Results 16,041-16,060 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Other Questions: Beef Industry (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Yes, we have. The particular market for offal in Russia was attractive for us, as there are limited markets that pay well for offal. That is why it would be good to export offal back into the Russian market, if we could. This is one of the conversations we are having with the Russian authorities. Other countries are having similar conversations. Ultimately, we want to get back to a...

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: My approach is to ensure everyone who wants to participate in GLAS will have the opportunity to do so and that the scheme is flexible enough to respond to different types of farming, whether it be in Connemara, east Cork, the midlands or County Donegal. We have listened to what farmers say. Hill farmers in commonage areas, predominantly in the west - particularly in parts of Counties Galway,...

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Many groups, not just one group, are interested in the implementation of GLAS. We meet farming organisations regularly, particularly the Irish Farmers' Association, IFA, and other groups including the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association, ICSA, and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association, ICMSA. I have met the representatives of the hill committee on a number of occasions and...

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Departmental officials met farmers at those meetings; some were very happy with the proposals and others want changes. We are trying to respond in a progressive and sensible manner. To correct the record, I do not think it is a false premise to say there has been a problem with under-grazing on some commonage lands. Some areas have been under-grazed.

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: There is a difference between acknowledging problems and providing Deputy Ó Cuív with all of the evidence.

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Correct.

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: I never said farmers are not willing to graze. I said that decisions made in the past and the manner in which things have unfolded since those decisions mean that some land is under-grazed. That is a problem because the only way to manage this land is to graze it, and that is why we introduced stocking rates as a requirement for the disadvantaged areas scheme, DAS. We want to get more...

Other Questions: Organic Farming Scheme Applications (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is concerned that a farmer in the organic scheme may not be able to avail of GLAS. I think it has been clarified that a farmer in the organic scheme can avail of GLAS.

Other Questions: Organic Farming Scheme Applications (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: I will clarify that matter for the Deputy, but my general point is that organic farmers are welcome in GLAS. Regarding the Deputy's question on organic farmers and the Athenry office, I am advised by my Department officials that an industrial dispute at local office level has developed in recent days and, unfortunately, this is delaying the processing of organic farm payments in some local...

Other Questions: Organic Farming Scheme Applications (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: I work in the political area. As I said, there is an industrial relations issue at the heart of this and it does not have a political solution. I will try to ensure that payments are received as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: There is no doubt that this past year has been a difficult one for beef farmers as prices have dropped from the high levels of 2013. While I can have no role in negotiating the prices received by farmers, I have made every effort to ensure that we have the appropriate policy support environment in place to secure a sustainable future for all in the beef sector. I brought forward a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Scheme Eligibility (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Following my recent meeting with hill-farmer representatives, I have examined very carefully the 12 point ‘Proposed Implementation Strategy for Commonages in Ireland’, on which much of our discussion centred. The proposed measures in the new RDP, including GLAS, have been framed in light of the experience of the previous Rural Development programming period and are based on an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Scheme Eligibility (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Firstly let me say that my priority is putting in place requirements for commonages that will deliver real and measurable environmental benefits and will be acceptable to the European Commission. The proposed measures in the new RDP, including GLAS, have been framed in light of the experience of the previous Rural Development programming period and are based on an objective analysis of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Questions of price are matters to be determined between the purchasers and the sellers of cattle. Prices are determined by supply and demand dynamics and by a range of different factors such as consumer preferences, distance to market, consumer confidence, retail promotions, competition with other meats and the overall macroeconomic situation. It is neither appropriate nor possible for me or...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Following my recent meeting with hill-farmer representatives, I have examined very carefully the 12 point Proposed Implementation Strategy for Commonages in Ireland', on which much of our discussion centred. The proposed measures in the new RDP, including GLAS, have been framed in light of the experience of the previous Rural Development programming period and are based on an objective...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Administration (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Following the publication of the Indecon Report in July 2014, Bord na gCon submitted an action plan with timelines for implementing the 27 recommendations in the Indecon Report dealing with governance, finance, regulation and welfare. This action plan has been published on the Bord na gCon Website. Bord na gCon has assured my Department that it has assiduously followed up on the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: The dairy sector accounted for exports of over €3 billion in 2013, which is a massive contribution to the national and in particular the rural economy. We currently have almost 18,000 milk suppliers, operating predominantly from family farm supplying 90 registered milk purchasers. Total annual production currently stands at 5.4 billion litres approx, with Food Harvest 2020 targeting...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Milk Quota (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, the rules governing the imposition of a super levy fine are set by Milk Quota Regulations agreed at EU level. Under these Regulations each Member State is allocated a volume quota of milk, above which it should not produce. In cases where Member States do produce in excess of their milk quota a super levy fine (of 28 cents/litre) has to be paid to the EU Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: I attach considerable importance to the live export trade and, over the years, my Department has been very active in facilitating both the cross border live trade and shipments abroad. Live exports serve a dual purpose as a means of satisfying market demands for live animals and providing alternative market outlets for farmers. Total live exports to the end of November this year stand at...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licence Applications (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay was received by my Department in 2012.  The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement are being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. A determination in respect of the...