Results 13,821-13,840 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Forás Orgánach was established to drive forward the development of the organic sector in Ireland. It replaces the National Steering Group for the Organic Sector which completed its second three-year term earlier in 2009. Forás Orgánach was established to build on the work of the National Steering Group and its predecessor, the Organic Development Committee. Forás Orgánach is made up...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: As we all know, the international dairy industry is facing serious challenges at present. Markets for dairy products are extremely weak across the world, primarily due to a collapse in demand caused by the global economic downturn. Over the past couple of years we have witnessed extremes of volatility in dairy product prices on an unprecedented scale. During 2007 dairy prices reached...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was closed to new applicants on 14 October 2008. I have no immediate plans to reopen entry to this Scheme at this time. I have reopened the Early Retirement Scheme until 30 October 2009 with a view to accepting as many as possible of those applications that were completed or close to completion at the time entry to the scheme was suspended on 14...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: To date a total of €69m has been paid to pigmeat processors under the Pigmeat Recall Scheme, €30m to primary processors and €39m to secondary processors.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: On 15th July, the Government approved my plan for a reorganisation of my Department's Local Office Network. The plan involves reducing, from 57 to 16, the number of offices from which the Department will operate District Veterinary, Forestry and Agricultural Environment and Structures support services in the future. Improvements in business processes, information technology and...

Written Answers — Supports for Young Farmers: Supports for Young Farmers (15 Oct 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 soon...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The next meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council is scheduled to take place on 19th and 20th October. The provisional agenda indicates that it will deal with both agriculture and fisheries items. As regards agriculture, the main item to be discussed is the situation in the dairy market. The Commission proposals on short term measures to address the current crisis in the sector will...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: I have been conscious that a number of applications were completed or close to completion at the time entry to the Early Retirement Scheme was suspended on 14 October 2008. It became apparent recently that there would be a saving on the 2009 allocation for the Scheme. On this basis I took the decision to reopen the Scheme until 30 October with the intention of accepting as many as possible...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Under the new Programme for Government I am committed to reviewing state forestry policy to take account of its critical role in relation to climate change and its importance to construction, bio-energy, bio-diversity and its potential to deliver long-term employment in other downstream industries. I intend to begin this work as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department has received a submission from the organisation named setting out its response to the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. The submission will be examined, together with any other submissions that may be received, in determining the budgetary framework and in the preparation of the 2010 Estimate for the Department.

Written Answers — Transport of Animals: Transport of Animals (15 Oct 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 but proposals have not yet been put forward by the Commission. In view of the importance of the export trade in live animals, I expressed my concerns to Commissioner Vassiliou regarding any...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Ireland is currently facing two greenhouse gas emission targets. The first of these is the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which limits Ireland's total national emissions to 13% above the baseline estimate in the Kyoto Period (2008 – 2012). Ireland's Agriculture sector will make a very significant contribution to achieving the Kyoto...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the EU Commission's comprehensive and wide ranging strategy on the Sustainable Development of Community Aquaculture which incorporates the promotion of an environmentally sustainable industry, focused on safety and quality of EU aquaculture production. It is anticipated that the Aquaculture strategy will provide the framework to promote a competitive and diverse aquaculture...

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Local Authorities are the designated competent authorities for the purposes of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water) Regulations (SI No. 101 of 2009). However, I have agreed that inspections to meet the requirements of the Nitrates Regulations will be undertaken by my Department. My objective is to ensure that the duplication of on-farm...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 87 together. The introduction of electronic identification (EID) for sheep was agreed at EU level in late 2003. At that time, it was agreed to defer the implementation date until January 2008. The Council revisited this issue in December 2007 when it was agreed that the deadline for the compulsory introduction of EID should be definitively set for 31...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The F.S.A.I. was established by the FSAI Authority of Ireland Act, 1998 under the aegis of Department of Health and Children. Section 11 of that Act assigns overall responsibility for food safety in Ireland to the F.S.A.I. In accordance with the provisions of Section 46 and 48 of the Act, my Department carries out functions under service contract acting on behalf of and as an agent for the...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 60 together. A first policy debate on CAP post 2013 took place at the Informal Agriculture Council in September last year under the French Presidency. The Czech Presidency continued the debate in the first months of 2009, focusing, in particular, on the issue of direct payments to farmers. The Swedish Presidency Programme provides for further...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The purpose of the Forestry Bill is to reform and update the legislative framework relating to forestry in order to support the development of a modern forestry sector that enshrines the principles of sustainable forestry management and protection of the environment. The Bill will, among other provisions, introduce a more streamlined felling licensing system, allow for change of land use...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Review Group is considering the report and recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas committee which it received on 26th May 2009 as well as a range of submissions from interested parties. As I advised the Joint Oireachtas Committee I established a Review Group, chaired by Dr. Patrick Wall, to make recommendations on whatever adjustment of controls or other measures are necessary in the...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Farm Improvement Scheme was introduced by my Department in July 2007 with funding of €79 million as agreed under the Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016, and was suspended on 31 October 2007 as applications received had reached this level of funding. 12,675 applications were received from farmers prior to the closing date of the Scheme and these applications have been processed within...