Results 15,701-15,720 of 18,347 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Written Answers — Dairy Industry: Dairy Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: My Department provides funding for pre-commercial research in the food sector through the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM). Within the dairy sector, FIRM funded research is ongoing on milk, cheese, new food ingredients, manufacturing and processing which will support the development of the sector including new products. Support for research projects will continue within future...
- Written Answers — Dairy Industry: Dairy Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: The Farm Improvement Scheme (FIS) introduced in 2007 extended grant-aid to feeding systems and increased the specific investment ceilings for milking machines and bulk milk tanks from â¬16,000 to â¬40,000 and â¬25,000 respectively. Overall expenditure under the Farm Improvement Scheme in 2007 and 2008 was in excess of â¬12.9million.
- Written Answers — Sheep Industry: Sheep Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: Good progress is being made in implementing the recommendations of the Sheep Industry Strategy Development Group. While most of the group's recommendations are to be implemented by the industry itself, a number of them fall within the remit of my Department and the state agencies under my aegis. The position regarding these recommendations is set out below. A new company called 'Sheep...
- Written Answers — Sheep Industry: Sheep Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: A new company called 'Sheep Ireland' which will take over the Department's current breed improvement programme has been established to develop a new programme. An Interim Sheep Board, comprising representatives of farming organisations and breeders has been established to oversee this process, with ICBF providing the technical and professional service required. Teagasc has also launched an...
- Written Answers — Sheep Industry: Sheep Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: The Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme operated by Bord Bia was established in 2007 and has 7000 participants. Bord Bia is also actively engaged in the marketing and promotion of sheepmeat at home and abroad. Some â¬1 million annually is spent on these activities which are targeted at the needs of particular markets. Currently, Bord Bia along with its French and British counterparts, is...
- Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: Significant progress has been made in enhancing the specific quality assurance schemes for the cereals, pigmeat and poultry sectors. The Irish Grain Assurance Scheme (IGAS) assures customers that grain is produced, handled, stored and transported according to a defined Code of Practice. Almost 6,000 cereals producers are now participating in the scheme, which accounts for approximately 90%...
- Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: The Farm Improvement Scheme provided grant-aid for the installation of bins and silos (but excluding dedicated stores) for grain storage at a standard grant-rate of 40% up to a maximum eligible investment ceiling of â¬120,000.
- Written Answers — Horticulture Industry: Horticulture Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: The EU prohibits national supports which are targeted at import substitution. The fruit and vegetable sector contributed approx â¬213.7m to farm output in 2007, an increase of 14% over 2000. Figures are not yet available for 2008 but a significant change is not expected. The sector has considerable potential for further development but it is experiencing strong competitive pressures,...
- Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: Under the main afforestation scheme, higher premiums are paid for planting of broadleaves. Broadleaves (and largely native types) now comprise 30% of all new planting. The Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS), which has a strong emphasis on diversity and nature value, has a specific requirement to plant a minimum of 15% broadleaves/native trees. Also, the Native Woodland Scheme...
- Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1227 and 1231 together. The annual forestry premium increased by 15% from 2007, with a maximum payment of up to â¬574 per hectare per annum paid over 20 years. Under the new FEPS an additional premium of up to â¬200 per hectare for five years is available to farmers in REPS who join FEPS. The target of 30% broadleaf planting has been achieved in 2005 and...
- Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: My Department, in conjunction with Teagasc and COFORD have been actively encouraging the development of new markets for forest thinnings in the heat energy sector through a range of support measures aimed at creating an effective supply chain from producer to end user. Since 2006 COFORD (National Council for Forest Research and Development), which is wholly funded by my Department, has been...
- Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: My Department promotes the establishment of new forests through a range of attractive support measures, namely the Afforestation Grant Scheme, the Forest Environment Protection Scheme and the Native Woodland Scheme. These schemes provide 100% establishment grants and annual premiums for up to 20 years. During 2007 and 2008 my Department provided grants totalling â¬550,000 under the Wood...
- Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: Following a full review and consultation with the sector, the FEPS scheme has been amended and rolled out as an established scheme. The threshold of 8 hectares has been reduced to 5 hectares for small farms (less than 30ha), attracting a â¬150/ha rate for plantations between 5 and 8 ha, and â¬200/ha thereafter. At the other end of the scale, a standard rate of â¬200/ha applies for all...
- Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: The review of the main elements of the 1946 Forestry Act has now been completed. The draft Scheme of the Forest Bill, along with the Screening Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) and Memorandum for Government have been prepared and will be submitted to Government shortly for approval to send to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting. Any additional amendments of existing forestry...
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: The primary responsibility for renewable energy rests with the Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources (D/CENR) and my Department is participating in a new Renewable Energy Development Group established by D/CENR to consider the challenges and opportunities facing the Irish renewable energy sector. A sectoral sub-group on Bioenergy has been established to prepare a...
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recognises the crucial role that research can play in the development of biofuels and biomass in Ireland. In recent years, our support for research in this area has been greatly enhanced under the Department's Research Stimulus Fund Programme. Under Stimulus Calls in 2005, 2006 and 2007, 13 projects were awarded grant assistance of almost...
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: The Government's Bioenergy Action Plan provides a platform for the development of bioenergy sources in Ireland. My Department implements the agriculture related actions in the Action Plan to increase the share of bioenergy derived from the agriculture and forestry related sectors. The measures include a National Energy Crop Premium worth â¬80 per hectare and an EU premium worth â¬45 per...
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: In February 2007, my Department launched a new Bioenergy Scheme providing establishment grants to farmers to grow miscanthus and willow. The grants are worth â¬1,450 per hectare. Some 1,800 hectares were grant aided in 2007 & 2008. The third phase was launched in December 2008 and will support the planting of a further 1,800 hectares in 2009. In addition to establishment grants, farmers...
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: The new Organic Farming Scheme, under the Rural Development Programme 2007 to 2013, aims at encouraging producers to respond to the market demand for organic food. It was launched in August 2007 with a 17% increase in payment rates in line with the Towards 2016 Agreement. One significant change in the new Programme is that organic producers can obtain organic support payments without having...
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (27 Jan 2009)
Brendan Smith: Bord Bia continually assists producers and market organisers on sales, marketing and product development and its guide on "Alternative Routes to Market" provides action plans and guidelines to assist growers and food entrepreneurs who wish to set up in business through Farmers' Markets, farm shops and box schemes. Bord Bia has also developed the exceptionally successful market in Farmleigh in...