Results 14,481-14,500 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Bovine Disease: Bovine Disease (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Brucellosis is now at an historically low level in Ireland. The last confirmed case was disclosed in April 2006. My Department applied to the European Commission on 31 March last for formal recognition of Officially Brucellosis Free status (OBF) for Ireland. I am hopeful that a decision on our application will be taken in July at the latest. Achievement of OBF status would allow the...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: As indicated in reply to Question No 209 of 29th April 2009 the FSAI has overall responsibility for coordination and enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with this Department and the other agencies concerned. These service contracts are established in accordance with the provisions of The Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Maize, soya, oilseed rape and cotton are the only crops used as animal feed ingredients for which there are GM varieties. The World market has adequate supplies of both GM and non GM varieties of these crops for purchase by Irish feed operators. For economic reasons the vast bulk of the purchases made of these are of GM varieties. It is not necessary for my Department to intervene in this...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The issue of labelling of fisheries products is governed by S.I. No. 320 of 2003 which gives effect to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 104/2000 and to Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2065/2001 laying down the conditions for informing consumers about fishery and aquaculture products. The Regulations set out the specific information required on the label where fishery products are sold...

Written Answers — Waste Food Recycling Policy: Waste Food Recycling Policy (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: At present the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government is drafting legislation on the management of food waste. Officials in my Department are in contact with that Department regarding the regulation of food waste in animal feed.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue to the person named within the next fifteen days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue to the person named within the next fifteen days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements under Category B of the 2008 National Reserve. This category caters for new entrants to farming who commenced farming after 31 December 2005 and who did not pursue any agricultural activity in his/her own name or at his/her own risk in the five years immediately preceding the commencement of the new agricultural...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The decision to reduce the forestry premium and to restrict the availability of the reconstitution grant to forests damaged by disease or frost was set against the background of unprecedented pressure on the public finances and the necessity to take difficult decisions in order to make maximum use of limited resources. Maintaining an active afforestation programme was an important...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue to the person named within the next 15 days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the annual forestry premium that is paid to clients who have established forests under the Afforestation Scheme administered by my Department. This year's annual forestry premiums were paid earlier this month and included an 8% reduction. This decision to reduce the forestry premiums must be viewed in the context of the unprecedented pressure on...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. 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. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health and Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Under the general labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), the place of origin of the foodstuff must be given only if its absence might mislead the consumer to a material degree. The European Commission is currently undertaking a major review of all food labelling legislation. In this...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: According to the Central Statistics Office, in the 4-year period covering the years 2005 to 2008 inclusive, the food price index has recorded a slightly lower level of increase than the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI). Food prices increased by 11.1% over that period while overall prices as measured by CPI increased by 13.5%. The most recent annual data available from the Central...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: An indication of the country of origin is not mandatory for the poultry sector, except in the case of unprocessed meat coming from third countries. My Department has been in extensive communication over the past year with the European Commission with a view to making such labelling compulsory. While the Commission adopted a negative opinion in relation to our proposal for national...

Written Answers — Arable Crops: Arable Crops (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The area of potatoes grown in Ireland in the past three years was as follows. Year Hectares 2006 11,500 2007 11,700 2008 11,600 The area grown has remained static in recent years.

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Teagasc has prepared a development strategy for the Irish pig industry, which identifies the issues facing the sector and makes certain recommendations. The 'Pig Industry Strategy Steering Group', which includes representation from my Department and all sectors of the industry, has been established for the purpose of furthering those recommendations. This group will identify, prioritise and...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Data supplied by the Central Statistics Office indicates that the total quantity of pet food imported into this country from January to December 2008 was approximately 72,700 tonnes. Under EU harmonised rules petfoods must be produced from animal by-products obtained from animals that are fit for human consumption in accordance with EU legislation. Processed petfood must be produced at an...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency. As far as my Department is concerned labelling checks are carried out as part of the routine official checks...

Written Answers — Food Exports: Food Exports (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 259 together. Bord Bia closely monitors food exports and has recently published a Strategy to boost food exports for the period 2009-2011. The strategy sets out the Bord's six key priorities to be addressed including enhancing the industry's position on its home market to capitalise on the potential for growth and expansion of exports with a particular...