Results 11,821-11,840 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: In 2003 my Department established an interdepartmental/interagency Working Group to identify the issues and implications for Ireland of the cultivation of GM crops and to develop proposals for a national strategy and best practices. The Working Group completed its work in December last and a public consultation process has just been completed. I am in the process of considering the...
- Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has been aware for some time that, following the death of five cows on a farm in South Wales, tests revealed that two of the cows tested positive for anthrax. I am satisfied that the measures employed by the Welsh authorities in relation to the disposal of the cattle and the fact that no cattle had been sent from the farm in question for the food chain for almost 12 months...
- Written Answers — Animal Cruelty: Animal Cruelty (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 98 together. I have outlined in detail to the House on a number of occasions and most recently on 29 March 2006, the circumstances surrounding this unusual case. In view of the fact that the matter is sub judice and is in fact scheduled to come before the Courts on 29 May, I do not propose to comment any further on the case at this stage.
- Written Answers — Importation of Bees: Importation of Bees (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The importation of bees into Ireland is prohibited under the Bees (Regulation of Import) Order 1980, except under licence issued by the Minister for Agriculture and Food. Such licences, may be subject to conditions relating to origin, place of export and import, and disposal. No licences have been issued recently. In accordance with EU legislation, imports of bees may be authorized from third...
- Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The European model of agriculture, which is enshrined in the Common Agricultural Policy, is based on maintaining competitive, multifunctional and sustainable farming dispersed throughout the Union while one of the core principles of the CAP is to assure the availability of supply. The EU ensures the highest standards of hygiene and traceability throughout the food chain through a range of...
- Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The overall national strategy for the eradication of TB provides for a comprehensive range of measures, including the mandatory annual testing for all cattle in the national herd, the early removal of reactors, a wildlife programme involving the targeted removal of badgers where they are implicated in a TB outbreak, the use of the gamma Interferon test in problem herds as an adjunct to the...
- Written Answers — Trade in Horses: Trade in Horses (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The minimum value rules referred to by the Deputy, which are implemented in the UK are supplementary to European rules, which govern the trade in horses between Member States and prescribe the health conditions and certification to be applied to such animals. My Department implements EU laws regarding the trade of horses between Member States and I have no plans, at present, of going beyond...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The adjudication of applications for field trials of GM crops is a function assigned to the Environmental Protection Agency, as the competent authority for the purposes of Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms; which is transposed into Irish law by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2003. The...
- 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 — 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 — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Funding for research into the control of Varroa in honey bees has been the main element of my Department's apiculture programme. From 2002 to 2005, a total of â¬195,996 was provided to Teagasc towards the development of integrated biological control methods under Irish conditions. Expenditure of a further â¬150,000 has been approved for 2006 and 2007 for this research programme. The...
- Written Answers — Importation of Birds: Importation of Birds (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: On Friday 14th April 2006, a consignment of hobby birds was imported through Rosslare Port to a registered importer. The consignment in question originated in another Member State (the Netherlands) and, accordingly, is subject to intra-community trade rules, which does not include a quarantine requirement. Consignments of this nature must comply with the requirements of a General...
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The EU Council Regulation covering the current Early Retirement Scheme will expire in December 2006. The Council Regulation on Rural Development for the period from 2007 to 2013 includes provision for member States to operate several schemes, including an Early Retirement Scheme, and lays down the maximum pension which may be paid under any such Early Retirement Scheme. No decisions have yet...
- Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The Report of the Organic Development Committee in 2002 recommended a national label for Irish organic food. The National Steering Group took up this recommendation for the Development of the Organic Sector. After some consideration, they concluded that the idea of a single national label for organic produce should be put on hold for now. There is not yet a consensus among stakeholders about...
- 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 — Food Safety: Food Safety (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Under the service contract between my Department and the FSAI an annual monitoring programme for the control of pesticide residues in food is agreed. As part of the 2005 programme two samples of Mexican scallions/spring onions were analysed for residues of 148 different pesticides, including DDT. No DDT residue was detected in the samples analysed and the samples were fully compliant with...
- Written Answers — Farm Safety: Farm Safety (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I welcome the publication last week of the Annual Report 2005 of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) which is the State Agency responsible for the promotion and enforcement of workplace health and safety in Ireland. Agriculture and forestry is one of a number of key sectors dealt with in the Report. I particularly support the Strategic Alliance referred to in the Report between the HSA and...
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The production and utilisation of agricultural products for energy purposes can only be sustained in the longer term if biofuels generate a more favourable return than traditional market outlets. I am confident that the extension in the last Budget of excise relief of â¬205m which, when fully operational, will support the use and production of 163 million litres of biofuels annually, will...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The adjudication of applications for field trials of GM crops is a function assigned to the Environmental Protection Agency, as the competent authority for the purposes of Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms; which is transposed into Irish law by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2003. The...
- Written Answers — Farm Costs: Farm Costs (18 May 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The cost of fuel and energy, driven by rising international prices, is an issue for all parts of the economy including the agricultural sector. The most recent data from the CSO Wholesale Price Index shows that the price of energy products rose by 10.9% in the twelve months to March 2006 with electricity rising by 7.1%, auto diesel by 11.4% and gas oil by 18.9%. According to the Output, Input...