Results 16,221-16,240 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 114 together. The movement of susceptible animals within and from bluetongue restricted areas is subject to EU legislation which is kept under ongoing review and adapted from time to time. As Ireland is free of Bluetongue, it has availed of certain transitional provisions available under EU rules which limit movements of live susceptible animals out of...
- Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: The deadline of 31 December 2008 for completion of work by farmers under the revised Farm Waste Management scheme introduced by my Department in March 2006 is a condition of the EU state aid approval for the Scheme. The European Commission has since reaffirmed that it expects Ireland to respect this deadline strictly.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: My approach in preparing the 2009 Estimates for my Department was to focus available resources on the measures which support the maintenance and growth of the productive capacity of the agri-food sector. The 2009 Estimates provide over â¬1.8 billion for my Department, and, when combined with EU funding of â¬1.4 billion, means that total expenditure in 2009 by my Department will amount to...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: The Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-13 (The Cawley Report) is the blueprint for the development of the seafood sector. An implementation group, the Seafood Strategy Implementation Group (SSIG) was set up last year under the chairmanship of Dr Noel Cawley. It is comprised of stakeholders from all sectors of the industry as well as...
- Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: The deadline of 31 December 2008 for completion of work by farmers under the revised Farm Waste Management Scheme introduced by my Department in March 2006 is a condition of the EU state aid approval for the Scheme. The European Commission has since reaffirmed that it expects Ireland to respect this deadline strictly.
- Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: Steering a New Course, the Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-13 (The Cawley Report) recommended a restructured fishing fleet, consistent with the sustainable exploitation of available resources and economic requirements of vessel owners and the shore-based industries dependent on it. The Cawley report prioritised in the first instance a...
- Written Answers — Climate Change Strategy: Climate Change Strategy (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: The agricultural sector is already making a significant contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol allowed Ireland to increase emissions to a level 13% above 1990 levels by 2012. In its latest analysis, published in September 2008, the Environment Protection Agency projects that emissions from the agriculture sector in that period will actually fall to...
- Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: I recently announced that I intend to convene a Dairy Forum. The purpose of the forum will be to take stock of the current situation on milk markets and to consider, in the light of the new policy direction at EU level arising from the conclusion of the Health Check negotiations, how Ireland can best exploit our new milk production potential. Having secured an additional increase of over 9%...
- Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: As the Deputy is aware, it was decided by the Government, as announced on Budget Day, that COFORD (the National Council for Forest Research and Development) is to be merged into my Department. The implications of this decision for COFORD, and the necessary actions to implement the decision, are currently being examined within my Department.
- Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: The horticulture and nursery sector contributed approximately â¬282 million to farm output in 2007. The sector has considerable potential for further development but is experiencing strong competitive pressures, particularly from the highly concentrated retail chain and from imports. In March 2007 Bord Bia published the Strategic Review of the Horticulture Industry which identified the...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: The net financial ceiling under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme is â¬1.274 billion, net of 5% Modulation, while the budgetary figure for the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (DAS) is â¬257 million, which also includes provision for residue payments from previous years. Although a total of 133,046 applications were received under the 2008 Schemes, these represent a maximum payable of approximately...
- Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 105 together. In February this year acting on a central recommendation from the Cawley report and following State Aid approval by the European Commission, a scheme to permanently withdraw capacity from the whitefish sector of the Irish fishing fleet was launched. To date 57 vessels have been approved and offered decommissioning grants. 45 vessels have...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 110 and 133 together. I have been actively pursuing this important matter at both Council and European Commission level. The Irish submission was the subject of a lengthy bilateral meeting at official level with the Commission on 30 September. At that meeting it was made clear that the submission cannot be implemented unless the Commission secures and...
- Written Answers — Food Processing Inspections: Food Processing Inspections (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: My Department, through its Veterinary Inspectorate, is responsible for the supervision of 165 large meat processing plants, including 10 poultry processing plants, which are approved under the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2005. The Department employs Veterinary Inspectors and technical staff, and engages Temporary Veterinary Inspectors on a contract for service...
- Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: My approach in preparing the 2009 Estimates for my Department was to focus available resources on the measures which support the maintenance and growth of the productive capacity of the agri-food sector. The 2009 Estimates provide over â¬1.8 billion for my Department, and, when combined with EU funding of â¬1.4 billion, means that total expenditure in 2009 by my Department will amount to...
- Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: In the'Towards 2016' Partnership Agreement, a commitment was made to provide funding of â¬250 million over the five years 2008 to 2012, in support of a suckler scheme. This commitment is being honoured. Based on the very significant level of participation, the cost of the scheme, at a rate of â¬80 per cow, will be some â¬77 million for 2008, of which â¬33 million has been allocated in my...
- Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: Following historically high dairy product prices last year and into the early part of 2008, dairy exporters are now facing difficulties as markets have contracted and prices have returned to 2006 levels, with butter prices currently below intervention level. In view of the current volatility in dairy markets, I contacted EU Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel in early November to activate...
- Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: There are no proposals to introduce an additional annual payment for farmers who have planted broadleaf forests. My Department already provides very generous annual premium payments to farmers who plant broadleaf forests, under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme. These premiums are paid for 20 years and range from â¬508 to â¬573 per hectare per annum. Furthermore, farmers who...
- Written Answers — World Trade Organisation Negotiations: World Trade Organisation Negotiations (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: As the Deputy will be aware, no WTO agreement was reached at the July Ministerial meeting, despite exhaustive discussions over nine days. As of today, the Director General, Mr Lamy has not announced a new Ministerial meeting although there is speculation that one will take place before the end of the year. However, even if a ministerial meeting is called, it is not certain that there will be...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (3 Dec 2008)
Brendan Smith: The current Forestry Act has been in place since 1946 and a new Forestry Bill is now required to update and consolidate the current regulatory regime in the light of modern forestry knowledge and practice. A comprehensive review of the 1946 Act has been completed and the draft Scheme of a new Forestry Bill has been prepared. This draft Scheme will be submitted to the Government and will...