Results 1,321-1,340 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Tests (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: A national Outbreak Control team has been established by the HSE to deal with all issues relating to Covid 19 in meat plants. DAFM is represented on this committee and it is expected that recommendations, including any in relation to testing, will issue from this group in due course. Any clusters of cases in individual meat plants, in common with clusters in other workplaces, are dealt...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 850 and 858 together. Our fishing sector has been particularly hard hit by the severe market disruption in Europe and internationally caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic. The closure of many markets and disruption of established distribution channels, particularly to restaurants and the food service industry domestically and internationally, has seen market demand...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: European Council Meetings (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 851 and 852 together. On the 13 May, I attended a video-conference meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers with Agriculture Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowski, and Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius, to discuss the effectiveness of measures introduced by the Commission to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture and fisheries....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horticulture Sector (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: The sourcing of labour by employers in the agri-food sector is a matter for those employers themselves. It is estimated that 6,600 are employed in the Horticulture industry, while a further 11,000 are employed in downstream businesses, with a small percentage of this total employment being seasonal labour. Sources of seasonal labour are multifaceted. Employers generally focus on their...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: I welcome the conclusion of negotiations on the modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement, as it provides for significant access to the Mexican market for EU agri-food products, particularly in the dairy, pigmeat and poultry sectors. It also provides full protection for 99% of European Union Geographical Indications. This agreement was included in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: The objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) was to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132.  This aid was granted to provide temporary market adjustment support in response to a specific market disturbance as outlined in Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licences (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: The Deputy will be aware that my Department has made changes to internal Appropriate Assessment Procedures (AAP), which has resulted in delays to some files.  These changes to the AAP were required following important Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decisions and their subsequent interpretation by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Issues (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015.  In this case, the applicant successfully appealed his rejection from the scheme. The GLAS application has been reinstated and payment has issued for scheme years 2018 and 2019.  Balancing payments are due in respect of monies recouped by the Department for scheme years 2015 –...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: I am very aware of the adverse impacts the COVID-19 Pandemic on our fishing industry, particularly with regard to the disruption of our traditional markets in Europe and Asia. Ireland's top five export partners for seafood are France, the UK, Spain, Italy and China - all of whom have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While trade to China has begun to reopen and there is demand...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Seafood Sector (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: On 13 May, I met with fellow Fisheries Ministers by video conference to exchange views and discuss measures to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our fisheries sectors. This was the second video conference of  Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers to take place since the start of the pandemic.    In relation to fisheries, I noted that overall activity by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: The submission referred to was made by Horse Sport Ireland, the centralised national body for the sport horse industry and is a submission for the industry in general and outlines the protocols and procedures that can be put in place towards an incremental resumption of equestrian activity, when current Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.    On 3 May, the Roadmap for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: Given the current challenges relating to COVD 19, I am very aware of the importance of the financial support provided under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) for farmers.  The deadline for submission of BPS applications was Friday 15 May, and I am happy to confirm that the expected number of applications was received by this deadline. My Department is now preparing as a matter...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: My Department’s website has a FAQ section on Covid 19 with information in relation to on-farm construction activities.  In all cases, plans should be in place for all essential workers to carry out their work while observing a 2 metre physical distancing and all other relevant HSE advice. The delivery of concrete for essential minor works on farms (such as the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Poultry Industry (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: To date this year, twelve poultry flocks have been affected by low pathogenic Avian Influenza. I am acutely aware of the difficulties currently being faced by the affected poultry producers in this instance.  I wish to assure you that my Department has been and will continue to engage with representatives of the poultry sector, to seek to ensure that the recent outbreak of low-pathogenic...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Household Incomes (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: I am aware of the report referenced by the Deputy.   My Department works closely with Teagasc on monitoring family farm incomes. I understand that Teagasc will shortly publish analysis of a range of scenarios examining in detail the possible income effects arising from the current COVID pandemic. The agri-food sector is an essential part of the economic and social fabric...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: The objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) was to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132.  This aid was granted to provide temporary market adjustment support in response to a specific market disturbance as outlined in Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Meat Processing Plants (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: Information with regard to the numbers of workers tested or positive in meat plants is a matter for the Food Businesses and the Health Service Executive. My Department supplies PPE to its own staff and contractors in Food Business premises.  It does not supply PPE to Food Business personnel.  Food business have put in place a range of protective practices and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: As part of the TB eradication programme, beef finishing herds, if they meet the necessary criteria, are allowed to avail of a special status, termed “Controlled Finishing Unit”. When a herd meets the criteria to be regarded as a ‘Controlled Finishing Unit’ under the TB Eradication Programme, the herd is restricted under the TB Regulations and a special...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: The last meeting of the beef Taskforce was on 9th Jan 2020.  Taskforce members have recently been provided with a written update on the work of the Taskforce.  These documents are published on the Department’s website www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/beef/beeftaskforce.&#x a0; As previously advised to members, a meeting of the Taskforce will be convened as soon as is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheepmeat Sector (20 May 2020)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is monitoring the economic impact of the Covid19 pandemic on all aspects of the agriculture sector. To date, no specific analysis has been carried out on its impact on the wool sector.