Results 6,321-6,340 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Review (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: If the Deputy were listening, he would have heard me say that we welcome the proposal and are anxious to ensure that it is put in place. The issue of adequate funding for CAP is a current and ongoing debate and, as the Deputy stated, proposals will shortly be published by Commissioner Oettinger, who is responsible for the budget. However, that is not the end of it and these matters will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Basic Payment Scheme (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The framework for the next CAP is set out in the European Commission's paper The Future of Food and Farming, which was published in November 2017. It is critically important that the CAP of the future serves all citizens of the European Union. It must support family farms and underpin the production of food to the highest standards of quality and safety. It will also be required to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Basic Payment Scheme (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: This question goes to the heart of CAP. We will have greater discretion. There is an appealing simplicity to the argument advanced by Deputy Kenny but there are concerns that such a system could skew payments in favour of large landholders who may currently have lower payments, to the disadvantage of smallholders. We must be careful in this area. If a farmer has a couple of thousand...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Basic Payment Scheme (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The opposite. The flat-rate payment would relatively benefit a smallholder in the west of Ireland. We must ensure greater equity. I have heard the argument advanced that the entitlement agreed almost 20 years ago should no longer be relevant but we must bear in mind that in all iterations of CAP since then, we have continued to move away from that. Under the current CAP, through...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Basic Payment Scheme (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: I accept the point and the Deputy's bona fides. I agree with many of the views he has expressed. The question proposes a flat-rate system in lieu of the current entitlements regime, which dates back almost 20 years. However, one must bear in mind that a flat-rate system may further disadvantage many such smallholders. There may be-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Review (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The future of the CAP is of enormous importance for the agriculture sector in Ireland and across Europe. The CAP has evolved considerably and very effectively in recent years in response to changing market, consumer and environmental demands. It also plays a central role in delivering the smart, sustainable and inclusive growth sought under the Europe 2020 strategy. It is important that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Review (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: To the best of my knowledge, the outliers, if I might use that term in the context of those resisting a commitment to increasing the budget contribution, include the Dutch, the Danes, the Austrians and, if I am not mistaken, the Swedes. As the Taoiseach stated, we are committed to contributing more to the EU budget. The Deputy's figures relating to the consequences of the UK departure are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Negotiations (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: As I have stated before, fisheries has from the outset been a high priority for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations, and so it will remain. I am determined to ensure that fisheries remain high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that the interests of Ireland's fishing communities are fully safeguarded. My continued objective is to ensure that the implications for fisheries are fully taken...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports to China (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: My officials continue to work towards opening and enhancing access to as many markets as possible. This is a key part of our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit, and in line with the market development theme of the Food Wise 2025 strategy. A wide range of staff across my Department are involved in market access work which is co-ordinated by an internal High-Level Market...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports to China (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: My officials continue to work towards opening and enhancing access to as many markets as possible. This is a key part of our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit, and in line with the market development theme of the Food Wise 2025 strategy. A wide range of staff across my Department are involved in market access work which is co-ordinated by an internal High-Level Market...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports to China (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The recent opening of the Chinese beef market to Irish beef is hugely significant for the Irish beef industry, all along the chain from farmers through to processors and exporters. It marks the culmination of a number of years work involving my Department, the Irish Embassy in Beijing and with the close co-operation of the Chinese Ambassador in Dublin and his Embassy staff, Bord Bia, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Administration (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The GLAS scheme surpassed the original target of 50,000 participants well ahead of the targeted date - such is the popularity of the scheme. Given that the first approvals under the scheme run from 1 October 2015 it is a remarkable achievement to have exceeded this target within a period of 15 months. GLAS, like previous agri-environment schemes supports participants in improving their...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Applications (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: Under the EU regulations, 2018 is the first year that all applications for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) are to be submitted online. Recent years have seen significant growth in the number of farmers applying for the BPS online, and this is reflective of the range of benefits that online application brings for farmers. Among the benefits available to online applicants is the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The long term vision for the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, is an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise the capacity for sustainable food production. We are taking a number of steps on this pathway, with the Department funding a range of initiatives and schemes to improve the sustainability of the sector. Examples include over 50,000 farmers...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Inspection Service (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: Following a competitive tender process, my Department has commissioned a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of options that have been proposed for the future development of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs). The team conducting the CBA includes internationally-recognised, independent experts in economic analysis and animal disease surveillance. It is currently engaged in research work...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports to China (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: I was delighted to recently announce the opening of the Chinese beef market to exports from Ireland. This key market presents an excellent opportunity for the Irish beef sector, from farmers through to processors, in line with the market development theme of our Food Wise strategy. Opening and developing new markets is also a key part of our response to the uncertainties arising from Brexit....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Negotiations (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy is aware the biggest challenge facing the Irish fishing industry is Brexit which is the reason the sector has been a high priority for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations, and will continue to be so for the Government. I am determined to ensure that fisheries remain high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that the interests of Ireland's fishing communities are fully safeguarded....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: I am aware of and concerned about the reported incidents in Macroom, Castlemaine and on the M3. The Hunting Association of Ireland has a detailed Code of Conduct in place in respect of the hunting of foxes. I am concerned and disappointed that despite the existence of this Code, these events occurred. I have asked my officials to engage with the Hunting Association to seek explanations and to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy may be aware, the EU Fisheries Council in 2008 adopted a Cod Recovery Plan, which was set out in Council Regulation (EC) No. 1342/2008 and which established a long-term plan for cod stocks, and the fisheries exploiting those stocks. This Regulation governs Cod Effort Management in ICES areas 6a and 7a. The EU Commission proposal for the North Sea Management Plan has been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (26 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The GLAS scheme surpassed the original target of 50,000 participants well ahead of the targeted date - such is the popularity of the scheme. Given that the first approvals under the scheme run from 1 October 2015 it is a remarkable achievement to have exceeded this target within a period of 15 months. GLAS 2017 advance payments have now issued to over 47,000 applicants, representing over 99%...