Results 13,881-13,900 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: I am aware of the statement by the organisation concerned. However, REPS 4 was closed to new applicants in July against the background of the situation in the public finances, the resources available to my Department and the substantial increase, over the past year, in the number of REPS participants. A record 16,718 applications were received up to the closing date of 15 May for 2009, and...

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

Brendan Smith: In the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, my Department is required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility under the Scheme, compliance with EU legislation in the areas of the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and ensuring that the farm is maintained in good agricultural and environmental...

Written Answers — Beef Imports: Beef Imports (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: In December 2007 the Commission proposed more severe restrictions on Brazilian imports to the Community. This arose from the findings of EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) during its various missions to Brazil. These restrictions were recommended by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain & Animal Health (SCoFCAH) and proposed that imports be limited to a small number of farms that could...

Written Answers — Cross Compliance Measures: Cross Compliance Measures (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: There are no specific irregularities relating to cross compliance measures that led to my Department being fined by the European Commission. The position is that, following a preventative audit by the European Commission in 2005 examining the introduction of the Cross Compliance system in Ireland, the auditors were not satisfied that all farmers selected for an on-the-spot check under the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications, including the application from the person named, has commenced to facilitate the release of payments at the...

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

Brendan Smith: There are no costs to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to Constituency office costs for leaflet design, production and delivery.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information requested is being compiled and will be made available as soon as possible.

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

Brendan Smith: There are no costs to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to Constituency office costs for political websites.

Written Answers — Compensation Schemes: Compensation Schemes (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The agreement concluded with pig processors in December 2008 involved making available a facility of €180 million from the public finances to assist processors in funding the recall and destruction of certain pork products from the market and product in storage. The criteria for acceptance into the Scheme are set out in the Scheme document published by my Department on 24 December 2008, a...

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

Brendan Smith: There are no costs to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in relation to Constituency office costs for advertising of clinics, public meetings and other events.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The various costs requested are being assembled and the information will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Agri-food Sector: Agri-food Sector (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: There is no doubt that certain parts of the industry are facing significant challenges this year, although, some reduction in input prices should help to soften the impact of these difficulties. In the dairy sector I have successfully pressed for action at EU level to support market prices. I continue to work with colleagues from other Member States to ensure the maximum possible support...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 was closed to new applicants in July against the background of the situation in the public finances, the resources available to the Department and the substantial increase, over the past year, in the number of REPS participants. Almost 17,000 applications were received up to the closing date of 15 May for 2009, and further applications which were received up to the time of closure...

Written Answers — Agricultural Exports: Agricultural Exports (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Irish beef exports in recent years have been targeted at the high-value UK and Continental EU markets, with these destinations accounting for 99% of exports in 2007 and 98% in 2008. Efforts to secure alternative market outlets have continued in recent years and have seen agreements on market access reached with Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, South Africa and Indonesia but exports have...

Written Answers — Agri-food Sector: Agri-food Sector (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is my job as Minister to plan to help the Agri Food Sector to meet all challenges to all sectors in the coming decade. In order to do this the sector must improve competitiveness so that it can capitalise on the inevitable global recovery and meet the challenges in the coming decade. Addressing the Agri Food industry's capacity to compete successfully at home and overseas has assumed a...

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

Brendan Smith: According to the European Commission's latest statistics, the EU's overall trade in agricultural produce is fairly close to balance with its total trade of almost €153 billion in 2007, split between imports of €77.4 billion and exports of €75.1 billion. Broadly speaking, the EU is a net importer of raw products such as tropical products, certain fruit and vegetables and oils/oilseeds...

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

Brendan Smith: There have been a number of discussions at EU Council level on the future of European food production in the context of the CAP after 2013. This issue has also been to the forefront of bilateral contacts with other Member States. My own view on the future of EU food production, which I have expressed at meetings of the Council and bilaterally to my Ministerial colleagues, is that we must...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Production: Sugar Beet Production (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The 2006-2009 scheme for the restructuring of the European sugar industry, which was implemented as part of the reform of the EU sugar regime, resulted in the EU sugar quota being reduced by 5.2 million tonnes to 13.3 million tonnes. EU sugar production is now concentrated in 18 Member States (as opposed to 23 before the reform) which enjoy favourable agronomic conditions. They are Austria,...

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

Brendan Smith: Agricultural production in Ireland and the EU and farm income must be viewed in the context of a reformed and evolving Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which has placed much more emphasis on market orientation and competitiveness. Following the decoupling of direct payments from production, farmers can now take advantage of the freedom to farm for the market, allowing them to focus on...

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

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 264 together. Analysis of Irish dairy farming shows a wide variation in performance efficiencies between high and low cost producers. There is a difference of approximately 56% in the cost base between those with the lowest production cost and those with the highest, amounting to 9c/litre. Production costs vary across the EU, but Ireland has an...