Results 10,401-10,420 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Biotechnological Inventions: Biotechnological Inventions (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The potential for plant derived plastics is something that is recognised both here in Ireland and at EU level. I am aware that some supermarket chains plan to use packaging materials from sustainable or recycled sources. This can only be good news for the consumer and the environment. It also represents good news for farmers as suppliers of raw materials. My Department's public good...
- Written Answers — Agrifood Industry: Agrifood Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The fresh fruit and vegetable sector is a very important sector that is capable of further substantial growth and development. Last year farm gate production was valued at around â¬230m with the domestic retail market valued at around â¬1 billion. However, producers have for some time faced strong pressure from the highly concentrated retail chains, which play a major role in setting...
- Written Answers — Agrifood Industry: Agrifood Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I have no role in establishing contractual relationships between multiple retail buyers and growers of fresh produce and a move on my part to do so could contravene EU competition law. However, I am acutely aware of the difficulties faced by many producers in trying to meet the higher and higher quality standards and conditions of supply being demanded by retailers but at lower prices. This...
- Written Answers — Farm Safety: Farm Safety (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I am very concerned about the level of safety on our farms and I support wholeheartedly the work of the Health and Safety Authority which is the State Authority charged with overall responsibility for promotion of workplace health and safety. Steps I have recently taken to combat the number of farm accidents include the following: The Minister for Labour Affairs and I launched at the World...
- Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The position is that the Single Payment Scheme is applicable to farmers who farmed during the three-year reference period 2000-2002, who drew down livestock or Arable Aid premia in at least one of those years and who continued to farm in 2005. The Single Payment Scheme entitlements established for individual farmers, therefore, are a true reflection of their farming activity and premia...
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The proposed new EU Regulation on organic production states unequivocally that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products produced from or by GMOs may not be used as food, feed, processing aids, plant protection products, fertilisers, soil conditioners, seeds, vegetative propagating material, micro-organisms and animals in organic production. However the Regulation recognises that...
- Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 169 together. Despite the challenges brought about by the further implementation of the Mid Term Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, 2006 turned out to be a successful year for the dairy sector. Exports increased in value to â¬2.08 billion, a rise of 4% compared with 2005. This rise in value was due to strong returns particularly for protein...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The implementation of the Nitrates Directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A number of measures to help farmers meet their obligations under the Regulations are already in place. In accordance with the Sustaining Progress agreement, improvements to the Farm Waste Management Scheme and the Dairy Hygiene Scheme and...
- Written Answers — Sugar Beet Industry: Sugar Beet Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Under the EU scheme for the restructuring of the sugar industry, the maximum rate of restructuring aid is available where the sugar processor undertakes to fully dismantle the redundant sugar plant. Greencore, following its decision to cease sugar processing in Ireland last year, submitted an aid application for the maximum rate of aid and, accordingly, this entails full dismantling of the...
- Written Answers — Sugar Beet Industry: Sugar Beet Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: As Minister I hold a Special Share in Greencore plc. That share has the same monetary value as any other share in the company but has conditions attached which prevent the company from engaging in a number of activities without the prior written consent of the Minister. In summary, the Special Share prevents the disposal of the controlling interest in Irish Sugar Ltd, or the sale, transfer...
- Written Answers — Animal Health Policy: Animal Health Policy (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: There is a long history of co-operation between the administrations north and south on animal health issues. The administrations have traditionally shared information at local and national levels on disease control and surveillance issues and have worked together to combat illegal movements of animals and animal products. During the Foot and Mouth emergency of 2001 the co-operation and...
- Written Answers — Food Agency Co-Operation Council: Food Agency Co-Operation Council (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The Food Agency Co-operation Council (FACC) met on 20 occasions between 2000 and 2003 to promote co-operation between the State Agencies involved in the food industry. Since 2004 the food development agencies directly concerned with the National Development Plan 2000-2006 have met periodically to assess progress under the Plan. Two meetings were held in 2004 and one each in 2005 and 2006...
- Written Answers — Animal Welfare Bodies: Animal Welfare Bodies (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has certain statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984, and the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations 2006 (SI 705 of 2006). In addition there is specific legislation in relation to pigs, calves and laying hens. Welfare matters are...
- Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The issuing of waste licence applications is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency. I am satisfied that the EPA will work within its remit to ensure that the application is assessed in accordance with all the regulatory procedures governing such applications.
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I am currently in the process of considering submissions received from the general public on the recommendations contained in the Interdepartmental Working Group Report on Coexistence of GM crops and non GM crops in Ireland. I hope to be in a position to bring forward proposed measures for coexistence in the near future following consideration of these submissions and an evaluation of...
- Written Answers — Agrifood Industry: Agrifood Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 184 together. Research and Development are central to the future well being of the agri-food sector and I am committed to ensuring that the sector remains part of the Knowledge Economy. In line with the national "Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation 2006-2013" and my Department's Agri-Vision 2015 Plan of Action, the National Development Plan...
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The current situation is that organic farmers in REPS with holdings of 3 hectares or more qualify for a supplementary organic payment of â¬181 per hectare on the first 55 hectares, and â¬30 per hectare over 55 hectares during the in-conversion period. The equivalent rates when full organic status is attained are â¬91 and â¬15 per hectare respectively. Organic farmers also qualify for...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 were made by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in July 2006. In order to inform and assist farmers with the Regulations, my own Department produced an Explanatory Handbook for farmers setting out in clear terms their obligations under the Regulations. This Handbook,...
- Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The overall national strategy for the eradication of TB provides for a comprehensive range of measures, including the mandatory annual testing for all cattle in the national herd, the early removal of reactors, a wildlife programme involving the targeted removal of badgers where they are implicated in a TB outbreak, the use of the gamma interferon test in problem herds, as an adjunct to the...
- Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 which was published by my Department, grant aid for farm storage is included under the sub-measure in the Farm Investment category of the programme. The Programme is awaiting clearance by the EU Commission and must also fulfil the EU State aid criteria.