Results 12,301-12,320 of 18,482 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Option Scheme: Agri-Environment Option Scheme (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Some 9,060 applications to join the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) have been received in my Department. It is not possible to estimate the expected cost for 2010–2011 until each application is assessed for eligibility and each payment is computed. This work is now under way. I am satisfied, however, that the financial provision in place is sufficient to service all...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Option Scheme: Agri-Environment Option Scheme (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The date for receipt of applications under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme is fixed by the European Commission Regulations governing all EU-funded areas-based schemes, and my Department has no discretion in the matter.

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Option Scheme: Agri-Environment Option Scheme (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The new Agri-Environment Options Scheme which I launched on 30 March was open to those farmers who finished their contracts in REPS 3 on or before 30 April 2010 as well as to new entrants. The Scheme has proved very popular, with over 9,000 applications received by my Department by the closing date of 17 May. This uptake means that all EU funds available for agri-environment measures will...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: There were 16,846 applications received up to 15 May 2009, and of these 14,690 have received their payments for 2009. All outstanding cases are being dealt with, and where possible have been brought to payment stage. Those with queries, or those rejected, were referred back to the applicants. An opportunity was given to applicants whose plans had been rejected on certain grounds to submit...

Written Answers — Farm Incomes: Farm Incomes (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: 2008 and 2009 were difficult years in terms of farm incomes. The National Farm Survey 2009 reports a decline of 30% in family farm income following a fall of approximately 14% in 2008. In 2009, the decline in income was mainly a result of a decline in output prices, particularly in the dairy sector, while in 2008 the decline was mainly a result of rising input costs. Market support...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The REPS 4 payment belonging to the person named could not be processed because an issue had to be resolved that related to his Single Payment application. My officials hope to resolve this issue shortly and the REPS payment will then be processed immediately.

Written Answers — Cabinet Committees: Cabinet Committees (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: As provided for in the Programme for Government a high level interdepartmental group was established to discuss cross cutting issues affecting the food industry. The group met twice. Membership comprised my Department, and the Departments of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Communications, Health and Children, Enterprise Trade and Innovation and Environment and Local Government. A number of...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Having first obtained the consent of the Minister for Finance my Department approved the decision of the Board of Directors of the Irish National Stud Company Limited to appoint auditors to the Company.

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Applications were received on 17 May 2010 requesting the transfer of two sets of entitlements, consisting of 14 entitlements and 14.65 entitlements respectively from the person named to two other farmers. The closing date for receipt of such applications was the 17 May 2010. All applications received are currently being processed and notifications will issue to all parties as soon as...

Written Answers — Crop Losses: Crop Losses (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Following a preliminary assessment by my officials of the crop losses caused by the severe frost in January 2010, I announced, on 3 February 2010, the introduction of a limited scheme of financial assistance for certain potato and vegetable growers who could demonstrate that they had suffered significant losses of their produce due to the severe frost. As provided under EU Commission...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is one of the primary requirements of the EU Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme that in order for a farmer to receive full payment under the Scheme it is necessary that an eligible hectare of land be declared by the applicant for each payment entitlement held. A 2008 Single Payment Scheme application was received from the person named on 15th May 2008 declaring 22.74 hectares...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I recently introduced changes to the TB testing rules for cattle going direct to slaughter. Previously, where animals that had not been tested within the previous 12 months were presented for slaughter, they were returned to the holding which was then usually restricted. As a result of the revised arrangement, such cattle will now be accepted by slaughter plants. However, I must emphasise...

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to this debate and to affirm my full confidence in the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen. I have worked closely with him in my various capacities as a Deputy, as a Minister of State and, more recently, as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. He has been a supportive colleague at all times, particularly since he became Taoiseach. He has shown...

Written Answers — Beef Sector: Beef Sector (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The new QPS payment system for cattle was introduced in December 2009 following negotiations between representatives of Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). The price paid for cattle is a matter for the meat plant and the farmer and my Department has no role to play in this commercial transaction.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named submitted applications for the 2005 and 2009 National Reserve under Category A. This category catered for farmers who inherited, leased or otherwise received land free of charge, or for a nominal amount, from a farmer who had retired or died before 16 May, 2005, a holding that was leased out to a third party during the reference period 2000 – 2002. Under the 2005 National...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I recently announced the results of the Scheme for New Entrants to Dairying. In this Scheme applications were invited under 2 categories; Category A was for brand new entrants - those who had not previously held quota and, Category B – was for existing quota holders – those who had previously purchased quota as a New Entrant under a Milk Quota Trading Scheme. A total of 58 applications...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 21 animals in 2009 under the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, for herds of more than 10 cows, the animals must be weaned in at least two separate groups with at least five days between the weaning of each group. Payment will not issue until all of the animals have been weaned to ensure compliance with this condition. Also...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is not clear from the question what is prohibiting the retailer from describing the product as Irish. Lamb which has been produced in the Island of Ireland can be called Irish. If the lamb has been slaughtered in Northern Ireland, then it would have to have the number of the approved premises on the label which would include "UK" in the oval mark. However the label could indicate that the...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: A major rationalisation plan for my Department was approved by Government last year. This plan involves a comprehensive restructuring of the Department's local office network and provides a fully integrated service to our farming clients and the wider agri-food and rural environmental sectors at regional level. The plan involves reducing, from 57 to 16, the number of offices from which the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I introduced this Scheme to provide some compensation to growers for damage to potatoes and root vegetables caused by frost in January of this year. The Scheme is aimed at providing a limited and targeted financial contribution to those growers who suffered significant losses of produce due to frost damage. The application for financial assistance from the person named was rejected, as the...