Results 7,181-7,200 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

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

Michael Creed: Teagasc training of farmers encompasses a wide variety of activities in terms of formal education courses, on-farm training and the provision of advice through its advisory services. It engages with 60,000 farmers annually, of which approximately 40,000 are contracted clients. My Department provides Teagasc with a yearly block Grant in Aid subvention to support the delivery of its...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Premium Payments (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: The person named was in receipt of payments under the Afforestation Scheme in respect of a forest area of 9.37ha since 2013. Following a review of the mapped area against more recent aerial imagery in 2017, the Department discovered that the forest was inaccurately digitised on the Department’s mapping system. The forest was then re-digitised and found to measure 9.01ha. The 2nd...

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...

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

Michael Creed: My Department has made significant progress towards securing market access in the last two years. In April 2017, together with the AQSIQ Minister Zhi Shuping, I signed a Protocol on the requirements for Frozen Beef to be exported from Ireland to China. The Chinese Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) carried out a comprehensive audit of plants in August/September of last...

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

Michael Creed: In December 2016 I introduced The Sheep Welfare Scheme to contribute to  the continuing viability and sustainability of the sheep sector in Ireland. The Scheme is funded through the Rural Development Programme (RDP)  2014 - 2020 and  it complements the range of other RDP supports available to sheep farmers under schemes such as GLAS, TAMS, Knowledge...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pig Quality Assurance Scheme (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: While many small to medium sized pig herds operate outdoor systems very successfully, free range pig production is not carried out on a large scale in this county. The term "free range" is legally defined for eggs and poultry meat under EU legislation. Only these two types of food can be called free range and only where they meet the requirements set out for use of this term in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: The successful "Agriculture Cashflow Loan Scheme" has provided a template for publicly-assisted loan schemes. This includes the "Brexit Loan Scheme", which I expect to launch shortly with my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The Scheme will make up to €300 million of affordable, flexible working capital finance available to SMEs and mid-cap...

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

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 511 together. Food Wise 2025, the strategy for the Agri-food industry acknowledges the unique and important position of the artisan food sector in both the rural and national economy and its positive growth prospects and recommends actions to support the sector to realise its potential. These include supports for artisan food businesses, a...

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

Michael Creed: Since the UK referendum to leave the European Union, my Department has placed great emphasis on enhancing its own capacity and that of Bord Bia’s in the area of market diversification and new market access. In all I have provided an additional €14.5 million to Bord Bia since then. This funding is intended to support food and drink companies facing Brexit challenges...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Funding (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: 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 Government included a commitment to provide an additional €25m for the Scheme in 2018. I am pleased to confirm that this commitment was delivered in Budget 2018 and that, subject...

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

Michael Creed: The successful "Agriculture Cashflow Loan Scheme" has provided a template for publicly-assisted loan schemes. This includes the "Brexit Loan Scheme", which I expect to launch shortly with my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The Scheme will make up to €300 million of affordable, flexible working capital finance available to SMEs and mid-cap...

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

Michael Creed: The overriding factor in the processing of all EU funded schemes is to ensure that all regulatory requirements are respected in issuing payments. This includes the requirement that payments cannot commence until after 15 October annually. As of today, there are 49,700 active participants in the GLAS scheme and 93% of those eligible have received their 2017 advance payment since these...

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

Michael Creed: Applications to transfer entitlements for the years 2017 and 2016 were received by my Department requesting the Transfer of Entitlements from the first person named to the second person named. My Department has been in contact with the parties named and has recently resolved issues relating to a 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application. This has allowed the 2017 Transfer to be...

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

Michael Creed: The Quality Payment System (QPS) was introduced in December 2009 following intensive negotiations between Meat Industry Ireland and farmers representatives in order to incentivise and reward the production of quality beef for cattle with a superior carcass confirmation. The payment system involves the use of a base price agreed between processors and suppliers for cattle with a carcass...

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

Michael Creed: The Beef Roundtable was established in April 2014 in order to facilitate open discussion between industry and farming organisations on the strategic path for the beef sector over the coming years. There have been eleven meetings of the Roundtable, the most recent being on 6 February. No decision has been made to widen representation at the Roundtable beyond the original participants. ...

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

Michael Creed: The suggested inconsistencies in the inspection reports for the dates of inspection 25/11/2016 and 14/12/2016, to which the Deputy refers, relate to inspections of two entirely different mink farms, completed by two different inspectors from my Department and are therefore not comparable in terms of detail.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Racing Ireland Staff (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 492 to 494, inclusive, together. Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The questions raised by the Deputy are an operational matter for HRI. In line with Dail procedures this request can be made directly to HRI using the dedicated email...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Herd Number Applications (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: Officials from my Department have reissued the person named with a copy of the application and documentation dated 2nd June 2010, setting out details of the herd number granted following submission of an application by them utilising the stated folio of land.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Herd Number Applications (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: It is possible to reactivate a dormant herd number. This is done by completing an ER1 form and submitting it with relevant documentation to the local Veterinary Office. ER1 forms are available from the local offices or on my Department’s website at: Staff in the local offices are available to assist in the completion of this form and to provide information on the process.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Racing Industry Funding (13 Feb 2018)

Michael Creed: Horse Racing Ireland is a commercial state body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. As the Deputy refers to potential allegations of criminality which are to be reported to the Gardai, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on this issue.