Results 10,961-10,980 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the recent debate relating to the alleged misuse of chemicals on mushrooms. My Department was informed by RTE of the identity of the company, on the 23 October. An inspector from my Department visited it on the 24 October and again on the 9 November to determine if any illegal plant products were present. Neither of these inspections detected the presence of illegal plant...
- Written Answers — Food Traceability: Food Traceability (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 451, 452 and 454 together. Traceability of foods including fruit and vegetables is provided for in Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety. Regulation No....
- Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The Pesticide Residue Monitoring Programme is a risk based programme which is agreed between my Department and the Food Safety Authority on an annual basis. There are detailed discussions between the FSAI and the DAF prior to determining the numbers of samples of each of the different food commodities to be included in the monitoring plan. This plan takes account of the dietary importance of...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The 18 directives to be transposed into national law for which my Department has responsibility are set out in the following schedule. None are overdue for transposition. I intend to have the directives implemented by the due date in each case. Directives to be implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Food: 18 Title of Directive Date by which Directive is to be implemented...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The number of farmers in County Roscommon who have applied for the 2006 Single Payment Scheme is 6,589. A total of 5,867 farmers have been paid the advance payment while 722 farmers have yet to be paid their advance payment. Delays in processing of Single Payment Scheme applications can be caused by many factors, including incomplete application forms, errors on applications and discrepancies...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The number of farmers in County Leitrim who have applied for 2006 Single Payment Scheme is 3,697. A total of 3,162 farmers have been paid the advance payment leaving 535 farmers yet to be paid. Delays in processing of the Single Payment Scheme can be caused by many factors, including incomplete application forms, errors on applications and discrepancies highlighted following computer...
- Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I announced the detailed rules governing the Milk Quota Trading Scheme in late September following a six-month period of consultation with the main farming organisations, each of which represents both buyers and sellers of milk quota. These consultations were extensive and involved a series of meetings with each organisation. I also received submissions from some organisations and...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Applications were received from 3,399 Westmeath herd owners under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme, of which in excess of 98% have received payment. Applications were received from 3,163 Westmeath herd owners under the 2006 Single Payment Scheme, of which approximately 88% have already received their advance payment. In common with the coupled schemes, which the Single Payment Scheme replaced,...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The number of farmers in Co. Longford who have applied for 2005 Single Farm Payment was 2,745. A total of 2,023 farmers have received their 2005 Single Farm Payment in full and a further 419 farmers were paid a reduced payment. Of the remaining 303 applications, in many cases, payment was not due because these applications were made for entitlement activation purposes only, after which these...
- Written Answers — Pesticide Control: Pesticide Control (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The Pesticide Residue Monitoring Programme of my Department is aimed at detecting the presence of residues on foods which are for sale on the market. Strategically, food samples are taken for analysis at wholesale/distribution level and effective action can be taken if a problem is detected. The monitoring programme is agreed following detailed consultation between the Food Safety Authority....
- Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: As already announced, I propose to introduce legislation to prohibit the use of electro-immobilisation on live farm animals on animal welfare grounds. In that context, the precise terms of the legislation have yet to be finalised and consequently it is not possible to indicate if the procedure referred to by the Deputy will be included in the ban.
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (14 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Substantial increases in the maximum pension rates under both Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming will take effect from 1 November 2006. I have decided to increase the maximum in the 1994-99 Scheme from â¬12,075 to â¬14,075 and the maximum in the current Scheme from â¬13,515 to â¬15,000. These increases will cost some â¬33 million extra over the remaining period of the two Schemes...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person named has been fully paid under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme which included an allocation of entitlements from the National Reserve. In order to reflect this allocation the Single Payment Entitlements position required to be updated for the 2006 Scheme year. This process is now underway and this case will be selected for 50% advance payment of the 2006 Single Payment Scheme shortly.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I am committed to providing farmers with the most timely, efficient and courteous service possible. The actions of my Department in this context are guided by the Quality Customer Service Principles set by the Government. These principles are enshrined in my Department's Customer Service Action Plan. The Single Payment Scheme was successfully introduced in 2005. Among the steps taken by my...
- Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (9 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of animals kept for farming purposes only and it does not extend to animals kept as pets. I understand that the matters relating to ratification of Council of Europe Conventions and the responsibility of Departments in that regard are still under consideration.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: This appeal was received in the Agriculture Appeals Office on 23rd August 2006, assigned to an Appeals Officer on 15th September 2006 and the Appeals Officer issued a decision on 20th October 2006 to disallow the appeal. The decision of the Appeals Officer is final and conclusive, except in the following circumstances, An Appeals Officer may change a decision where there is new evidence,...
- Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (9 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2005 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category C. Category C caters for farmers who sold their milk quota into the Milk Quota Restructuring Scheme and converted their enterprise to a farming sector for which a direct payment under Livestock Premia and/or Arable Aid Schemes would have been payable...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person named established 55.73 Entitlements during the Single Payment Entitlement reference period 2000-2002. In 2005, he applied and was accepted under the Consolidation measure of the Single Payment Scheme and his entitlements were consolidated to 47.81. As a result of a shortfall in land, which could not be accounted for under the measures applicable to consolidation, the applicant...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person concerned has submitted an application under the current Installation Aid Scheme which applies to eligible farmers set up for the first time in farming on or before 31 December 2006. His application will therefore be considered in accordance with the terms of that Scheme. The measures to be applied in Ireland as part of the 2007-2013 EU Rural Development Round are under...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Nov 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person named had leased entitlements in 2005 (a one year lease). In order for his 2006 Single Payment Scheme application to be processed, this 1-year Private Contract clause had to be reversed. This has now been carried out and it is expected that a 50% advance payment in the amount of â¬11,718 will issue to the person named shortly.