Results 11,621-11,640 of 18,461 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The organic food sector in Ireland is currently valued at approximately €94 million annually and there are about 1,500 producers engaged in organic production. However, a large portion of the organic produce on the Irish market is imported. Apart from the domestic market, there are major export opportunities for Irish organic produce in other European markets. For example, the UK market is...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The implementation of a carbon tax on fossil fuels is, in the first instance, a matter for my colleagues, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Renewed Programme for Government contained a commitment to introduce a Carbon Tax in Budget 2010 and this commitment was fulfilled when a carbon tax at a rate of €15 per tonne on fossil...

Written Answers — Farming Statistics: Farming Statistics (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Teagasc have provided farm number estimates for 2020 which will be available to the Food Harvest High Level Implementation Committee at its next meeting. These figures focus on farm viability and do not include a demographic profile. Information on current farm demographics is published by the CSO and included in the Annual Review and Outlook published by my Department.

Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I have written previously to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in relation to REFIT tariffs and officials from my Department are in ongoing contacts with their counterparts in the Department of...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Food Sector Competitiveness Fund, approved by Government in 2009, included lean manufacturing, R&D and marketing initiatives. The budget provided for 2010 is €9.5 million comprising €7 million for lean manufacturing and R&D initiatives managed by Enterprise Ireland and €2.5 million for marketing initiatives by An Bord Bia. By the end of 2010, nearly €3 million will have been...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Some 6,000 letters of approval for participation in the scheme have now issued to applicants under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. Comprehensive administrative and validation checks must be carried out on all applications to ensure eligibility and compliance with the terms and condition of the scheme before letters of approvals can issue, particularly in the case of those applications...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the agreement that has been reached with the EU Commission on the content of Ireland's 2nd National Action Programme (NAP) under the Nitrates Directive. This new programme will run to the end of 2013. The overall package will, in this economically challenging climate, assist Ireland's agri-food sector meet its targets under the Food Harvest 2020 strategy on the basis of...

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I assume that the Deputy's question refers to Council Directive 99/74/EC which prohibits the use of conventional cages within the EU from 1 January 2012. Production thereafter will only be allowed in 'enriched cages' or non-cage systems, i.e. either free-range or barn systems, including organic systems. The Directive lays down specific requirements that must be delivered by enriched cages,...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Sheep Fencing and Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme opened for applications on 1 November 2010. The Scheme will remain open for valid applications until 31 December 2013 and selection criteria will be applicable in order to determine those grant applications which will proceed to the approval stage. Under the terms of Ireland's Rural Development Programme, a sum of €8 million will be...

Written Answers — Beef Exports: Beef Exports (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: In the European Union (EU), carcases of adult bovines are classified or graded in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) 1249/2008 using the EUROP scale for conformation and a scale of 1 to 5 to indicate fat cover. Some Member States, including Ireland, further divide each main class into sub-classes in order to refine the classification assessment of the beef carcase. Classification is...

Written Answers — Crop Losses: Crop Losses (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: To date, 112 applicants have been paid a total of €2,754,884.49 under the Frost Damage Scheme. There are a further 90 files which are at various stages of being processed at present. All outstanding payments will have to be completed this year.

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The amount of grant aid paid to organic farmers under the REP scheme in 2009 amounted to €452,924 while the amount paid to date in 2010 amounts to €1,900,780.

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was suspended for new applications on 14 October 2008. 941 applications for grant-aid were received by my Department under the Scheme prior to its suspension and these applications are being processed to payment stage as the claims are approved. An allocation of €4.5 million has been provided in this year's Estimates to meet the financial...

Written Answers — Fishing Vessel Licences: Fishing Vessel Licences (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Matters concerning maritime safety, including in respect of sea fishing vessels, is a matter for the Minister for Transport. I have no function in relation to the matter. I have no plans for a further decommissioning scheme at present.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: By the time the processing of the 2010 applications is completed, it is expected that my Department will have processed and digitised maps received from over 70,000 farmers. This compares with a figure of 30,000 for 2009 and an average of 22,000 maps in recent years. On average each farmer submitted two maps with their 2010 application forms. Despite the huge additional workload significant...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Some 6,000 letters of approval for participation in the scheme have now issued to applicants under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. Comprehensive administrative and validation checks must be carried out on all applications to ensure eligibility and compliance with the terms and condition of the scheme before letters of approvals can issue, particularly in the case of those applications...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The estimated cost for establishment grants and first premiums for the 1500 hectares approved for this autumn's planting programme is approximately €5.6 million.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. This process is under way and while my objective is to make all payments as soon...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The annual consultations between EU and Norway on a bilateral fisheries agreement for 2011 will commence on 15 November 2010. At the last Fisheries Council meeting, held on 26 October 2010 in Luxembourg, the fisheries agenda item of particular importance for Ireland was the discussion regarding these negotiations between the EU and Norway on a bilateral fisheries agreement for 2011....

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The objective of this Scheme is to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and to encourage producers to respond to the market demand for organically produced food. The domestic organic retail market is currently worth about €94 million and a large portion of this produce is imported. Apart from the domestic market, major export opportunities for Irish organic produce...