Results 4,581-4,600 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department received a request for the assignment of the licence referred to by the Deputy on 14 November 2018. This request is currently under consideration by my Department and is being processed in the normal way.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 213 together. In 2018 my Department continued to open new markets and deepen trade within existing markets for Irish agri-food exporters, the highlight of which was the decision of the Chinese authorities to open their market to Irish beef imports by listing a number of approved Irish beef establishments. Other notable achievements were agreements...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Market diversification work continues with the industry in order to increase the sector’s global footprint across the world, as well as helping to reduce the sector's exposure to the UK market. Against the backdrop of EU-agreed trade deals such as those completed with Canada, Japan and Mexico, my Department continues to prioritise efforts to gain access to new third country markets...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I am satisfied that there is significant potential for the Irish beef sector to add value all along the supply chain. I recognise that 2018 has been a difficult year for many beef farmers, with higher input costs due to the unprecedented weather events, and prices under pressure towards the back end of the year. At the last meeting of the Beef Roundtable on 3rd October I highlighted...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: In 2017, Ireland exported dairy products, including dairy powders to 147 countries totalling over €4.6 billion worth of produce, an increase of over 17% compared to 2016, representing high-quality value-added produce. Irish dairy products have a highly rated and hard earned reputation in terms of quality, safety and sustainability, and this gives them a competitive edge in markets...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Brexit, no matter what format it takes, will have a negative impact on Irish agri-food across all sectors by virtue of their exposure to the UK market. This is particularly true of the poultry sector, in terms of export dependence on the UK market. The overall value of Irish poultry exports have increased by around 3 percent for 2017 to €295 million in value, with volumes rising by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Slaughtering Data (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: The slaughter of livestock in this country for human consumption is carried out at facilities which are approved by either the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine or by the relevant local authorities. There are currently 49 meat plants approved and supervised by my Department to slaughter animals for human consumption. The numbers of animals slaughtered from the main species in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Enterprises (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: The 2013 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provided Irish farmers with policy certainty and financial support to increase sustainability and enhance competitiveness. Member States and the Council of Agriculture Ministers continue to consider the EU Commission’s post CAP 2020 proposals, which were published earlier this year. Ireland is working closely with our EU...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I am very aware of the significance to farmers and the wider rural economy of the payments that issue to farmers from my Department under a range of schemes. With this in mind, my Department continues to issue payments under these schemes as a matter of priority. Under the 2018 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme some 100,828 applicants hold eligible designated lands. The ANC...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Strategies (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: The main targets set out in the Food Harvest report published in 2010 were, by 2020, to increase the value of primary output by 33% and agri-food exports by 40% (both from a 2007-09 average baseline); and to increase value added production by 40% (from a 2008 baseline). In addition to these value increases, a target was set for a 50% increase in milk production by 2020, to be progressed...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Food Wise 2025, the latest ten year strategy for the agri-food sector published in July 2015, is the successor to the Food Harvest strategy. It identifies the opportunities and challenges facing the sector and provides an enabling strategy that will allow the sector to grow and prosper. Food Wise includes more than 400 specific recommendations, spread across the cross-cutting themes of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Safety Standards (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Food products placed on the European marketplace are covered by a range of legislation designed to ensure that products supplied to consumers are of the highest safety standards. My Department plays a part in the enforcement of this legislation along with Competent Authorities in other Member States, other Irish Government departments and State Agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. As per the recommendations of a report into the greyhound industry by the Joint Committee on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon. I have requested...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Eligibility (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: An application under the Basic Payments Scheme (BPS and the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme was submitted by the persons named on 12 April 2018. Under the Terms and Conditions of the ANC scheme applicants must have at least 3 hectares of eligible designated lands. My Department's records show that the persons named have not declared any designated lands and therefore are not...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Data (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: To date, over 96% of eligible GLAS participants have received their 2018 advance payment. A number of cases remain ineligible for payment as the GLAS participant and/or their Advisor need to complete a certain action or actions. I would encourage any GLAS applicant with outstanding obligations, such as the submission of a Nutrient Management Plan, GLAS Training or finalisation of a Commonage...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Quotas (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: The negotiations the Deputy refers to are those concerning the management of mackerel in the North East Atlantic which is Ireland’s single most important fishery. The negotiations concluded in Bergen last week after five separate rounds and the parties to the final agreement were the European Union, Norway, and the Faroe Islands. Ireland is the second largest EU quota holder and my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sugar Quotas Abolition (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: In 2006 the EU introduced a restructuring mechanism intended to reduce overall production of sugar, acknowledging the then global over supply and resultant low prices being achieved. Greencore, as the holder of the entire Irish sugar quota at the time, availed itself of this voluntary initiative, ceasing production and dismantling its processing facilitates. As part of the reform of the CAP...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Development (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Artisan and speciality food businesses can have a significant impact on local rural economies and their importance is acknowledged in the Food Wise 2025 strategy. Growth prospects for the sector are positive overall, driven by increased consumer interest in the provenance of food, environmental concerns, health and a desire to support the local economy. A range of supports for the artisan...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Data (5 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: No staff from my department are seconded to work in other EU Member States administration. However Nine staff from my Department currently work as Seconded National Experts (SNEs) in other UN and EU institutions.