Results 28,081-28,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry Issues (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Market conditions in the cattle sector are monitored on an ongoing basis by my Department and I am aware of reports that some sellers are experiencing difficulties in trading and moving stock particularly those animals that do not qualify for the industry’s Quality Payment System. Prices for prime steers and heifers have remained relatively stable but the young bull trade is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Food production and labelling rules in the European Union operate in accordance with harmonised rules and member states controls are subject to audit and supervision by the EU Food and Veterinary Office of the EU. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland under the aegis the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety and labelling requirements in Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Exports Growth (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Since my appointment as Minister I have been very active in developing relationships in new and expanding international markets for dairy, beef and lamb, raising the profile of Ireland and increasing international confidence in Irish production and control systems. My aim is to provide a platform for long-term trading relationships into the future in these sectors, particularly in new and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: While suckler cow numbers have remained relatively stable since payments were decoupled from production in January 2005, my Department monitors the composition and strength of the national herd on an ongoing basis. The most recent results published by the CSO show a marginal increase in the numerical strength of the herd in 2013 relative to 2012 as high cattle prices encouraged beef producers...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry Development (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: I consider that the fishing industry itself is best placed to advise me on their needs. It is for this reason that the representative producer organisations in the industry, both fishermen and onshore processors, meet each month with my Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to make recommendations to me in relation to the quota to be allocated in the coming month for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry Development (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by Bord Iascaigh Mhara that there are approximately 11,000 people employed in the seafood industry, of which almost 5,000 are employed in the catching sector and close to 3,000 in the processing sector. Employment growth in recent years has occurred mostly in the processing sector. Over the past three years, the seafood processing sector has performed strongly in creating jobs...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry Development (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: From the outset of the Common Fisheries Policy revision process, Ireland’s overarching goal was to ensure a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to ensure that fish stocks would be protected for future...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Fisheries Policy Reform (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The new Common Fisheries Policy reform agreement, negotiated to completion under the Irish Presidency will mean real meaningful reform to how EU waters are fished in the future. The agreement is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters, utilising best scientific advice as a key determinant in setting annual fishing quotas in the future. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food and Agriculture Organisation (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Overall, the EU 27 is a mature food producing market with a reasonable balance between food production and consumption. As can be seen from the OECD- FAO food production forecasts for the period 2013-2022 table beneath, a significant increase in production is not anticipated over the next decade. OECD FAO 2013-2022 Supply Balance Forecasts % Volume Growth per annum Wheat Beef Sheep...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under the EU Regulations governing the REP Scheme, the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. This process has now been completed for 2013 REPS4 payments and 24,972 participants have been paid their 2013 REPS4...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: AEOS I and II payments in respect of the 2013 Scheme year commenced in November 2013. Under the EU Regulations governing all area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The table below outlines the number of participants currently...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Division (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The management and farming of common lands, which are generally, but not exclusively all, hill and marginal lands form an extremely important part of rural Ireland. This is, particularly, the case along the West coast and these lands are important from a farming, environmental and leisure activities point of view. It is my intention to make an announcement on the management and farming of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The consultation process with stakeholders on the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 is ongoing and final written submissions have been invited by the 19th February 2014. Final decisions on the GLAS Scheme, including selection criteria to be used, will be made following the completion of the consultation process.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be fully aware of the value of the EU funded Direct Payment Schemes to Ireland. Each year farmers in Ireland benefit from funding of over €1.5 billion under Schemes such as the Single Farm Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the Agri-Environment Schemes, etc. This comprises the entire net income of many thousands of Irish farmers. The European Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Administration (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The information sought by the Deputy is being extracted and collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy immediately it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Application Numbers (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Payments under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced, on schedule, on 25 September and, to date, payments worth €195,511,959 have issued nationally, to some 93,155 applicants, with payments continuing to issue on a twice weekly basis, with individual cases being paid as they are confirmed eligible. Details of these payments are contained in the following table. The majority of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Application Numbers (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The following table sets out the number of applications received under each Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) prior to the relevant closing dates for each Scheme. Scheme Number of Applications Received Bioenergy 282 Dairy Equipment 5,785 Poultry Welfare 43 Rainwater Harvesting Scheme 94 Sheep Fencing/Handling 3,732 Sow Welfare 153 Total 10,089 With the exception...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Offences (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The bye law referred to by the Deputy continues to be in force under the Inland Fisheries Act 2010. Responsibility for that legislation rests with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (6 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 2010 and full payment has issued in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Milk Quota Applications (6 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Allocations of milk quota from the National Reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations made by an independent Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal examines and makes recommendations on applications for additional quota, from individual producers, on the grounds of animal disease. The Tribunal considered an application for additional quota from the person named at its meeting on...