Results 11,181-11,200 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Dairy Industry: Dairy Industry (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The price paid to milk suppliers is a commercial decision between the supplier and purchaser over which I have no influence. Milk prices paid to producers have reduced over the past few months arising from the new policy framework where market forces are the key drivers of dairy product prices. Greater efficiency and economies of scale at both producer and processors levels are key to...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The forestry promotion campaign, "Forests for a Bright Future", a joint initiative by the Irish Forest Industry Chain (IFIC) and my Department, is ongoing. The purpose of the campaign is to highlight the multifunctional benefits of forestry and the advantages to the farmer and the wider community, and thereby promote planting. To date regional launches have taken place in Cavan, Ennis,...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: As policy in respect of wind energy is the responsibility of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I have not had any discussions with the farming organisations on this issue. However, the farming organisations, and others have an opportunity during the public consultation on the Green Paper, Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland, to input into the policy...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the recent study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. The study, which concentrated mostly on the situation in the United Kingdom, indicates that, in the UK, badgers are implicated in transmitting Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (TB), to cattle. This...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department's Veterinary Laboratory Service involvement in this investigation commenced with a field visit to the farm by laboratory staff on 17 July 2006 — the day on which the Laboratory Service was first made aware of the problem by the farmer's private veterinary practitioner (PVP). A further visit to the farm was made by Laboratory staff together with Monaghan County Council...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The following table sets out details of the export of live cattle for each of the last 5 years and for the nine months to the end of September 2006. 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Jan-Sept 2006 100,457 148,094 221,093 130,347 185,267 198,344 Live exports continue to be an important outlet for our cattle, providing an essential element of competition with the beef trade. Following an increase of...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2000-2006 significant funding has been provided for a full range of support measures to enhance the development of the food industry. These cover capital investment, research and development, marketing and promotion and human resource development. Up to the end of June 2006, over €270 million has been allocated under the food related initiatives...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Consideration of Ireland's proposals for a derogation to allow certain farmers to operate, under appropriate conditions and controls, up to a level of 250kg of organic nitrogen per hectare per annum is at an advanced stage. Officials from my Department and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government made a presentation regarding our derogation proposals to the EU Nitrates...

Written Answers — Land Exchange: Land Exchange (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters are the responsibility of the company. The exchange of land is a matter of an operational nature for Coillte. I have, however, requested Coillte to contact the person concerned directly in relation to this issue.

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: In the case of food imported from an EU source it must come from an approved establishment and be accompanied to its destination with a commercial document or a health certificate signed by an official veterinarian of the competent authority of the Member State of origin. In the case of importation from third countries it must originate in a country approved by the EU for trade in such...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: All beef sold or served in the retail or catering sector is now required by law to carry an indication of country of origin. There are EU Regulations which provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultry meat at retail level. The information which these regulations require on the label includes the registered number of the slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a Third...

Written Answers — Dairy Industry: Dairy Industry (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: While the price of milk paid to dairy farmers is a commercial matter between milk producers and milk purchasers for which I have no direct responsibility, I am aware that market prices have been reducing in recent months. Prices paid to milk producers are determined by a combination of the international market for dairy products, the product mix and the efficiency of the processor as well as...

Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Under Article 3.3 of the Kyoto Protocol, forests planted since 1990 are eligible for carbon accounting purposes. On this basis, the total carbon sequestration capacity of forests in 2006 amounts to approximately 1.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The total area of afforestation grant aided by my Department, and the areas reported as harvested in the last five years, are as follows: Afforested (ha) Harvested (ha) 2001 15,464 9,217 2002 15,054 7,553 2003 9,097 8,642 2004 9,734 8,557 2005 10,090 8,802

Written Answers — Agriculture Development: Agriculture Development (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Agrivision 2015 Action Plan which I published in March sets out my vision for a competitive, consumer-focused and knowledge driven agri-food sector which will contribute to a vibrant rural economy, society and environment and which exploits opportunities in non-food areas. In addition to a broad vision statement, the Plan sets out one hundred and sixty six specific actions to be...

Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department provides funding for the development of the non-thoroughbred industry, including the Irish Draught Horse Sector, under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and also by way of annual grant aid provided to the Irish Horse Board. The Irish Horse Board is the approved organisation to maintain the Irish Draught Horse Stud Book. In addition to the wide range of supports it...

Written Answers — Beef Exports: Beef Exports (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The following table sets out details of beef exports for the last five years. 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 '000 tonnes Total 345 445 495 493 487 Of which to: Int. markets 50 90 82 55 35 Russia 43 83 76 47 25 Egypt 0 0 1 1 — Other 5 7 5 7 10 Cont EU 72 110 162 174 192 France 13 16 20 24 40 Italy 11 22 35 40 42 Netherlands 26 30 39 41 40 Scandinavia 13 30 35 35 38 Other 9 12...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is currently processing 2006 Energy Crops applications in respect of 2,458.51 hectares and 2,076.7 hectares in respect of the 2006 Non-Food Set-aside Scheme. Article 92 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 provides for a review of the Energy Crops Schemes by the EU Commission. This report was recently presented by the Commission to the Council, ahead of the 31 December 2006...

Written Answers — Meat Exports: Meat Exports (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Regarding exports of Sheepmeat, the latest period for which official statistics are available is the period from January to June 2006. Data for this period show that a total of 26,941 tonnes of Sheepmeat was exported to European and third country destinations. This compares to 29,477 tonnes for the corresponding period in 2005. The decline was due to a combination of a reduction in production...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the Single Payment Scheme /Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 15th May 2006. As part of the control procedures under EU legislation governing the Single Payment Scheme, the application was randomly selected for an on-the-spot cross compliance inspection. During the course of the inspection, it was found that movements of 30 animals were...