Results 11,801-11,820 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 71, 79 and 100 together. Following receipt of the required EU approval, the revised Farm Waste Management Scheme was launched by my Department on 24 March 2006. The principal changes to the Scheme include â (a) an increase in the standard grant-rate from 40% to 60%, with 70% being available in the four Zone C counties; (b) an extension of the Scheme for...
- Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Under the EU Animal By-products Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002), which came into effect on 1 June 2003, Category 3 meat-and-bone meal, which is derived from animals deemed fit for human consumption, can be used in pet food. By contrast Category 1 meat-and-bone meal, which is derived from high-risk material including BSE carcases and suspects, is totally excluded from the food chain...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The mission of my Department is to lead the sustainable development of a competitive, consumer focused agrifood sector and to contribute to a vibrant rural economy and society. Agri-Vision 2015 is a comprehensive action plan for the future of the agrifood sector. Built on the three pillars of Competitiveness, Innovation and Consumer-Focus, the Plan sets out a new vision for the future of the...
- Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: A comprehensive range of incentives and supports is available from my Department to encourage the planting of forestry. Under the Forestry Grant and Premium Scheme, grants are available to cover 100% of planting costs, as well as a 20-year tax-free premium for farmers (15 years for non-farmers) of up to â¬500 per hectare, depending on the species planted. Substantial tax concessions are also...
- Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The question of full dismantling or partial dismantling and the continued use of the Mallow plant for production of another agricultural commodity is a matter for commercial decision by Greencore itself and the initiative on this rests with the Company. If Greencore were to submit an application for the maximum amount of restructuring aid under the terms of the reform agreement that would...
- 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 F.S.A.I. which is the central authority for the enforcement of food labelling. 'Substantial transformation' is a procedure used in normal business...
- Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: My Department's statutory responsibility in relation to the welfare and protection of animals relates to animals kept for farming purposes and does not extend to animals kept as pets. My Department does have a role in relation to import controls in the context of rabies and this is exercised through the operation of the EU Pet Passport System. The Protection of Animals Acts, 1911 and 1965 are...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Teagasc has an ongoing programme of research that investigates the potential risks and benefits associated with the growing of GM crops in Ireland including, inter alia, the economic implications. Preliminary research completed by them to date does indicate that the cultivation of certain crops with certain modifications may provide a financial incentive to the Irish farmer. In order to...
- Written Answers — Farm Incomes: Farm Incomes (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The issue of farm incomes and viability is dependant on a number of factors. It should be noted that 82% of net aggregate farm income earned by farmers in 2005 was derived from direct payments; these payments totalled â¬2.3 billion. Reform of the Common Agriculture Policy since the early 1990's has emphasised supporting farm income through direct payments and reducing market supports (such...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The implementation of the Nitrates Directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In December, the Minister made Regulations giving legal effect to Ireland's National Action Programme under the Nitrates Directive. These Regulations were finalised following difficult negotiations between the European Commission and officials of...
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table: Year Hectares Acres % of total land under cultivation certified as organic 1990 3,800 9,389 0.08% 1995 12,634 31,218 0.29% 2000 27,231 67,287 0.62% 2005 35,266 87,142 0.81%
- Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Most of my Department's schemes, services and other operations are complex, have a high financial exposure and relate to critical functions in respect of food safety, animal health and farm support. The Risk Assessment and Management memorandum on decentralisation produced by my Department is comprehensive in setting out the risks identified so far and the consequences of each and the actions...
- 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: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 80 together. My Department has certain statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals. The legislation governing this is the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations, 2000. In addition there is specific legislation in...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The implementation of the Nitrates Directive is a matter for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The European Court of Justice delivered a judgment in March 2004 that Ireland was non-compliant with the Nitrates Directive by reason mainly of failing to establish and implement an Action Programme to protect waters against pollution by farming. The establishment of...
- Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I travelled to the United States on a food business development visit from 28th April to 7th May organised by Enterprise Ireland. I was accompanied from Ireland by the Secretary General of my Department, my Departmental Private Secretary, the Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland and the Manager of the Food and Consumer Division of Enterprise Ireland. In the US I was joined by the Senior...
- Written Answers — Beef Imports: Beef Imports (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: As a member of the EU and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ireland is in a position to avail of opportunities for trade that are essential for the development of our open economy. Membership of these organizations also brings reciprocal trade obligations. All such imports must come from third countries or areas of third countries that have been approved by the EU authorities for export to...
- Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The Irish dairy industry continues to contribute very substantially to the national economy, with an annual output value of some â¬2.3 billion. Last year Irish dairy exports performed exceptionally well totalling â¬2 billion, despite downward adjustments to EU market supports brought about by the implementation of the Luxembourg Agreement on the reform of the CAP. A loss of competitiveness...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The implementation of the Nitrates Directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In December, the Minister made Regulations giving legal effect to Ireland's National Action Programme under the Nitrates Directive. These Regulations were finalised following difficult negotiations between the European Commission and officials of...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The regional and speciality food sector is worth approximately â¬475 million in Ireland and is growing at an annual rate of 10%. This expanding sector accounts for over 300 small food enterprises, distributed throughout the country, and producing a diverse range of products including farmhouse dairy, meat, fish, horticulture, confectionery, bakery and prepared foods. International research...