Results 33,601-33,620 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly supported the abolition of milk quotas from 2015 as they were widely regarded by both the Irish dairy sector and market analysts as a brake on the potential of the sector to respond positively to opportunities in the market. I expect that the Irish dairy sector will fully exploit this potential following the abolition of milk quotas on the 1st of April 2015. In the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am confident that the beef sector has a positive future, based on expanding global demand, and that the ambitious targets which it set for itself in Food Harvest 2020 can be met. Notwithstanding the ongoing consolidation of the public finances, my Department and the agencies under its remit continue to provide an array of financial and infrastructural supports to underpin production and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheepmeat Sector (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am committed to supporting the sheep industry, which makes a valuable contribution to the overall agri-food sector. In this regard I very much welcome the fact that the declining trend in numbers in our national flock has been reversed and that our sheep numbers are now increasing. This reflects a growing sense of confidence amongst our sheep farmers in terms of rebuilding breeding stock...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Severe Weather Events (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 895 and 896 together. This year has indeed been a very difficult one for the farming sector as a result of inclement weather. The very wet weather during the summer months resulted in reduced grass growth and a reduction in yield and quality across a variety of crops including cereals, potatoes and vegetables. In many cases, housing of stock has taken...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Irish exports in the agri food sector have performed strongly in recent years, and I believe that it is well positioned to take advantage of future increases in demand arising from increasing global population. The Food Harvest 2020 report sets out the strategic vision for the agri-food and fishing sector. From a dairying perspective, the ending of milk quotas in 2015 represents an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry Development (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Both Food Harvest 2020 and Action Plan for Jobs 2012 recognise that most of the potential for increased employment in the seafood sector is in the areas of processing and aquaculture. Food Harvest 2020 aims to increase employment in the seafood sector as a whole, from the present approximately 11,000 to 14,000 by 2020. I am advised by Bord Iascaigh Mhara that some 2,870 people are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) under the aegis the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety in Ireland. This includes the enforcement of food labelling regulations. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies including the Health Service Executive (HSE), Local Authorities, the Sea Fisheries...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: While the person named applied for derogation under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas scheme, the application was unsuccessful. The applicant was notified of this decision in writing and advised of the right of appeal to the recently established independent DAS Appeals Committee.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 10th May 2012. In order to comply with EU requirements, the application was one of a number which was selected for inspection and therefore payment could not be made pending the outcome of this process. The inspection has been completed and the application is now being...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Processing of the application of the person named has recently been completed and therefore payments under the 2012 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The export of animals is regulated at EU level. As regards animal welfare, the EU has had rules governing animal welfare during transport since 1977 while the EU rules on animal health are in place since the 1960’s. These rules aim to eliminate technical barriers to trade in live animals and to allow market organisations to operate smoothly, while ensuring a satisfactory level of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Lands (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as those mentioned by the Deputy, are the responsibility of the company. The matter has, however, been raised with Coillte who advise that, in line with their Recreation Policy, the public are welcome to access all areas on foot and designated forests and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sugar Industry (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: As part of the reform of the EU sugar regime in 2006, a temporary restructuring scheme was introduced with the aim of reducing EU sugar production in order to comply with WTO and other international obligations. The scheme provided an incentive for sugar processors to renounce sugar quota and dismantle the associated sugar processing plant and it provided compensation for affected...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Processing of the application concerned has recently been completed and payments under the Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheepmeat Sector (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Trade in sheep is governed by Council Directive 91/68/EEC, as amended, on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in ovine and caprine animals. This legislation requires inter alia that Member States ensure that ovine animals for slaughter are not dispatched to another Member State unless such animals have been continuously resident on the holding of origin for at least 21 days.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: While the person named applied for derogation under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas scheme, the application was unsuccessful. The applicant was notified of this decision in writing and advised of the right of appeal to the recently established independent DAS Appeals Committee. The applicant has availed of this right of appeal and, accordingly, the case will now be considered by the DAS Appeals...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: There is a symbiotic relationship between primary production in the beef and dairy sectors. The removal of milk quotas will lead to increased production from the dairy herd post 2015. Maximising the value of increased beef from the dairy herd following the abolition of quotas presents an opportunity for the industry that can be of considerable benefit to both producers and processors. Current...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Traditional Farm Building Scheme was introduced as a supplementary measure under REPS 4 in 2008. Its objective is to ensure that a number of traditional farm buildings, which contribute to the visual landscape and are of historical and architectural value, will be maintained into the future. The Heritage Council administer the Traditional Farm Building Scheme on behalf of my Department....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person concerned is an applicant under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Currently, this applicant is one of a number, whose cases are impacted by a requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare and who have applied for a derogation in this regard. Immediately a decision is reached on this application, the person concerned will be notified in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: While the person named applied for derogation under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas scheme, the application was unsuccessful. The applicant was notified of this decision in writing and advised of the right of appeal to the recently established independent DAS Appeals Committee.