Results 2,461-2,480 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Carcase Disposal (19 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 to 185, inclusive, together. Discussions have taken place between the Animal Collectors Association and my Department officials on the fallen animal collection service. Following those intensive discussions, agreement has been reached that enables the collection of fallen animals to resume from the 17th September. My Department has also issued...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hare Coursing Regulation (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, the regulation of coursing is chiefly a matter for the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon. My Department has a strong and consistent record regarding the enforcement of animal welfare rules, including the review of 100 years of animal welfare legislation, leading to the enactment...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: The Competition and Consumer Protection Authority is the national competent authority for the enforcement of competition law in Ireland. It is an independent body under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and I do not have any oversight role in relation to its operation. However, my Department has plans to commission a summary of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Change Advisory Council (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) Annual Review 2019 highlights the key role of the agriculture, forestry and land-use sector in reducing emissions between now and 2030. The All-of-Government Climate Action Plan to tackle climate breakdown identifies a series of actions for the agriculture, forestry and land-use sector that ensure a fair contribution from agriculture and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: There is no rule limiting the age of cattle for beef production. However, meat processors do make in-spec bonus payments in respect of cattle which meet certain market specifications demanded by retail customers. The 30 month age limit to which you refer is one such specification. It is entirely a commercial matter and is not a condition imposed by my Department. It should be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: Market development – developing new markets and growing existing markets on the basis of market insights – is one of the five themes of Food Wise 2025, the ten-year strategy for the Irish agri-food sector. Market development and diversification is also a key response to the challenges which Brexit poses for the agri-food sector, particularly for the beef sector. My...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy is aware, the report referred to remains in draft format and is not included in the documents currently under consideration as part of the aquaculture licence applications process for Kilmakilloge Harbour. My Department is currently in communication with the Office of the Information Commissioner in relation to the possible release of this draft report.  In the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: While the threat posed by African Swine Fever (ASF) cannot be underestimated, it should be noted that ASF is not dangerous for humans, and meat from affected pigs does not pose any food safety risk. ASF has never been detected in Ireland and my Department implements a range of controls to mitigate against the risk of the disease coming here. This includes monitoring the international...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme Data (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: The Irish Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP) is governed by Regulation (EU) 1305/2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Transaction costs are defined herein as: Article 2.1.e "transaction cost" means an additional cost linked to fulfilling a commitment, but not directly attributable to its implementation or not included...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department is required to carefully vet all afforestation applications, with regard to their potential impact on the surrounding environment; on habitats; on archaeological monuments; on the social aspects of the proposal and to ensure that silviculturally, the proposal meets the required standards.  This detailed examination is carried out by district forestry inspectors, supported...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Racing Industry Funding (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department is fully committed to maximising the potential of the Sport Horse industry and continues to provide support to it both financially and with policy initiatives. I have demonstrated my commitment to the industry by increasing the budget allocated to Horse Sport Ireland from €2.0m in 2017 to €2.5m in 2018 and I have approved a further increase of €500,000 to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Knackery Industry (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together. Discussions have taken place between the Animal Collectors Association and my Department officials on the fallen animal collection service. Following those intensive discussions, agreement has been reached that enables the collection of fallen animals to resume from 17 September. Continued animal collection will be contingent on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TAMS Eligibility (18 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: To date, over 29,000 applications have been submitted under the suite of seven TAMS measures. Payment claims have been submitted in 11,500 of these cases. All approved applicants are encouraged to submit a payment claim as soon as they have completed their approved works. The average spend of a TAMS II participant (€36,500) is significantly higher than the minimum investment level...

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: The commitment from the parties that own it is to ask the State agency, Teagasc, to carry out the review with a view to seeing how it might be changed into the future. I think I have addressed all of the questions that have been raised. I believe this deal represents the best way forward and I hope that given the fact that it has been endorsed by everybody in the room who negotiated it,...

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: On the latter point, the pace of scientific advance is quite staggering in that area. One of the great strengths of our offering on the international stage is the natural product that we produce in a sustainable way in a grass-based production system. While we must be cognisant of all consumer trends and scientific advances, I do not think we should in any way dilute the merit of the...

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: It is a prescriptive approach that tells people the type of activities they should do because of the type of land they have. I do not believe the buy-in that we require in terms of the challenging obligations we have set for ourselves in the context of climate would be advanced by that kind of prescriptive approach. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, to respond to the question...

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: Yes.

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: I thank all Members for their constructive engagement on what is the most difficult, protracted, long-running and challenging issue that has arisen in the agricultural agenda for a long time. I thank not alone those who spoke but all Oireachtas Members of my party, all parties and none with whom I engaged intensively in the past several weeks in an effort to make progress on the issue. I...

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: Various ownership models have been at play. The co-operative model has previously applied in the meat industry, although now it is entirely privatised. Perhaps it is an issue for consideration and one that farmers and farm organisations could examine to add further competitive pressures to the market in Ireland. I do not see a role for State ownership but there was previous experience of...

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Michael Creed: I have made it abundantly clear, as have all of those who were party to the negotiations, that it is not legally possible to discuss fixing a base price; that is contrary to competition law. One of the leading organisations at the heart of this problem has officially communicated to us that it recognises that base price cannot be part of the negotiations. It has been to the forefront in...