Results 8,281-8,300 of 23,963 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department is currently reviewing the proposal referred to in the Deputy's question, and is engaging with stakeholders in this context, and on the situation in the pig sector in general. Our pig farmers have always been remarkably resilient but I am acutely aware of the unprecedented challenges that Irish pig farmers are facing at present. The continued development of the pigmeat...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Feedstuffs (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 453 to 456, inclusive, together. In relation to incentivising extra tillage crops this year the Targeted Intervention Package I announced on 22nd March is framed around three pillars which seek to support our vital Irish farming families arising both from events in Ukraine and wider global price volatility. The total package is projected to cost in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Food Vision 2030, the new stakeholder-led strategy for the Irish agri-food sector, is a landmark for the Irish agri-food sector with the potential to transform agriculture, food, forestry and marine in the period to 2030, with economic, environmental and social sustainability at its core. Some 200 actions under 22 goals are proposed to fulfil the vision of Ireland becoming a world leader in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Both Food Vision 2030 and the Programme for Government set out a series of goals and initiatives to explore and encourage domestic market opportunities, and to support producers in finding routes to market for their produce. Specific current supports include the LEADER Food Initiative, funded by my Department and implemented and managed by the Department of Rural and Community...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Costs (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department is actively engaging with industry on fertiliser availability. Russia is a large global player with regard to the production and export of nitrogen and phosphate fertiliser. Both Russia and Belarus supply some 35% of the world’s supply of potash and Russia also provides up to 6% of urea globally. In addition, three major global fertiliser companies that have...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 472 together. While slaughter levels were slightly down for both beef and sheep in 2021, prices were up on the previous year. For beef, the total annual slaughter figure at the end of 2021 was 1.66 million head which represents a 5% decrease on 2020 levels of 1.75 million head. The average 2021 R3 Steer price of 407.95c/kg was 12.5% above the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Food products placed on the European marketplace are covered by a range of legislation designed to ensure that products supplied to consumers are of the highest safety standards. My Department plays a part in the enforcement of this legislation along with Competent Authorities in other Member States, other Irish Government departments and State Agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Figures derived from the EU Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) indicate that less than 1% of food or food products imported into Ireland and requiring checks at the border by officials in my Department, were identified as not meeting EU standards for entry into the Single Market. The precise numbers are 22 in 2020; 282 in 2021 and 105 in the first quarter of 2022 (increase in 2021...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I have established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee and tasked it to prepare an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises. Our pig farmers have always been remarkably resilient but I am acutely aware of the unprecedented challenges...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Costs (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Within my Department, I have established a high-level committee to deal with issues arising out of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. My officials are continuing to engage closely with the various industry sectors to monitor the identified risks and work towards mitigation actions where possible and appropriate. I have tasked a National Fodder and Food Security Committee to prepare an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) will, unfortunately, have an impact on our fishing industry. However, this impact would have been far greater had the Barnier Task Force agreed to UK demands, or had we been in a no-deal scenario which would have seen all EU vessels barred from UK waters and subsequent displacement into Ireland's fishing zone. I established the Seafood...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The aim of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to support all farmers across the community to continue to produce the highest quality food in the most sustainable manner. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department submitted Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027 to the European Commission at the end of December 2021. The Plan was developed following a detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I draw the Deputy’s attention to PQ Ref 60483/21 which he tabled on 6thDecember 2021 regarding the extent to which my Department has identified the causes for the spread of bovine TB. This disease causes significant hardship for farmers and farming families, and my Department, working together with stakeholders and engaging with farmers, are committed to eradicating this disease. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Whilst badgers are the primary wildlife focus in the bovine TB eradication programme, a certain level of surveillance takes place in deer. In 2020, 130 deer were submitted to the Department's Regional Veterinary Laboratories and three were positive for TB. In 2021,125 deer were submitted and 12 were positive for TB. Of the 15 positive animals, 10 were from County Wicklow and one each from...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The Hen Harrier Project is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Hen Harrier Project Team. The Project team are responsible for the administration of the project and associated payments. Any queries relating to the reasons for the reduction in payment should be addressed directly to the Project team.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Funding (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I am a strong supporter of the Social Farming model and will continue to offer support to the initiative as it does a tremendous job in driving inclusion. My Department provides funding under the Rural Innovation & Development Fund (RIDF) for the development of the national Social Farming Network known as "Social Farming Ireland". In addition, funding is also provided for the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Gender Equality (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department's current Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 sets out as one of our core values "A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and the fair and equal treatment of all." These core values are important for our own employees, for the clients and stakeholders of the Department who avail of our wide range of services and for our sector as a whole. I am committed to promoting and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Transport Policy (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department engages continuously in initiatives that are beneficial to both the health and well-being of employees and the environment. The Department participates in the Government’s ‘Cycle to work scheme’, facilitating an increase in the use of bicycles by staff for their commute to work. This active travel has been supported by providing bicycle parking facilities....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Forest road applications are received and decided daily. Applications received from Coillte are treated the same as applications from private individuals. For week ending 4th March, 13 forest road licences were issued to private applicants and six were issued to Coillte.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Gender Equality (31 Mar 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The resolution of disputes between employers and employees is a matter in the first instance for the parties involved. For its part, the State provides independent industrial relations dispute mechanisms via the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court to assist parties to resolve matters. In this case, I am advised that Teagasc is appealing the WRC Adjudication Officer's...