Results 15,761-15,780 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Beef Industry (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: I have no plans to reduce the suckler cow herd to facilitate the expansion of the dairy sector. Decisions to expand or reduce herd sizes in any sector are matters for individual farmers, determined by their own best interests and, of course, subject to adherence to relevant environmental regulation. My Department provides significant support for suckler farmers, through measures such as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Beef Industry (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: I repeat my opening sentence. I have no plans to reduce the suckler cow herd to facilitate the expansion of the dairy sector. I appreciate the Deputy's assistance in allaying the perception to the contrary that may exist. No policy that the Department has introduced could sustain that perception. All the efforts we have made have been about trying to deliver supports. These include...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Beef Exports (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: Irish beef exports increased in value to €2.4 billion in 2018 and were exported to approximately 70 countries all over the world according to trade statistics from the Central Statistics Office, CSO. Opening new markets and expanding existing markets are a key part of our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit and are in line with the market development theme of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Beef Exports (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: It is a matter of opening as many markets as possible and improving, where possible, the terms and conditions under which trade is done. Hence the removal of the 30-month age restriction in the Japanese market is significant. Much has been rightly said about the UK market and the volume of Irish beef exported to the UK, which amounts to more than 50% of our total produce. It is our...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Beef Exports (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: Access to the UK market is in peril in a worst-case scenario. It must be borne in mind that the UK will have to conclude a trade agreement with the European Union. Our belief is that the best way to do that is through the withdrawal agreement, a transition phase and a negotiated free trade agreement that is as comprehensive and ambitious as possible. It remains to be seen whether the UK...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sheepmeat Sector (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: My officials continue to work towards opening and enhancing access to as many markets as possible. During my recent successful trade mission to Japan, I had the pleasure of announcing the agreement in principle on access to the Japanese market for Irish sheepmeat. This agreement was the culmination of ongoing collaboration between my Department, assisted by our embassy in Tokyo and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sheepmeat Sector (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: As I said, it remains for the i's to be dotted and the t's crossed. We are on the cusp of gaining access to the Japanese market and we have agreement in principle. It is interesting, in the context of that market, that the average consumption of sheepmeat in Ireland is approximately 3 kg per capitawhereas in Japan it is in the region of 150 g. Japan represents a growing market opportunity...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sheepmeat Sector (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: By way of evidence of the significance of the market, between 2013 and 2018, the value of imports in the Japanese sheepmeat market has jumped by over 80% from €93 million to €170 million. During the same period, the quantity of imported sheepmeat has grown by only 33%. It is a premium product in Japan and we have opportunities in that regard. I appreciate that it is a matter...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: At the outset, and the Deputy has alluded to this, I should point out that in discussing the CAP funding, we must bear in mind that this funding forms part of a broader European Union budget which is agreed by Heads of State and Government and ministers for finance. The European Commission has proposed, as part of the MFF for 2021 to 2027, that funding for the Common Agricultural Policy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: I do not underestimate the scale of this challenge at all because of the unanimity requirement. As the Deputy alluded to, the critique of some member states to the Commission's proposals of June 2018 has been that the published proposals for financial cuts do not go far enough. That is a particularly challenging starting point. Those countries, namely, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: On that point, I am acutely conscious of the requirements for the roll-over should the delay continue. On the other hand, I am equally concerned that the roll-over continues to exclude people whose contracts have already expired. In that sense, we need to pursue an approach to bring the CAP negotiations to a conclusion at the earliest possible date in order that we do not repeat the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: Just last week, I launched a public consultation on the adaptation plan for the agriculture, forest and seafood sectors. This is our first statutory adaptation plan and it is about preparing our systems to deal with the inevitable changes in climate, including preparations for events such as flooding, fodder shortages or damage resulting from extreme weather storms in our harbours and...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Statements (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: The announcement on Friday last of an EU-Mercosur trade agreement marks the end of 20 years of negotiations between the two blocs. While I acknowledge the importance of balanced international trade deals for Ireland's economy, including its agricultural sector, I am disappointed that the agreement includes a significant tariff rate quota, TRQ, that would allow the importation of beef from...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Agriculture, I have no role in determining prices for any commodity nor can I intervene in the same. The Beef Sector is an important element of the Irish economy and I am conscious of the importance that this key sector plays in rural Ireland. I am keenly aware that the past few months have been very challenging for beef farmers in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: The pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is  a constant and central component of the strategic development of the industry, as evidenced by its placement at the heart of Food Wise 2025. It is particularly important given the need to diversify our markets and reduce our reliance on traditional destinations such as the UK.   ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: The All-of-Government Plan to tackle climate breakdown sets out a series of step-up measures and underpinning actions and proposed targets for all sectors including the agriculture, forestry and land use sector. The plan identifies 34 actions for the agriculture sector that will contribute to our transition to a low carbon economy and society across abatement measures,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: I have introduced a number of supports to assist the agri-food sector in preparing to address the challenges posed by Brexit.  These include: -the €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme for Brexit-impacted SMEs and mid-cap businesses. The funding arrangements ensure that at least 40% of the fund is available to food businesses. Up to 14 June 2019, 585...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: While Ireland has what is internationally recognised as one of the most carbon efficient systems of food production in the EU, there are inherent challenges in reducing emissions in the sector. However, while agriculture is contributing to emissions, it is also part of the solution. The Teagasc Sustainability Survey shows that the top performing third of farms emitted, on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (3 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: On the evening of Friday 28 June, the European Commission announced that political agreement has been reached on a trade deal between the EU and Mercosur countries. While as a small, open economy, Ireland is supportive of international trade deals, I am very concerned at the potential impact of elements of this particular deal on the beef sector.   The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Appeals (3 Jul 2019)

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