Results 14,661-14,680 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: Last year the value of our exports of agri-food products to Russia was €235 million. This represents about 2.5% of our total agri-food exports. However, not all agricultural products are affected by the Presidential ban. Tea extract, infant formula, casein and beverages are not subject to the trade restrictions. Moreover, Russia had already imposed a blanket ban on exports of pig-meat...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Disease Controls (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department’s wildlife policy has been developed in response to research conducted over many years which has demonstrated that the eradication of the disease is not a practicable proposition until the reservoir of infection in badgers is addressed. Capturing of badgers takes place under Section 34 of the 1976 Wildlife Act in areas where serious outbreaks of TB have been identified in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Management (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: Ancient woodland refers to those woods that have had a continuous history of cover since before the period when planting and afforestation became common practice (mid‐1600s). This date is used because in the 1650s, two surveys were undertaken in Ireland to establish land use, land value and ownership. These surveys are the two most useful historical sources when identifying ancient...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I would start by saying that Ireland is very supportive of an EU/US trade deal. An agreement between the world’s two major trading blocs has the potential to increase growth and grow jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. In the agri-food sector we have strong offensive interests, both in terms of market access and in eliminating some of the irritants that hinder trade. We are seeking...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, the price paid to farmers for their animals by meat processing factories is a commercial transaction and neither I nor my Department has any influence on prices. I do, however, have an important role to play in providing strategic direction and investment support to the sector. I have previously referred to the strong commitment shown by this Government to the sector...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I would start by saying that Ireland is very supportive of an EU/US trade deal. An agreement between the world’s two major trading blocs has the potential to increase growth and grow jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. In the agri-food sector we have strong offensive interests, both in terms of market access and in eliminating some of the irritants that hinder trade. We are seeking...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme Projects (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period was submitted to the EU Commission approval for approval in July 2014. In the case of TAMS II, it is proposed, subject to EU Commission approval, to provide funding in the initial stages for investments in relation to (i) dairy equipment, (ii) low emission slurry spreading equipment, (iii) animal welfare and farm safety (especially beef...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Framework Plans (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: Commonage lands form an important part of the farming enterprises of many farmers, in addition to being crucial from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, amenities and tourism. A total of some 14,936 farmers declare commonage land under the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Commonage lands form a significant area of the lands declared annually by farmers in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Framework Plans (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The preservation and restoration of commonages, and the continuation of suitable and environmentally friendly farming practices on the hills, is a core element of GLAS and part of Ireland’s overall plan for halting biodiversity loss. In recognition of the importance of commonages, hill farmers will get priority access into GLAS but I think it is accepted by all that the most effective...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases Issues (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: Responsibility for the protection of wild deer in the State under the Wildlife Acts rests with the Minister for of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I understand that there is an annual open season during which deer can legally be shot under licence. Control of deer on private property is the responsibility of landowners who may apply to the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Equine Industry Issues (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the position whereby a horse that is imported into Ireland may, upon registration with Showjumping Ireland (SJI), be allocated a number of showjumping points in a situation where relevant supporting performance documentation is not provided by the owner. Showjumping Ireland is an independent sporting organisation and does not come under the remit of my Department. SJI is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Disease Controls (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The TB Eradication Scheme currently embodies a comprehensive range of measures for farmers who experience a disease breakdown, specifically, compensation for loss of reactors at market value, as well as other targeted income supports. The primary compensation measure available under the TB Eradication scheme is the On Farm Market Valuation scheme. In 2013, my Department paid €10.5m to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Expenditure (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The 2015 Estimate for my Department will be considered within the context of the annual gross expenditure ceilings that were provisionally allocated to all Departments at the time of budget 2014 and the comprehensive review of expenditure 2015-2017. The Government decision in relation to the expenditure ceilings was taken in order to strike a balance between needs and priorities on a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: Pending the approval by the EU Commission of the 2014/2020 Rural Development Programme, I can confirm that funding for the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme has been maintained at €195 million. The draft 2014/2020 RDP, as submitted, envisages payment rates remaining unchanged, pending the introduction of the newly delineated Areas of Natural Constraints.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Beef Data and Genomics Programme has been developed as part of the draft Rural Development Plan submitted to the European Commission in July of 2014. It is currently the subject of discussion with the European Commission whose agreement is required to before the scheme and the RDP can come into force. The proposed Beef Data and Genomics Programme is intended to deliver an accelerated...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Expenditure (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period was submitted to the EU Commission for approval in July 2014. The following investments have been identified as priority areas which will be targeted in the initial stages:- (i) dairy equipment, (ii) low emission spreading equipment, (iii) animal welfare and farm safety (specifically beef and sheep handling facilities), (iv) pig and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The new GLAS Scheme is currently with the European Commission for approval, as part of the Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020. Once such approval is granted, my Department will move to open the Scheme for applications. I would hope to be able to do so before the end of the year, but this is entirely dependent on approval being secured in time from the EU. However, I am confident...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licence Application Numbers (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: To date, 469 felling licences have been issued to Coillte for its plantations that were damaged as a result of the February 2014 storms. For efficiency of processing, 399 of these licence applications were submitted as a batch while the remaining 70 applications were submitted individually. A list showing all Coillte felling licences issued as a result of storm damage follows. The list...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate and associated tasks, are the responsibility of the company. With reference to the control measures implemented in Gougane Barra Forest Park, County Cork, following the confirmation of Phytophthora ramorumon Japanese...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licences Applications (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: A general felling licence GFL CK27WB01 issued to Coillte in respect of clearfelling 4.9 hectares at Coomroe, Co. Cork, due to storm damage. The species licensed were Sitka Spruce, Lodgepole Pine (Northern Coastal), Birch and Japanese Larch. The application was referred to both Cork County Council and National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) for their observations, prior to approval...