Results 19,361-19,380 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Data (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: Almost 27,000 applications to join GLAS were received under the first tranche of the new scheme this year, making this one of the most successful launches of any agri-environment scheme ever in Ireland. All applications are now being assessed and applicants will be notified in writing in October of the outcome of their application and of their contract commencement date. A total of 3,250...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The price of milk and dairy commodities is determined by supply and demand factors at international level . Food commodity markets including dairy markets have been characterised by significant levels of volatility for a number of years prior to the abolition of dairy quotas . F actors contributing to global price volatility in 2015 include the Russian Ban and the softening of Chinese demand...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishery Harbour Centres (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The property portfolio in Howth, one of six Fishery Harbour Centres managed and operated by my Department, encompasses a range of diverse properties reflecting its remit as a working fishery harbour and its unique features which facilitate a broad range of other diverse activities which are important from both an economic and social perspective. My Department’s aim, working within the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 Act apply to the premises and the persons referred to by the Deputy. The Act is designed to protect the health and welfare of all animals, irrespective of species, whether kept for commercial, domestic, sport, show or for other purposes. Under the Act, the penalties are as high as can be permitted under our legal system such that on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The closing date for applications to the Beef Data & Genomics Programme (BDGP) was the 5th June 2015, and my Department received almost 30,000 valid applications for the scheme. The BDGP is an essential component in reversing the widely acknowledged decline in the maternal index of the Irish suckler herd. The BDGP will also improve the quality of the national suckler herd and deliver...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bovine Disease Controls (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: There is a very comprehensive range of compensation measures provided by my Department to herdowners in the event of an outbreak of bovine TB in their herd. The main compensation scheme for these farmers is the On-Farm Market Valuation Scheme, which provides for full compensation, based on current “Market Value”, for the direct losses incurred by farmers arising from the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licence Application Numbers (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The statistical information sought by the Deputy in respect of aquaculture licence applications is as follows; - Shellfish Finfish Number of Aquaculture Licences sought since I came into office 408 34 Number awaiting decision when I came into office 512 32 Number decided since I came into office 302 5 Number awaiting decision at present 564* 61 Note: These figures...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Applications (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The first tranche of GLAS proved hugely successful attracting nearly 27,000 applications in all. Applications were received from every single county and virtually every action was selected at some stage. On the basis of the plans submitted for the 27,000 applications received to date, we have already met or exceeded RDP targets for a number of different actions, including Low Input...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Harvest 2020 Strategy (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The main targets set out in the Food Harvest report published in 2010 were, by 2020, to increase the value of: - Primary output in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by 33% (from a 2007-09 average baseline), - Agriculture, food (including seafood) and drink exports by 42% (from a 2007-09 average baseline), - Value added production by 40% (from a 2008 baseline). In addition to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: Ireland received a major reputational boost for its beef this year as the first EU Member State to gain access to the US. The Chinese authorities decided in February 2015 to lift the BSE ban on boneless beef from animals under 30 months of age from Ireland making us the first EU MS to achieve this goal. This move, while very significant, does not permit trade to commence and my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Basic Payments / Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 7 May 2015. Processing of the application under the ANC Scheme is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the ANC application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Eligibility (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: There is no change to the list of rare breeds eligible for support under GLAS, and this list includes Dexter cattle . Priority entry to GLAS is available to those who were registered with the relevant breed society and had stock in 2012 and/or 2013. In the case of the Kerry Bog Pony and the Galway Sheep, which are of particular conservation concern, those acquiring stock in 2014 and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Development (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Killybegs, Dingle, Castletownbere, and Ros an Mhíl. This Department is also responsible for North Harbour at Cape Clear Island and for maintaining a range of piers, lights and beacons around the coast in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: Food Wise 2025, the new ten year strategy for the agrifood sector published in July this year, builds on the successful vision of Food Harvest 2020. It identifies the opportunities and challenges facing the agrifood sector and provides an enabling strategy with more than 380 specific recommendations, which will allow the sector to grow and prosper. As a small open economy which exports the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together. MeatMarkets A strong global demand for meat exists and my focus as Minister is to enable Irish exporters to take advantage of the market opportunities that arise. My Department engages on an ongoing basis with many countries, in collaboration with Bord Bia and Irish embassy staff, on market access issues. These initiatives have led to a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: My colleague the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation and the new EU food information regulations which were adopted by the Council of Health Ministers in December 2011. However, my Department plays an important role in the enforcement of this legislation under service contract to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Primary...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The development of a viable pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the crucial role which the industry plays in supporting approximately 7,000 jobs including production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. In 2014 export volumes increased by approximately 7%, with growth to the UK, Continental Europe and International markets. Export values increased by some 3% and are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry Development (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 93 together. Foodwise 2025 recognises that seafood, in common with the broader food sector, will benefit from the projected increasing global demand for food produce over the coming decade. Current FAO estimates are that world consumption of fish will grow by an average annual consumption of 17 kg per person per annum resulting in a requirement for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Poultry Industry (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The poultry sector plays an important role within the Irish agricultural economy, accounting for approximately 2% of gross agricultural output. The poultry sector supports around 5,000 jobs, most of these in rural areas. The value of primary output for the total poultry sector stood at approximately €186 million in 2014. Given that the forecast for consumer demand remains somewhat...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (7 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters. A key element of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield). This should ultimately lead to...