Results 9,021-9,040 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The bluetongue virus (serotype 8), which emerged in northern Europe in 2006, re-emerged this year and, in September, an outbreak of the disease was confirmed in Britain for the very first time. Cases of the serotype 8 strain have now been confirmed in nine European countries. Since August 2006, my Department has been updating its legislation and developing contingency arrangements, in the...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: As is indicated in your question this is a matter for the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance. I am aware that different Local Authorities charge different rates/levies in respect of a development contribution. I will be in contact with my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government about this matter. I should hope that such...

Written Answers — Farm Safety: Farm Safety (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I am, of course, very concerned about the level of safety on our farms. Last year 18 people died on Irish farms (8 of these people were aged over 70) and this year to-date 10 people have died. It is estimated that there are some 3,000 injuries on farms each year. I strongly support the work of The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), which is charged with overall responsibility for promotion...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The advice from COFORD, in this context, concerned the potential for appropriate planting on lands designated as acid-sensitive. This follows on from their recently published report — 'The Environmental Impacts of Planting Broadleaved Trees on Acid-sensitive Soils.' Afforestation on such land is currently subject to strict controls because trees, especially evergreen trees, have the ability...

Written Answers — Division of Commonage: Division of Commonage (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The area of land held in common throughout the country is estimated to be in excess of 500,000 hectares. For the most part, this land is privately owned and, as with any other privately owned land, decisions affecting its structure are a matter for the individual owners or shareholders themselves.

Written Answers — Food Prices: Food Prices (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The increase in the price of animal feed being experienced by Irish farmers over the last twelve months has impacted significantly on poultry enterprises and in line with the increased costs of production, an increase in the price of poultry products is to be expected. The Deputy will be aware that I have no role in setting the level of retail poultry prices. I have, in recent times, worked...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Bord Bia survey to which the Deputy refers in his question was undertaken by Bord Bia and included both qualitative and quantitative research into consumer attitudes to local food. The research was presented at the National Conference on Local Food, held in Mullingar on 13th November and organised by my Department and Bord Bia. The research will prove useful for local producers wishing to...

Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Applications received under the Farm Improvement Scheme prior to its suspension on 31 October 2007 will be processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 partnership agreement, Towards 2016. As applications could be lodged with my Department with written evidence of a decision to grant planning permission, rather than full planning permission, it is...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet: Fishing Fleet (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The European Commission prepares an annual report for the European Parliament and the Council on "Member States efforts to achieve a sustainable balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities", these reports give summary details on each Member States achievements and plans in this area. These reports are available directly from the EU Commission.

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: In an effort to ensure that consumers have full information on origin of food products, I have signalled my intention to have legislation brought forward to require the country of origin to be shown on poultrymeat, pigmeat and sheepmeat sold in the retail and catering sectors. A draft of such regulations was prepared by my Department and is currently being finalised by the Department of...

Written Answers — Avian Flu: Avian Flu (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: On 12th November, the UK Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that it had confirmed avian 'flu in turkeys on a farm on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and, on the following day, confirmed that it was the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. A second case was confirmed on the 19th of November on one of four premises on which all poultry had been culled, having been...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: My Department monitors ongoing research on climate change and its likely impact on Irish Agriculture. It is represented on the inter-Departmental team established to oversee implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy. There is no evidence at this time to suggest that there is likely to be any major threat to our staple fruit and vegetable crops due to major changes in farming...

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The application of both organic and chemical fertilizers has shown a decline in recent years as farmers have sought to use them more efficiently and economically. The high level of participation in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), which sets limits on fertilizer use, is also likely to have been a factor. The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of...

Written Answers — Beef Imports: Beef Imports (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I have already publicly welcomed the publication of the latest FVO report by the EU Commission. The report should be very helpful in the overall process of ensuring equivalence. As I indicated at the time of the publication of the report my Department has requested the EU authorities to arrange for a discussion of this report at the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health. A...

Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 50 and 57 together. Earlier this year, I introduced a new National Energy Crops payment of €80 per hectare to help kick-start production of energy crops in Ireland. It is intended that the €80 payment will be available for 3 years. It is currently subject to a maximum ceiling of 37.5 hectares per producer over the 3-year period. EU State aid rules...

Written Answers — Sheep Industry: Sheep Industry (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Sheep Strategy Development Group issued its report in June 2006. The report made a number of recommendations for action to secure the future of the sheep industry in Ireland. There are a total of thirty-seven recommendations covering the areas of production, breeding, research, advice, processing, marketing and policy formulation. Following the issuing of the report, I set up an...

Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Farm Improvement Scheme was suspended on 31 October 2007 as the applications received under the Scheme had reached the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 partnership agreement, Towards 2016. I have no plans to reopen the Scheme prior to the review in 2008 of the terms of Towards 2016 as provided for in that agreement.

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 42 together. I have constantly pressed and continue to press for an increase in the age-limit for the testing of healthy slaughtered animals for human consumption. The existing requirement that all bovines over 30 months of age, slaughtered for human consumption, must be tested along with all casualty animals over 24 months and all fallen stock over 24...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency....

Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The restrictions that were imposed on forestry planting in areas of the country that were designated as acid-sensitive were done so because the underlying geology in these areas is acidic. Afforestation on such land is currently subject to strict controls because trees, especially evergreen trees, have the ability to scrub pollutants from the atmosphere which, when washed down onto acid...