Results 11,181-11,200 of 18,461 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Further participation in the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme will have to be determined within the limits of the level of funding which will be available to my Department. The Government's 4 year Plan which was published last week sets out the expenditure ceilings for my Department for the period 2011 to 2014. The Plan does not specify the programmes or schemes to which the funding will...

Written Answers — Food Harvest 2020: Food Harvest 2020 (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 37, 48, 65 and 81 together. The Government's strategic policy document, Food Harvest 2020, outlines the vision for the expansion of the agri-food and fishing sector, the actions to be taken, and the targets to be achieved. Following its publication in July this year, my primary focus has been directed at ensuring a coherent and integrated approach to...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The agriculture and food production sector is Ireland's largest indigenous manufacturing industry and it has a vital part to play in our economic recovery, particularly in the context of our exports. The role of agriculture in Europe's economic recovery has also been recognised in the contribution it makes to all three priorities of the EU 2020 strategy of smart, green and inclusive growth. I...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: In mid-October I announced the ninth Milk Quota Trading Scheme, which is the first of two Trading Schemes to allocate quota in respect of the 2011/2012 milk quota year. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday 5 November 2010 The structure of the Scheme is largely unchanged from previous years. It is again being run in respect of each Co-op area, and is comprised of a priority...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 59 and 74 together. At the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday, Ministers had their first opportunity to exchange views on the recently published Commission Communication on the Future of the CAP after 2013. I welcome the three main objectives identified in the Commission Communication – viable food production,...

Written Answers — Veterinary Services: Veterinary Services (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department does not have any statutory function in relation to the pricing of veterinary medicines. However, my Department does have statutory responsibility for the regulation of veterinary medicines from the point of view of public health and animal health and welfare. In exercising these functions, my Department is conscious of the need to minimise costs for farmers and pet animal...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (F.S.A.I.). This is done this is done through service contracts with other relevant agencies including the Health Service Executive, the Local Authority Veterinary Service and my...

Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The recently published Food Harvest 2020 strategy includes recommendations for the further development of renewable energy initiatives in the Agriculture Sector to build on the well established Bioenergy Scheme initiative in place since 2007. The pilot Bioenergy Scheme ran from 2007-2009 and has been succeeded by the Bioenergy Scheme 2010-2012 which was launched in February 2010. The purpose...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: At Monday's Fisheries Council in Brussels, I set down clearly Ireland's position in relation to the ongoing negotiations between the EU and Norway on a bilateral fisheries agreement for 2011. I have consistently advised the Commission and Member States of Ireland's concerns including at the October Fisheries Council meeting, held on 26 October 2010 in Luxembourg. I also wrote to...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: EU Commission approval for the introduction of five targeted modernisation schemes focused on supporting productive investment in the agricultural sector was received earlier this year. Due to the relatively short time-frames for completion of the investment works concerned, priority was given to the introduction of the Sow Welfare and Poultry Welfare Schemes which were launched on 16 June...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The EU rules governing the AEOS and Natura Schemes require that comprehensive administrative and validation checks must be carried out on all applications before letters of approval may issue. Natura and Commonage applications, which included a Sustainable Management Plan, required additional checks to be carried out in order to satisfy eligibility and audit requirements. These additional...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with Ireland's Rural Development Programme, a sum of €90 million has been made available for the five targeted on-farm investment schemes listed below:- Sow Welfare Scheme; Poultry Welfare Scheme; Sheep Fencing and Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme; Dairy Equipment Scheme; Water Harvesting Scheme. The first three Schemes referred to above have already been introduced by my...

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 62 together. According to records held in my Department, some 79 poultry flocks are involved in the production of hatching eggs, with a further 33 involved in rearing these birds to laying age. The EU's State Aid rules constrain the financial assistance that can be provided by Member States to food business operators, including poultry producers....

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is my intention to ensure that capital investment schemes under the Rural Development Programme are targeted through the use of selection criteria, in order to ensure the best possible value for public money. This approach is consistent with recommendations both by the European Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General. Selection criteria to be applied under the proposed dairy...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Nitrates Directive requires Ireland to define periods when the land application of fertiliser is prohibited. This issue was raised in submissions received during the public consultation process that formed part of the review of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, commonly known as the 'Nitrates Regulations'. An Expert Advisory Group...

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 67 together. As the Deputy is aware, I announced on 10 November 2010 that 50% of suckler and dry stock herds will be exempted from Brucellosis testing at their annual herd surveillance test for 2011. In addition, the changes which I announced in September 2009 will remain in place. These changes were as follows: the age threshold for the annual round...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: To date in 2010 a total of 3,145 penalties have been imposed on REPS participants under the REPS Scheme. These penalties were in respect of various breaches of the Scheme Terms and Conditions, including such things as non-compliance with commitments as outlined in the REPS Plan, over-declaration of areas claimed for payment and late submission of payment application. To date in 2010, 843...

Written Answers — National Recovery Plan: National Recovery Plan (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 55 and 60 together. The National Recovery Plan agreed by the Government sets out a blueprint for a return to sustainable growth in our economy setting out in detail the measures that will be taken to put the public finances of the country in order. In particular, it identifies the areas of economic activity which will provide growth and employment and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I can confirm that the balancing payments under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme have begun issuing today, in line with the very ambitious payments targets I set for my Department in early October and especially given the huge task that has been ongoing throughout the year, designed to get our mapping system fully accurate and up to date. I am confident that, by year-end, payments to farmers...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: There are a number of trade negotiations taking place at present. In relation to the World Trade Organisation talks, these are ongoing but there have been no significant breakthroughs since their near collapse in 2008. Prospects for a breakthrough or an agreement being reached in 2011 continue to remain uncertain. I am, however, determined to ensure that any agreement reached is balanced in...