Results 9,221-9,240 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I am currently engaged in discussions with my Cabinet colleagues on how best the commitment in the Programme for Government to seek to negotiate the establishment of an all Ireland GM free zone can be effected. I will of course be eliciting the views of all stakeholders directly involved in the agricultural and food sectors.

Written Answers — Horticulture Industry: Horticulture Industry (6 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 to suggest that there is any major threat to our staple fruit and vegetable crops here due to the warming climate at this time. Indeed the...

Written Answers — Farmers' Markets: Farmers' Markets (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: This Government is committed to supporting local and regional food and both Towards 2016 and my Department's Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan include measures in this regard. Bord Bia, which operates under the aegis of my Department has worked closely with other State and local agencies to exploit the growing opportunities for markets, providing a guide to farmers markets, advice and mentoring...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Farmers may apply to join the REPS 4 scheme at any time of the year by submitting an application and farm plan to my Department's Local AES Office. I have recently introduced more flexible rules for farmers in REPS 3 who may wish to transform to REPS 4 before finishing their five-year contracts in REPS 3. Previously, such farmers would have had to get their REPS 4 applications in before...

Written Answers — Horticulture Industry: Horticulture Industry (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, my Department operated a grant aid scheme for the development of the commercial horticulture including the mushroom sector. Over the period 2000-2006 a total of €5.011m was paid to 190 mushroom growers. The following schedule shows the breakdown per year to mushroom growers for the period of National Development Plan 2000-2006. Year No. of...

Written Answers — Potato Sector: Potato Sector (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Details of support for the International Year of the Potato (IYP) were announced by my colleague Minister Sargent on 18 October. My Department will provide significant funding to support the activities of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), which is the lead United Nations' agency for the IYP. I have already made an initial payment of $150,000 to FAO and the total contribution...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: A farmer who has lost a land and quota lease is treated as a priority category in the allocation of quota under my Department's Temporary Leasing Scheme. The allocation takes place according to certain criteria, which for example in the case of a producer whose lease expired on 31 March 2007 meant that quota would have been allocated under the first phase of the 2007/2008 scheme on the...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Forestry Environmental Protection Scheme, or FEPS, has already proven very attractive to many farmers since its launch as a pilot scheme earlier this year. The Scheme provides an opportunity for REPS farmers to plant high nature-value woodlands on their farm with the support of a very attractive grant and premium package. To date, my Department has granted Preplanting Approvals for...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Programme for Government contains a number of animal welfare-related commitments, all of which are currently being advanced in my Department. Among those commitments is one to consolidate responsibility for the welfare of all animals (including non-farm animals) within my Department. At present, a number of other Departments/Agencies have animal welfare responsibilities and work is...

Written Answers — Rural Development Programme: Rural Development Programme (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Modulated funds of €225.5m are an integral part of the overall funding available for Ireland's 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme. The total funding for this programme amounts to €5.778bn from three sources: EU co-funding €2.114bn, Modulation €0.225bn, and Exchequer €3.439bn. The programme addresses three priorities, competitiveness, the environment and the wider rural economy,...

Written Answers — Agrifood Industry: Agrifood Industry (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: For the meat sector and the agri-food industry as a whole, I subscribe to the vision set out in the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan. That foresees an industry obtaining optimal levels of efficiency, competitiveness and responsiveness to the demands of the market while respecting and enhancing the physical environment. The Action Plan points out that the short-to-medium term goal of the meat...

Written Answers — Climate Change Strategy: Climate Change Strategy (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The effects of climate change are anticipated over a long period and are not expected to have a significant impact on Irish agriculture in the shorter term. Arrangements for dealing with animal diseases continue to be kept under review and the contingency arrangements and the legislative basis for dealing with possible outbreaks of exotic disease are updated where required. For the most...

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: There are significant financial supports in place to encourage producers to convert to and remain in organic production. The new Organic Farming Scheme was launched in August 2007 as part of the new Rural Development Programme, which will run from 2007 to 2013. The objective of this Scheme is to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and to encourage producers to respond...

Written Answers — EU Reform Treaty: EU Reform Treaty (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The EU Reform Treaty was agreed by EU Heads of State and Government at a meeting in Lisbon on 18 and 19 October last. It will be finally adopted in December and, thereafter, it needs to be ratified by all 27 Member States. The Reform Treaty is a carefully balanced agreement that will allow the Union to meet the challenges of the 21st century and at the same time ensure that the interests of...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (6 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 Agency, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency. The...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 17 April 2007. The case was selected for inspection, which is now complete and, accordingly, full payment of €4,456.75 will issue to the person named in the coming days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The person named is an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. A decision concerning the payment of grant-aid will be made as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 April 2007. The case was selected for satellite inspection and the 50% advance payment has not issued pending the processing of the results. Once this has been done the application will then be further processed with a view to payment at an early date.

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the Early Retirement Scheme was received from the person named on 13 August 2007. On preliminary examination of the application, a number of queries arose. On receipt of the replies the application was forwarded to my Department's Inspectorate for detailed technical examination. During the course of this examination by the Inspectorate, further queries arose and these...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: In reply to the Deputy, the following is the position: Teagasc Functions: Teagasc — the Agriculture and Food Development Authority was established under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988 to provide research, training and advisory services to the agri-food sector. Membership and Duration: 11 board members including the Chairman. Term of office is 5 years. Budget:...