Results 13,801-13,820 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 Oct 2005)

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 October 2004, Ireland submitted proposals for a derogation from the general organic nitrogen limit of 170 kg per hectare per annum laid down in the nitrates directive. The proposal was designed to allow farmers to operate under appropriate...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Applications for an allocation of entitlements from the single payment scheme national reserve were received from more than 17,500 farmers. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants by 1 December next. This will allow any allocations to be reflected in the single payment scheme payment which is scheduled to commence on 1...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Live exports continue to be an important outlet for our cattle providing an essential element of competition within the beef trade. Live exports to date are 52% up on the same period last year. Live exports in 2004 were sluggish however, and our exports this year are more in line with the more traditional export levels of 2003. The information on main destinations has been forwarded to the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is continuing to draft an Animal Health Bill. I am not in a position, at this stage, to say when the Bill will be published.

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland has a dynamic prepared consumer foods sector, which plays a significant role in the Irish economy with output of €2.6 billion and exports of €1.3 billion. Approximately 16,000 people are directly employed in 180 companies in the sector, which now accounts for 12% of food exports. The food development agencies work closely with companies to assist them to develop, commercialise and...

Written Answers — Beef Exports: Beef Exports (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The amount of beef exported to Russia in the past five years and to date is as follows: Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 (end July) Tonnes 11,000 43,000 83,000 76,000 47,000 10,000 The same period has seen a substantial increase in beef exports to EU markets. In 2001, we exported 72,000 tonnes to the continental EU and only two retailers stocked Irish beef. By last year,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The introduction of the single payment scheme this December and the consequential ending of a number of headage and premium schemes will reduce my Department's requirement for staff. While the final net impact cannot be stated exactly at this stage, it is estimated that my Department will be able to operate with approximately 400 less staff than authorised numbers. The redeployment of staff...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The designation of land under EU birds and habitats directives is a function of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The question of compensation for farmers in the Shannon Callows area is a matter, in the first instance, for that Department, and I understand discussions with the farming bodies have been taking place for some time and were continuing up to recent...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: An important part of the reform of the CAP leading to the introduction of the single payment scheme is the creation of an effective link between EU support for agriculture and measures aimed at protecting the environment and improving the countryside as well as achieving high standards in food safety and in animal health and welfare. Farmers receiving direct aid under the single payment...

Written Answers — Animal Foodstuffs: Animal Foodstuffs (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I presume the Deputy is referring to a High Court ruling last April by Mr. Justice Kelly stating that there was a deficiency in powers quoted by an authorized officer of this Department when impounding a consignment of imported feed material in which traces of bone spicules were detected. My Department has since amended the legislation to strengthen the powers of the authorised officers.

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 to 217, inclusive, together. My Department has given considerable attention to food labelling as I regard it of importance that consumers are provided with full information on foodstuffs. In this regard, my Department has pursued assiduously the implementation of the recommendations of the food labelling group. Nineteen of the 21 recommendations, many of...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the single payment scheme national reserve under category C which caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, sold their quota into the milk quota restructuring scheme and converted their enterprise to a farming sector for which a direct payment under livestock premiums or arable aid...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Payments under the single payment scheme are scheduled to commence on 1 December 2005, in accordance with EU rules. An application under the single payment scheme was received from the person named on 26 April 2005, with a declared net area of 7.92 hectares. The application is being processed for payment on this basis.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: One of the provisions of the current EU regulations governing REPS requires inspections to be unannounced. The scheme is 75% funded by the EU, and any failure to comply with this rule could result in serious financial disallowances being imposed on Ireland by the European Commission. My Department is committed to pursuing the question of a 14-day advance notice for all on-farm inspections....

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 Oct 2005)

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 October 2004, Ireland submitted proposals for a derogation from the general organic nitrogen limit of 170 kg per hectare per annum laid down in the nitrates directive. The proposal was designed to allow farmers to operate, under appropriate...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 396 together. To assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme, I have announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU approval is being sought. I am hopeful that early approval of the scheme will be forthcoming so that it can be introduced next January. Subject to the required EU...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 394 together. The Council of Agriculture Ministers agreed, at its meeting in Luxembourg on 20 June 2005, a new framework for rural development for the period 2007 to 2013. The agreement provides for the maintenance of the existing arrangements for the less favoured areas until 2010. In the meantime, the Commission will present a report and proposals to...

Written Answers — Farm Household Incomes: Farm Household Incomes (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Oireachtas joint committee report on the early retirement scheme recommended the removal of the off-farm income limit for transferees and I am considering the matter.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The keeping of fertiliser records is already part of Good Farming Practice, published in 2001 in agreement with the farming organisations. Good Farming Practice states that farmers must keep documents such as invoices and delivery dockets showing the date, type and quantity of chemical fertilisers and organic materials brought onto or leaving the farm. The records farmers will be required to...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Code of Good Agricultural Practice to Protect Waters from Pollution by Nitrates, published jointly by my Department and the Department of the Environment in 1996 with the agreement of the farming organisations, advised that as a general practice slurry and other concentrated organic fertiliser applications to land should be avoided during the non-growing season. The non-growing season...