Results 6,021-6,040 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: When sustainably managed, forests have the additional and significant benefit of being a permanent store or reservoir of carbon over the long term and provide wood products that can substitute more energy intensive materials. The National Inventory Report 2017 to the UNFCCC shows that in 2015 Irish forests and wood products sequestered 4.3 Million Tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Under the now...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Household Incomes (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: In March this year the Central Statistics Office released its Preliminary Estimate of Output, Input and Income in Agriculture and this shows that aggregate farm income, or operating surplus, increased by 35% to €3,498 million in 2017. This followed an increase in aggregate farm income of 3.6% in 2016 and 2.3% in 2015. Last week Teagasc released preliminary results of its...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The European Commission makes proposals each year for Total Allowable Catch (TAC) levels for each stock - they are based on formal advice received from theInternational Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the independent international body with responsibility for advising on the state of fish stocks. Our own Marine Institute is a very active contributor to the work of that body....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Funding (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: I am very aware of the importance of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, which issues annual payments in excess of €200 million to over 95,000 farmers. The ANC Scheme has always been recognised as a very important support for rural society and farmers across the country who farm constrained lands. In light of the importance of the scheme, the Programme for a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheepmeat Sector (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: I am very conscious of the important role that the sheep sector plays in relation to the continued growth and development of our agri-food sector. For example, some 57,000 tonnes of Irish sheep meat worth €274 million was exported last year, with diversification evident from our traditional primary markets of France and the UK. With this in mind, I have ensured that my Department has...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposals for 2021-2027 were published by Budget Commissioner Gunther Oettinger on 2 May 2018. The proposal indicates a 5% cut in the CAP budget for the next MFF period of 2021 - 2027. The proposal published by the European Commission is the initial MFF proposal. The final outcome will be determined by negotiations at EU level over the coming...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposals for 2021-2027 were published by Budget Commissioner Gunther Oettinger on 2 May 2018. The proposal indicates a 5% cut in the CAP budget for the next MFF period of 2021 - 2027. It should be noted that the proposal published by the European Commission is the initial MFF proposal. The final outcome will be determined by negotiations at EU...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The recent opening of the Chinese beef market is the result of years of cooperation and hard work on the part of my Department, the Irish Embassy in Beijing, Bord Bia, and the Irish beef industry. It is a hugely significant achievement for our industry, as well as an excellent endorsement of our world-class safety standards and product quality. Three beef plants were approved by the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms an integral part of my Department's current Rural Development Programme (2014-2020). The BDGP is the current main support for the suckler sector and will provide farmers with some €300 million of funding over six years. It was introduced by my Department with the clear and stated objective of using bovine genetics to address the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Review (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: Under EU regulation, Less Favoured/Disadvantaged Areas (with the exception of the islands) were to be replaced by newly designated Areas of Natural Constraints from 2018 with eligible areas being designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria such as soil drainage, texture and slope. However, as part of legislative amendments at EU level a proposal was made to extend the 2018 deadline...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposals for 2021-2027 were published by Budget Commissioner Gunther Oettinger on 2 May 2018. The proposal, indicates a 5% cut in the CAP budget for the next MFF period of 2021 - 2027. It should be noted that the proposal published by the European Commission is the initial MFF proposal. The final outcome will be determined by negotiations between...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Missions (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: From 13-18 May 2018 I led a large delegation of Irish food industry representatives on a trade mission to China and Hong Kong. As well as by official from my Department, I was accompanied throughout the trip by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and senior executives from our leading companies in the beef, pigmeat, dairy and seafood sectors. By way of background, Ireland’s agri-food...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: Examination of appropriate measures to support all agri food sectors, including the suckler sector, is underway in my Department in preparation for the next iteration of the CAP. The measures adopted will be informed by stakeholder consultation on the needs of the sector to develop in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, as well as the available budget and structure of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: Examination of appropriate measures to support all agri food sectors, including the suckler sector, is underway in my Department in preparation for the next iteration of the CAP. The measures adopted will be informed by stakeholder consultation on the needs of the sector to develop in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, as well as the available budget and structure of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Bodies (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The procedures followed by authorised officers of my Department in carrying out inspections are governed by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This is a modern Act and is the main legal instrument available to my Department to enforce animal welfare standards. This Act was passed following a constructive and extensive debate and all sides of this House engaged in the issues in a spirit...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Investigations (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: I welcome the opportunity to provide an update on the matter of illegal burning and how it relates to some of the key financial supports operated by my Department. The range of area based schemes, available to farmers, are vital supports which help to underpin the continued development of a competitive and sustainable Agri-Food sector in Ireland.  It is essential that my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: Live exports play a vital role in Ireland's livestock industry by stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. The ongoing search for new markets is a priority for my Department, particularly in the context of Brexit. Earlier this year I led a trade mission to Turkey, focussing on live exports. Ireland exported 30,000 cattle to Turkey last year,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dog Breeding Industry (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: Trade within the EU of dogs is governed by EU law. Dogs moved commercially to another EU Member State from Ireland must be accompanied by an EU pet passport and a health certificate issued by a Department veterinarian, be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination. Before travel, dogs must undergo a clinical examination by an authorised veterinarian, who must verify that the animals...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade. Indeed, this is all the more relevant after the UK’s decision to leave the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheep Welfare Scheme (30 May 2018)

Michael Creed: The current National Sheep Identification system (NSIS) has been in place since 2010. It is widely accepted that the system is overly complicated, relying too heavily on the manual transcription of lengthy identification numbers of sheep at various stages of production. My Department commenced a review of the current NSIS in 2015. The farm organisations and mart...