Results 12,221-12,240 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The agenda items to which the Deputy refers relate to discussions at the standing committee on the food chain and animal health, SCOFCAH, on the updated information on the foot and mouth disease situation, particularly in South America, provided by the representative of DG SANCO. As is normal practice at meetings of this nature, Ireland was represented at both meetings by officials from the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I am satisfied that the range of scientific expertise already available within Teagasc and the structures within that organisation are sufficient to provide advice of a very high quality. The revised advice on the nitrates regulations recently supplied by Teagasc, representing the work of a group of experts in a range of disciplines, is comprehensive and draws on a large body of research....

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Mar 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 Labelling: Food Labelling (29 Mar 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. Joint promotions and events have been...

Written Answers — Departmental Submission: Departmental Submission (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department submitted the material referred to on 1 March 2006. A copy of this material will be provided to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Mar 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 €500 per hectare, depending on the species planted. Substantial tax concessions...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Mar 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. The European Court of Justice delivered a judgment on 11 March 2004 that Ireland was non-compliant with the nitrates directive. The main finding was that Ireland had not fulfilled its obligations under the directive by reason of its failure to...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department views the illegal felling of trees with the deepest concern and investigates all cases which are reported to it, prosecuting offenders through the courts where the facts of the case support such action. In this instance, my Department carried out an investigation of the alleged offence. Under section 4(3) of the Forestry Act 1946, proceedings for an offence under the Act must be...

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Details of land certified as organic in EU member states in the years 1994 to 2004 are set out in the following table. Figures for other member states for 2005 are not yet to hand. While the size of the organic sector in Ireland is below the EU average, there are some signs of growth. The total area in conversion or with full organic status rose by nearly 5,000 hectares in 2005, which was an...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I wish to inform the Deputy that Teagasc has an ongoing programme of research that investigates the potential risks and benefits associated with the growing of genetically modified, GM, crops in Ireland including, inter alia, the economic implications. Preliminary research completed by it to date does indicate that the cultivation of certain crops with certain modifications may provide a...

Written Answers — Land Management: Land Management (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The use of a winter cover crop is a desirable practice from an environmental and agronomic point of view and is to be encouraged. In some circumstances, a requirement already exists for farmers to ensure that cover crops are in place. One of the conditions for receipt of the dingle farm payment is that the recipient must keep his or her land in good agricultural and environmental condition....

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department's research stimulus fund programme was broadened last year to incorporate biofuels research. Projects supported under this programme will complement the research work being done by Teagasc and others in the biofuels area. Under the 2005 research stimulus fund programme, 12 research projects were recently awarded grant assistance totalling €4.5 million. These research projects...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: 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 regard to pigs, calves and laying hens. Welfare cases...

Written Answers — Beef Imports: Beef Imports (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: As a member of the EU and the World Trade Organisation, Ireland is in a position to avail of opportunities for trade that are essential for the development of our open economy. Membership of these organisations also brings reciprocal trade obligations. The principle is that imported animal products meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between,...

Written Answers — Tuberculosis Incidence: Tuberculosis Incidence (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The main elements of the current bovine tuberculosis eradication scheme include an annual mandatory test on each herd; test on herds contiguous to or otherwise epidemiologically linked to infected herds; veterinary inspection of carcasses presented for human consumption; prompt removal of reactor animals; epidemiological investigation following confirmation of infection and spread; tracing of...

Written Answers — Veterinary Service: Veterinary Service (29 Mar 2006)

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

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The main statutes governing cruelty to animals in this country are the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965. Responsibility for pursuing complaints under that legislation rests with the Garda Síochána which may, on receipt of a complaint, investigate and bring a prosecution against any person alleged to have committed an act of cruelty against an animal. Officers of my Department are...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department's function in regard to the transport of livestock by sea is to approve vessels based on statutory requirements regarding the protection of animal welfare. The actual provision of such services is a commercial matter. Approval for the carriage of livestock on roll-on roll-off vessels is considered on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the characteristics of the individual...

Written Answers — Sugar Industry: Sugar Industry (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: During the meeting on 21 March which the Taoiseach, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I, together with Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, had with a delegation from Mallow, I expressed my concern about the impact the closure of the Irish Sugar plant would have on workers, beet growers and all those who depended on the sector. I explained that the recent decision by...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Following receipt of the required EU approval, the revised farm waste management scheme was launched by my Department on 24 March 2006. Application forms, together with the accompanying terms and conditions, are available from the local agricultural environment and structures, AES, offices of my Department and are also available on my Department's web-site. Among other changes which have now...