Results 13,441-13,460 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Knowledge Transfer Programme (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: The payment rate of €70 for participants per event attended is the same rate as applied during the pilot scheme for the Forestry Knowledge Transfer Groups; no changes to the rates have been proposed. I consider that the pilot scheme last year was very successful and it has helped to inform the design of the current Scheme which was recently launched by Minister Andrew...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Data (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: While overall targets are set for planting programme as a whole, only Native Woodland, Agroforestry, and Forestry for fibre have specific planting targets and they are not set for the other Grant and Premium Categories (GPC) 1 to 8 inclusive. The relevant data is provided in tabular form as requested. Scheme 2017 target 2017 Actual % of target planted 2018...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Data (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: There is no distinction between farmers and non-farmers under the 2014-2020 Forestry Programme as the aim is to make the afforestation scheme accessible to all landowners; this allows retired farmers, sons and daughters of farmers or other relatives who might have inherited land but who have careers outside of farming to take part in the scheme, as well as other private investors. My...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Data (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: Forestry is one of the many land use options available to farmers and land owners and the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme is one of a wide range of supports provided by my Department.  In 2017, 5,536 hectares of new forestry was planted nationally.  In 2018 to date, 3,297 hectares of new land has been afforested. My Department compiles a number of different afforestation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: The overall aim of the European Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) is to maintain or restore the favourable conservation status of habitats and species which are threatened throughout Europe and deemed highly sensitive to change. These habitats and species are listed in the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC). Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department is working through whole of Government structures, with other Departments, to prepare contingency plans for Brexit. From an agri food perspective, this will include arrangements and resources to provide any necessary export certification for animals, plants, and products of animal and plant origin destined for the UK, and to facilitate transit...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: I would like to inform the Deputy of the actions I have undertaken already to seek to ensure sufficient supplies of Fodder for the coming Winter and Spring 2019.   A survey of Fodder supplies in September indicated that the potential national fodder deficit has reduced from 18% this summer to 11%, with further reductions anticipated since this...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: On the 26thJune last I launched a national fodder survey to be compiled by Teagasc through its client network as well as clients of the other fodder group stakeholders. The results indicated a national fodder deficit of 18% at that time. A second survey was carried out on the first week of September and the results of that survey showed a national fodder deficit of 11%, with further...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together. The agri food sector is responding positively to climate change requirements through reducing emissions where possible, enhancing sequestration of carbon and providing renewable materials to other sectors. The long-term policy vision for the agriculture and land use sector as a whole is ‘an approach to carbon neutrality which does...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Promotion (11 Oct 2018)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry Data (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: BIM advise that in 2017 there are 14,638 people employed around our coast  through direct and indirect employment in the Irish seafood industry.  The key priorities for Ireland and the EU27 in the context of fisheries and Brexit will be the maintenance of current access to fishing grounds in the UK zone in the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and north of Donegal and the protection of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Exports (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: The seafood sector is an ever expanding and increasingly important element of our food exports and through the hard work of our producers in industry, my Department, Bord Bia and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, I hope to see this sector continue to grow.  One of my priorities is to secure growth in our exports to EU and third countries which are increasingly important in this...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Poultry Industry (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: The poultry sector plays a very important role within the Irish agri-food sector, supporting approximately 6,000 jobs, mainly in rural areas. Irish poultry production reached record highs in 2017, with 95.5m birds slaughtered in export-approved plants. This represented an increase of 3.9% compared to 2016, with most of the increase evident in broiler and duck production. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together. I am firmly committed to increasing market access and opportunities for all Irish agri-food exports around the world. Total agri-food exports amounted to €13.6 billion in 2017, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) trade statistics, an increase of 74% since 2009. CSO Trade statistics for beef and sheep meat exports...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: Last year the total value of pig meat exports, taking account of all pigmeat including prepared and preserved, was more than €793 million; an increase from €733 million in 2016. Additionally, in volume terms, exports rose by over 10 million tonnes growing from 265.3 million tonnes in 2016 to 277.1million tonnes in 2017. In terms of continuation of these...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Cereal Sector (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: The tillage sector is an integral component of the Agri-food industry, making a significant contribution to overall agricultural output. Crop production as a whole including Horticulture, contributes in the region of €700 million annually to agricultural output at farm gate prices. In particular, the cereals sector is a major contributor to livestock production providing high...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: In 2017, Ireland exported dairy products to 147 countries totalling over €4.6 billion worth of produce. Irish dairy products have a highly rated and hard earned reputation in terms of quality, safety and sustainability, and this gives them a competitive edge in markets over the world. My Department, in conjunction with other stakeholders, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Imports (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: Food products placed on the European marketplace are covered by a range of legislation designed to ensure that products supplied to consumers are of the highest safety standards.  My Department plays a part in the enforcement of this legislation along with Competent Authorities in other Member States, other Irish Government Departments and State Agencies such as the Food Safety Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Mushroom Industry (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: The mushroom industry is a critical sector within the horticultural industry with a farm-gate output for 2017 estimated at €118 million.  The UK is the most important market, given its proximity, for Irish mushrooms accounting for approximately 90% of our annual production.  The UK market continues to be highly competitive and ongoing uncertainty over BREXIT and the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: I am fully committed to promoting good practices that respect the welfare of all animals and my Department devotes considerable resources to protecting animal welfare and in dealing with breaches of animal welfare legislation. The Act provides the framework within which the welfare of animals can be safeguarded and I am hopeful that the substantial and significantly increased levels of...