Results 1,821-1,840 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: That is fine. Additional information not given on the floor of the House. My approach in preparing the 2009 Estimates for my Department was to focus available resources on the measures that allow us to maintain and grow the productive capacity of the agrifood sector. The 2009 Estimates provide over â¬1.8 billion for my Department, and, when combined with EU funding of â¬1.4 billion, total...
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: As I outlined in previous responses, this particular payment is one of a number that are made by the Department. Some agricultural programmes are funded by the Exchequer, while others are funded by the European Union. In 2009, some â¬44 million will be provided for the suckler cow welfare scheme, â¬220 million for the disadvantaged areas scheme, â¬355 million for the rural environment...
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Deputy Sherlock queried, understandably, the level of financial commitment to the agricultural industry. All of those schemes are important. This year alone â¬377 million was devoted to the farm waste management scheme. These are all important measures for farmers. We cannot ignore the substantial funding both from the Exchequer and from the European Union this year, which will continue...
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Unfortunately we had to make a decision to reduceââ
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: There are 102,000 farmers in the disadvantaged area scheme.
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: This measure or reduction in the payment applies to farms greater than 34 hectares. The average size of a family farm in Ireland is 31 hectares. The reduction in expenditure kicks in atââ
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: I am fully aware of that. The decision was made and will result in a loss to those individuals.
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: More than 60,000 will not be affected by this measure.
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Every sector wishes to contribute at a time when there are particular difficulties, but I have not heard any suggestion of an alternative from anyone here or anywhere else.
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: At least two Deputies referred to the 1% levy. In the aftermath of the budget I discussed the issue with individual farmers, colleagues in the Oireachtas and farm organisations. I then spoke to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, about the imposition of the 1% levy and how it might affect the farming community. The issues of taxation and the 1% levy will be finalised in the...
- Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: The use of septic tank residual sludge on grassland and untreated sludge in agriculture is controlled by the Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations, 1998 to 2001. At present, residual sludge from septic tanks may be used on grassland provided that the grassland is not grazed within six months following such use. Untreated sludge may only be used in agriculture if...
- Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: The agricultural sector is already contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions. The Kyoto Protocol allowed for an increase in Ireland's emissions of 13% over 1990 levels by 2012. The Environmental Protection Agency's analysis of September 2008 projects that emissions from the agriculture sector in the period up to 2012 will fall to 18.95 million tonnes or 4.3% below 1990 levels. The...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: The seafood marketing and promotion element of Bord Iascaigh Mhara is to be merged with An Bord Bia. The Government's initiative in transferring the seafood marketing and promotion functions to Bord Bia will ensure the strengthening of seafood marketing as part of a more cohesive overall food marketing effort, while allowing BIM to focus all its energies in developing the seafood industry in...
- Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: FAPRI-Ireland, in association with its research partner Teagasc, launched two reports on 29 September, 2008, one of which is an analysis of the impact of a possible WTO deal, and, a second report, which provides an outlook for Irish and EU agriculture markets using 2008 as the baseline and assuming a status quo policy view over the next ten years. FAPRI's report presents an analysis of the...
- Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: The FSAI Report concluded that the current practice of landspreading of organic agricultural materials on agricultural land for food production is beneficial and should continue, with one exception. The exception relates to the spreading of untreated organic agricultural materials on land to be used for ready-to-eat food crops. The quantity of organic agricultural materials used in the...
- Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Substantial funding has been provided by the Government to support forestry grant and premium schemes for 2009. Almost â¬128 million has been allocated to forestry and bioenergy under Budget 2009. This significant investment in forestry will allow for the operation of a range of forestry schemes next year and demonstrates the commitment of the Government to the future of forestry in Ireland.
- Written Answers — Emergency Slaughter of Animals: Emergency Slaughter of Animals (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Under the European Food Hygiene Regulation (EC) 853/2004, specific requirements are provided for in relation to Emergency Slaughter of animals outside the slaughterhouse. Meat from such animals may not be placed on the market unless it bears a special health mark which cannot be confused with the oval health and identification marks that normally apply to meat that may be exported. My...
- Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: State Aid approval for the afforestation schemes, including an agroforestry scheme, was received from the European Commission in September 2007. However, there are no immediate plans to introduce a specific agroforestry scheme. Within the Afforestation and Native Woodland Schemes that have already been introduced, it is open to landowners to combine farming and forestry in that...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: A good deal of work has already been undertaken and significant progress has been made on drafting the proposed Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which is intended to give effect to a number of commitments, in the area of animal health and welfare, contained in the Programme for Government. Following the public consultation process initiated earlier in the year on the draft Bill, almost 400...
- Written Answers — Sheep Production: Sheep Production (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: The report for the European Parliament by Mr. Liam Aylward MEP on the sheep sector in Europe has called for the introduction of an environmental maintenance scheme for ewes to arrest the decline in sheep production. This recommendation and others in the Aylward Report were considered in detail at a special conference on the sheep sector that was held in Limoges by the French Presidency at...