Results 1,561-1,580 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The framework agreement for the next WTO round which was concluded in Geneva in August 2004 commits member countries to agree detailed rules, including an end date, for the parallel elimination of all forms of export subsides and for the introduction of disciplines on all export measures with equivalent effect. This agreement covers export refunds, export credits, the trade-distorting...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Beef imports into the European Union from third countries must have been sourced, first in countries and second in premises, that are currently listed and approved by the European Commission and which are subject to veterinary audits by the EU's food and veterinary office. In addition, such imports are subject to checks laid down in the harmonised rules prescribed at European level, and must...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The agreement on the mid-term review of Agenda 2000 reached at the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 26 June 2003 provided a financial envelope to each member state. This envelope represented the average value of livestock and arable aid premia paid in the member state during the three year reference period 2000-02 calculated at 2002 rates of payment. The outcome of the agreement, which...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The food institutional research measure, FIRM, is a public good research programme in the food sector. The main objectives of the programme are to provide a base of information and expertise in generic technologies that supports innovation and product development in the food industry, and assists in assuring consumer protection by ensuring that product development is underpinned by attention...

Written Answers — Departmental Agreement: Departmental Agreement (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The case mentioned by the Deputy arose from a dispute between a company, my Department and two co-defendants. This related to the storage of tallow at its premises going back to 1997. A settlement was reached with the plaintiff on 6 December 2004. The settlement was agreed on the basis of legal advice from State Counsel and with the sanction of the office of the Attorney General. It was...

Written Answers — Sheepmeat Prices: Sheepmeat Prices (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy will be aware, there have been difficulties recently between sheep farmers and the meat export plants over the price for new season lamb. I am glad these difficulties were resolved following discussions last week between the farmers and the plants concerned. Bord Bia will shortly commission a promotion of new season lamb on the Irish market, which will be extended over the...

Written Answers — Farmers Markets: Farmers Markets (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The farmers markets concept has experienced significant growth in recent years with more than 80 separate markets operating under various arrangements in 22 locations throughout the country. My Department recognises the potential of farmers markets and actively supports efforts to promote the concept on a sustainable basis. Bord Bia, which operates under the aegis of my Department, has...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In October last, Ireland submitted an action programme to the European Commission for further implementation of the nitrates directive. In December, the Commission conveyed its view that the action programme was not complete and did not comply with...

Written Answers — Beef Industry: Beef Industry (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: In recent years, the focus of the Irish beef industry has been to broaden and expand its market reach at EU retail level, shifting its orientation away from international commodity markets and into the higher priced internal EU marketplace. Effective promotion and marketing of beef by Bord Bia and the industry has ensured a presence for top quality Irish beef in all the key European markets....

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, is an antibiotic resistant bacterium, the presence of which in humans was noted over 35 years ago and which has been a feature of antibiotic resistance in human therapy since. During the past two years, the presence of the bacterium has been noted in animals, in particular, dogs and horses. It is thought that the route of infection has...

Written Answers — Animal By-Products: Animal By-Products (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: As I announced on 16 March last, I am making arrangements within my Department to facilitate the use of certain animal by-products in composting and biogas plants. These arrangements are being introduced primarily in the context of EU legislation that allows the digestate produced in such plants to be spread on non-pastureland. In coming to a decision on this, I have had regard to the...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: In general, the rate of on-farm inspection required for cross-compliance under the single payment scheme is 1% of those farmers to whom the relevant statutory management requirement or good agricultural and environmental conditions apply. However, at least 5% of producers must be inspected under the animal identification and registration requirements as this level is prescribed under the...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: There have been a number of positive developments in the area of food labelling, most of which emanated from the report of the food labelling group which was established in June 2002. The group reported in December of that year with a series of recommendations. The recommendations were accepted. As food labelling is a particularly complicated and broad based area, involving a number of...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The classification of all of County Monaghan as a more severely handicapped disadvantaged area has cleared all the hurdles in Brussels, as was announced last week by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith. I am extremely pleased at this news which meets a commitment made to the social partners in Sustaining Progress. The agreement of the European Commission to my...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The price paid for milk is a commercial matter between milk producers and purchasers. The manufactured milk prices are determined by a number of factors, including the international market for dairy products, the product mix and the efficiency of the processor as well as the overall operation of the EU price support mechanisms. My role, as Minister for Agriculture and Food, is to ensure that...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The nitrates action programme may have implications for the intensive farming sector, particularly in terms of the utilisation of the manure produced by intensive pig and poultry units. Accordingly, I have asked my officials to examine various aspects...

Written Answers — Modulated Funds: Modulated Funds (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The modulated funds become available for use in 2006. In that year, their use is confined to the measures in the CAP rural development plan — agri-environment, early retirement, compensatory allowances and forestry — and the new initiatives introduced as part of the CAP mid-term review — food quality, animal welfare, farm advisory services and meeting standards. I will decide shortly on...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Following the coming in to force, on 21 April, of the EU Commission Decision 2005/317/EC on emergency measures regarding the non-authorised genetically modified organism Bt10 in maize products, my Department has introduced a requirement that all imports of maize gluten feed and distillers dried grains originating from the USA be accompanied by an original analytical certificate to demonstrate...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In October last, Ireland submitted an action programme to the European Commission for further implementation of the nitrates directive. In December, the Commission conveyed its view that the action programme was not complete and did not comply...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The EU Commission outlined its initial ideas for reform of the EU sugar regime in a communication to the Council and the European Parliament last July. The communication was the subject of technical discussions at Council working group level in Brussels and there was a policy debate at the Council of Agriculture Ministers' meeting in November. The European Commission's initial ideas for...