Results 6,461-6,480 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 282 together. I was delighted to announce the opening of the Chinese beef market earlier this week. The first three beef plants were approved and listed on CNCA’s website on Monday, April 16th. A further five plants are in the final stages of approval. This approval is a huge achievement for my Department. Getting to this stage has...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Data (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The CSO's 2013 Farm Structures Survey indicated that approximately 37,700 (27%) of Irish farmers are aged over 65 years and 8,200 (6%) are aged under 35 years. The full age breakdown as published by the CSO is: 2013 Number of Farmers % < 35 8,200 6% 35 - 44 22,800 16% 45 - 54 34,800 25% 55 - 64 35,600 26% > 65 37,700 27% Total 139,100 100% Source: Farm...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Issues (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: Balancing Payments for the GLAS scheme can only commence when the Member State has verified that all eligibility conditions have been met. This is a requirement in the relevant EU Payment Regulations and is a long-standing EU audit requirement. DAFM is currently under-taking the required level of inspections required to facilitate the balancing payments and is working to have this...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheep Welfare Scheme Data (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: As balancing payments under the Sheep Welfare Scheme have not yet commenced, the information requested by the Deputy is not yet available. Balancing payments are due to commence shortly and the information requested will be forwarded to the Deputy directly as soon as payments are finalised and the information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Data (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The statistics requested in this Parliamentary Question are currently being compiled and will be forwarded shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horticulture Sector (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: I recognise the very severe impact that storm Emma has had on the Horticultural sector, in particular on soft fruit and amenity plant producers. As an exceptional measure in response to the storm, Minister of State with responsibility for the Horticulture sector, Andrew Doyle, TD and I directed officials to re-open the 2018 Scheme of Investment Aid for the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: To date a total of 45 applications have been received under the Fodder Transport Support Measure 2018. The county breakdown of applications is - County Number of Applications Clare 16 Donegal 12 Galway 1 Leitrim 1 Longford 1 Mayo 3 Roscommon 8 Sligo 2 Tipperary 1 TOTAL 45

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Directives (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 to 291, inclusive, together. I welcome the publication of the proposal for a Directive on Unfair Trading Practices(UTPs) in business to business relationships in the food supply chain. The Commission proposal seeks to protect the weakest links in the  supply chain, farmers and small and medium sized food companies. The ambition is not to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Environmental Schemes (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: There is a whole of Government approach to climate policy with officials from my Department working very closely with other Departments and in particular with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, which leads in this area. In terms of ammonia, Ireland must comply with the National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NECD) under which ammonia emissions must...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The Department operates an Early Warning/Intervention System (EWS) which is an initiative, introduced by the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) and includes representatives from the farming bodies, the ISPCA and officials from my Department. Its objective is to provide a framework in  which farm animal welfare problems can be identified before they become critical and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Inspections (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The EU regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development measures require my Department to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with scheme eligibility criteria and Cross Compliance requirements. These inspections, including cross compliance, are mandatory and there are minimum numbers and types of inspections that must take place annually....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (19 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The Beef Data and Genomics Programme provides for six years of payments to participating farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability. A key requirement of the Programme is that participants must take genomic samples from selected animals using tags...

Statement by Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (18 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: It is a matter of standing up to them.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming (18 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The certification, control and inspection of all organic operators in Ireland, including those engaged in the production of organic farmed salmon, has been delegated in accordance with EU Regulations to a number of approved Organic Control Bodies. The relevant Organic Control Body has confirmed that the site named is certified as an organic freshwater rearing site i.e. a hatchery.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Origin Green Programme (18 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: Origin Green is the national sustainability programme for the Irish food and drink industry. It is a Bord Bia initiative and operated by that State Body. Participating companies within the programme sign up on a voluntary basis. As part of the membership requirements, companies must develop a multi-annual sustainability plan with time-bound targets. This plan is then independently...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming (18 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The organic status of operators in the food sector here in Ireland is certified by rigorous on-going assessment undertaken on behalf of my Department by designated Organic Control Bodies. My Department remains the Competent Authority under EU regulations but has delegated the certification function to those independent control bodies, in accordance with the relevant EU regulations and in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences (18 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department is currently examining possible breaches of licence conditions in respect of three aquaculture licences held by the Company referred to by the Deputy. These licences are in respect of the following sites: 1. Deenish (Co. Kerry) 2. Lough Swilly (Co. Donegal) 3. Roancarrig (Co. Cork) Every effort is being made by my Department to bring these examinations to a conclusion as soon...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Farming (18 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: All applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable National and EU legislation. The licensing process provides for a period of Statutory and Public Consultation. Licensing decisions are taken following the fullest consideration of all scientific,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Inspection Service Administration (18 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: Following a competitive tender process, my Department has commissioned RSM Ireland to undertake 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TAMS Eligibility (18 Apr 2018)

Michael Creed: The Terms and Conditions of the TAMS II Schemes are very specific in advising applicants that grant aid will not be paid in respect of new equipment or investments unless full ownership has been transferred to the applicant prior to the lodgement of the payment claim. Full ownership is defined as when the applicants themselves have fully paid for the investment from their bank account. ...