Results 1,621-1,640 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

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

Mary Coughlan: The person involved in this case submitted applications for consideration in respect of both the new entrant and inheritance measures of the single payment scheme. Additional information to substantiate the applications was requested and duly submitted on 13 April 2005. Following examination of the documentation the person involved has been notified that his new entrant application has been...

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

Mary Coughlan: An application for consideration under the force majeure exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment regulations was submitted by the person named on 6 February 2004. The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined by him do not satisfy the criteria for force majeure exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. The person...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Milk quota regulations form part of European Union agriculture policy and, accordingly, the various Community regulations are transposed into Irish law by way of statutory instrument in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities Act 1972. The last amendment to these regulations came into effect on 1 April, 2005 under the European Communities (Milk Quota) (Amendment)...

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: A herd number is an administrative device used by my Department to identify and register owners or keepers of animals, particularly for the purposes of disease control and the implementation of the annual TB and brucellosis round tests. It has been the practice of my Department for some time when there are no bovine animals held under the herd number for a period to suspend the herd number so...

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

Mary Coughlan: In accordance with Article 33 (1) of European Council Regulation 1782/2003 governing the single payment scheme, farmers shall have access to the scheme if they have been granted a payment in the reference period under any livestock premia and or arable aid schemes; they have received a holding or part of the holding by way of inheritance, from a farmer who met the conditions referred to; or...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The objective of the European Council regulation which governs the current early retirement scheme is structural reform through the provision of a financial incentive to older farmers to retire early to facilitate their replacement by younger farmers who are considered more likely to improve the economic viability of the holding. The regulation sets down minimum requirements that must be met...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named wrote to me recently about the upper age limit for eligibility as a transferee under the current early retirement scheme. Eligibility as a transferee for applications made under the scheme in 2005 is limited to those farmers aged up to 41 years. The husband of the person whom she wished to make her transferee is 45 years of age and is not now eligible under the scheme.

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The objective of the European Council regulation which governs the current early retirement scheme is structural reform through the provision of a financial incentive to older farmers to retire early to facilitate their replacement by younger farmers who are considered more likely to improve the economic viability of the holding. The regulation sets down minimum requirements that must be met...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I received the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee formally on 7 April. I have asked my officials to consider the recommendations contained in the report, having due regard to the terms and conditions both of the early retirement scheme itself and of the European Commission regulations under which both the current and previous schemes were introduced.

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

Mary Coughlan: Botulism is not a notifiable disease under the Diseases of Animals Acts. However samples from animals may be submitted for testing to my Department's central veterinary laboratory or regional veterinary laboratories at the discretion of a private veterinary practitioner or on request by a herd owner through his or her private veterinary practitioner. Bovine botulism can be contracted by...

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

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted three applications for special premium in 2004 in respect of a total of 61 animals. The first application was received on 26 January 2004 in respect of 34 animals, 23 for first age premium and 11 for second age premium. The second application was received on 17 February 2004 in respect of nine animals, all for second age premium. The third application was received...

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

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for consideration in respect of both new entrant and inheritance measures of the single payment scheme. Following an initial decision on his application, he was notified that he met the criteria for consideration in respect of both new entrant and inheritance and that the inheritance measure was more financially beneficial. However, on a further...

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

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together. As Minister for Agriculture and Food I have no role in direct provision of food or in the planning of food distribution outlets or in providing general income support for those on low incomes. Primary responsibility for driving the social inclusion agenda, including the national action plan against poverty and social exclusion, lies with...

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

Mary Coughlan: The number of herdowners who have entitlements established under the single payment scheme is 136,983.

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

Mary Coughlan: My Department does not have this information.

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Details of the number of participants who joined the 1994 scheme of early retirement from farming, which closed to new applicants on 31 December 1999, and the current scheme introduced in November 2000, in each year since their inception, are set out in the following table. Year ended Number 31 December 1994 1,962 31 December 1995 2,198 31 December 1996 1,795 31 December 1997...

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

Mary Coughlan: Intensive negotiations concluded in August 2004 in agreement on a framework setting out the general outline and content of a new WTO agreement. The detailed implementation of this framework is the subject of ongoing negotiation at technical and political level and are likely to conclude at the next ministerial conference in Hong Kong in December 2005. The main elements of the framework...

Written Answers — Sheep Imports: Sheep Imports (4 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Imports of sheep for slaughter at export plants in this jurisdiction amounted to 357,939 head in the last 12 months, or approximately 11% of slaughterings at all export plants. All these originated in Northern Ireland. Small numbers are also imported for breeding purposes from various countries.

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

Mary Coughlan: There are a number of pieces of legislation governing the labelling of meat and meat products. The general labelling regulations covering among other things all food sold in Ireland require that the information be given clearly, accurately and in a language understood by the consumer. This legislation comes within the remit of the Department of Health and Children. My Department is...

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

Mary Coughlan: The prices received by producers and obtained in retail establishments are determined by the process of negotiation within the marketplace. The level of supply of a certain product, the degree of competitiveness within a sector and the level of consumer demand will all influence the final price received by the producer. Similarly, the prices received by retail outlets are dependent on a range...