Results 34,341-34,360 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Genetically Modified Organisms (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Teagasc have not developed any genetically modified organisms in Ireland, but were recently awarded a licence by the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out field research on a GM potato designed to resist potato blight disease. The field study is part of a publicly funded EU research project being carried out by a consortium of 22 partners representing 15 EU Member States. The GM...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Genetically Modified Organisms (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Teagasc were recently awarded a licence by the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out field research on a GM potato designed to resist potato blight disease. The field study is part of a publicly funded EU research project being carried out by a consortium of 22 partners representing 15 EU Member States. The GM potato variety which Teagasc are researching was generated by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: The only method to protect a designation of the type referred to by the Deputy is through the EU Scheme of Geographical Indications (GIs). Under that scheme Protected Designation of Origin, Protected Geographical Indication and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed designations can all be legally protected on the basis that they reflect the geographical area, traditions and production methods by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: This contract relates to a single tract of land which is owned by two separate applicants. The land is registered in the names of both of these applicants but it was divided equally to be the subject of two forestry contracts. One of the applicants is now disputing the entitlement to one of the plantations. The Forest Service cannot pay on a contract on which there is a dispute about legal...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 354 to 358, inclusive, and 360 to 362, inclusive, together. The persons concerned are applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Currently, they are part of a larger group, 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. These...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tax Code (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the importance of improving land mobility and of encouraging greater transfer of land, and of the existing challenges in this regard. In order to assist meeting the ambitious targets set out in Food Harvest 2020, new taxation measures were introduced in last year’s budget aimed at improving land mobility and farm consolidation, and encouraging transfers to younger, more...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Numbers (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department grants leave of absence on an unpaid basis in accordance with the regulations which govern such leave. Each application for such leave of absence is considered on its own merits.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: The numbers of farmers in receipt of payments under the 2011Single Payment Scheme in the categories requested were as follows: Band No of farmers paid SPS in 2011 > 99,999.99 243 50,000 - 99,999.99 1,804 5,000 - 49,999.99 69,543 0 - 4,999.99 52,193

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grocery Industry Competition (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: The negotiation of commercial contracts is essentially a matter for the contracting parties. Prices paid for products in the marketplace are a function of a number of market forces. The Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to enact fair trade legislation in the retail sector so as to ensure balance between various players in the grocery goods sector. This comes under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation and the new EU food information regulations were adopted by the Council of Health Ministers. The Food Information for the Consumer Regulation (1169/2011/EC) extended explicit compulsory origin labelling requirements to meats other than beef, with the detailed rules to be adopted in implementing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Issues (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together. The pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agri-food sector, with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. Prices have continued to increase during 2012 and are currently at record levels, some 12.53% ahead year on year, or 18c per kilo higher. The industry faces a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Credit Availability (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I and my Department are in regular contact with farm bodies, various national banks and the Banking Federation concerning the availability of credit to farmers. I am aware that, like many other sectors, farmers are finding it difficult to get credit due to the strict assessments introduced as a result of the global financial crisis. The banks do provide information online, via the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Potato Sector (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Potato yields have suffered due to the very wet weather over the summer period. In addition, quality has also been negatively affected. There are significant problems with blight in this year’s crops due to high disease pressure coupled with grower’s inability to spray at the appropriate times during the severe wet weather. In many cases harvested potatoes are also showing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I believe there is a good commitment within the EU to a strong agri-food sector and an increased recognition of the importance of the sector’s contribution to the achievement of economic, social and environmental objectives. In developing the EU2020 strategy for recovery and growth in Europe, Heads of State and Government in the European Council recognised this contribution concluding...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the fisheries policy of the European Union which was first put in place in 1983 and has been subject to reviews every 10 years. The current CFP is under review and is now expected to be adopted in 2013 possibly during the Irish Presidency. My overarching goal for the new CFP is for a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am not aware of any studies specifically identifying job losses in the catching and processing of fish and fish products carried out at EU level. However looking specifically at the Irish situation, figures from the Bord Iascaigh Mhara Annual Report for 1971/72 gives the number of both full and part time employed on board fishing boats as being 5,801. An employment survey from BIM gives...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector Issues (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: In addition to meeting my European counterparts at Council level on policy matters periodically throughout the year, developments in agricultural commodity markets are constantly monitored and discussed at monthly meetings of the management committee for the relevant sector at which Ireland is represented by officials of my Department. In the context of internal market and third country...

Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (20 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I move:That the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 be referred to the Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and 126(1).

Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I thank everybody who contributed to the Second Stage debate and I look forward to what I know will be a very long Committee Stage. A number of those who spoke in this debate are passionate about this issue and I want to try to take on board, where possible, their concerns. However, I must also try to provide balance. There is a series of conflicting views on what constitutes the right...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Imports (20 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Imports of fresh vegetables into Ireland for the year 2011 and the period January-July 2012 are presented in Table 1 below. All values relate to fresh and chilled vegetables only. It should be borne in mind that Ireland’s climate is marginal in terms of commercial production for some vegetables such as onions whilst others can not be grown here at economical prices during certain...