Results 14,081-14,100 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: The pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is 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 years. 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: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I am acutely aware of the shortage of labour that exists in some parts of the agri-food sector. It should be noted that the sector accounts for 7.9% of total employment, or approximately 174,000 jobs. As most of these jobs are based outside of our cities, they are crucial to the rural economy. Food Wise 2025 highlighted the need for the attraction, retention and development of skills and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: The new Organic Farming Scheme under the current Rural Development Programme has proved extremely successful, attracting more new applicants than any scheme previously, and encouraging a significant number of Irish farmers to convert to organic farming systems. Latest figures indicate that there are now some 72,000 hectares under organic production, an increase of nearly 50% on the position...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Overall, Ireland’s and the EU27’s basic position has always been and remains to be to protect our fishing communities. While all parties would like higher quota shares, the way to achieve that is to grow the fish stocks through sustainable management for the benefit of all. Managing fisheries sustainably and fairly must be an integral and inseparable part of the overall future...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Eligibility (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Under the current Rural Development Regulation (and subsequent amendments under the Omnibus Regulation) Member States are required to change the approach to the designation of land under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme. To date my Department had been identifying eligible areas using a range of socio economic indicators such as family farm income, population density, percentage of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry Irregularities (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Carcase classification and carcase presentation (Trim) controls in slaughter plants are carried out by a dedicated team of specialist staff in the Beef Carcase Classification Section within my Department. Their remit under EU legislation is to carry out un-announced inspections to ensure that meat plants comply with these legislative requirements for classification, weights and trim. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Young Farmers Scheme (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: A gross off-farm income limit of €40,000 was applied to all applicants to the 2018 National Reserve. Applicants could choose to use either the full 2016 or 2017 tax year, whichever was more advantageous to the applicant. Certain Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection payments including, Jobseekers Allowance and Jobseekers Benefit are reckonable as off-farm income....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forest Roads Scheme (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: An application for the Forest Road scheme was received on 26 September. There were a number of queries on the initial application but these have been resolved by the Registered Forester. The application will now be advertised on my Department’s website and referred to a forestry inspector. The inspector will assess the application taking into account the submissions received and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Reports (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I wish to inform the Deputy that since March 2011 one post enactment report has been published by my Department. That Report is in respect of the Forestry Act, 2014 and was laid in the Parliamentary Library on 25 September 2018.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legislative Measures (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department has overseen the drafting and enactment of 6 Bills in the relevant time period. Information on these enactments can be found in the following table. Title of Enactment Date of Enactment 1 Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 (No. 29 of 2011) 16th November, 2011 2 Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Act 2012 (No. 25 of 2012) 18th July, 2012 3 Animal Health & Welfare Act...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: My department prioritises its spending in line with government policy to promote the development of a competitive and efficient primary agriculture, forestry and seafood sector to support rural and coastal communities to underpin economic development and to ensure that our natural resources are managed in a sustainable way The main grant schemes operated by my department and their financial...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department received a request for the assignment of the licence referred to by the Deputy on 14 November 2018. This request is currently under consideration by my Department and is being processed in the normal way.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 213 together. In 2018 my Department continued to open new markets and deepen trade within existing markets for Irish agri-food exporters, the highlight of which was the decision of the Chinese authorities to open their market to Irish beef imports by listing a number of approved Irish beef establishments. Other notable achievements were agreements...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Market diversification work continues with the industry in order to increase the sector’s global footprint across the world, as well as helping to reduce the sector's exposure to the UK market. Against the backdrop of EU-agreed trade deals such as those completed with Canada, Japan and Mexico, my Department continues to prioritise efforts to gain access to new third country markets...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I am satisfied that there is significant potential for the Irish beef sector to add value all along the supply chain. I recognise that 2018 has been a difficult year for many beef farmers, with higher input costs due to the unprecedented weather events, and prices under pressure towards the back end of the year. At the last meeting of the Beef Roundtable on 3rd October I highlighted...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: In 2017, Ireland exported dairy products, including dairy powders to 147 countries totalling over €4.6 billion worth of produce, an increase of over 17% compared to 2016, representing high-quality value-added 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Brexit, no matter what format it takes, will have a negative impact on Irish agri-food across all sectors by virtue of their exposure to the UK market. This is particularly true of the poultry sector, in terms of export dependence on the UK market. The overall value of Irish poultry exports have increased by around 3 percent for 2017 to €295 million in value, with volumes rising by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Slaughtering Data (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: The slaughter of livestock in this country for human consumption is carried out at facilities which are approved by either the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine or by the relevant local authorities. There are currently 49 meat plants approved and supervised by my Department to slaughter animals for human consumption. The numbers of animals slaughtered from the main species in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Enterprises (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: The 2013 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provided Irish farmers with policy certainty and financial support to increase sustainability and enhance competitiveness. Member States and the Council of Agriculture Ministers continue to consider the EU Commission’s post CAP 2020 proposals, which were published earlier this year. Ireland is working closely with our EU...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I am very aware of the significance to farmers and the wider rural economy of the payments that issue to farmers from my Department under a range of schemes. With this in mind, my Department continues to issue payments under these schemes as a matter of priority. Under the 2018 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme some 100,828 applicants hold eligible designated lands. The ANC...