Results 9,241-9,260 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

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

Mary Coughlan: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 1 May 2007. Of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, one of the primary requirements is that applicants maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare declared for at least three consecutive months. However, where the holding of an...

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

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted a Single Payment Scheme/ Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application to my Department on 2 May 2007, in respect of 45.83 hectares. The case was selected for satellite inspection, which is now complete. The case is being processed and payment will issue to the applicant shortly.

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

Mary Coughlan: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2007. While the person named had established 65.48 entitlements, a satellite inspection of his holding found an eligible area of 64.96 hectares. The appropriate 50% under the Single Payment Scheme is in the course of issuing to him i.e. €14,791.44. in receipt of 64.96...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 to 314, inclusive, together. The information that the Deputy requested is currently being collated and I will write to him on this matter very shortly.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The 14 Directives to be transposed into national law for which my Department has responsibility are set out in the following schedule. Directive 2006/130/EC on animal remedies, Directive 2005/36/EC on professional qualifications in veterinary medicine for veterinary practitioners, Directives 2007/40/EC and 2007/41/EC on plant health will all be signed shortly. In all other cases I intend to...

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

Mary Coughlan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department is currently actively engaged in a range of activities aimed at enforcement of the equine identification regulations. This is an incremental process. Officials from my Department have been working closely with the industry in 2007 with a view to achieving compliance with the legislation. Letters have issued from my Department to all of the...

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

Mary Coughlan: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 25 April 2007. One of the primary requirements of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme,is that applicants maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare declared for at least three consecutive months. However, where the holding of an...

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

Mary Coughlan: I am satisfied that the necessary action is being taken to allow the sheep sector to continue to compete on international markets. The 2006 Sheep Industry Development Strategy and its subsequent implementation report provide the framework for an efficient and competitive response to market demands. While most of the recommendations are for the industry itself to address, my Department assists...

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

Mary Coughlan: Under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, 105,706 potentially eligible claims have been identified. Payments under the Scheme commenced on 20 September 2007, and so far 96,658 (nearly 92%) of cases have been fully paid a total of €240.2 million. Payments continue to issue twice weekly, as further cases subsequently become clear. Under EU legislation, Member States may commence payment...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Industry: Sugar Beet Industry (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Prior to the introduction of the temporary scheme for the restructuring of the sugar industry in the Community, sugar beet was grown for sugar processing in all but four Member States, namely Cyprus, Estonia, Luxembourg, and Malta. In the first two years of the restructuring scheme, which involves quota renunciation and closure of the associated processing facilities, restructuring...

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

Mary Coughlan: A total of 189 cases were approved for payment in the period 01 November 2006 to 31 October 2007 under the 2000-2006 Early Retirement Scheme. This Scheme closed to new applications on 31 December 2006. The 2007-2013 Early Retirement Scheme was launched on 13 June 2007. A total of 8 cases have been approved for payment under this Scheme and a further 48 cases are currently being processed by...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The area of oilseed rape, which is used to produce liquid biofuel, increased from 5,000 hectares in 2006 to 7,500 hectares in 2007. A further 800 hectares of willow and miscanthus were planted in 2007. The increase in area planted can be attributed to the developing Bioenergy market and the introduction of incentives at farm level to stimulate production of energy crops. The incentives...

Written Answers — Beef Exports: Beef Exports (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Irish beef industry is worth €1.5 billion in foreign earnings to the national economy annually. Ireland produced over half a million tonnes of beef in 2006, with exports reaching a seven-year high of 516,000 tonnes, or 93% of total production. Irish companies are major suppliers across Europe and have gained a top-class portfolio of retail accounts there. In 2006, Ireland exported...

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

Mary Coughlan: Turkeys sold here, during the festive period or at other times, are required to meet the relevant national and EU requirements. The necessary inspection and control procedures are in place to check on such compliance. In the case of small quantities of poultry slaughtered on farm for direct supply to the final consumer or local retail establishments, there is an exemption from the EU...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: It is the responsibility of each Member State to manage their fisheries within the regulations set by Council and Commission regulations. I do not have available to me details of the various systems that apply in each Member State. The annual EU Total Allowable catch and quotas regulation sets out for each Member State the maximum catch which may be taken for certain species in specific areas...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I remain committed to a balanced outcome to the negotiations. As an open economy dependent on trade Ireland has much to gain from a successful deal. However, I am determined that agriculture must not be sacrificed for the sake of an overall agreement and that, in accordance with the agreed EU negotiating mandate, a new WTO agreement will not necessitate further reform of the CAP. More...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The EU Commission is the body legally responsible for monitoring compliance by Member States with fish quota allocations. Where a Member State has breached a quota allocation for a stock in a particular year, in the normal course the provisions of Council Regulation 847 /96 introducing additional conditions for year to year management of TACs and quotas are applied. In this regard, where...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: In relation to quota allocations, you are no doubt aware that Ireland's shares of the main fish stocks were set in the early 1980's when fish stocks were being shared out between Member States. The share allocations were based on catch records and reflect the fishing levels by the Irish fleet at that time. Since then it has been a priority of successive Ministers with responsibility for...

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

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together. The representative organisations for pig producers and processors have been in contact with me about a range of issues affecting the sector. A major concern for the industry is the very high cost of feed and consequent erosion of profit margins. The rise in feed prices can be attributed to a number of factors such as (i) heavy demand for...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (6 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I understand the Deputy is referring to the publication of a report by the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission (FVO) on a visit it made to Brazil earlier this year to evaluate animal health controls in that country. I would welcome the publication of this report at the earliest possible date. However it is important to note that the FVO have procedures that can involve...