Results 7,101-7,120 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Priority Questions: Afforestation Programme (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: There is a tax-free premium for 15 years.

Priority Questions: Afforestation Programme (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: The purpose of the mid-term review is to take stock of the forestry programme and analyse why the established targets were not being met, the extent to which they were not being met and the measures necessary to ensure we get back on track in meeting the targets. This is the context of the mid-term review and what it has primarily been about; it is not a fundamental reappraisal of the...

Priority Questions: Dairy Sector (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: I thank the Deputy for the question. As he is aware, the Irish dairy market, following on from broader EU and international trends, is currently in a much improved position compared to the relatively recent past. Of course, we remain extremely vigilant in monitoring the current market and emerging trends, particularly as we approach the peak period for Irish milk production. While the...

Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Funding (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: I thank Deputy McConalogue for raising this issue. 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 more than 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...

Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Funding (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: I find it ironic that Deputy McConalogue can raise this issue month after month and refuse to face up to the logic that what he proposes is robbing Peter to pay Paul. For example, the Deputy is suggesting that I would spend a farmer's entitlement under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, in a different area. I cannot legally do that. The Deputy should reflect on what he is...

Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Funding (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: I have repeated my position ad nauseambut it has become something of a dialogue of the deaf between Deputy McConalogue and me. I do not propose to break a contractual commitment into which I have entered with a farmer in Donegal, Cork or any point in between and to reallocate that funding to other areas, be that GLAS, the beef data and genomics programme, BDGP, targeted agricultural...

Priority Questions: Afforestation Programme (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: I thank Deputy Kenny for this question. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, is unavoidably absent today. The current forestry programme does not differentiate between a farmer and non-farmer but targets funding at all landowners who wish to convert lands to forestry. It is important to note that the non-farmer category also includes recently retired farmers and the family...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Quotas (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: After an intensive two days of negotiations, I managed to secure a total package of fish quotas worth €266 million for Irish fisherman for 2018. This included an 8% increase in the value of whitefish quotas leading to a new total of €152 million for the quota. Ireland’s quota for prawns also increased by 15% in 2018, which is the biggest single increase in over a decade...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: Informal discussions on future CAP policy post 2020 have been afoot since mid 2016 at many different fora.  Since then, more formal discussions have taken place at several Agri-Fish Councils in 2017 under the Maltese, Estonian and Bulgarian Presidencies.  Such discussions gave me the opportunity to discuss the future CAP policy with counterparts across member states,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments (13 Feb 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (13 Feb 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dog Breeding Industry (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: I am aware that DEFRA have begun a consultation process on proposals to introduce a ban  on commercial third party sales of puppies and kittens in England, the outcome of which is not expected until later in the year. The UK proposals are a matter of consultation so it is too early to speculate as to what their detailed impact on the sector in Ireland might be other than to note that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme Implementation (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: The Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government is the lead authority for the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations, otherwise known as the Nitrates Regulations, with a major role being played by my Department. Ireland successfully agreed with the European Commission in late 2017 on its fourth Nitrates Action Programme running from 2018 to 2021,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dog Breeding Industry (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: The welfare of animals is regulated by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.  The Act applies to all animals, whether kept for commercial, domestic, sport, show or other purposes and contains robust measures against the ill-treatment of animals. The Act also provides for the application of fines and imprisonment on conviction of an offence. Trade within the EU of dogs is governed...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tuberculosis Eradication Programme (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: I am informed that the outbreak in South Kerry is largely confined to eight electoral divisions. During 2017, 53 herds in these areas were restricted with a total of 302 reactors removed, 32 of the restrictions followed reactor disclosure at a contiguous herd test. The first breakdown in the area took place in Autumn 2016 and since then outbreaks have been investigated and managed by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Identification Schemes (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department provides for the use of EID (electronic) tags in the supply of bovine tags to herd keepers by approved tag vendors.  In this regard herd keepers can voluntarily choose to identify bovine animals using a conventional and electronic tag. If a keeper wishes to use EID on all the animals in the herd, a request should be made to the Regional Veterinary Office whereby one...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: In Ireland, applications for Aquaculture licences are considered by my Department under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act, and applicable EU Legislation. However in the case of Lough Foyle the Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC). This body is one of the six North...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: As I have stated before, fisheries is, and will remain, a high priority for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations.  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. In recent months, I have continued to have positive, regular meetings with my European colleagues, especially...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: I am acutely aware of the vital importance of the suckler sector to Ireland's rural economy and the wider agri-food industry.  My Department provides a range of income and investment supports to suckler farmers, including direct payments and existing grant schemes such as BPS, ANC, GLAS and TAMS, as well as the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP). Indeed analysis of Teagasc National...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: Weather conditions for much of last autumn were challenging for farmers in some parts of the West and North West in particular. Difficulties in harvesting fodder in some of these areas were compounded by the need to house livestock earlier than usual, resulting in additional pressure on fodder supplies over the course of the winter. To immediately address this issue I prioritised the...