Results 1,941-1,960 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application on 16 March 2005 for consideration of his circumstances under the second tranche of the force majeure-exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment scheme. Ill health was cited on the application form as giving rise to the circumstances outlined and the person named was requested to furnish medical evidence in support of this claim. However,...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The person named applied for premium on 30 animals under the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme. Payment of her 60% advance instalment amounting to â¬4,034.70 issued on 11 November 2004. When processing for balancing payment it was found that the herdowner had sold ten animals inside the six months retention period and did not have suitable replacements as required under the terms and...
- Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: Milk quota regulations provide that where a producer delivers less than 70% of his or her quota in a quota year, the undelivered portion of the milk quota may be added to the national reserve. However, in view of the range of circumstances that can temporarily affect production, the addition of part of a producer's quota to the reserve is only actively considered by my Department if...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The person named declared a forage area of 41.16 hectares on his 2004 area aid application form. His stocking density for 2004, based on this area and the number livestock units on his holding throughout the year as determined from his ewe premium application in the case of sheep and five census in the case of cattle, was 1.4431. Since this stocking density is not less than 1.4 LUs per...
- Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: There has been ongoing contact between my Department and the Commission on this issue. A detailed written submission has also been made to the Commission on the issue. A meeting between my officials and officials of the agriculture directorate general of the European Commission is scheduled to take place later this week. At that meeting my officials will present strong arguments to support...
- Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy is aware, Ireland implemented the single payment scheme in January 2005. The special beef premium scheme and the slaughter premium scheme were the only schemes where the deadline for receipt of applications was 31 December 2004. This meant that as many farmers as possible submitted their applications in late December 2004 in order that they could benefit from the special beef...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware of the consultations in progress with the European Commission regarding the implementation in Ireland of the nitrates directive. He will also be aware of the substantial increases in grants under the farm waste management scheme introduced last year. By virtue of the Sustaining Progress agreement 2003, it was agreed that improvements would be made to the grants...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: In 2004 Ireland exceeded its national ceiling for special beef premium animals eligible for the first tranche of premium. This necessitated a cutback in the numbers of animals eligible for premium in herds with more than 25 eligible animals. The exact extent of the cutback necessary is not yet known but interim payments for special beef premium and extensification premium have been made. The...
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: In its report, which was completed in April 2002, the organic development committee concluded that a target of 3% of land area in organic farming by 2006 was achievable. Despite substantial funding from my Department and the efforts of the various stakeholders, however, the size of the organic sector remains more or less static. As a result, it now appears unlikely that the target can be...
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: I understand the national steering group for the organic sector has decided to recommend that the development of a single national organic label should not be proceeded with in the foreseeable future. I will consider this recommendation in the context of a report from the chairman of the steering group, which I expect to receive shortly.
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: In 2003 the value of the Irish organic food market as a whole was estimated at â¬38 million. This represents less than 1% of the total food market. Imported produce represents approximately 70% of all organic produce sold in Ireland, although this includes foods which are out of season in this country or could not be produced here. Full details giving a breakdown of the organic food market...
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The report of the organic development committee, published in April 2002, recommended that initially the promotion of organic food should focus on Irish products which have already achieved a niche in the home market and that, as supply increases, there should be a growing emphasis on developing export markets. Supply of organic beef is now increasing and export opportunities are being...
- Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: A group under the chairmanship of Dr. Crosby carried out a technical examination of costs arising following restocking with a particular category of sheep in the case of flock-owners where the depopulation occurred during the initial scrapie depopulation regime. In total, 100 flocks were depopulated under this phase and restocking was not permitted for a period of two years. Flock owners...
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The organic market development group, OMDG, recognises the important role of farmers' markets in Ireland both as a route to market and also as a starting point for new organic entrants. While organic producers are well represented at local food markets in Ireland the markets are not the exclusive preserve of organic producers. The OMDG, which is chaired by Bord Bia, believes that the small...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The person named, having been notified that the circumstances outlined by him did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure-exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003, submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee. Following a full examination of the circumstances outlined in the appeal, the independent single payment appeals...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The person concerned is an applicant under the installation aid scheme. By virtue of the terms of the scheme, applicants are required to submit their preliminary application â IAS 1 â within six months of the date of establishment. In this case, the period for lodgment of the IAS 1 form expired in August 2002 but the application was not received by my Department from the person concerned...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined by him did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure-exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. Following this decision the person named submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee. A full review of the circumstances of the case will be carried out by the...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined by him did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure -exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. Following this decision the person named submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee. The single payment appeals do not fall under the remit of the agriculture...
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application under the scheme of early retirement from farming on 24 December 2004. The application was incomplete and further information was requested, most recently on 26 April 2005. The agricultural adviser engaged by the person named to prepare his application subsequently sought an extension of the period for submitting the additional information and this...
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (14 Jun 2005)
Mary Coughlan: Leased commonage is currently ineligible for payment in REPS because such leases have been associated with the over-grazing of upland commonages in the West. I am sympathetic, however, to the position of farmers who have traditionally farmed commonage in a sustainable way on long-term lease. I have asked my officials to devise proposals that will address their situation while safeguarding the...