to the Deputy that in 2011 I met with two separate groups which had conducted feasibility studies, into the possibility of establishing a new sugar/bioethanol facility in the country. I understand from figures published by the interested groups who are investigating the possibility of building a new facility, that the overall capital cost costs involved could range from...