Results 9,441-9,460 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Agrifood Industry: Motion (23 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I accept there is a potential problem arising from the EU authorisation process for GM products which could affect availability of protein feeds for animals. Maize and soya which are the main sources of protein in farmed animal diets, account for over 80% of the GM crops grown worldwide. It is inevitable GM crops will form a significant part of Irish feed material imports. Approximately,...

Agrifood Industry: Motion (23 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Under EU rules only GM products which have been approved under the EU authorisation process can be marketed within the EU. EU legislation was introduced in response to the concerns expressed by EU consumers about the safety of GM produce. The new legislation, which is considered to be among the most stringent, governs the assessment and approval procedures for GM crops, food and feed,...

Agrifood Industry: Motion (23 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Deputy Creed should read my speech.

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (18 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Standards for organic production are laid down in the Council Regulation on organic production (EEC) No. 2092/91 as amended. The Council Regulation is given full effect in Ireland by the European Communities (Organic Farming) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 112 of 2004). These national Regulations also specify certain additional standards for the production of livestock and livestock products in...

Written Answers — Food Exports: Food Exports (18 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to consolidate all aspects of the development and promotion of the agri-food industry within my Department and to establish a Cabinet Sub-Committee on the food and beverage sector, shadowed by a high level Inter-Departmental Group. Arrangements are being made to establish the high level group and relevant Departments have been asked to submit...

Written Answers — World Trade Organisation: World Trade Organisation (18 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The negotiating mandate for the current round of WTO negotiations, set out in the November 2001 Doha Ministerial Declaration, states that non-trade concerns must be taken in account in the final agreement of the round. It is on this basis that I have sought and continue to seek recognition in the WTO agriculture negotiations of the additional costs incurred by EU producers in implementing...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (18 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Approval of countries to trade with the EU is a matter for the EU Commission and the EU Commissioner for Health has assured me that the Commission will not hesitate to take the appropriate protection measures if a product, imported from a third country represents a risk for the health of EC consumers, livestock or plants. In this context the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) is to carry out...

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (18 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The total land area under organic production is currently at 38,216 hectares, which represents 0.9% of the total utilisable agricultural area. This can be further broken down in terms of land use as follows: grassland 37,048 hectares, cereals 830 hectares and horticulture 338 hectares. This category of land use is determined in accordance with the definitions laid down in EU Regulations,...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (18 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I presume the question put forward by the Deputy refers to the commitment in the Programme for Government to seek to negotiate the establishment of an all Ireland GM free zone. I am currently engaged in discussions with my Cabinet colleagues on how best this commitment can be effected, while taking into account the views of all interested parties and the sectors most directly affected. When...

Written Answers — Sheep Industry: Sheep Industry (18 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Sheep Industry Strategy Development Group, under the chairmanship of Mr. John Malone, issued its report in June 2006. The report contained a total of 37 recommendations as to how the future of the sheep sector could be secured going forward. I established an Implementation Group, also under the chairmanship of Mr. Malone, in July 2006, to oversee the implementation of the recommendations...

Written Answers — Goat Farming: Goat Farming (18 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The National Sheep and Goats Census, conducted by my Department in December 2006, indicated that there were 296 goat farmers in Ireland and that the national herd stood at 6,194 head. In accordance with the European Communities (Goat Identification) Regulation 2005 (S.I. 792 of 2005), goats are registered under the National Goat Identification Scheme for animal health purposes. Goat farming...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (18 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I am glad to confirm that the health and safety issues in relation to certain applications under the Farm Improvement Scheme have been resolved and that the approvals are now issuing to the relevant applicants under the Scheme.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (18 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under the Installation Aid Scheme. His application is currently being examined within my Department and the outcome will be notified to the person concerned shortly.

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (18 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Of the projected spend of €8.7bn under the NDP for the period 2007-2013 my Department has spent close to €694m in the period January to September 2007. The measures in the NDP are spread over four sub-programmes focused on: Competitiveness (€1.7bn) — This will provide increased support for restructuring through improved rates under the early retirement and installation aid schemes....

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (17 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The development of policy within my Department is informed by consultation with a range of stakeholders as well as consideration of its impact on the physical, economic and social conditions of people living in rural areas, with particular emphasis on farm and fishing communities. In relation to the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, my Department consulted with a number of groups...

Written Answers — Animal Deaths: Animal Deaths (17 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: A post-mortem diagnostic service, provided by my Department's Laboratory Service, has the capacity to respond rapidly to urgent disease outbreaks involving animal deaths. This involves a comprehensive pathology-based diagnostic service and is available throughout the year to herd and flockowners, in consultation with their veterinary practitioners. In all cases of unexpected on-farm death,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Following the recent receipt of acceptable evidence from the person named, it was decided to accept his 2007 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application for processing. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is scheduled to issue to the person named today, 17 October, with the advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme due to issue to him shortly.

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (17 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Restaurant Franchise holders in my Department source all meat from local suppliers who are part of the Féile Bia Programme administered by An Bord Bia.

Written Answers — Sheep Industry: Sheep Industry (17 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Sheep Industry Strategy Development Group, under the chairmanship of Mr. John Malone, issued its report in June 2006. The report contained a total of 37 recommendations as to how the future of the sheep sector could be secured going forward. I established an Implementation Group, also under the chairmanship of Mr. Malone, in July 2006, to oversee the implementation of the recommendations...

Written Answers — Deer Population: Deer Population (17 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Primary responsibility for all issues relating to wild deer rests with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department does not have a role in the culling of wild deer or in relation to statistics on the deer population in Co. Wicklow. Any queries in relation to the deer population or proposals to cull deer in...