Results 13,441-13,460 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Retail Sector: Retail Sector (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment consulted closely with my Department in preparing the consultation paper for the public consultation process, which was launched in August last. That Department is currently analysing some 29 submissions received from a range of interests. It is intended that this analysis will inform how best to give effect to the commitment in the Renewed...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Based on estimated milk deliveries as submitted by milk purchasers for the period up to 31 October 2009, Ireland is just over ten per cent under quota when account is taken of the butterfat content of milk deliveries during the same period. The milk quota increases agreed under the CAP Health Check have had no impact on milk prices. Indeed, the experience of the last two years on the dairy...

Written Answers — Departmental Policy: Departmental Policy (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: As I announced some time ago, I intend to produce a strategy for the development of the agri-food, fisheries and forestry sectors to 2020. This will follow on the very successful Agri-Food 2010 and Agri-Vision 2015 strategies. To help guide the public consultation on the 2020 strategy, I have asked my Department and the State Agencies to prepare a series of discussion papers on key issues....

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: I have made provision of €9.75 million in 2009 to meet existing commitments under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the preceding equivalent schemes. In addition, I have recently announced my intention to introduce a new range of aid measures in relation to on-farm investments, some of which will be particularly targeted at young farmers. These measures will be introduced as...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Drafting of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which gives effect to commitments in the area of animal health and welfare contained in the Programme for Government and the renewed Programme for Government is ongoing in my Department. The legislation will amend and consolidate previous legislation in the area of animal health, particularly to reflect the changed disease status of our animals...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Disadvantaged Areas Scheme forms part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2007 to 2013 (RDP) and it is intended that this scheme will run for the duration of the Programme. A proposal to revise the RDP to include modulation funds and funds under the European Economic Recovery Package was submitted to the European Commission last July. The revised Programme includes proposed new...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: I chaired the NSMC Agriculture sectoral meeting held on 19th November. Also in attendance were Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Robin Newton, MLA, Junior Minister at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. We noted the on-going progress on the delivery of the draft All-Island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy and that work is in...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Against the background of the deterioration in public finances, my approach in preparing the 2009 Estimates for my Department was to protect expenditure for major developmental measures in the agri-food sector. To achieve this objective, savings had to be found in other areas and I decided, reluctantly, to reduce expenditure under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme for 2009 by reducing the...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: I note Commissioner Fischer Boel's statement on the implementation by Member States of the process set out in EU legislation for the authorisation of GM ingredients, to be used in food and feed within the EU. The cultivation of genetically modified crops and their use in food and animal feed has been a source of serious debate throughout the EU for the past decade with significant divergence...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 51 together. The dairy market situation has been discussed at Council of Ministers meetings every month since March this year. At those meetings I have, together with my Ministerial colleagues, continually pressed the Commission to take all appropriate measures to deal with the situation, and those actions have helped to stabilise the market. The...

Written Answers — Veterinary Inspection Service: Veterinary Inspection Service (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The current rates payable by the Department to private veterinary practitioners who carry out TB testing and Brucellosis sampling are set out in the table. Table Animals tested or sampled Rate per animal testedpayable fortuberculosisskin test Additional rate perAnimal, forCombined tuberculosisSkin test andBrucellosissampling Rate, per animal,Payable for brucellosis sampling only â'¬...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Of 12,145 farmers who applied successfully for REPS 4 up to the closing date of 15 May 2008, 908 were previously in REPS 3. Comparable figures for transfer in respect of application received by the closing date of 15 May 2009 are not yet available as all such application are still being processed.

Written Answers — Draught Horse Studbook: Draught Horse Studbook (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: I understand that the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has not, as yet, made any formal recommendations regarding this matter. Consequently, I am not in a position to comment any further at this time.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 60 and 69 together. My colleague, Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food agreed a comprehensive fisheries control and inspection framework at the Fisheries Council in Luxembourg in October of this year. Minister Killeen's priority at Council was to secure measures that would give our fishermen confidence...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Grant-aid for the completion of on-farm investments in relation to alternative enterprises was available from my Department under both the Alternative Enterprises Scheme and the Farm Improvement Scheme. Under the latter scheme, grant-aid was available for such enterprises as part of a package of general investment aid for the completion of on-farm investments. Both schemes are, however, now...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. In the case of the second instalment of 40 per cent, I have recently announced that, subject to Dail approval, I intend to commence payment in December 2009 with the remainder of farmers being paid in early 2010. The...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Twenty six markets have to date been certified as meeting the Good Practice Standard for Farmers' Markets and each has been issued with a personalized banner which they can use to advertise this achievement. A list of the successful markets is also posted on the Bord Bia website. The Good Practice Standard encourages farmers' markets to provide market access to locally produced in-season...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The transport of animals is governed by Council Regulation (EC) 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations. The Commission is undertaking a review of this legislation, and a draft proposal was circulated within the Commission services. The proposal received a number of negative opinions during the course of inter-service consultation, relating to...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: I met recently with representatives of the horse industry and welfare bodies during which I was briefed on the possible risk of horse welfare problems developing over the coming months including a risk of abandonment of horses. Arising from discussions, officials of my Department have met with representatives from the horse industry and through the auspices of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The EU Common Agriculture Policy provides a range of measures that can be used to assist the dairy market, and these were modified in the CAP reforms of 1999 and 2003. In the Health Check negotiations last year there was pressure to remove or weaken the support measures significantly. At that time I fought hard to keep the key market instruments in place and these were used effectively to...