Results 11,781-11,800 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Women in Agriculture: Women in Agriculture (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Report of the Advisory Committee on the Role of Women in Agriculture was published in September 2000 and contained 36 recommendations in total, covering a very broad range of policy and operational areas relating to women in rural communities generally. Notwithstanding that many of the Advisory Committee's recommendations were outside its remit, all of the recommendations were pursued by...

Written Answers — Sheep Industry Sector: Sheep Industry Sector (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The sheep sector plays a very important role in the agricultural sector in Ireland and makes a very valuable contribution to the economy. I am aware that the sector has been affected by various factors in recent years. Two major factors should be mentioned, the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001 and the reform of the CAP leading to the Single Farm payment. The former disrupted supply...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I am supportive of initiatives to promote food on all-island basis where this is of mutual benefit and leads to closer economic co-operation. An Bord Bia, as part of its statutory role in promoting the development of Ireland's food and drink industry works in close co-operation with its counterpart in Northern Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland (INI). Joint promotions and events have been...

Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: 821 projects were approved for investment since the scheme commenced in 2001. The number of approvals, the level of grant aid approved and the value of investments approved per county is detailed in the table below. County No of Applicants Approved Grant aid approved Investment Approved € € Carlow 12 205,187 586,249 Cavan 57 1,928,584 5,510,239 ...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Food business operators who mislead consumers in believing that food which is not of Irish origin is Irish may be committing an offence under existing food labelling legislation. Any such instances should be brought to the attention of the FSAI which is the central authority for the enforcement of food labelling. 'Substantial transformation' is a procedure used in normal business operations...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The mandate for the current round of WTO negotiations, the Doha Development Agenda, states that special and differential treatment for developing countries shall be an integral element of all elements of the negotiations. In accordance with the negotiating mandate, agreement was reached in August 2004 on a "Framework for establishing modalities in agriculture" which sets out the main elements...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Following the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme last year, farmers now have the freedom to choose whatever farming enterprise is most appropriate to their circumstances. Under the agreement on reform of the EU sugar regime, the Single Payment Scheme is being extended to cover sugar beet compensation. The sugar reform agreement also provides for the introduction of aid for...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The general food labelling legislation comes within the remit of the Department of Health & Children. My Department has responsibility for specific labelling regulations such as the labelling of beef. It is governed by comprehensive EU regulations that were introduced in 2000 and is underpinned by a full national cattle identification and traceability system. However, these labelling...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: There is already 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. The Foot and Mouth emergency of 2001 is a testament to the...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: There is no legislative requirement at EU or national level to microchip horses. While microchipping of equidae is not mandatory some of the studbooks approved by my Department include a requirement in their own internal rules to microchip equidae to protect the integrity of their studbooks.

Written Answers — Veterinary Services: Veterinary Services (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that veterinary practices are primarily commercial entities and their locations are driven by commercial realities. However, insofar as State involvement is concerned, I can point to a number of recent measures which will alleviate difficulties which may arise in certain parts of the country. Under the new Veterinary Practice Act 2005, effective from 1 January 2006,...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Food Agency Co-operation Council was established in 2000 under the aegis of my Department to promote the fullest practical co-operation between the State Agencies involved in the food industry, in the interests of the optimum development of the industry. The Council met on 20 occasions between 2000 and 2003. During 2004 and 2005 priority was given instead to meetings of the food...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 96 and 104 together. The compensation package negotiated in the context of reform of the EU sugar regime is worth over €310m to Irish stakeholders. There are three elements to the compensation package. The first element is the compensation to beet growers of up to 64% of the reduction in the minimum price for beet. This compensation, which will be...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 39, 48, 63 and 76 together. In March I announced my intention to move to a more open market system for transferring milk quotas, which will come into effect on the 1st April 2007. I made this decision because the current restructuring model will not meet the future needs of the industry and a more effective response is required in order to meet future...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 69 together. The current negotiations on a new World Trade Agreement, which cover a broad trade liberalization agenda, have been under way since they were launched in Doha in November 2001 and further progress towards agreement was reached at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December 2005. The Conference reached agreement on a number of...

Written Answers — Farm Management: Farm Management (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: According to the CSO there were 135,100 farmers in 2003, which is the most recent data available. Of this figure, 15,000 or 11% are under 35 years of age compared to the EU-15 average of 8%. This favourable demographic situation has been brought about by a series of policies and schemes to attract young people into farming. Schemes to encourage earlier farm transfers include: (a) An...

Written Answers — Avian Influenza: Avian Influenza (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 67, 72 and 75 together. The position throughout Europe is relatively stable. To date thirteen Member States have had cases/outbreaks of H5N1 Avian 'flu, of which only three have been in poultry/game. The number of cases in wild birds notified to the EU fell by over 50 per cent between March and April (from 355 cases to 158). I have, since last September,...

Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 45 and 83 together. Overall responsibility for energy policy rests with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, who is leading a cross-Departmental, cross-agency approach in developing and implementing renewable energy policy. As Minister for Agriculture and Food, I have a special interest in the development of the renewable energy...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 47, 93 and 99 together. One of my main objectives since assuming office as Minister for Agriculture and Food, was to ensure the efficient implementation of the decoupled Single Payment Scheme — the most significant change to agricultural support since our accession to the European Community. This huge task was successfully implemented when over €1...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (18 May 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Commissioner Fischer Boel, in her recent address to the Dáil, stated that Ireland and the EU may expect fierce competition in key agricultural markets such as beef and dairy production in the context of a new WTO agreement. The statement was not unexpected and reflects my own opinion that there will be increased competition on international markets in the future. The WTO negotiations are...