Results 12,981-13,000 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TAMS Eligibility (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: During 2015, a suite of six measures were announced under TAMS II. These measures were launched under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and are co-funded under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The measures provide grants for capital investment in physical assets to assist the Irish agriculture sector to respond to a range of policy challenges. The six...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: As part of a coordinated approach to securing adequate fodder stocks I launched a national fodder census on the 26th June, to be compiled by Teagasc, through its client network as well as clients of the other fodder group stakeholders, with another census planned for the 1st September. The aim of the census is to monitor and measure the levels of fodder in the country and will inform further...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: The pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agrifood exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agrifood 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Subsidies (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: By way of introduction I would point out that in discussing the funding of the Common Agricultural Policy, we should bear in mind that this funding forms part of a broader EU budget which is negotiated by Finance Ministers and then agreed by the European Council and European Parliament. The European Commission has proposed, as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: As you will be aware my Department operates an Animal Welfare Helpline Lo-call 0761 064408 along with a dedicated email address AnimalWelfare@agriculture.gov.ie which facilitates the reporting by members of the public of concerns in regard to the welfare of animals. All calls received are treated in confidence. The animal welfare hotline exists for the reporting of specific incidents...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Offences (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy is aware, Council Regulation(EC) No. 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 provides for a points system for serious infringements targeted primarily at the licence and therefore the licence holder. The primary purpose was to try and ensure a level playing field for those fishermen who were respecting the rules. The EU points system is designed to complement and not replace national...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Fund (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: The Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund was established under section 12(1) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 for the purpose of giving support to the horse and greyhound racing industries. Under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 (No.20 of 2001), the horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Identification Schemes (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department removed the feedlot option for herds operating as 'bed and breakfast' or contract rearing operations and now categorises such movements as “farm to farm” This facility to record feedlot movements on the AIM system was introduced originally to assist in the establishment of stocking density for premia payments. The facility to record this movement type is no...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Question Heading (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: In terms of supports, I introduced two measures to support the availability of fodder to affected farmers In response to fodder shortages earlier this spring and last winter caused by prolonged wet and cold weather. I expect payments to farmers under the Fodder Transport Support measure to commence this week. To avoid a similar situation arising again and to learn from the lessons of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Exports Data (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: Beef exports have kept pace with 2017 exports so far this year. Our top five export destinations for beef exports between January and April were Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany. Ireland exported beef worth €335.6 million to Great Britain, €69.4 million to France, and €63.4 million to the Netherlands. Ireland has exported 168.4 million tonnes of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: I have taken a number of actions to assist farmers as they plan to conserve adequate fodder supplies for the coming winter. This is the priority task that I assigned to the fodder group I convened earlier this spring to address all issues around fodder availability for the coming winter. The results of the fodder census I recently launched, together with the follow up census scheduled...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department continues to operate the dedicated animal welfare helpline at 0761-064408 and 01-6072379. In addition my Department has used social media platform to remind all owners of their duty of care to animals on an on-going basis. In relation to the specific areas of greyhound racing and horse racing the various responsible bodies have action plans in place. Horse Racing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: Under EU regulation, Less Favoured / Disadvantaged Areas were to be replaced by newly designated Areas of Natural Constraints from 2018, with eligible areas being designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria such as soil drainage, texture and slope. However, as part of legislative amendments at EU level, a proposal was made to extend the 2018 deadline to 2019 on an optional basis....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Drainage Schemes (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: I wish to acknowledge weather conditions over the winter were challenging and this has created difficulties for farmers. However, the budget for the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation scheme (TAMS) is fully committed under our Rural Development Programme. Support for land drainage is not included as an eligible item in the current Rural Development Programme for 2014 -2020. It must also be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy is aware I introduced the Fodder Import Support Measure on the 5th April 2018 to provide an additional source of fodder to livestock farmers at an important time when supplies of fodder nationally were very tight. The Measure will make a financial contribution towards the transport costs associated with the importation of fodder from other Member States, excluding Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Subsidies (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: By way of introduction I would point out that in discussing the funding of the Common Agricultural Policy, we should bear in mind that this funding forms part of a broader EU budget which is negotiated by Finance Ministers and then agreed by the European Council and European Parliament. The most recent EU Agriculture Council of Ministers where CAP Post 2020 was discussed was held on 18th...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: Under EU regulation, Less Favoured / Disadvantaged Areas were to be replaced by newly designated Areas of Natural Constraints from 2018, with eligible areas being designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria such as soil drainage, texture and slope. However, as part of legislative amendments at EU level, a proposal was made to extend the 2018 deadline to 2019 on an optional basis....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fur Farming (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: Further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 27 June 2018 the following inspections were carried out from 2015 to date: 2015 2016 2017 2018 12 12 11 1 Inspections are carried out throughout the course of the year and are scheduled to be conducted as part of the overall inspection and control system for fur farms. As this is only July, further inspections will be undertaken before the end...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: Undoubtedly the recent series of weather-related events have highlighted the importance of ensuring that farmers conserve adequate supplies of fodder to deal with the vagaries of our winters. Specifically in terms of supports, I introduced two measures to support the availability of fodder to affected farmers in response to fodder shortages earlier this spring and last winter caused by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (12 Jul 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations, 2010(Statutory Instrument No 311/2010) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Irish fur farmers are subject to the same animal welfare legislation as any other livestock farmer. There are currently a total of three operators...