Results 14,861-14,880 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Disease Controls (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: In March 2016, the European Parliament adopted the new Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU)2016/429). This involved the amalgamation of a multiplicity of legal texts into a single law with the aim of supporting the EU livestock sector in terms of competitiveness, food safety and ease of trade. The Animal Health Law is a key output of the EU animal health strategy ‘Prevention is Better...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: At the outset, I would like to 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 Heads of State and Government at the European Council. The European Commission has proposed, as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department currently has a range of measures, both under the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and nationally, to encourage and support young farmers. Under the CAP, the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme provides financial support to young farmers and new entrants to farming during the crucial early years immediately following the setting up of a farm enterprise: -...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Apprenticeship Data (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 271, 272 and 273 together. The Farm Apprenticeship Board (FAB) was established in the 1960s to administer the Farm Apprenticeship Scheme. It filled a very well recognised role in farm management training. Following on from recommendations of the report of the Taskforce on Agricultural Education and Training (2000), the Farm Apprenticeship Scheme was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: The Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme is a key financial support for Irish farmers, with a total budget of €250 million in 2019. In total, over 95,000 farmers receive a payment under the Scheme each year. In estimating the administrative cost related to the administration of the scheme and the current appeals process, a total staff cost has been calculated taking into...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme Appeals (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: The Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department. I have been advised that the records of the Agriculture Appeals Office indicate that an appeal was received on 23 May 2018 from the person named. Following a full assessment of the case, a decision letter was issued by an Appeals Officer to the appellant on 14 September 2018. The Agriculture Appeals Act provides that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports to China (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland enjoys an excellent trading relationship with China and it has become our fourth largest trading partner in the agrifood sector. In addition, my Department also engages with Chinese officials at multiple levels. Political visits in both directions at the very highest level, technical engagement between officials providing assurance on food safety...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Missions (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: Trade Missions play an important role in market development, and I have been very active on this front in recent years as we strive to gain, and then develop, a presence in as many global markets as possible. As part of my 2019 Trade Mission schedule, I plan to lead a Government agri-food trade mission to Japan and South Korea in June. Given that Free Trade Agreements between the EU and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: Live exports are a critical part of the infrastructure of our livestock industry. They play a significant role in stimulating price competition and provide an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards. I continue to prioritise...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy is aware, I recently carried out a review of trawling activity in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone. Following an extensive public consultation process, I announced in December that vessels over 18m will be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. Trawling for sprat by vessels over 18m...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: The Central Statistics Office (CSO) publishes a monthly Wholesale Price Index including an industrial producer price index which details monthly percentage changes over an array of products including food products, which are further differentiated into meat and meat products. Following discussions about price transparency at the initial meeting of the Beef Roundtable, a commitment was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: Carcase classification and carcase presentation controls in slaughter plants are carried out by a dedicated team of specialist staff in the Beef Carcase Classification Section within my Department. As committed to in the Beef Forum, additional monitoring of carcase presentation by my Department’s veterinary public health inspection staff (VPHIS) in the factories has been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: The labelling of food in the European Union is governed by a number of EU regulations which lay down strict requirements including in relation to mandatory country of origin labelling for certain meats. Under these EU rules, labels on meat from cattle born and reared in Ireland and exported live to Northern Ireland, and subsequently slaughtered there, must include the Member State of birth...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing. The question of the price paid for particular grades is a matter for the producers and processors. Regarding sanctions, under legislation (SI 363/2010), non-compliance with the legislation attracts a maximum on the spot fine of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: The Beef Roundtable was established in April 2014 in order to bring all the relevant stakeholders together and to facilitate open discussion between industry, farming organisations and others on the strategic path forward for the beef sector. The forum has been held on twelve occasions. The last meeting was held on 03 October 2018. No date has been scheduled yet for the next meeting....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Preparations (13 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department is participating very actively in the Whole-of-Government approach to preparedness and contingency planning for Brexit. The Government has already sanctioned in the region of €4m for the commencement of a phased process for the recruitment of additional staff across a range of skill sets to carry out increased volumes of import controls and export certification arising...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I thank Senator Nash. Senator Norris has proposed an amendment that would seek to remove section 10(1)(a) from the Bill. The effect of this proposed amendment would be to remove the principle of access for sea-fishing boats owned and operated in Northern Ireland to fish in our zero to six nautical mile zone. Quite frankly, I am perplexed at this position from a self-described southern...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to address the amendments as tabled and then take up some of the points raised.

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I appreciate the spirit in which the debate has been conducted by all Members. Amendments have been proposed by Senators Daly, Wilson and Mac Lochlainn which seek to apply a restriction to the size of sea-fishing boats to which section 10(1)(a) will apply. Amendment No. 3 would limits the size of boats to not more than 15 m in length. Senator Nash seeks to restrict it to not more than 12 m...

Seanad: Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: Never. A related part of this issue is still before the courts so I am constrained as regards the comments I can make on it, even if in other circumstances I would be willing to make them. It was said that this involved the management of a natural resource. The lack of an Executive in Northern Ireland is not making it any easier to proceed with the management arrangements that are provided...