Results 14,121-14,140 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Dairy Industry: Dairy Industry (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: I announced details of the Scheme for the Allocation of Milk Quota to New Entrants on 10 June 2009. Since then in excess of 80 application forms have been issued to individuals who have expressed an interest in the scheme though no completed applications have, as yet, been returned to the Department. As the closing date is 31 July 2009, I expect that the majority of applications will arrive...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: I indicated on 7 April, following the presentation of the 2009 Supplementary Budget, that I would review the payment level for REPS 3 participants once I have determined the ongoing financial obligations arising from the number of REPS 4 applications submitted by the closing date of 15 May. The total number of applications received was in the region of 17,000. The precise number will be...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payments are continuing to be made under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. To date in 2009, 13,381 payments totalling almost €185.9 million have been made to farmers under the Scheme, while a further 1,396 claims for grant-aid have been inspected and approved for payment. This compares to 12,847 payments in the...

Written Answers — Agri-Food Sector: Agri-Food Sector (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: I am in the process of meeting with large retailers to impress on them the Government's commitment to the agri-food sector. I am taking the opportunity to explain the importance of the sector to the economy as well as the high quality standard of food production in this country. These standards have been achieved as a result of major investment over the years in traceability and food safety...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Under EU rules, payments to REPS 4 participants may be made in two instalments, the first at 75% on completion of all administrative checks and area checks on all files and the remaining 25% once all on-farm inspections have been completed. Some 91% of those who applied for REPS 4 in 2007 and 2008 have received the first instalment and the remaining 25% will be issued as soon as possible....

Written Answers — Dairy Industry: Dairy Industry (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 53, 79 and 106 together. Over the past year or so we have witnessed extremes of volatility in dairy product prices on an unprecedented scale, a symptom of the changed EU policy framework in which we operate where world market forces have a major influence on the price paid for milk. Last November, when it became apparent that dairy commodity prices...

Written Answers — Sheep Identification Scheme: Sheep Identification Scheme (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The introduction of electronic identification (EID) for all 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 December 2009. I have used every opportunity in EU...

Written Answers — Agri-Food Sector: Agri-Food Sector (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: I am in the process of meeting with large retailers to impress on them the Government's commitment to agri-food sector. I am taking the opportunity to explain the importance of the sector to the economy as well as the high quality standard of food production in this country. These standards have been achieved as a result of major investment over the years in traceability and food safety...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payments are continuing to be made under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. To date in 2009, 13,381 payments totalling almost €185.9 million have been made to farmers under the Scheme, while a further 1,396 claims for grant-aid have been inspected and approved for payment. This compares to 12,847 payments in the...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (F.S.A.I.). This is done through service contracts with other relevant agencies, including the Health Service Executive, the Local Authority Veterinary Service and my Department. Any...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. One of the company's principal objects under the Act is to carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices. When it was first established in 1989 the company actively engaged in land acquisition for...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 90 together. The current position in regard to the WTO negotiations is that talks are stalled following the failure to reach agreement at the Ministerial meeting last July and the decision to defer indefinitely a second Ministerial meeting planned for last December. The G20 meeting in April provided no new momentum for the negotiations and nor did...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: At the June Fisheries Council Meeting I was happy to give my support to the Commission's plan to promote the European aquaculture industry through the targeted sustainable strategy, along with all EU Fisheries Ministers. The Commission's plan endeavours to bolster the aquaculture industry through a targeted strategy that promotes competitiveness, guarantees product quality and respect for the...

Written Answers — Dairy Industry: Dairy Industry (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 94 together. A range of market management mechanisms at EU level have now been activated to assist in stabilising the dairy sector. These include private storage aid for butter, public intervention for butter and skimmed milk powder, as well as export refunds for butter, skimmed milk powder, whole milk powder and cheese. These measures have now put a...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: At this month's Fisheries Council in Luxembourg, Minister Killeen took the opportunity to meet with Commissioner Borg to outline some of the key issues facing the Irish fishing industry currently. The discussion dealt with the impact of the increasing cost of fuel and deteriorating prices being achieved for fish. Minister Killeen put Ireland's submission for additional EU funded restructuring...

Written Answers — Dairy Industry: Dairy Industry (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 72 together. The situation of the dairy market was discussed at the Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting on Monday the 22 June last. This was the fourth consecutive Council meeting that debated the very severe difficulties facing the dairy industry. The Commission outlined the measures it has taken to date to deal with the situation. All the...

Written Answers — Sheep Sector: Sheep Sector (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The sheep sector benefits significantly from the main schemes operated by my Department — the Single Farm Payment, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and REPS. I also took account of the needs of this sector in deciding that the €7 million available from the National Reserve in 2009, should be used on a new Uplands Sheep Payment, which is expected to benefit approximately 14,000 hill sheep...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The issue of retail margins on food products and prices paid to producers have become a focal point of public debate in recent times, and this has been reflected in numerous fora both at home and abroad. I had an opportunity to discuss this recently with my EU counterparts at the EU Council of Ministers meeting at the end of May and it is obvious that this is not just an Irish issue but an...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The live export trade is an important element of Ireland's meat and livestock industry providing a complement to the beef trade. Up to 20 June, some 2,500 head were exported to Great Britain this year — a 290% increase on the same period last year. Shipments of cattle to Northern Ireland are close to 31,600 head, an increase of some 230%. Total live cattle exports to the UK, at almost...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: 6,857 approvals have issued to farmers to commence work under the Farm Improvement Scheme and entitlement to grant-aid under the Scheme is established when it has been determined that the completed investment works are in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Scheme. To date in 2009, 985 payments totalling €12.3 million have been made to farmers who have completed work under the...