Results 15,321-15,340 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and I met on 20 December 2004, at my request, to discuss issues of particular interest to Ireland, including the up-to-date position in the WTO negotiations. The WTO negotiations were also discussed at the Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting on 21 December 2004 which I attended. I intend to keep in close contact with the situation as...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The modulated funds become available for use in 2006. I will decide on their use and seek the necessary EU approval in the coming months. My Department is currently finalising its examination of the relevant options. As part of that examination, there has been a widespread public consultation and discussions with stakeholders. The use of modulated funds in 2006 is limited to certain measures....

Written Answers — Farm Incomes: Farm Incomes (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: In December 2004 the CSO reported a 1.3% increase in aggregate farm income with the livestock sectors having a reasonably positive year and steady milk output and prices. These improvements are based on continuing positive trading conditions on EU markets for beef with consumption exceeding production, good demand for sheepmeat and steady demand on international markets for dairy commodities....

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: In 2004, 126 cases of BSE were confirmed compared with 182 in 2003 and 333 in 2002. This represents a reduction of 31% and 62% respectively. Of the 2004 cases, the vast majority have occurred in animals born prior to the introduction of the additional controls. The shift in age profile in BSE cases as well as a reduction in case numbers indicates that the additional controls introduced in...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the consignment of maize gluten to which the Deputy refers. This consignment was imported from the USA last November and was found on analysis to contain traces of bone spicules. I am satisfied that the controls operated by my Department are adequate to ensure that any contamination is detected at the earliest possible stage in the feed chain. My Department takes samples from...

Written Answers — Departmental Budget: Departmental Budget (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The following are the gross and net allocations for my Department during the past ten years: Gross € million Net € million 2005 1,427 973 2004 1,405 926 2003 1,246 836 2002 1,348 888 2001 1,513 1,090 2000 1,146 781 1999 1,032 635 1998 997 527 1997 973 522 1996 914 539 I am satisfied that the level of Exchequer funds voted...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Last week I led a delegation of food and drink industry representatives to China as part of a wider trade mission led by the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, from 17 to 22 January 2005. I accompanied the Taoiseach at formal state functions, including a meeting with the Chinese Premier, Mr. Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao. I also held talks with the Chinese Vice-Minister of Agriculture and...

Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware that the increase in the price of natural gas is placing significant pressure on tomato growers. As almost 30% of the total cost of growing a heated glasshouse crop is comprised of energy costs, any increase in the price of gas must have an impact on production costs in the protected crops sector. Arising out of this concern, the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, met the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (27 Jan 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. Ireland submitted an action programme for further implementation of the directive to the European Commission on 22 October 2004. In parallel with this, Ireland also submitted a derogation proposal on 11 November 2004 setting out a scientific...

Written Answers — Horticulture Industry: Horticulture Industry (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The changing environment in which the horticulture industry operates creates important challenges and opportunities which need to be carefully considered and addressed in order to maximise the potential of the sector. There is a range of issues critical to the expansion of the sector and among the most important are market opportunities, the competitiveness of the sector, consolidation of the...

Written Answers — Agenda 2000: Agenda 2000 (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The agreement on the mid-term review of Agenda 2000 reached at the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 26 June 2003 was balanced and it addressed Ireland's principal objectives. Among these objectives was the preservation of the financial benefits achieved under the Agenda 2000 agreement and the establishment of a policy framework that will allow farmers and the agri-sector the flexibility to...

Written Answers — Farming Supports: Farming Supports (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am keenly aware of the need to make available appropriate supports for small farmers. In this regard, as the Deputy is no doubt aware, small farmers benefit from all of the supports administered by my Department. One of the areas where this is possible is the rural environment protection scheme or REPS. The latest version of the scheme was introduced in June 2004. In addition to an average...

Written Answers — Horticulture Industry: Horticulture Industry (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department supports glasshouse growers on an ongoing basis through the grant aid scheme for capital investment under the national development plan. Last year an amount of just over €1 million was paid to glasshouse growers to upgrade their facilities. This included both glasshouses and glasshouse equipment such as heating systems and energy reduction installations. Earlier this week, my...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (27 Jan 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. Ireland submitted an action programme for further implementation of the directive to the European Commission on 22 October 2004. In parallel with the submission of the action programme, Ireland also submitted a derogation proposal on 11 November...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: EU regulations provide for a detailed labelling system for beef to be applied at retail sale which is over and above the general labelling provisions and includes country of origin designation. However, this requirement does not apply at restaurant and catering sector level and it is my intention to proceed with a legal requirement that country of origin must be displayed in respect of beef...

Written Answers — Teagasc Services: Teagasc Services (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, was established under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988. Its function under the Act is to provide research, training and advisory services for the agri-food sector. Teagasc is governed by an 11 member authority. The chairman and five ordinary members are appointed by the Minister and the remaining five members are...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The rate of pension payable under the 1994 scheme of early retirement from farming is the maximum amount provided for by the EU Council regulation under which the scheme was introduced. The regulation does not provide for indexation of payments. My Department's proposals for the current early retirement scheme, which commenced on 27 November 2000 and is one of the measures in the CAP rural...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland exported nearly 125,000 live cattle last year to various destinations in Europe and also to the Lebanon compared with 220,000 in 2003. The principal destinations in Europe were Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. The reduced numbers in 2004 can be attributed to buoyant prices for cattle on the home market and a strong export market in beef. In addition, the focus of...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The hygiene package and the food and feed regulation were adopted during 2004. These measures bring together, update and consolidate EU food and feed legislation. They cover all food business operators throughout the food chain from farmer to retailer and the controls involved are operated by a number of Departments and official agencies in Ireland. The legislation comes into force from 1...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy may be aware an inter-departmental-interagency working group was established within my Department in October 2003 for the purposes of identifying and evaluating the issues and implications for crop production in Ireland that would arise from the cultivation of GM crops; and developing proposals for a national strategy and best practices to ensure the co-existence of GM crops...