Results 7,361-7,380 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Data (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy when it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: The proposal referred to by the Deputy concerns the conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures. Technical Conservation measures are rules on how, where and when fishermen may fish, also determining gear, catch composition and ways to deal with accidental catches. Up until now, these detailed and complex rules have been decided at EU...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sea Lice Controls (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: In Ireland the control of sea lice is managed by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State.  These protocols are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons: - The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry. - Data obtained as a result of inspection is published and made widely available. - Treatment trigger levels are set at a low...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Marketing Programme (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: The labelling of food in the European Union is governed by a number of regulations which lay down strict requirements in relation to mandatory country of origin labelling for certain meats. Under these rules, labels on meat from cattle born and reared in the Republic of Ireland, exported live to Northern Ireland and subsequently slaughtered there must include the member state...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department is currently reviewing the CAP Communication published by the European Commission in November 2017, in advance of legislative provisions to be presented by the Commission in mid 2018. It is also expected that Multi Annual Financial Framework proposals will be presented in May 2018. The CAP binds the members of the European Union in a collective commitment to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: I am keenly aware of how resilient pig farmers have been in recent years and in their ability to sustain their businesses in an often volatile price environment. Price volatility is an ongoing challenge for the sector and developments over the last couple of years simply serve to emphasise the cyclical nature of prices in the industry.  Following a particularly tough 2015 prices hit...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (25 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: I am fully aware that the wet weather conditions of much of last autumn, coupled with the need to house livestock earlier than normal resulted in pressure on fodder supplies, with consequent shortfalls in some parts of the West and North West of the country. Through feedback from work I asked Teagasc to undertake locally and the views returned from the two meetings of the Fodder Group I...

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: I thank Senators for giving me the opportunity to address the House on the current status of the areas of natural constraint, ANC, scheme review, payments made under the green, low-carbon, agri-environment scheme, GLAS, the current fodder problem and native cattle breeds. The ANC scheme is one with which farmers across the country are familiar and an important support for many. As it...

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: After cutting it.

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: I would like to start by sincerely thanking all of the Members for their contributions. I have taken copious notes, and I hope I can get a chance to reply to all of the points that were made. There was a common thread running through some of them, so if I do not attribute a response to any particular Senator, there is no offence intended. I want to respond to Senator Daly's contribution....

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: I repeat, there was an underspend of €150 million when Fianna Fáil slashed ANC payments and abolished insulation aid.

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: I want to make a point in respect of the underspend, because it is important to understand this. It is deliberate and mischievous to present this as a disservice to farming. If anything, the contrary is the case. This is a deliberate misinterpretation of the budgetary process. In the late summer every year, we begin an engagement with the Department of Finance. We completely understand...

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: The point that is being spun is that a saving has been made, and that we could do X, Y and Z if only we were prepared to. I cannot spend somebody else's money which is due to that person under GLAS, ANC or any other scheme simply because he or she does not present a paying order in the relevant calendar year. If the order arrives in January of the following year, I am still obliged to pay...

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: Yes. Mercosur is a major challenge. There are member states of the European Union that are gung ho as they see the opportunities, but we see threats. However, in all trade agreements there are threats and opportunities. What we have to do is maximise the opportunities that present for us. The Senator seems to argue from the particular to the general, that because Mercosur is bad, all...

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: -----but that is not a case for a retreat into an America First policy and the isolationism that the Senator seems to be articulating.

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: Our products are sold in 180 countries. We are trading in those markets by virtue of our membership of the European Union and able to benefit from the CETA, the EU-Japan trade agreement and a host of other agreements that are important to the agrifood industry. I am flabbergasted by the Senator's isolationist approach which does a disservice to the agrifood industry

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: Senators Tim Lombard and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn raised the very important issue of trying to attract more young people to enter agriculture. It is an issue that has bedevilled us since the days of the early retirement scheme and the installation aid scheme, but it is not a problem experienced exclusively in Ireland or the European Union as a whole; it is a global problem. Every country...

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: I could argue that point. Everybody has to have a fair crack of the whip and that includes the Department and the State. Obviously, people who are dissatisfied with the outcome of an appeals process have recourse to the Ombudsman's office as well. The Department may ask the director to review a decision of the appeals office but there are extremely rare cases. It is only in cases where...

Seanad: Agricultural Issues: Statements (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: I will refer it to my colleague, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, as it is not my area of competence.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (24 Jan 2018)

Michael Creed: The person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016 and has received the 85% advance payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year. The Department is aware of an issue with this case that has delayed the payment of the 2016 GLAS balance and the 2017 advance. A solution has been identified and is being implemented. GLAS 2017 advance...